Which spot would you pick, and why?

[Hickok]

9 ball race to 9 racks, which bet would you pick? Getting the 8 on all racks, or playing each rack even but getting one rack on the wire? Assume your opponent is slightly better than you, such that on average you would win 8 racks for every 9 racks your opponent wins.

I would guess which bet you pick is dependent on your skill level. If you're an A player and your opponent is an A+ player, I doubt getting the 8 is as significant, since both of you would run out a wide open table easily. If that were the case, I would choose one rack on the wire.

However, if you're a C player and your opponent is a C+ player (if there is such a thing), I think spotting the 8 would be much more advantageous, cuz there's no guarantee that you'll finish your run if the 7, 8, and 9 are left on the table.

Just want to know what some of you experienced gamblers would choose and why. (If you can't tell, I have never gambled.)

According to a cheesy simulation I'm trying to put together...

Between two champions, giving the eight would make you about a 7:6 dog.
Between two APA 7's, giving the eight would make you about a 4:3 dog.
Between two APA 4's, giving the eight would make you about a 3:2 dog.
Between two beginners, giving the eight would make you about a 2:1 dog.
APA-7 giving APA-4 the 7&8 still has the best of it 10:9.

This seems to be saying: always take the eight ball over a 9:8 race.

Does any of this sound WAY out of line?

 

[erikido]

According to a cheesy simulation I'm trying to put together...

Between two champions, giving the eight would make you about a 7:6 dog.
Between two APA 7's, giving the eight would make you about a 4:3 dog.
Between two APA 4's, giving the eight would make you about a 3:2 dog.
Between two beginners, giving the eight would make you about a 2:1 dog.
APA-7 giving APA-4 the 7&8 still has the best of it 10:9.

This seems to be saying: always take the eight ball over a 9:8 race.

Does any of this sound WAY out of line?

I will put it this way. I am beginning to expect to run out a rack at least once in a set(race to 5). I also expect my opponent to do this at least once. So if I am playing a better player it probably won't make a diff if they give me the 8 because if I get to the 8 I win. If they get to the 8 they win. So that really isn't giving me any advantage. If I am playing a player that I am slightly better than then I would MUCH rather give them the 8. Then I know all I have to do is hold the table.

 

[hilla_hilla]

If you want the money take the 8 because chances are, you will have the opportunity to carom or combo sometime during the set.

If you play slightly worst and want to improve your game take the game on the wire so that you have to run all the way out.

I think it depends on which is more important to you.

 

[Flex]

I'd take a game before the 8 unless it was wild.

Getting the 8 is no big deal since combos and caroms don't come up often enough to assure you an extra W. At least with the game o the wire, you are guaranteed the extra win. Whereas, the 8 would require a slop, combo, or carom to be advantageous. If I can get to the 8, I most likely, will get to the 9.

Heck, if I'm matching up against a MUCH stronger player I'll ask for much more weight than just the 8. The much stronger player I'm referring to will often get out from the 1 or 2 ball, so the 8 isn't much of a spot. Against that player I'll try to get the breaks, the 4 and the 7. That will make the match much fairer. And the really good players will give me that weight often because I'm much weaker than they are. It's all about knowing your own true strength and what you think you need to win. The same goes for them. If they complain about the spot being too large, suggest they play a few sets and an adjustment when either player gets 3 sets ahead. This way the spot will become very fair. Of course, I'm not suggesting this method to try to win all the sets. I think that playing a much stronger player has many benefits for the weaker player and can also help the stronger player to focus more throughout the match, because if he messes up the penalty can be a quick loss of game. Some of the stronger players I refer to don't want to give me that much weight anymore, because they say my game has improved. No problem, just renegotiate the spot. I don't want to rob them, they don't want to rob me. We're friends, after all

Flex