Some players can get in trouble by always playing for precise shape in 8 ball.
There's times to do it but to play for shape on multiple balls is a better choice.
.
Tips on how to appreciate 8ball
- Thread starter LeonD123
- Start date
Some players can get in trouble by always playing for precise shape in 8 ball.
There's times to do it but to play for shape on multiple balls is a better choice.
.
Yes, playing for multiple balls is a staple of 8 Ball, but it's not a choice - you can and should play precise shape for multiple balls.
pj
chgo
When I'm playing 8 ball with a banger, I want to beat them like 20 games in a row. Not let them win a single game. That is how I keep it interesting and how I appreciate it
It is ALWAYS possible to run out in one or two innnings.. If you're aggressive enough.
I played a guy from Chicago some $60.00 a game last pocket 8 ball, and he had the bright idea of rolling the cue ball into the head ball on the break to try to "outplay me" / slow me down.. Literally separated only two balls off the stack, and I could only see one of them, and it was only about 5 degrees off of straight in.
I jacked up and jumped the ball into the pocket (even though I could see it), landing the CB on the OB at above a 45 degree vertical angle.. The CB jump bounced up about 2 feet off the OB and landed dead in the middle of the stack.. Didn't spread super well, but did get a thin cut in the side..
Played it like straight pool from there, and got all the way out. He paid, and quit me. :grin::grin::grin:
Short Bus Russ
You dont think in terms of "balls ahead" in 8 ball like you would 9 ball etc, so much as the entire pattern worked backwards from the 8. The pattern should be the ideal easiest run, but it is not set in stone.
The 8 ball goes into the closest clear pocket, from there, pick 2 balls that form a triangle with the 8. The "key" ball is what gets you to the 8, the other ball is the setup ball for the key ball.
Work your pattern backwards from there, taking into account traffic, clusters that need to be opened etc, all the while trying to minimize cue ball travel while at the same time giving yourself the option to shoot one or more balls on each shot if possible. This allows for things like slight hooks, getting on the wrong side of a ball etc.
Its a simple game on the surface, but picking the correct pattern first is the biggest part of the game IMO.
A great game of 8-Ball is like mixing Chess with WWII. It's much harder to consistently run 8-Ball than other games. Enjoy!
The stats say otherwise. 8 ball is usually in the 40-50% range for break and runs while 9 and 10 ball are usually in the 15-35% range. Certain tournaments fall outside the averages of course, but its a pretty good rule of thumb.
http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/break_stats.html
This is what my Cousin says about 8-Ball....
https://issuu.com/poolkillers81/docs/a_beginner_s_guide_to_8_ball_pool
https://issuu.com/poolkillers81/docs/a_beginner_s_guide_to_8_ball_pool
If 8-ball is so easy, then try to run 4-5 racks consistently. 8-ball has a lot of strategy built into the game. To me, the trick is to figure out at any given time at the table, what the best plan is to maximize your percentage for WINNING THE GAME -- and not necessarily always what is needed to try to run out.
For example, if there are more than 2 clusters, then I rate my odds of running out on the low side, so I might try to choose the balls with the best layout and then play a safety.
Sometimes the best shot is a very hard shot for the opening shot, where you can get the balls with the best layout and go for a needed breakout.
But for every time at the table, based on your own strengths, the key is to choose the right shot to maximize you winning the game based on the best odds that you will learn to be able to perceive rather quickly with experience.
For example, if there are more than 2 clusters, then I rate my odds of running out on the low side, so I might try to choose the balls with the best layout and then play a safety.
Sometimes the best shot is a very hard shot for the opening shot, where you can get the balls with the best layout and go for a needed breakout.
But for every time at the table, based on your own strengths, the key is to choose the right shot to maximize you winning the game based on the best odds that you will learn to be able to perceive rather quickly with experience.
So according to the 2017 stats pro ran out from the break about 10% more in 8 ball verse 9ball. Which leads me to think how come I hear so many bangers saying they are beating the ghost to nine.
Most people take ball in hand after the break against the ghost.
I suppose some people pattern-rack and play a controlled break.
Others may exaggerate.
8-ball is the smorgasbord of pool games; it has all of 'em in one game.
A player gets to use all of his skills in 8-ball.
To me, that makes it one of the best games. I get bored doing the same thing over and over, so 8-ball gives me the variety I seek.
Jeff Livingston
A player gets to use all of his skills in 8-ball.
To me, that makes it one of the best games. I get bored doing the same thing over and over, so 8-ball gives me the variety I seek.
Jeff Livingston
No one is beating the ghost in a race to 9 of 8 ball, or 9 ball, unless they can play. You can see in our yearly "AZ Ghost Thread", only a handful of people participate.
A "banger" won't win one set of the ghost in his/her entire life. Ever. Never.
Totally agree. Now, quantifying what makes a "banger" can be iffy but as a rule they'll rarely,if ever, beat the ghost in any game. As for 8ball? Its tough. I don't play a lot of it but it is one demanding game, at least to me it is. Lot of traffic and more decisions to make.
When we play last pocket we remove that option by allowing the player to replace the 8-ball if it is moved on a bad hit any time during the game. Ok to move it with a legal carom or a combination. I'm from the Philadelphia area and this is also how we deal with bad hits on the 9 when playing back pocket 9-ball.
Watch the pros 8 ball championships. Watching them make mistakes and miss shots might help.
I'm thinking your problem is it doesn't seem hard enough for you. As was said before, its hard to find real competition with 8 ball since 90% of all pool played is 8 ball.
I'm thinking your problem is it doesn't seem hard enough for you. As was said before, its hard to find real competition with 8 ball since 90% of all pool played is 8 ball.
Hi Chuck,
I wrote other games, plural. 9-Ball is just one other pool game.
And on a good break there are no issues, but even for the pros, breaks can create cluster trouble and cue ball trouble in both 8- and 9-Ball.
