Preparing for Scotch Doubles Tournament

T

theycallmerock

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I will be playing in a scotch doubles tournament in a few months and am looking for any advice on how best to prepare. I would figure that playing some with my partner in advance would be best, but unfortunately, I will get very little to no table time with my partner before the tournament due to his being out of town until then.

We are playing 8 ball and he is the by far the better player. Any advice on how to prepare? Should I prepare as I would for an individual tournament? Should I focus the most of my practice time in potting balls with simple shape to leave him the more difficult shots? I do feel that so long as I am not a hindrance to him, we have a good shot at doing well. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
 
theycallmerock said:
I will be playing in a scotch doubles tournament in a few months and am looking for any advice on how best to prepare. I would figure that playing some with my partner in advance would be best, but unfortunately, I will get very little to no table time with my partner before the tournament due to his being out of town until then.

We are playing 8 ball and he is the by far the better player. Any advice on how to prepare? Should I prepare as I would for an individual tournament? Should I focus the most of my practice time in potting balls with simple shape to leave him the more difficult shots? I do feel that so long as I am not a hindrance to him, we have a good shot at doing well. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
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This is easy. Since your partner is by far the better player, then it's your job to pocket balls. Period. No high discussions on strategy. He's the better player for a reason and it's his job to bail you out if by chance the position isn't to his liking.

I don't know if you get to talk during your match, but if your partner says "do this," then it's your job to do it. If your partner is asking you to do more than you can, then he's not doing his job.

I know it sounds harsh, but harsh is as harsh as you let it get.

Freddie
 
Call your partner.

Make sure he practices kicking, banking, and jumping. If you play as bad as I do in Scotch doubles he will need it. That is the best thing you can do for the team.
 
Scotch doubles is all about finding a player that meshes well with your game. Keep things simple, don't try to do too much with the cue ball. Playing defensive will probably be the way to go.

I can never play this format with serious focus. I have found it's better to lighten up and have fun with it.
 
Brendan Sulliva said:
Make sure he practices kicking, banking, and jumping. If you play as bad as I do in Scotch doubles he will need it. That is the best thing you can do for the team.
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BWAAHAHAHAHAA!! How funny is it that someone that can run out sometimes by themselves can't make a ball with any kind of shape when playing scotch doubles? I do that sh*t all the time too. :(
 
stljohnny said:
BWAAHAHAHAHAA!! How funny is it that someone that can run out sometimes by themselves can't make a ball with any kind of shape when playing scotch doubles? I do that sh*t all the time too. :(
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I can't mak a ball playing that stupid way.

And I can make 3 in a row, by myself!
 
Cornerman said:
This is easy. Since your partner is by far the better player, then it's your job to pocket balls. Period. No high discussions on strategy. He's the better player for a reason and it's his job to bail you out if by chance the position isn't to his liking.

I don't know if you get to talk during your match, but if your partner says "do this," then it's your job to do it. If your partner is asking you to do more than you can, then he's not doing his job.

I know it sounds harsh, but harsh is as harsh as you let it get.

Freddie
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Very sound advice.
 
Scotch

theycallmerock said:
I will be playing in a scotch doubles tournament in a few months and am looking for any advice on how best to prepare. I would figure that playing some with my partner in advance would be best, but unfortunately, I will get very little to no table time with my partner before the tournament due to his being out of town until then.

We are playing 8 ball and he is the by far the better player. Any advice on how to prepare? Should I prepare as I would for an individual tournament? Should I focus the most of my practice time in potting balls with simple shape to leave him the more difficult shots? I do feel that so long as I am not a hindrance to him, we have a good shot at doing well. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
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Depending on how big and serious an event this is, it may not be allowed to talk to your pard before approaching table and certainly not when it's your turn. While the other team is shooting you can talk all day. Jack and Jill is a whole different thing as there can be huge differences in skill level. Make an agreement to not talk about past mistakes and misses. Do talk about balls to be left as blockers and breakout balls and which side do I need to fall on. I like being the defensive guy and giving my pard BIH. What more can you ask for? Another little quite legal trick is to walk and look at next ball to be shot and which pocket. Jawing and making light of your partners missed shots may work to spur on your partners shooting, but I prefer the serious as a heart attack approach. Different strokes for different folks. It's a game! Have fun.
 
Seriously and aggressively look for safeties that will get your partner ball-in-hand. Don't try to show off for your partner. Don't risk a shot that you would ordinarily take on your own money. Look for two-way shots. Do all you can to not sell-out. Defensive play will give you the opportunity to win the tourney.
 
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