Playing Safe In 8Ball or 9Ball

[Barioni Cues]

Ok, So a real good friend of mine that is rated a 100 speed every where, whom I have played pool for at least 17 years and another friend of mine were playing pool tonight. We started playing a ring game of 9Ball for a dollar a game. We all broke even 8 games each. Then we started playing King of the Hill, 8 Ball. That is just playing one on one, looser sits out. We were playing BCA Rules. Well I won about 4 games in a row and my buddy that I've played pool with for 17 years that played on a BCA league forever got so upset that he left and went home because I played safe on him twice in a row. I got ball in hand both times and won the game. Just to clarify a 100 speed is equal to an "A" player and should get in at least 17th place in Vegas open. We were just getting ready To go eat at Denny's because it was about 2AM in the morning. My other friend was so upset and disappointed how the guy acted that he didn't even want to go to Denny's. We played 8 Ball for about another 1/2 hour. So anyways are you guys not playing safe out there or is my buddy just a poor sport? I broke and came up dry. He ran out to the 8 ball and missed the 8. I ran and played safe on a cluster of my balls and breaking them out. I then got ball in hand and made one of my balls and played safe because the 8 was blocking the path to my other ball. Got ball in hand again and got out. Both safes I played was so locked up that he couldn't even kick at the 8 ball. The cue ball was frozen to my ball with 1,2 & 3 rail kicks close to impossible. His fault for missing the 8 right? Am I wrong? He got pissed & left.

 

[oneballeddie]

No Comprende

Story doesn't make sense to me. It is not possible for someone to play in a BCA league, or play for 17 years, or be an "A" player and not experience safety play.

 

[Barioni Cues]

Story doesn't make sense to me. It is not possible for someone to play in a BCA league, or play for 17 years, or be an "A" player and not experience safety play.

Oh he has experienced safety play. Hell he even plays safe once in a while him self. He gets mad at me because he thinks I could run-out and should run-out. But the reason I play safe is the odds are better. I can make a ball and play safe, get ball in hand, make a ball and play safe until it is a real easy high percentage out. He knows my run-out speed and it pisses him off if I don't go for the run-out. I may not like the run-out or the way the balls lay. But I think it should be my option. It's my game and I feel I should have the choice to play how ever I want as long as it is by the rules. Am I wrong?

 

[krupa]

Oh he has experienced safety play. Hell he even plays safe once in a while him self. He gets mad at me because he thinks I could run-out and should run-out. But the reason I play safe is the odds are better. I can make a ball and play safe, get ball in hand, make a ball and play safe until it is a real easy high percentage out. He knows my run-out speed and it pisses him off if I don't go for the run-out. I may not like the run-out or the way the balls lay. But I think it should be my option. It's my game and I feel I should have the choice to play how ever I want as long as it is by the rules. Am I wrong?

Hell no. The point of playing is to win. If you can't run-out, or don't want to take the chance, you play safe. When people give me grief for playing safe, I just shrug and say "I'm just trying to win."

Playing defensively is part of the game. If people don't like it, they should take up golf or bowling.

 

[Raider510]

Sounds like you need a new friend. That dude is a wimp. He should have manned up and respected your game. Storming off cause someone played a good safety is a b**ch move.

Good on you for playing smart:thumbup:

 

[StrokeofLuck]

2 AM, heading to Denny's... let me go out on a limb, was there alcohol involved?

 

[Black-Balled]

Sounds like you need a new friend. That dude is a wimp. He should have manned up and respected your game. Storming off cause someone played a good safety is a b**ch move.

Good on you for playing smart:thumbup:

I don't know that I'd write him off just yet. Hard enough to find people to play with...and 17 yr?!

I'd guess he was just feeling a bit cranky and had his fill of pool for the evening.

I think we all get mad at pool from time to time.

 

[Mikjary]

When I shoot with friends or at a bar, I never play safe. I go for the out or play a two way shot. I save the chess game for one pocket or straight pool.

In a money game or tournament, league, etc. a safe is expected play. If you're pounding on your chest with friends, you got to pull the trigger.

Best,
Mike

 

[brophog]

Playing defensively is part of the game.

That depends on whom you ask. The 'no safety' rules have been around so long that many would argue that point with you.

Of course, it's no surprise that players under those 'rules' tend to get into more arguments than those that play under a more defined set of parameters.

 

[Maniac]

It sounds to me that the only sensible option was to shoot safe in the two instances you mention. Let me see, shoot for the run-out and possibly "sell out", or play a high percentage "lock up" safe??? The choice would have been easy for me and I'd of done exactly what you did!

Maybe the guy was having issues with something that was non-pool related?

Whatever, the guy's a longtime friend. He'll be back.

Maniac (never underestimates the power that BIH can give you)

 

[krupa]

That depends on whom you ask. The 'no safety' rules have been around so long that many would argue that point with you.

Of course, it's no surprise that players under those 'rules' tend to get into more arguments than those that play under a more defined set of parameters.

Yeah, I used to get in that argument all the time. Still do, actually. I'm a big game-player (cards, board games, etc.) so maybe I just have a different perspective on competition than other people. But like I said, when someone starts barking about my playing safe, I shrug and say "I'm just trying to win." Sometimes I add, "You should take it as a compliment that I don't want to leave you a shot."

 

[PGHteacher]

Well I won about 4 games in a row and my buddy that I've played pool with for 17 years that played on a BCA league forever got so upset that he left and went home because I played safe on him twice in a row.
.

This is very strange behavior for an “A” player.

So anyways are you guys not playing safe out there or is my buddy just a poor sport?
.

Your buddy is a poor sport, was embarrassed to lose or had too much to drink. Those are all possibilities.

My other friend was so upset and disappointed how the guy acted that he didn't even want to go to Denny's. We played 8 Ball for about another 1/2 hour. He ran out to the 8 ball and missed the 8. Both safes I played was so locked up that he couldn't even kick at the 8 ball. The cue ball was frozen to my ball with 1,2 & 3 rail kicks close to impossible. His fault for missing the 8 right? Am I wrong? He got pissed & left.
.

More odd behavior I don’t know of any “A” player that would act this way unless they were under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A shot choice is something that the other player has to deal with.

What you are saying does not make any sense whatsoever, essentially you are saying that both of these guys that are high caliber runout players got angry with you because you let them back on the table instead of just running the table on them? Or are you saying that you are not a lockup runout player and that they think you should have taken the chance of blowing the run and gave them more of a chance of winning than they had had you not played the safe? Can you clarify?

 

[bflgvs]

All you are doing is playing smart pool; nothing wrong with that.

I've got a friend at the 'OPH' that I play that got upset when I would play safe on. It took a while but he not only got used to it but now expects it. He even plays safes when he thinks, good for him!


Gerry S

 

["CaliRed".]

I probably would have po'd too. I can't stand it when people won't try and run out. If theres problem balls, you're supposed to try and breakvthem out or get position to do something with them. Now if you try to break them out and don't have anything by all means play safe. If you try and break out a cluster and miss doing so, play safe.

Your goal should be to try and run the table, not have the game given to you. I had a guy play safe on ball in hand when it was a fairly easy out, and I just scratch him off my list of people to play. In gambling and tournaments, anything goes. You can decide if you ever want to gamble with someone like that again it not. It not any fun to me to play guys that won't try and run out.

Personal preference. In the end its up to yourself who you play. The other person shouldnt be mad if someone doesn't want to play them. They have that same choice themselves.

 

[KRJ]

I probably would have po'd too. I can't stand it when people won't try and run out. If theres problem balls, you're supposed to try and breakvthem out or get position to do something with them. Now if you try to break them out and don't have anything by all means play safe. If you try and break out a cluster and miss doing so, play safe.

Your goal should be to try and run the table, not have the game given to you. I had a guy play safe on ball in hand when it was a fairly easy out, and I just scratch him off my list of people to play. In gambling and tournaments, anything goes. You can decide if you ever want to gamble with someone like that again it not. It not any fun to me to play guys that won't try and run out.

Personal preference. In the end its up to yourself who you play. The other person shouldnt be mad if someone doesn't want to play them. They have that same choice themselves.

Can't agree here.... Your goal is not to "run the table", your goal is to WIN, by any means necessary that is allowed in the rule book.....

If that is how they play, or they are a little off that night, and decide to go the safe route, why not.


Heck, I would prefer someone giving me the slow and painful death of a few safeties, because who would NOT prefer to get back to the table 2 or 3 more times versus NOT getting to the table again.

I'll take a kick shot 2 or 3 times,,, even if I don't make it, I might tie up more balls or I just might make that 'hero" shot, and end it right there.... anyone should LOVE for the guy to play a few more safeties....heck, I might just knock the 8ball into his balls just to tie that up too.... he could make a mistake trying to break it out.....the possiblities are endless, and again, at least you are at the table again.....

 

[LuckedOut]

When I shoot with friends or at a bar, I never play safe. I go for the out or play a two way shot. I save the chess game for one pocket or straight pool.

In a money game or tournament, league, etc. a safe is expected play. If you're pounding on your chest with friends, you got to pull the trigger.

Best,
Mike

What he said.

 

[JasBy]

I can see if you are playing some bangers in a bar you don't know...then a safety is most often considered a b**ch move. I don't agree, but meh. I actually like playing by standard 'bar' rules with scratch being behind the head string - if your balls are there too.... you would be surprised how many different creative ways I can 'accidentally' scratch.

Playing against a longtime friend who plays in leagues? Yeah, he's out of line, but he is still your friend - go talk it out, I am sure it's not a big deal.

 

[Tokyo-dave]

Not trying to knock anybodys game/level, nor am I smug enough to try and sit here and claim I'm a superior player. However, when this particular question even comes up in a conversation, I tend to assume that the person asking the question is not much of a pool player.

dave

 

[PGHteacher]

The thing that amazes me the most is that there are a few accomplished players that still feel this way.

…. I ca n't stand it when people won't try and run out. If theres problem balls, you're supposed to try and breakvthem out or get position to do something with them.

Couldn’t disagree with you more you’re supposed to take the shot that affords you the best chance of winning the game on EVERY shot; and when you get more specific than that, you WILL surely miss opportunities. This is no different than missing an easy pattern for a run. Every shot take the “best chance to win the game” offense/defense is irrelevant.

Your goal should be to try and run the table

I love people who think this way, there are a few games played on a pool table that look just like pool. 1. Make the OB (beginner) 2. Make the OB and get on your next ball (intermediate) 3. Try and run the table (advanced) 4. Pool (other, lol)

I ca n't stand it when people won't try and run out
It not any fun to me to play guys that won't try and run out.
If theres problem balls, you're supposed to try and breakvthem out or get position to do something with them.

This attitude is a VERY exploitable one.

Personal preference. In the end its up to yourself who you play. The other person shouldnt be mad if someone doesn't want to play them. They have that same choice themselves

Absolutely correct.

 

[Hungarian]

For the most part, after the break in eight ball safety play is important. But once you make your mind up to run you go for it. If you get out of line you play safe. If you commit to the run out you try to break balls up. But in some games you run out to a safety. I think it depends on how the balls lay. I don't think you should change how you play when it's with friends unless you are just goofing around.