When Approaching the Table what do you guys look at?

Zphix

Zphix

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hey everybody,

Quick question --- but a fun one.

What do you guys look at when approaching the table?

For me, I lay out my pattern first. Start with the 8 and work backwards to establish my shots.

I look at problem balls to see if there are any reasonable shots to break them out with.

I look at my opponent's balls to see where good safeties could be played should I need them.

Lastly - if I'm choosing between stripes or solids in 8-ball then I look at 8-ball position to see which pockets it goes in, look at the layout of both ball choices to see if either has problems or tie ups, etc.

What about you guys?
 
Always atart with 8 and see if and where it goes, then figure my run out from there. In 9-ball I look to see if everything is open if not I look for a way to break out or play safe, then plan my run
 
se10player said:
Always atart with 8 and see if and where it goes, then figure my run out from there. In 9-ball I look to see if everything is open if not I look for a way to break out or play safe, then plan my run
Click to expand...

Pretty much what he said, but with minor changes..

I see where the 8 goes, what break-outs I have and what shots take care of them. If I may have any problems, I'll also see if anything is set up for a nice safety.

In 9, I'll see what the run looks like, what safety options I have, then will work as hard as I can to get out of shape right off the bat. :(
 
dont play 8 ball, but if I did I'd look at problem balls, figure the best course from there. When I do rarely play 8 ball I play last pocket, so I would look at the last ball before the 8.
 
I look at the condition of the table. Cloth and pockets :cool:
Old habits are hard to break.

Then I look around to see if any hotties are watchin.
Yaknow.

Oh...and then I check if my shoes are tied and fly is up/buttoned.
Yaknow.

Then I ask...what are we playin again? Am I up?
Yaknow.
 
Mr. Bond said:
I look at the condition of the table. Cloth and pockets :cool:
Old habits are hard to break.

Then I look around to see if any hotties are watchin.
Yaknow.

Oh...and then I check if my shoes are tied and fly is up/buttoned.
Yaknow.

Then I ask...what are we playin again? Am I up?
Yaknow.
Click to expand...

This cracked me up. :rotflmao: Classic Mr. Bond. ;)
 
Looks like you're just talking about 8-ball, so I'll stick with that...

I start by looking for problem balls. These could be clusters, blocked balls, balls without an open pocket, balls on the middle of a rail or on the rail near a side pocket, etc. Basically anything that is tough to get shape on or requires moving it or another ball before it will go.

Then I look for possible key balls, i.e. the ball that I use to get position on the 8. There is usually more than one and they aren't necessarily near the 8, but I know I'll need one of them later, so I can't shoot them all first.

It's a rare occasion for me to plan out an entire run and stay in line through an entire rack, so I prefer to find mini-patterns and potential transitions between them. In general, I try to find a way to run out such that it gets progressively easier as I go along. The best outs are the ones where your opponent gets up and grabs the rack while you still have the 8 and the key ball still on the table.
 
Mr. Bond said:
I look at the condition of the table. Cloth and pockets :cool:
Old habits are hard to break.

Then I look around to see if any hotties are watchin.
Yaknow.

Oh...and then I check if my shoes are tied and fly is up/buttoned.
Yaknow.

Then I ask...what are we playin again? Am I up?
Yaknow.
Click to expand...

All of the above and I check the rails to see if some idiot has splashed chalk all over them.
 
Banks said:
In 9, I'll see what the run looks like, what safety options I have, then will work as hard as I can to get out of shape right off the bat. :(
Click to expand...

Coffee 1, keyboard 0

:p

This sums up my nine ball game rather well.
 
Zphix said:
Hey everybody,

Quick question --- but a fun one.

What do you guys look at when approaching the table?

For me, I lay out my pattern first. Start with the 8 and work backwards to establish my shots.

I look at problem balls to see if there are any reasonable shots to break them out with.

I look at my opponent's balls to see where good safeties could be played should I need them.

Lastly - if I'm choosing between stripes or solids in 8-ball then I look at 8-ball position to see which pockets it goes in, look at the layout of both ball choices to see if either has problems or tie ups, etc.

What about you guys?
Click to expand...

I think you know how to play the game :thumbup:
I do the same.
But always on the look out for free water.
 
Controlled by my three Pre-shot routines, I approach the table twice. Once in the beginning to make my decisions and then the final approach to execute my shot.

randyg
 
What do we usually look at. In our home bar, its hard not to notice the waitresses with the nice bums.

Then you dog your shot because you're not paying attention.
 
8 ball, picking the right group first. There are usually balls or clusters that dictate which group to take. From there its the backwards pattern planning.

9 ball, I try to think as little as possible. Look for problems that can stop a run, and if they cant be eliminated, look for a safety that I can open them with.

Biggest thing is not to overcomplicate anything. If something looks low percentage, look for something else to do. Youll usually have another option.
Chuck
 
Good 1 !

Sorry, that stuff is enshrined inna tomb w/booby-traps ! I think there is a curse too if it gets out. :eek: :rolleyes:

Seriously, All you need to know about 8-ball you can get from watching mad-Max's vids. ;)
 
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