Reverse Run-Out???
- Thread starter wild west
- Start date
The idea is, in 9 ball, the order is right there in front of you, no need to think about which ball to play position on, so simply play position on lowest numbered ball in such a way to get adequate position on the second lowest, that will lead to the third lowest.
In 8 ball, if you try to run out, you MUST run all the way out. Running 7 balls and missing the 8 ball will cause you to lose90% of the time. Therefore, you must build your runout in more of a straight pool style.
That is, figure out what the last ball you need ot get on is, and then find which "key ball" will allow the easiest transition to the last ball. Then, you find a pattern backwards through the rest of the rack that does not require any super shots. Therefore, when top players play 8 ball, every thing looks easy.
It's because they find an easy pattern that allows for all easy shots leading up the 8. In 9 ball, you rarely have much choice as to the position pattern. The balls tell you the correct way to run them off.
Russ
In 8 ball, if you try to run out, you MUST run all the way out. Running 7 balls and missing the 8 ball will cause you to lose90% of the time. Therefore, you must build your runout in more of a straight pool style.
That is, figure out what the last ball you need ot get on is, and then find which "key ball" will allow the easiest transition to the last ball. Then, you find a pattern backwards through the rest of the rack that does not require any super shots. Therefore, when top players play 8 ball, every thing looks easy.
It's because they find an easy pattern that allows for all easy shots leading up the 8. In 9 ball, you rarely have much choice as to the position pattern. The balls tell you the correct way to run them off.
Russ
If you can't run Eight... Don't run Seven
Well stated!
This a great way to play REALLY GOOD 8ball. Once you find your pattern working backwards from the eightball, If you use the 3 balls at a time method you can run out a lot of racks. To clarify it's where you play position on the 123, then 234, 345,456, and so on in 9 ball to run out the whole rack. The Combination of the two methods really gets you thinking IMO.
On league night alone I see so many games lost when they could have won with a better plan.
your advice about finishing a run if you start it is CRUCIAL. Of course if you decide to run out and something goes wrong, a jam up safe is always a nice touch
Russ Chewning said:
Well stated!
This a great way to play REALLY GOOD 8ball. Once you find your pattern working backwards from the eightball, If you use the 3 balls at a time method you can run out a lot of racks. To clarify it's where you play position on the 123, then 234, 345,456, and so on in 9 ball to run out the whole rack. The Combination of the two methods really gets you thinking IMO.
On league night alone I see so many games lost when they could have won with a better plan.
your advice about finishing a run if you start it is CRUCIAL. Of course if you decide to run out and something goes wrong, a jam up safe is always a nice touch
wild west said:
minor detail...but..
I don't think you always save the ball closest to the 8 for last.
One of the very first things I look at though is how many balls of one kind are near the 8...
Example...If thre are three stipe balls in proximity of the 8...I am probably looking for a pattern or at least a shot to "claim" stipes for that rack......especially if they are blocking pockets for the 8..
Does not mean I leave all or any of them for last (when I have committed myself to a run out)
You do want to have a key ball (last ball) chosen (if possible) to get on the 8...It ideally will be an easy route....or better yet a stop shot.....
Just don't force "that" ball to be your last ball...If somewhere along the line the rack changes and the layout dictates you change your key ball....don't be stubborn...
wild west said:
There are...but frankly you are posting on the book that has some good lessons in 8-ball & 9-ball pattern play
Not only will you learn what to do....in many cases you will learn what NOT to do as well...
Just look for the "How do you run out? threads...
8 Ball
The basic stratgey in 8 Ball is to get the problem balls open as soon as you can. There are three types of balls:
A Balls: Can be made in 2 or more pockets or a ball hanging in the pocket
B Balls: Can be made in one pocket only
C Balls: Cannot be made in any pocket
I learned this a long time ago by reading a book by George Fels and the title was something like "Mastering Pool" or "Pool Simplified Somewhat". It talks in detail about the three types of balls as discussed above.
The best 8 ball players in the world use A & B balls early in the game to break out C balls. One of the reasons to break out problem balls early because even if you fail there is still alot of balls on the table to make it difficult for your opponent to run out. When you shoot all the A & B balls first all you have left is problem balls (C Balls). Your opponent can toy with you at that point and still win.
Get the book by George Fels and you will be glad you did.
The basic stratgey in 8 Ball is to get the problem balls open as soon as you can. There are three types of balls:
A Balls: Can be made in 2 or more pockets or a ball hanging in the pocket
B Balls: Can be made in one pocket only
C Balls: Cannot be made in any pocket
I learned this a long time ago by reading a book by George Fels and the title was something like "Mastering Pool" or "Pool Simplified Somewhat". It talks in detail about the three types of balls as discussed above.
The best 8 ball players in the world use A & B balls early in the game to break out C balls. One of the reasons to break out problem balls early because even if you fail there is still alot of balls on the table to make it difficult for your opponent to run out. When you shoot all the A & B balls first all you have left is problem balls (C Balls). Your opponent can toy with you at that point and still win.
Get the book by George Fels and you will be glad you did.
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wild west said:
Jimmy Reid has an EXCELLENT 8 ball video and others as well, including a wealth of free on-line lessons.
http://freepoollessons.com/
wild west said:
'They' are only half right.
Russ made many good points and hit most of what matters.
8 Ball does have much in common with Straight Pool,
with the last ball before the 8, being similar to the key ball
before the break ball.
The dirty little secret is that 9 Ball players also play backwards.
Once you have determined you have a layout you can 'runout',
the first thing you should do is decide where and how you
want to pocket the 9. This will indicate how you want to play
the 8 for position - which shows where you want to be on the 7,
and so on, and so on....
On a practical level - all this is often obvious enough
in 9 ball that it requires only minimal thought.
8 ball is more complicated due to no mandated order,
but once you become accustomed to picking your
way through patterns, it is also nearly automatic
in many situations.
Finally - the real truth is good players actually think thru
a runout from both directions - no point worrying about how to
play the last 2 balls if you can't get to them, etc.
So you need to acess the options from your first shot
befor you plan for your last one.
It is a bit of a back and forth process, that converges
into a plan. It does get easy with practice.
Dale<thinks back and forth - but mostly sideways>
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