The other game you should play!

[Snapshot9]

This is a game especially for intermediate players:

What is it? It's 9 ball, but played a little different.
You can call it 'Safety 9 ball'.

1) First shot after the break must be a safety shot.
.....1-a) If ball can be seen without kicking, player can try to pocket it, or shoot another safety.
.....1-b) If player pockets the ball, then they must shoot a safety on the next ball.
.....1-c) If from a safety, a player kicks and ball can be seen afterwards, go back to 1-A.
.....1-d) If 9 is only ball left, it is to be pocketed.

2) When all the balls are gone, the player who had the most safeties during the game wins.
.....2-a) Safety only counts when ball can not be hit with a straight shot.

Playing this on a regular basis, will change an intermediate player's game forever, and really just advance them to be more competitive.

Try a set to 3 or 5 with someone to get a feel for it.

 

[pooltchr]

I have used a similar game when working with students on defense. Just like regular 9 ball, but the only way to win is to 3-foul the other player. Not only does it teach players to look for lock-up defense, but they also learn how to get out of trouble.
Steve

 

[kobyp]

very good idea, I'm gonna try that the next time I'm at a table.

 

[deadwhak]

few weeks ago a actually made a game with a guy..we played "safety 9-ball"(guess thats what u would call it?)...we played a $100 a game and whoever 3 fouls the other wins..it was just something different to do so thats what we did...it got boring after a while but i won 5 games so it wasnt that bad!

 

[cyrex]

simplified

a friend and I made up a game we call 'sell out' that's similiar but very simplified. You only use the cue ball and the 9ball. We played for .25 a game. First person to sink the 9 wins.

Start with the cue ball on the head spot and the 9 on the foot spot. Do your best not to sell out the 9. You get pretty good at playing open table safeties pretty fast.