Three Opening Stratagems to Win More 8 Ball Games
Lock in the Best Group
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| Lock in the best Group |
If you get to choose between stripes and solids, it’s quite often the case that one group is significantly better than another. Put another way, that player who claims this easier group is more likely to win the game. How much more likely depends on the layout, but if the difference is significant you want to make sure you get the better group.
Since this is obvious, why am I pointing it out? Because there are subtleties that you may not yet have thought through. For example, suppose your opponent broke dry and solids are much easier to win with than stripes. Also suppose that if you make the 3 ball then there’s a good chance for a runout but your odds of making the 3 ball are only 50%. You have another choice, namely the 4 ball, which you can make with 90% certainty, but choosing it will make a runout more difficult. Take the easier opening shot and claim solids. Since this group is much easier, you’ve already greatly increased your odds of winning the game. If you go for the 3 Ball and miss, then with one shot your opponent can become the odds on player to win.
If You Can’t Run Out, Run to a Hook
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| Run to a Hook |
If you’ve read anything about the game of 8 Ball, or had a lesson on the game by a competent coach, you already know that if you try to run out and don’t succeed, you opponent becomes the favorite to win the game. So what should you do when faced with a layout with a low runout probability?
One excellent choice is to look for a great hook opportunity and run at most a couple balls to get in perfect position to execute the safety. A great safety will most often get you ball in hand, and you are much more likely to make a great safety when you’re planning for it, not playing one because there’s nothing else. When you get your ball in hand, you can use it to fix your problem and run out or fix the problem and safe again until you can run out.
Eight Ball is a game where the more patient player is often the winner. If every time you come to the table you are increasing the odds that you’ll win that game, you’ll be winning quite a bit more often.
Fix Your Problems ASAP
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| Fix Your Problems ASAP |
It’s hard for some people to fight the urge to try to run out every time they come to the table. Even with a problem layout, they run five or six balls and then punt when they run out of shots. It would be much better to attack the problem right away, while there are still lots of balls on the table. That way it’s much more difficult for your opponent to run out when it’s her turn. An even better approach is to clear up a problem and leave only a difficult shot. If you don’t see a way to do this, look for a way to fix your problem and create one for your opponent.
Always look at your opportunities in comparison to each other. The one that offers you the best chance to win, even if it isn’t a good chance, is the one to take. Develop the attitude that you’re never out of the game, that you’ll never give up. Playing that extremely low percentage combo bank shot isn’t consistent with a winner’s attitude, it’s a clear sign that you’ve given up. When you get the urge to shoot one of these shots, remember this, and look for something else. You will start to win more games when you play to win more games.
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One Response to “Three Opening Stratagems to Win More 8 Ball Games”
Ben Conley
- September 23rd, 2009
Very good idea, I had not thought about playing shape for a shot to hook someone… great strategy.
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