What kind of safeties do you prefer?
In the tournaments I play in, it seems that most players simply try to snooker their opponents behind an obstructing ball or leave them an impossible shot (which makes them play a safety back atcha). That's a good ploy if, at the same time, the routes to a successful kick on the object ball are blocked. On the other hand, quite often -- usually, even -- the kick is successful.
I really to play safeties in which I leave the other player a tempting shot. Kind of like the shots some players leave themselves when pushing out. I get a bit of a silent chuckle of satisfaction inside when my opponent tries to make the difficult shot on the safety I just played, then leaves me with a good shot after he misses. On the other hand, sometimes he makes it and I'm screwed!
Just wonderin': when facing an unmakeable shot, do you first look to hide the cue ball, or do you try to sucker your opponent into taking an unlikely shot?
Seems to me that the skill level of your opponent comes into play big time when choosing safeties. I've read on this forum and others that it is usually wisest to "play the table" rather than to "play your opponent". I think that advice must pre-date today's BIH rules, coz when it comes to safety play, an opponent's skill level is paramount.
Waddya think?
In the tournaments I play in, it seems that most players simply try to snooker their opponents behind an obstructing ball or leave them an impossible shot (which makes them play a safety back atcha). That's a good ploy if, at the same time, the routes to a successful kick on the object ball are blocked. On the other hand, quite often -- usually, even -- the kick is successful.
I really to play safeties in which I leave the other player a tempting shot. Kind of like the shots some players leave themselves when pushing out. I get a bit of a silent chuckle of satisfaction inside when my opponent tries to make the difficult shot on the safety I just played, then leaves me with a good shot after he misses. On the other hand, sometimes he makes it and I'm screwed!
Just wonderin': when facing an unmakeable shot, do you first look to hide the cue ball, or do you try to sucker your opponent into taking an unlikely shot?
Seems to me that the skill level of your opponent comes into play big time when choosing safeties. I've read on this forum and others that it is usually wisest to "play the table" rather than to "play your opponent". I think that advice must pre-date today's BIH rules, coz when it comes to safety play, an opponent's skill level is paramount.
Waddya think?
