Great board!

[crawdaddio]

Lota great info on this board so far. Ok, I'm just learning this game and already completely hooked on it. Hard to get people to play it 'round here, but there are a couple. Anyway, first question: 1 ball left, we both need it and I manage to get it in front of my hole(bottom). Other guy pockets and follows it in, putting that, and one of his, ball on the spot, cb in kitchen. Do you guys like this shot? What would you do?

START(
%A[6B4%BO1O4%CB6B7%D[3B5%E[3B3%FN0O4%G[8B3%H[6B2%I[9B5%JB6C0
%KB3\3%L[5B3%MB5\2%NB5[9%OB8B8%Ph1M5%QA8[1%RA9[5%Tq8I5%Us1W7
%VC7R7%WC3[3%XN5O7%YD2Q8%ZM4O1%[K6Z1%\s3X1%eB4b5%_Y2K1%`P1O2
%ag2M5
)END

Second: Which is MORE important, offense or defense? I find myself in tough spots when I think I can get out, but end up missing a ball, and realize I should've ducked instead.
Thanks for the great info here
DC

 

[NH Steve]

Well that is where the idea of 'playing the score' comes in. If you need both balls, that draw shot where you force the head ball towards your pocket and twice bank the second ball at the same time -- if you need both balls it's a good shot. If you need one, you wouldn't want to do that, because it leaves both balls very much in play, and it can cough up a shot as well.

The standard if you only need one is:
START(
%A[6B4%BO1O4%CB6B7%D[3B5%E[3B3%FN0O4%G[8B3%H[6B2%I[9B5%JB6C0
%KB3\3%L[5B3%MB5\2%NB5[9%OB8B8%Ph1M5%QA6[6%RA9[5%Tq8I5%Un2S1
%VC5P3%WO0W0%XN9P1%YD5P2%ZM2O4%[D6I9%\O2N3%eA9`6%_P7N9%`Y6N1
%ag2M5
)END

Or this from the other side of the table:
START(
%A[6B4%BO1O4%CB6B7%D[3B5%E[3B3%FN0O4%G[8B3%H[6B2%I[9B5%JB6C0
%KB3\3%L[5B3%MB5\2%NB5[9%OB8B8%Ph3U4%QA6[6%RA9[5%T_9_0%Un2S1
%VC5P3%WO0W0%XN9P1%YD5P2%ZM2O4%[G9D7%\O2N3%]D1H2%^G1C9%eB8`3
%_Q0O6%`\0R4%ag0U0
)END

 

[vapros]

Alternative shot

Alternative shot

If I need only one ball, this is my favorite way to hit it:

START(
%AN7O5%BC0\5%CB9\1%DB8B9%EM4O5%FB8\5%GC1B3%HB8B7%IB2B9%JB5B8
%KB5[7%LB8B3%MB3\1%NA9\3%OB5B8%Pg6Q7%YO8G5%ZN8N5%_D0R2%`O0O6
%af7Q6%b_7J0%cC4N3%dL5O4
)END

With just a little practice, you can leave the cue ball within a half inch of the foot rail.

I hope this comes thru. It's my first effort to illustrate a shot on the table diagram.

 

[crawdaddio]

Well the idea here is that I only need one ball, my opponent made one for me but scratched to bring it(along w/one of his) back out. On your diagrams you push a ball toward your side while the other goes uptable. That is a good idea but can't he then just push that one back uptable as well? I guess the main point/question is do you go for the one you need, as in the shot I showed, or just break 'em out and hope he leaves you a long bank? I have made this shot 'pretty consistently' probably 30% to be honest, but if I miss it leaves him pretty difficult as well. So offense or defense? It seems the consensus is defense......any input?
Thank you guys for the advice and your time, it is much appreciated.
DC

 

[laces]

The shot where you "push" the first ball through and two rail the second is a risky shot. If you know the table and know where the balls are going it can be a good shot. On the other hand if you do not know the table I would recommend that you shoot it like it has been illustrated by the other players. You mentioned that the other player can just hit it up table, that is all the better. I would rather have two balls up table and need one than two balls down table and the other player only needs two.

 

[Smorgass Bored]

Well the idea here is that I only need one ball, my opponent made one for me but scratched to bring it(along w/one of his) back out. On your diagrams you push a ball toward your side while the other goes uptable. That is a good idea but can't he then just push that one back uptable as well? I guess the main point/question is do you go for the one you need, as in the shot I showed, or just break 'em out and hope he leaves you a long bank? I have made this shot 'pretty consistently' probably 30% to be honest, but if I miss it leaves him pretty difficult as well. So offense or defense? It seems the consensus is defense......any input?
Thank you guys for the advice and your time, it is much appreciated.
DC

It all depends on the circumstances (imo). Are you hitting them REAL well at the time ? Is your opponent ? Are you playing for $20 with only five dollars in your pocket ? Are you low on gas and cigarettes and your rent is due and you're playing for $500 on your case $500 ? Are you on your 'suitcase game' (playing 'on air') ? If you need one and your opponent needs two and you're playing for Free or for cheap, you might want to play the draw shot. Convential wisdom says to play the safer shot and wait for your opponent to mess up. Remember, if you keep hitting a/your shot at pocket speed and putting the ball close your pocket, it's hard for the opponent to free fire at his hole when the penalty is loss of game. Today, you have so many impatient, straight shooting, nineball players firing offensive shots and making them (and giving you chest pains), that it's hard to play the slow patient game. Lately,some local players are breaking the balls like an 8-ball game. That's like signing your own death warrant if you're playing a really good player (imo). If Richie Richeson is playing me 20-3 for some jellybeans (which he has) and I'm a few games up, I 'MAY' try that tactic, but Richie can torture you if you break the balls wide open. OTOH, I've seen guys use that break and not only make a ball in their pocket, but move ALL the balls to their side of the table and leave MY side of the table looking like the Mojave Desert. If you watch some Accu-Stat tapes of Parica playing Joyner last year, you will hear both Billy Incardona and Danny Diliberto extolling the virtues of playing the safer of the shots shown above. Btw, I can't access the Wei table on my old WebTv 'Classic', but I'm certain that I know which shots are being being discussed, by the descriptions... Doug

 

[hemicudas]

This is what I do.

This is what I do.

Lota great info on this board so far. Ok, I'm just learning this game and already completely hooked on it. Hard to get people to play it 'round here, but there are a couple. Anyway, first question: 1 ball left, we both need it and I manage to get it in front of my hole(bottom). Other guy pockets and follows it in, putting that, and one of his, ball on the spot, cb in kitchen. Do you guys like this shot? What would you do?

START(
%A[6B4%BO1O4%CB6B7%D[3B5%E[3B3%FN0O4%G[8B3%H[6B2%I[9B5%JB6C0
%KB3\3%L[5B3%MB5\2%NB5[9%OB8B8%Ph1M5%QA8[1%RA9[5%Tq8I5%Us1W7
%VC7R7%WC3[3%XN5O7%YD2Q8%ZM4O1%[K6Z1%\s3X1%eB4b5%_Y2K1%`P1O2
%ag2M5
)END

Second: Which is MORE important, offense or defense? I find myself in tough spots when I think I can get out, but end up missing a ball, and realize I should've ducked instead.
Thanks for the great info here
DC

I only need one ball? go for it and play safe. I do this. START(
%AN7O5%B[5\8%C[5]2%D[3\4%E[3\8%FZ5\7%G[4\6%HM3O6%I[9]2%J[9]0
%K[3\8%L[4]2%M[3]0%N[3]0%O[7\8%Pg6Y2%UI7D7%VM2N6%WD1V5%XM0P2
%YF7[1%ZC2W1%[C5[2%\I1C4%]N2P7%^f7Y1%bq9H1%cf9M1%dG1[6
)END

 

[Chris Cass]

Hi Craw,

I have to agree with Cuda on this one. It all depends on where your at in the game. I am surprized nobody mentioned you can make the head ball too. Both these balls go.

START(
%AN8O5%IM5O5%Ph5M7%UD4Z7%VN2P2%YP5O6%Zg6M7%eB9b0

)END


Regards,

C.C.

 

[SactownTom]

Hi Craw,
I have to agree with Cuda on this one. It all depends on where your at in the game. I am surprized nobody mentioned you can make the head ball too. Both these balls go.
START(
%AN8O5%IM5O5%Ph5M7%UD4Z7%VN2P2%YP5O6%Zg6M7%eB9b0
)END
Regards,
C.C.

CC. here is another one that I saw recently. If the head ball doesn't go and is short, the second ball has a good chance. Or visa versa. Either way, if you don't need both, it's a good shot. You have to let whitey "GO", but these west coast players don't mind doing this AT ALL...

START(
%AN8O5%IM5O5%Pg8E4%UK7Z8%VN6P0%WI2D4%XK1[2%YP6O0%Zf7E8%]D6Z1
%^I4C7%eA8b0%_q8V7%`D2Q7%aL6O8%bE2[1%c^7X2%dr7V8
)END

 

[Chris Cass]

CC. here is another one that I saw recently. If the head ball doesn't go and is short, the second ball has a good chance. Or visa versa. Either way, if you don't need both, it's a good shot. You have to let whitey "GO", but these west coast players don't mind doing this AT ALL...

START(
%AN8O5%IM5O5%Pg8E4%UK7Z8%VN6P0%WI2D4%XK1[2%YP6O0%Zf7E8%]D6Z1
%^I4C7%eA8b0%_q8V7%`D2Q7%aL6O8%bE2[1%c^7X2%dr7V8
)END

Hi Tom,
Your going to hit that ball with a lot of speed. Do I need to move to the west coast? HAHAHAHA Thanks Tom great seeing you buddy.

Regards,

C.C.

 

[crawdaddio]

I only need one ball? go for it and play safe. I do this. START(
%AN7O5%B[5\8%C[5]2%D[3\4%E[3\8%FZ5\7%G[4\6%HM3O6%I[9]2%J[9]0
%K[3\8%L[4]2%M[3]0%N[3]0%O[7\8%Pg6Y2%UI7D7%VM2N6%WD1V5%XM0P2
%YF7[1%ZC2W1%[C5[2%\I1C4%]N2P7%^f7Y1%bq9H1%cf9M1%dG1[6
)END

Thanks hemi, and everyone. Good advice and I'll be back for more.
BTW, hemi, what the hell are you doing up at 6 am on a saturday?
David~~loves his sleepin' in saturdays

 

[hemicudas]

Thanks hemi, and everyone. Good advice and I'll be back for more.
BTW, hemi, what the hell are you doing up at 6 am on a saturday?
David~~loves his sleepin' in saturdays

Had back surgery a few years ago, crawdaddio and I am frequently in pain. Tufffff sleeping some time. So i just make coffee and stay up. Was up at 3AM today.

 

[yobagua]

I just wanted to say how great this board is. Compared to its sister board AZ Billiards this one is a pleasure. I just think thats because of the game of one pocket itself. Much dedication must be given to it and less bull. You either can play it or not. You either know it or not. It is the king of pocket billiards.

 

[jrhendy]

Balls On Spot

Balls On Spot

Anybody who wants to try that shot either way instead of playing safe can get played. I need one, you need 2. I will show up at Hard Times Sacramento & play some $50 to $100 a game & we start with the 2 balls on the spot & your shot. This includes Tony & Amar & I'll post $500. Should be fun and the worst thing that would happen is I lose $500. I don't play much anymore, but I'll have to go off a little in this spot.

 

[Troy]

OK Big John, I'm convinced !!!
You don't remember me, but I certainly know who you are.....

Troy

Anybody who wants to try that shot either way instead of playing safe can get played. I need one, you need 2. I will show up at Hard Times Sacramento & play some $50 to $100 a game & we start with the 2 balls on the spot & your shot. This includes Tony & Amar & I'll post $500. Should be fun and the worst thing that would happen is I lose $500. I don't play much anymore, but I'll have to go off a little in this spot.

 

[hemicudas]

Anybody who wants to try that shot either way instead of playing safe can get played. I need one, you need 2. I will show up at Hard Times Sacramento & play some $50 to $100 a game & we start with the 2 balls on the spot & your shot. This includes Tony & Amar & I'll post $500. Should be fun and the worst thing that would happen is I lose $500. I don't play much anymore, but I'll have to go off a little in this spot.

I think I missed something here John. The way I understood it, I am shooting, needing one ball. that is why I cross corner the back ball and play safe two rails. I bow to your superior One Pocket skills, John. Is this wrong?

 

[jrhendy]

More On Balls On Spot

More On Balls On Spot

Your right Bill, that is the way the post was started. I'm just trying to stir it up a little at Hard Times. Probably cost me some $$, but I wouldn't be chirping if they only needed one & I needed 2. Most old time one pocket players wouldn't shoot that shot with a gun at their head unless it was new cloth or some other equipment advantage. There are a couple of standard shots that almost guarantee you will get the 1st shot at your hole.

 

[jrhendy]

Message To Troy

Message To Troy

OK Big John, I'm convinced !!!
You don't remember me, but I certainly know who you are.....

Troy

Of course I remember you. Hope your doing well. You were back in Mtn View for a brief time the last time I was down there. It's just too far for me - 2 1/2 or 3 hours each way. I'd come for the Golf Game if I could stay a few days, but I can't. I'm only an hour away from Hard Times & only make it there once and a while.