Playing Safe

Makes sense. I took a few 14.1 lessons from Sigel and he said there's almost never a scenario where he's ticking the rack and sending the CB into the kitchen (up table). His reasoning was that many times when you're "tickling the rack" (as he puts it) and going into the kitchen, it's very possible that you can inadvertently knock a ball loose on the opposite side or worse yet--- move a ball into a dead-wired position. He laughed and said he was "cured" of sending the ball into the kitchen after having people run out the entire game from a wired ball or loose ball.

I think that's an interesting view on the topic. That kind of boils things down to touching the rack or sticking to the rail under the rack. It's very interesting to read peoples thoughts on what's better between the two--- when both are available.

Dave
 
This is a good thread that introduces many of us to the idea of thinking a few moves ahead in a safety battle. Too many times, our goal is merely to execute a legal safe and leave our opponent without a shot, but leaving him without a safe next or a few moves down the road should really be the goal.
As I write this, I see how fundamental such thinking should be, but I rarely do it myself, nor do I notice it too often in others I play. The better players I am sure are doing it. I may be just too thick to have noticed it.
 
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