Thought Process When Shooting the 9-Ball ?

Agree with the others that said all your thinking
should be done before you get down to shoot.
You have to have a straight pool mindset.
It's just another ball out of the thousands
you've made before. Nothing special
about it. You convince yourself that
all it is. No more, or no less important.
 
garczar said:
This may sound nuts but an old hand told me years ago to play position on an imaginary ball. He said you play shape on every other shot so do it on the 9 as well. Keeps you from worrying about the outcome. Sounds stupid but it works.
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Doesn’t sound nuts to me - I’ve always done it, if only to avoid scratching. Just be sure to choose EASY shape.

pj
chgo
 
ChrisinNC said:
For the purpose of this discussion, let's assume we are referring to a tournament match or a money match, in which the outcome of every game is critical.

When playing 9B, on a 9B shot that I realistically accept that there is a chance I may miss, I am usually looking to play the shot with the spin and speed that will maximize my chance of leaving distance between the 2 balls and a harder shot for my opponent, even if by doing so that decreases my chance of making the shot. I'm also thinking of, if I miss, to make sure I miss the shot on the correct side of the pocket and at the correct speed to leave my opponent a harder shot, which also may slightly decrease my chance of making the shot.

The dilemma comes when you fall upon a certain angle on a 9B shot that you may be more comfortable using a certain spin and speed on, but in doing so, if you happen to miss, is more likely going to sell out and leave your opponent an easy shot.

My question is - on a less than easy 9B shot, is it negative and detrimental to your chances of making the shot to be thinking in the back of your mind what kind of shot you might be leaving for your opponent if you happen to miss? Should you go all-in on making the shot, even if it requires you to play the shot at the speed and spin that may sell out the game to your opponent if you happen to miss, or does it make sense to be thinking of a 2-way shot when shooting the 9B? Of course, the problem is, if you happen to rattle the 9B in the pocket and it stays in the pocket, it doesn't really matter where you leave the CB.

Just curious what thought processes go through other player's minds in situations when shooting a 9B shot that, difficulty wise, you have a 60%-80% chance of making. For myself, anything less than 60%, I'm looking to playing a good safety anyway.
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I don't believe "playing for a pro miss" is a good decision for a non-pro:

1. Score the nine in the heart of the pocket and not the "pro side"

2. Focus on cue ball shape, not pocketing the 9

3. Thin gets cb rolling, thick kills the cb, near half ball rolls them away at the same speed so that nearly 100% of 9-ball cuts and banks leave very good possibilities for returning to the table if you miss--shooting the 9-ball smoothly with confidence, then missing and leaving anything long/slightly challenging on the 9 is enough to defeat many amateur opponents
 
I'm in the camp that says when you're playing a shot you need to commit to it fully. If you want to make the shot focus on doing everything you can to make the shot, if not, put all your energy into playing a jam up safety. Playing with a "if I miss, what will I leave" mentality will never get you the dough in the long run.
 
Can’t play what if I miss on every ball. Why do it on the 9. Maybe you have a tough shot on the 9 because you played what if I miss on the 8.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
garczar said:
This may sound nuts but an old hand told me years ago to play position on an imaginary ball. He said you play shape on every other shot so do it on the 9 as well. Keeps you from worrying about the outcome. Sounds stupid but it works.
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Not nuts to me. Unless it's a dead straight stop shot I am doing exactly what you posted.
 
Everyone's head works a little differently. I personally do not subscribe to the thought of putting any more importance on the game ball than any other shot in the game. To me this is creating unneeded pressure.

I prefer to look at the shot as simplistically as I can. I do not do the imaginary ball to play position on thing, but I do in the shot planning mode make sure that my preferred way to cinch the ball wont run whitey into a scratch. Sometimes its as simple as shot speed, sometimes it means changing the tangent. YMMV :thumbup:
 
Shoot the ball like you know it's going to hit the pocket, like you mean to make it. If there's any doubt about making it then play your best safety. If the safety is just as doubtful as pocketing the ball, go to the restroom and wash your hands and rinse your face, then go back to the table with a fresh look at the shot and shoot it right into the pocket like there were no doubts at all. Seriously.
 
ChrisinNC said:
Just curious what thought processes go through other player's minds in situations when shooting a 9B shot that, difficulty wise, you have a 60%-80% chance of making. For myself, anything less than 60%, I'm looking to playing a good safety anyway.
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No question about it, in this scenario, I'm thinking about the leave. I can't imagine a good player not doing so. I hear people saying they commit one way or another, but I don't believe it.

I would suggest that every time a poster is in this situation, they clog up the rest of their mind and think about this post and report your findings.

In my opinion, of course you think about "what if I miss, where's my best position for my cueball." For every ten times you're in this situation, and you're 60% to make, you'll win an extra game or two in that ten times, considering four times you'll miss the shot.

I think it's easier to see this if you end up having to bank the money ball.


Freddie
 
Cornerman said:
No question about it, in this scenario, I'm thinking about the leave.
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Me too.

No question about it, in this scenario, I'm thinking about the leave. I can't imagine a good player not doing so. I hear people saying they commit one way or another, but I don't believe it.
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I don't think committing to the shot means completely disregarding the CB path. I think it means not compromising the shot trying for a safety.

pj
chgo
 
Patrick Johnson said:
Me too.


I don't think committing to the shot means completely disregarding the CB path. I think it means not compromising the shot trying for a safety.

pj
chgo
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You deleted the exact pertinent point of my post directly answering the OP's question.
 
Like everyone has already stated..make your decision before you get down on the shot and be fully committed to doing what you have decided. If you're trying to make the 9, but also worried about what's going to happen if you miss....guess what you're going to do? That's right!
Being indecisive about what to do is one question. Being nervous about making the 9b once you have committed to it is another.
 
Get_A_Grip said:
I agree. Knock it in the hole, but if you miss, miss it on the pro side.



_______
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The problem with that strategy by basically limiting yourself to one side of the pocket, is the number of times that you miss it on the "pro side" of the pocket just enough to jaw the ball and leave it hanging in the pocket, is more likely to happen than if you're trying to center pocket it.
 
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