[Pin]

I'm thinking about the way I plan my way through a frame of 8-ball. I'd like your thoughts too.


As a starting point, these are some of the questions I think I should be asking myself when I come to the table (but at present, usually don't ):

- Can I get out from here (and do I expect to if I try)?

- Is my opponent likely to get out in his next visit if I don't take action to intervein?

- Which balls do I need to develop before I'm ready to try to get out?
(A book I've read recommends classing balls as As, Bs and Cs. I'll explain the system later.)

- Can I interfere with any of the other guy's balls?

- Which balls could I try to take off before I go for the run out?

- How can I leave the CB such that my opponent has few options when he comes to the table?



I think combining developing one of my balls with leaving my opponent safe is an important tool to make progress myself, while preventing my opponent from advancing his spread.

However, I'm not sure whether it's best to give our opponent a good chance to shoot his easy balls (thus making things worse for himself) or to keep him tied up completely. This looks like a difficult question to answer.


I'm also considering the value of using your own group balls to tie up the 8. I'm not sure about this either.



It's very tricky, when you try to plan in depth. In a way it's a shame the game is usually so open and fast, because it diminishes the tactical side.


What do you consider to be important in planning for the table?

[FASTLARRY]

Pin, on Dec 18 2007, 06:59 PM, said:

I'm thinking about the way I plan my way through a frame of 8-ball. I'd like your thoughts too.


As a starting point, these are some of the questions I think I should be asking myself when I come to the table (but at present, usually don't ):

- Can I get out from here (and do I expect to if I try)?

- Is my opponent likely to get out in his next visit if I don't take action to intervein?

- Which balls do I need to develop before I'm ready to try to get out?
(A book I've read recommends classing balls as As, Bs and Cs. I'll explain the system later.)

- Can I interfere with any of the other guy's balls?

- Which balls could I try to take off before I go for the run out?

- How can I leave the CB such that my opponent has few options when he comes to the table?



I think combining developing one of my balls with leaving my opponent safe is an important tool to make progress myself, while preventing my opponent from advancing his spread.

However, I'm not sure whether it's best to give our opponent a good chance to shoot his easy balls (thus making things worse for himself) or to keep him tied up completely. This looks like a difficult question to answer.


I'm also considering the value of using your own group balls to tie up the 8. I'm not sure about this either.



It's very tricky, when you try to plan in depth. In a way it's a shame the game is usually so open and fast, because it diminishes the tactical side.


What do you consider to be important in planning for the table?

I break so well I usually make 2 balls on the snap, sometimes 3, but always one. I play the table is always open. I am looking at a lot of run out tables. I plot all 8 shots ahead of time and then with no thought just run them. If there are clusters, or a problem ball and I can see a way to break it open I play into that and then make a new run out plan when I see how it turns out.

When a weaker player breaks bad and the table is a mess I plan 2 to 4 ball runs and then try to play safe and prevent you from scoring.