In an earlier tip, I mentioned "key ball" (here it comes, Gary). In games like 8-ball, 1-pocket, and 14.1 (aka Straight), you get to choose your patterns. In 9-ball, for the most part, the pattern is chosen for you since you have to play the balls in a certain order. In those other games, the shooter decides the desired order to pocket balls. This Tip will concern choosing a key ball in the game of 8-ball.
The key ball for 8-ball is the ball you choose to attain desired shape on the 8 (it's the last ball of your group, either solids or stripes). You should choose a key ball which allows a makeable shot on the 8. Once you've determined the key ball, work your way backwards through the rack in your head (see earlier Tips).
Consider this layout where the player has ball in hand. What's the key ball? Some players like to save the 14 because it's close to the 8. I think that's a bad decision. One of the most common mistakes I see is choosing a key ball which is TOO close to the 8. The danger in saving the 14 for last, is that while it can go in any of the 6 pockets, is that if you're on the wrong side of it, you can run into the 8 playing off the 14. In general, unless you have to, do not reposition balls on the table. So I don't like the 14. Some players like the 10 ball. I don't like the 10 because it's sitting in the pocket. I find that playing position from balls in the jaws of the pocket can be unpredictable sometimes. I prefer not to use such balls as key balls. So, that leaves me with either the 12 or the 11. I'd elect to save the 12 as my key ball, but I can see reasons to choose the 11 as well (if you have reasons, feel free to post them here). Pages 2-6 show how I'd plan the run-out.
This is a very simplified example - there are no blocker balls from the opponent's group on the table. Obviously, those can change things dramatically. Feel free to create examples on the CueTable site (it's free at http://cuetable.com/P/index.html) and post them here. Think about your failed runouts and what you could've done differently to make them successful, other than execution. We can plan 'til we're blue in the face, but we still have to execute. Poor execution can be forgiven - poor thinking and planning can not. Even if you can't always execute well, you can still think well.
Feel free to post your ideas, comments, and questions about the "Tip of the Week." If you're interested in lessons, please visit http://www.raleighbilliardacademy.com or talk to Steve Lee, Shirley Lee, or me.
-David J. Baranski
doomcue@nc.rr.com
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5 comments:
I was thinking that the 11 would be the "key ball" - but that just might be my inexperience talking. This is what I had in mind for the runout.
The final slide shows 3 different positions that the cue ball could be in depending on how you made the final shot...at least from what I was thinking. Please let me know if that is wrong.
The main reason I picked the 11 as the "key" was my concern of the 12. I just did not see how to get position off the 11 easily to get to the 12. The shot you have for getting from 11 to 12 is not one that comes to my mind first and foremost. I guess I need to start thinking of taking the cue ball further after making a shot than I do...and more than one rail it seems too.
Thanks David for the tip. I agree with taking the 14 first as that could present problems if left for last. I would take the 10 next (it's an issue being in the jaws)and if you did get wierd shape after the shot you still have 2 choices to shoot for your run out.
Ethan,
Spend some time watching David or any of the super 7's playing their matches. Watch how many times they use 2 and 3 rails after pocketing the object ball.
Remember an earlier tip from David about crossing the line? They will use the rails to come into the next shot instead of taking a chance of crossing the line.
Of course all of this depends on how accomplished you are at putting the cue ball in your desired areas.
Practice, practice, practice.
I definitely can see the 11 being a key ball. The pattern Ethan chose is not a bad one. As Gary wrote, though, I do like being able to have two options off the 10 (like I wrote earlier, the CB does funny things sometimes when a ball is in the jaws) in case ball speed is poor (still gotta execute!).
The point of this rather simple exercise was to THINK through a rack first. There's nothing wrong with choosing the 11 as a key ball, as long as it can be justified by pattern play. I often see players shoot shots with no rhyme or reason, and that's generally a plan (or lack thereof) for failure.
I have to admit, in this particular instance, I purposefully chose to display some two-rail position shots to show that there are always options. It's not entirely necessary to play two rails off the 10 to get at the 11 (one rail back to the middle of the table works fine). It's also not necessary to play two rails off the 11 to get to the 12 (one rail to play the 12 in the upper-left corner works, too). A lot of less advanced players don't even "see" these shots, let alone recognize they exist. I also have to admit I posted an ambiguous layout to stimulate some conversation - it's my way of trying to get some feedback about the usefulness of these posts.
-djb
I find the posts very useful. The idea of the "key ball" had not been something I had thought about before. After reading your explanation, and seeing the example - I had to put in how I saw it as a rookie player.
The reason I started a Masters Team was to watch first hand how the higher level players devour a table. I learn every time I watch a game.
There is a ton to pick up on with this game. These small lessons are great. Keep it up!
Ok. I think Dave's head is big enough. Now that he shaves it, we can all see it's mellon-like shape and its girth.
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