Pieces Of Eight - Tip
Of The Week
Number: 63
Jim Tellier September 2012
TOPIC: Playing The Percentages
CATEGORY: All Skill Levels
INTRODUCTION:
Youve
probably heard the phrase play the percentages. What does that mean to
you? To a Pro, it probably means something a little different, because
they can rely on a huge amount of experience and repeated familiarity with any
shot you could imagine. From that, they know shot A is tougher (for them) than
shot B. But for most of us, deciding which of two (or more) shots in any
given situation is going to be easier, depends somewhat more on gut feel, and
knowing how well you seem to be shooting on any given day.
TECHNIQUE:
Given a choice between two shots, start out by assuming
you can execute either one equally well. From there, decide which of
these will result in getting the best position for the next shot. If
youre lucky, you may find that the easiest shot also gives you the best
shape to continue your run. But if it doesnt, now you have to decide
between the lesser of two evils:
Make the easy
shot, and deal with the tougher shape on the next shot, or
Take the harder
shot, get it over with, and make the following steps in your run a little
easier.
The
next item on the checklist, for intermediate/advanced play, is to think about where
you will leave the cue ball IF you miss. At high levels, playing two
way shots is often a style that some players use to good advantage. The idea
being to leave your opponent safe (or with difficult shot choices) if
you miss.
At
any level, its important to know what youre up against. Good players will
never take big risks when playing better players, because one miss could cost
the whole match. No matter what level you play at, however, its important
to remember that its often the player who makes the least mistakes will be the
winner.
The
way to fewer mistakes is to be aware of the choices in front of you, and make
deliberate, intentional choices that improve your chances!
Shoot well, and keep your opponent in
his chair!
Capn
Carom
ARRRR!!!! J