Sugestions to improve my nine ball game

L

lstevedus

One of the 47%
Silver Member
Specifically shot selection and pattern play. Any videos or drills that you all consider helpful? I already have Bert Kinister's 60 Minute Workout for 9 Ball. I thought I would ask here before I ask on the main forum.
 
I feel your question is a little too general. Perhaps identify your current level of play and the specific areas that you are looking to improve, or having the hardest time with?

The pros will take it from there...


(not a pro)

Best of luck to you
 
Not a "PRO" either

Specifically: I want to learn more options for when I get out of line / wrong side of the OB for example. Thanks for helping me point that out. I play all the games, on all size tables, but mostly 8 ball bar box tournaments, unfortunately, because its not my favorite game, just the dominate game in this area. TG for leagues or there would be no place to play here at all. I drive 125 miles round trip to play in a tourney once a week and gas was just $3.95 a gal because of the hurricane, I guess. I also drive 32 miles plus per day just to practice about 3 to 6 hours a day. So what speed do I play? I have no idea. I wish I did. Last weekend in Columbus, Oh. pop. about 1,000,000 I finished 5th out of 52 players in a bar box 8 ball tournament. You tell me.
 
lstevedus said:
Specifically: I want to learn more options for when I get out of line / wrong side of the OB for example. Thanks for helping me point that out. I play all the games, on all size tables, but mostly 8 ball bar box tournaments, unfortunately, because its not my favorite game, just the dominate game in this area. TG for leagues or there would be no place to play here at all. I drive 125 miles round trip to play in a tourney once a week and gas was just $3.95 a gal because of the hurricane, I guess. I also drive 32 miles plus per day just to practice about 3 to 6 hours a day. So what speed do I play? I have no idea. I wish I did. Last weekend in Columbus, Oh. pop. about 1,000,000 I finished 5th out of 52 players in a bar box 8 ball tournament. You tell me.
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play the 70/30 rule or 80/20 rule
if you dont think you can execute the shot you are planning 70 or 80 % of the time play safe
 
Here are some suggestions

1. Working the cueball two rails out of the corners with inside english are worthwhile shots to practice in 9 ball.
2. set up shots and use an index card as a target for the cueball. Identify at least 2 ways to get position onto the index card practice them.
3. Practice rolling into position zones as opposed to crossing them.
4. work on your speed control playing straight in's to the corner and rolling or drawing the cueball back one diamond, then two then three.
5. work on applying any two or 3 rail kicking systems to your position play. Bert Kinisters tape of Don "The Preacher" Feeney covering 3 rail kicking systems goes into an application of these systems to gain position of the cueball when you have to set it loose around the table.

Hope these ideas help. If you have additional questions just call me.
 
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Lot of good material in Phil Capelle's 9-ball book. Great stuff on position zone shapes and guidelines for entering zones and choosing which routes to take. Also learning to get back to center table via standard 1 and 2 rail routes. If you can do those things consistently and have a decent stroke you can play pretty good 9-ball.
Scott
 
Instructions? Videos?

lstevedus said:
Specifically shot selection and pattern play. Any videos or drills that you all consider helpful? I already have Bert Kinister's 60 Minute Workout for 9 Ball. I thought I would ask here before I ask on the main forum.
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Have you considered learning from an instructor on a table? Probably the best option. Next best is watching the pros play 9-ball, in person and on a screen.

Donny L
PBIA/ACS Instructor
 
lstevedus said:
Specifically: I want to learn more options for when I get out of line / wrong side of the OB for example. Thanks for helping me point that out. I play all the games, on all size tables, but mostly 8 ball bar box tournaments, unfortunately, because its not my favorite game, just the dominate game in this area. TG for leagues or there would be no place to play here at all. I drive 125 miles round trip to play in a tourney once a week and gas was just $3.95 a gal because of the hurricane, I guess. I also drive 32 miles plus per day just to practice about 3 to 6 hours a day. So what speed do I play? I have no idea. I wish I did. Last weekend in Columbus, Oh. pop. about 1,000,000 I finished 5th out of 52 players in a bar box 8 ball tournament. You tell me.
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9 Ball is my favorite game because I enjoy the challenge of moving the cb multi-rails for position.

Tony mentioned playing the cb into the corner and out for position. That is a critically important shot to know, both with inside and outside side spin, depending on the shot. When you can comfortably move the cb up and down the diagonal of the table, think of all the options you have open to you for position play. You can control where the cb stops anywhere along that diagonal. It's also a great way to get from one end of the table to the other. Learn how to adjust your diagonal line with spin and speed to avoid balls that may be blocking the path.

I call it catching the corner. You can draw into it, follow into it, and even stun into it. Just figure out how deep into the corner you need the cb to go to get your desired result.
 
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lstevedus said:
Specifically shot selection and pattern play. Any videos or drills that you all consider helpful? I already have Bert Kinister's 60 Minute Workout for 9 Ball. I thought I would ask here before I ask on the main forum.
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As far as shot selection, the most important shot of the game is the break. There is no room for error here if you don't make a ball on the break there is a very good chance you will not get back to the table. Now many players can hit the rack very hard, however, that does not constitute a good break.

A good break is when you can consistently make a ball on the break and you are able to place the cue ball back in the center of table. For me I like the cue ball somewhere between the side pockets. This way if you make a ball on the break and leave the cue ball as described above you will have a high probability of having a shot on your next ball. This is also why I prefer a Leather tip for breaking verse a Phenolic tip, I have never been able to achieve the control I desire using anything but a Leather Tip.

After the break shot selection and pattern play should be carried out as simple as humanly possible. It is in most cases best to use the natural flow to get position when ever possible using minimal if any English to achieve position on the next ball. In to many cases I see players using excess spin or English to move from ball to ball. Now this is fine for experienced players, however, it is also not necessary in many cases. When ever you can use a near center ball hit and good speed control to achieve position use it, while it looks cool to spin the cue ball if you do not understand the principles of how spin reacts off a ball or off a rail it can be a disaster.

Never play area pool, area pool is where you say to yourself well I need the ball over here or over there without picking an exact spot where you want the ball to stop. If you do not train yourself to use either spin or natural speed control to place the ball in an exact location you will never build the stroke and muscle memory to achieve pin point control of the cue ball. Yes it will take time and great deal of practice but it will pay off in the end.

Hope this helps.
 
manwon said:
Never play area pool, area pool is where you say to yourself well I need the ball over here or over there without picking an exact spot where you want the ball to stop. If you do not train yourself to use either spin or natural speed control to place the ball in an exact location you will never build the stroke and muscle memory to achieve pin point control of the cue ball. Yes it will take time and great deal of practice but it will pay off in the end.
Hope this helps.
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very important
:thumbup:
every one should read this at least 50 times
im not an instructor
jmho
icbw
(but i dont think so:smile:)
 
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