Which is a stronger spot..?

[Walt Frazier]

9-7 or 10-8 and the breaks?..I gave a local kid 9-7 and I beat him pretty handily;we adjust to 10-8 (and he got all the breaks) and it is gambling..We see-sawed for 7 hours at 100/game I eventually emerged victorious;but only 500 winner!

I did'nt tell him this but the only way I'd play him again like that is if we post up at least a dime;otherwise,I will offer him 10-7 alternating breaks..Giving up the breaks can be really tough to fade;especially when you've got a guy on tilt.

 

[crawfish]

No Question

9-7 or 10-8 and the breaks?..I gave a local kid 9-7 and I beat him pretty handily;we adjust to 10-8 (and he got all the breaks) and it is gambling..We see-sawed for 7 hours at 100/game I eventually emerged victorious;but only 500 winner!

I did'nt tell him this but the only way I'd play him again like that is if we post up at least a dime;otherwise,I will offer him 10-7 alternating breaks..Giving up the breaks can be really tough to fade;especially when you've got a guy on tilt.

10-8 and the break is far worse than 9-7. I feel that the break (playing a decent player) is about a ball and a half.

 

[Southpaw]

If he knows how to break, 10-8 and the break is a much larger spot than 9-7.

Southpaw

 

[oncepkt]

Since you're willing to go 10-7-alt. breaks, how about 11-8-alt breaks instead? I'm against giving up all the breaks, but when it's necessary they have to alternate pockets.

 

[DiamondDave]

You could try baiting him in with a bigger spot but YOU take the breaks. If he's a younger guy he might be swayed by a game 11-7 with you controling the breaks

Dave

 

[gulfportdoc]

9-7 or 10-8 and the breaks?..I gave a local kid 9-7 and I beat him pretty handily;we adjust to 10-8 (and he got all the breaks) and it is gambling..We see-sawed for 7 hours at 100/game I eventually emerged victorious;

You might try 9-7 on his break, 10-7 on yours. You might still have the nuts.

Doc

 

[ginsu]

Any time you give up the breaks in one pocket, nine ball or eight ball, your giving up the nuts, period. Better to give another ball and winner breaks or 10-8 on his breaks and 10-7 on yours. You get the picture, give yourself a chance or don't play.

 

[Flex]

Any time you give up the breaks in one pocket, nine ball or eight ball, your giving up the nuts, period. Better to give another ball and winner breaks or 10-8 on his breaks and 10-7 on yours. You get the picture, give yourself a chance or don't play.

Giving up the breaks in those games to a poor player probably won't change much. If they can't frequently win with the breaks, what they are doing is taking away a big advantage for a really good player. Basically, getting the breaks at least allows the inferior player a chance at the table, not much more.

Flex

 

[td873]

Any time you give up the breaks in one pocket, nine ball or eight ball, your giving up the nuts, period. Better to give another ball and winner breaks or 10-8 on his breaks and 10-7 on yours. You get the picture, give yourself a chance or don't play.

I disagree with Ginsu. Giving the breaks in one pocket is only 1/2 a spot - he was going to break 1/2 the time anyway, so you only give up your breaks (which is ONLY 1/2 the time). You shouldn't sweat giving the breaks at 10-8 unless you can't beat him at 10-8 to begin with. (It's different for 9-ball where someone could string racks together, but not in one-hole). Similarly, getting all the breaks is only 1/2 a spot in your favor. Try to get a ball instead - as you will get the spot EVERY game, not just half of 'em.

As for the difference, although the spots are almost of equal value, 9-7 favors the weaker player; 10-8 the stronger player. Forcing your opponent to make balls more benefits the person giving weight.

For example, at 9-7 you have to make one "extra" ball, and your opponent has to make one "less." At 10-8, you have to make 2 extra, but your opponent still has to make "all" of his. So, any time you agree to a two ball spread for a spot, try to take your opponent up as well. Playing 11-9 or 12-10 is way better for you than 8-6 7-5 or 6-4. For giving 3 balls, playing 12-9 or 11-8 is way better than 10-7, 9-6 or 8-5.

-td

 

[wayne]

9-7 or 10-8 and the breaks?..I gave a local kid 9-7 and I beat him pretty handily;we adjust to 10-8 (and he got all the breaks) and it is gambling..We see-sawed for 7 hours at 100/game I eventually emerged victorious;but only 500 winner!

I did'nt tell him this but the only way I'd play him again like that is if we post up at least a dime;otherwise,I will offer him 10-7 alternating breaks..Giving up the breaks can be really tough to fade;especially when you've got a guy on tilt.

Nice of you to want to adjust in your favor after you have beaten him. You sound like some of the players from around here "let me see, last time we played I only beat you for $500 in 7 hours so I can't give you that much weight anymore."

Did you complain to him that the game was too tough for you as you pocketed his $500?