Push
- Thread starter NewStroke
- Start date
Sometimes a player can push out if they don't have a shot after the break, let's say, depending on the rules, of course. Their opponent can accept the push shot or they can decline.
If the opponent declines, then the player who pushed out has to shoot the ball.
There is a strategy involved here that a player with a lot of shots in their arsenal can push out to a shot he can make but his opponent may not be able to make.
Anyway, that's one strategy of the push. I would be interested to read the other replies! :smile:
A Push in 9-ball is only allowed on the next shot following the break; regardless of whether a ball was pocketed or not. Whoever has the next shot after the break has the option to push.
After the push is executed, the incoming player has the option to accept the shot or pass the shot back to the person who executed the push.
In general, from a strategic perspective, I only push if I cannot see the object ball and I don't have a relatively easy kick. This is my general guideline; however, there are times when I push if the shot or safety would be selling out from the current position even if I can see the object ball.
When pushing I try to push to a position where there is a difficult shot or safety to execute. A shot that I don't believe my opponent will make, but one that I believe I can execute. Prior to pushing, I also develop a plan for what I will do if the shot is passed back to me.
Unfortunately, I play in an APA league, and I wish they would allow for a push, but they do not 
Thinking about it for a minute, I think that this rule is to help combat the "randomness" (without delving into break control, which I admittedly have no idea of) of the break. Regardless of whether a ball is made (i.e. who shoots next, after the break) it avoids giving the opponent ball-in-hand after getting stuck in a weird spot.
Assuming you already know this... I would always push when I am not sure whether or not I have a good hit after the break shot. Having said that, and not being a real caliber player, I would also make sure the lowest ball is hittable (but not easy to pocket) in case my opponent concedes the following shot. To me this doesn't seem overly complicated, so I am sure I am missing some aspect!
Thinking about it for a minute, I think that this rule is to help combat the "randomness" (without delving into break control, which I admittedly have no idea of) of the break. Regardless of whether a ball is made (i.e. who shoots next, after the break) it avoids giving the opponent ball-in-hand after getting stuck in a weird spot.
Assuming you already know this... I would always push when I am not sure whether or not I have a good hit after the break shot. Having said that, and not being a real caliber player, I would also make sure the lowest ball is hittable (but not easy to pocket) in case my opponent concedes the following shot. To me this doesn't seem overly complicated, so I am sure I am missing some aspect!
I wish I knew
It amazes me when the top players choose to tie a couple of balls together with their push shot.
They see the run out coming, including the shape coming into the newly created cluster-and arrange the balls so no lock up safe is likely when the game advances that far along.
That kind of knowledge and planning and execution hurts my head.
The pros play a different game than I can imagine.
Take care
It amazes me when the top players choose to tie a couple of balls together with their push shot.
They see the run out coming, including the shape coming into the newly created cluster-and arrange the balls so no lock up safe is likely when the game advances that far along.
That kind of knowledge and planning and execution hurts my head.
The pros play a different game than I can imagine.
Take care
I like to push out to shots that I think I can execute, but my opponent can't, or wont. Such as a jump shot, long cut or kick safe. If that is not possible, I push out to something that should make it impossible for a run out so that at least I get back to the table. For example, making a difficult cluster somewhere away from other balls.
The "Push" is when you're playing APA 9-ball and you break dry, then your opponent starts to the table, you run to the bar and order your 7th pabst blue ribbon of the hour.... as you come back with your beer walk *quitely* behind your opponent while he's down on the shot and push the back of his cue so that he miscues and then you get ball-in-hand. :thumbup:
The strategies for the push out differ depending on the level of the players.
Between two players of equal ability, you have to assume that anything you can do, the other player can do also. You can't push out to a makable shot, because the other guy will make it too. You can't push for an easy safe, because you will find yourself behind a ball.
So, you usually have to take a little the worst of it...like pushing to give yourself a better angle for a kick shot, pushing for a jump, etc. Sometimes the best thing you can do is tie up some of the higher numbered balls and leave the guy straight in, let him deal with the mess you made.
You pretty much have to leave a low percentage shot, and then hope you execute it perfectly. (If you're given it back) Your biggest hope is that your opponent will try the difficult "kick 'n stick", and hit it poorly.
No matter what you do, Accu-Stat percentages show that the player who pushes out loses that game about 60% of the time.
Between two players of equal ability, you have to assume that anything you can do, the other player can do also. You can't push out to a makable shot, because the other guy will make it too. You can't push for an easy safe, because you will find yourself behind a ball.
So, you usually have to take a little the worst of it...like pushing to give yourself a better angle for a kick shot, pushing for a jump, etc. Sometimes the best thing you can do is tie up some of the higher numbered balls and leave the guy straight in, let him deal with the mess you made.
You pretty much have to leave a low percentage shot, and then hope you execute it perfectly. (If you're given it back) Your biggest hope is that your opponent will try the difficult "kick 'n stick", and hit it poorly.
No matter what you do, Accu-Stat percentages show that the player who pushes out loses that game about 60% of the time.
The one time in 9-ball where the one at the table being forced to take a shot is actually at a disadvantage: This would be the guy coming into the table after the break, be it the breaker haven legally pocketed a ball, or the other guy coming in after the breaker came up dry. So somebody is standing at the table with nothing to shoot at, either not being able to see the OB, pocket it, or play safe with it...................and stuck with all this as a result of no fault on their part. That's where the push shot comes in. It's basically a rule that was designed to limit the luck or bad luck associated with the break.
When do you push? Most likely anytime you feel that you're faced with no way to avoid commiting a foul, or any situation where you can't avoid leaving the table 'easy' for your opponent as a result of being forced to play an impossible shot (no pocket, no safe).
How do you push? Because your opponent has the option to pass the shot right back to you, ideally you need to push to a spot where you feel you could make something happen, but suspect your opponent can't. For example: You jump well? Push out to a spot that would require a jump shot to even make legal contact. Everybody has a certain part of their game that they feel they do better than others, and it's all about pushing out to the position that you feel you can handle but the other guy can't.
dave
When do you push? Most likely anytime you feel that you're faced with no way to avoid commiting a foul, or any situation where you can't avoid leaving the table 'easy' for your opponent as a result of being forced to play an impossible shot (no pocket, no safe).
How do you push? Because your opponent has the option to pass the shot right back to you, ideally you need to push to a spot where you feel you could make something happen, but suspect your opponent can't. For example: You jump well? Push out to a spot that would require a jump shot to even make legal contact. Everybody has a certain part of their game that they feel they do better than others, and it's all about pushing out to the position that you feel you can handle but the other guy can't.
dave