Pieces Of Eight - Tip Of The Week

 

Number: 87 Jim Tellier June 2013 Summer 2013 Session

 

TOPIC: Give em Ball In Hand!

 

CATEGORY: All Skill Levels

 

INTRODUCTION:

I played a game this past week that reminded me of a VERY useful strategy that, while it doesnt come up very often, can be a really good defense, that can win games for you! Play this out in your mind and try to remember it when you are faced with I dont have a good shot--- now what do I do?!? kinds of scenarios.

 

TECHNIQUE:

You intentionally hit one of your opponents balls, and give up ball-in-hand. What good could possibly come of that?!?!? Well, the typical scenario where I would even think about doing something so drastic is very common: you are at the table, and dont have any really easy shots to take. Your opponent, on the other hand, has an easy run-out. So, if you miss (and Murphys Law says you will!!!), youre dead! What to do?!?!?

One of two things:

         Buy yourself some time by pushing one of your balls (assuming the game is 8-ball) in front of a pocket, IF one of your opponents balls MUST be shot into that pocket. (This is your best choice, because it doesnt give up ball-in-hand!). If you can do this, AND somehow play a safety at the same time give yourself a double pat on the back!

         Push one of your opponents balls so its frozen against another one of his own; yes, you give ball-in-hand, but you create a problem that he must solve, which will probably give YOU another inning at the table!

         Tie up the 8-ball. Freeze it to one of his balls (preferred), or even one of your own. ESPECIALLY valuable if you can set it in such a way that it cant be made without breaking up the cluster first! Sure, it costs you ball-in-hand, but it can definitely be worth it!

 

Note that this strategy works equally well in 9-ball: you just mess up a couple of balls that need to be dealt with in the future hopefully create a cluster that cant easily be broken up during the shot on a lower ball. Its the same general idea, though: shift the momentum to your side!

 

The reason I thought of this hit the other guys balls, and give ball-in-hand stuff, was it presented itself to me three times in the same game! Unbelievable! I hadnt used it in such a long time, and then all of a sudden, it was the right thing to do! Im very happy that I remembered to pull it out of the bag o tricks! (Yes, I did win the game! J )

Be creative when you look at the available shot options it will help you to put more wins on your side of the scoresheet!

 

 

A couple of very useful links to instructional materials are:

 

http://www.azbilliards.com/2000instruction.php

 

http://www.billiards.colostate.edu

 

Shoot well, and keep your opponent in his chair!

Capn Carom

ARRRR!!!! J