Question about Spotting or Giving Weight

[NeZ]

This is inspired by another thread posted about adjusting the spot on a game of 9-ball.

I don't really understand how spots work or what giving someone say the 5ball actually means.

I've been playing for a few years now but we alway play straight up. I'd like to learn how to give odds because I'm starting to play more with my girlfriend and I can beat her almost every game, especially in 9-ball.

Can someone explain how it works to give spots in 8 and 9 ball and what the most common spots are?

Thanks!

 

[zeeder]

If you give someone the 5 ball that means that they win the game if they make the 5 or the 9. Sometimes it's given as a called ball meaning that you have to call the pocket in advance for it to count.

Some other common spots are:

Last 2 (3,4,etc): once there are only 2, or however many, balls left on the table they all become money balls.

Games on the wire: Spotted games. For instance 2 on the wire to 5 means that you have to win 3 before your opponent wins 5.

7 (6,5,etc) out: The 7 through 9 balls are all winning balls.

The breaks: You get to break win or lose.