Seeing the patterns

S

Shoemaker

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I already posted this on Sarah's thread, but I wanted to see what everyone else thinks and does.

I wanted to know what you do when you go about seeing and deciding patterns when playing. Do you working from the last ball backwards? Or play the table out in your head? Do you use different methods for different games?
 
Shoemaker said:
I already posted this on Sarah's thread, but I wanted to see what everyone else thinks and does.

I wanted to know what you do when you go about seeing and deciding patterns when playing. Do you working from the last ball backwards? Or play the table out in your head? Do you use different methods for different games?
Click to expand...

In 8-ball, you often have to work backwards from the 8, or if you have to shake things up at some point, then backwards from the break-out shot. This is the best way to find the right pattern that can get you all the way through the rack with the least difficulty.

In 9-ball, you don't get to find a pattern, since you have to play them in rotation. So then I just look two balls ahead and think backwards. If I'm shooting the 3, I look at the 5, and where I need to be to make it. Then I look at the 4, and find out what angle will make it easiest for me to get where I need to be on the 5. Then I look at the 3 and determine how to get that angle on the 4. Once the 3 is pocketed, I look at the 6 and do the process again. I do also look at the whole table before starting to run out, to see if any clusters need dealing with and figure out how to work those in.

-Andrew
 
In 8 ball after the break I decide or look at three things.

1. Do I think the rack is runnable? (If not how can I play safe within the run, or block a pocket, tie up his balls etc)
2. What are my trouble ball(s) and how do I plan to take care of shape or breaking them out.
3. What ball is my last ball for shape on the eight (used more if the 8 isnt hanging in a pocket or close by)

From there depending on your skill level always look 1-2 balls ahead shape wise, or maybe 2-3....etc

Rinse and repeat :grin:
 
There is no correct answer IMO. In my case I play 3 balls ahead, and patterns/shots that are my strengths. I like to play from the inside of the table shooting up the rails, I don't like back cuts, so I try to avoid them if possible. I do like inside spin and use it often. Yes, sometimes the pattern is just tough with shots you don't like and you have to deal.

I also like to shoot balls in the side pockets, some say it's wrong, but it works for me. I also like to slow roll balls....but when on dirty equipment skids can be a factor.

Basically there are about 8 shots that come up time and time again, and once you master them the game is MUCH easier.

Watch the Pros, pick one out you feel makes sense to watch run racks, then try to copy them.

good luck,

G.
 
Ray Martin in a video of a 14.1 clinic at one point had a problem cluster of balls and he said he isn't thinking about a key ball or a breakout ball, only taking care of that problem. In the opinion of this ball banger the same thing applies with rotation or 8 ball.
 
Mostly decisionmaking comes about in 8 ball. In 9 ball, there aren't as many ways to skin the cat. So if we're talking 8 ball....

1. Any major problems to be solved? Which group has more problems? Which group has more useful balls available to solve those problems? Should I even try to run this out?

...the answer's pretty much always yes on that score, because it's the more fun answer. But occasionally I'll see a rack that's so useless that I will safe right from my opening shot.

2. Am I pretty much in control right now or am I facing a tough shot or tough shape? Before you even think about patterns you need to be in control of the cue ball. Not much sense planning out a pattern when the CB is frozen to the head rail and your only viable shot is a thin cut into the side at high speed. Wait for the dust to settle before you start planning.

Basically you're always either in a controlled mode or a scramble mode. You gotta get into controlled mode before planning is really an option, because usually in scramble mode your shot and leave options are limited to a single ball. It's useless to pretend otherwise.

I do save one ball as a key ball to the 8. If there's a clear option to get on that ball I'll usually spot it and mark it as the second-to-last shot. I'd say this is the bare minimum of planning for 8 ball... the last 2 stripes or solids you plan on shooting.
 
Spimp13 said:
In 8 ball after the break I decide or look at three things.

1. Do I think the rack is runnable? (If not how can I play safe within the run, or block a pocket, tie up his balls etc)
2. What are my trouble ball(s) and how do I plan to take care of shape or breaking them out.
3. What ball is my last ball for shape on the eight (used more if the 8 isnt hanging in a pocket or close by)

From there depending on your skill level always look 1-2 balls ahead shape wise, or maybe 2-3....etc

Rinse and repeat :grin:
Click to expand...
Here your answer. Exactly how i do it.
 
Gerry said:
There is no correct answer IMO. In my case I play 3 balls ahead, and patterns/shots that are my strengths. I like to play from the inside of the table shooting up the rails, I don't like back cuts, so I try to avoid them if possible. I do like inside spin and use it often. Yes, sometimes the pattern is just tough with shots you don't like and you have to deal.

I also like to shoot balls in the side pockets, some say it's wrong, but it works for me. I also like to slow roll balls....but when on dirty equipment skids can be a factor.

Basically there are about 8 shots that come up time and time again, and once you master them the game is MUCH easier.

Watch the Pros, pick one out you feel makes sense to watch run racks, then try to copy them.

good luck,

G.
Click to expand...

Get Bert Kinister's 60 Minute workout or Bob Hennings Pro Book DVD and book. They basically cover those shots. Bert has I think 26 but Bob condenses them down to about 16.
 
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