Playing Defensive in 8 Ball Pool
10/30/2009 5:49:11 AM
Playing Defensive in 8 Ball Pool
I thought I'd mention a good discussion going on in the comment section of the article on strategy for playing defensive eight ball in the pool playing tips area.
Would love to hear opinions specifically on the first comment by xxstickmanxx, where he says:
...some of us feel that defensive pool takes away from the game. I myself play both now, but only because I want to shoot against the better players in the area.
He goes on to say that he feels strategic playing hinders the artistic part of his game. Interesting comment I think. He, like most recreational players (i think) go for the easiest shot on the table, and might not think about the 2nd, 3rd, 4th shot along.
janaThis question relates to the following billiard rules:
Playing Defensive in 8 Ball Pool
Replies & Comments
quickshot on 10/30/2009 7:15:15 AMI personally do not think there is anything artistic about the game of pool other than the trick shot artist who puts on a show. Defense is the name of the game as much as it is in baseball, football, soccer or any other competitive sport. One is on the table to win a game or a match, and the person who decries defense is going to lose in the long run.
It has been my experience that the players who complain about defensive play never put in the time and effort it takes to learn a good defensive game. And that's too bad. Because defense is what makes the game interesting and challenging. It also makes the difference in the win/lost column.
Mitch Alsup on 10/30/2009 7:46:05 AM
Defense adds very much to the game of pool, and those who learn to play defense end up having a much deeper set of skills on the pool table. The defensive shot require great control of the energy (i.e. speed) imparted into the CB. done wrong it often leads to a sell-out. Done right, it often leads to regaining control of the table.
A defensive struggle is sometimes more enjoyable to watch than someone running a whole rack.
Fenwick on 10/30/2009 6:18:44 PM
With all due respect I think xxstickmanxx is living in the 60's. The game has changed and he's stuck in the past. If I'm playing my shapes it's also going to be to get shapes on one of my balls and not give my opponent a run out opportunity. "He goes on to say that he feels strategic playing hinders the artistic part of his game. Interesting comment I think. He, like most recreational players (i think) go for the easiest shot on the table, and might not think about the 2nd, 3rd, 4th shot along". Recreational players are in their own world again with all due respect. I some times play with them and get dirty looks when I play a safe?
mos802 on 11/1/2009 7:06:30 PM
play-in safes is sometimes how you win - most of the time lesser players complain
Nursey1313 on 7/26/2011 3:11:48 AM
I agree totally. A defensive game is the most challenging. My team captain preaches to us all the time, "if you don't have a good shot, play a safe" I absolutely love playing a good safe on someone, especially when you are playing a better player, they certainly don't expect that, not from a 3 anyway. LOL
I just about had an opponents head explode when I played a safe that ended up with the cue-ball kissing the 8-ball such that the easiest shot he had on any of his balls was a 3-rail kick. BIH and a quick run-out ensued.
jim baxter on 2/11/2012 11:36:51 AM
I play in a local league , we do not play by BCA or any other rules . We do not play with any handicap . Straight up , you against me . We are not real close to the big cities . We are always trying to get new players . Its is always fun to win . We have a unwritten rule of all shots must be offencive . It is easy to mack a shot with out being obvias it is defencive . We have several guy that do play in the big city come up to our league and play hide the cue ball . A person who in the real world hideing the cue ball on someone just larning a, like a 7 against a 2 . These new players like to feel they have some kinda chance . I play both here and a BCA 9 ball league , but when playing the local, I forget about defence and enjoy a purly offenceive game . Just my opinion . Jim
allanpsand on 4/15/2013 11:32:02 AMI can't find any rule or rule interpretation that says a player must make it easier for the opponent to win. As long as a legal shot was made, the incoming player must play the balls as they lay. If he doesn't like being in that situation, maybe he use some practice time to learning how to shoot from that type of layout.
When any of my opponents start complaining, that tells me their weak areas, i.e., they don't know how to kick, or bank, or play defensive. Once known, I do more of whatever table situation they don't like. It's much easier to win when your opponent decides to help you out. ;-)
Playing Defensive in 8 Ball Pool
- Title: Playing Defensive in 8 Ball Pool
- Author: jana (Jana Taylor)
- Published: 10/30/2009 5:49:11 AM
