Pieces Of Eight - Tip Of The Week

Number: 93 Jim Tellier September 2013 Fall 2013 Session

TOPIC: No run-out? Push the ball around!

CATEGORY: All Skill Levels

INTRODUCTION:

So many times, (weve all done it at one time or another!!), we run one ball after another, having a great time, going for the win, until we run out of steam, because were faced with the fact that. That last ball just cant be made no matter what. Its an uh-oh kind of moment. But its one that can easily be avoided, with a little planning ahead.

TECHNIQUE:

Well, its simple (in theory!): Dont leave yourself with an impossible last shot. But how to deal with that possibility is going to be unique to every game you might play.

In general, what I like to think is this: if I cant remove my problem balls (clusters, blocked balls, whatever) very early in the game, I must start to think about playing safe, even if I have easily-made shots remaining. Give yourself the opportunity to get ball-in-hand, so that you CAN fix the problems and move on to a win.

For beginner-level players, if you dont feel that you have enough control of the cue ball to do two things at once (i.e. make the shot and fix a problem) then by all means. Play the safe! Youre putting the burden of getting everything done on the opponent.

If you dont have a shot, and your opponent has a ball tied up with one of your own, that means you BOTH have a problem. Let HIM (her) fix it! All you need to do is hit a ball to a rail somewhere, and hopefully hide that cue ball. At the very least, think about where you can put it so that you dont offer him/her any opportunity to deal with the problem directly. Put the cue ball at the other end of the table. Makes for a long shot that is harder to control the speed of the hit. Any time you can get even a part of the cue ball to hide behind something, youre putting yourself in a much better position to take control.

Some good links

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

http://www.billiards.colostate.edu

Shoot well, and keep your opponent in his chair!

Capn Carom

ARRRR!!!! J