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Changing Your Pattern Mid-Game in a Pool Match

3/21/2007 2:17:39 PM

Changing Your Pattern Mid-Game in a Pool Match

Playing some eight ball the other night. I broke and pocketed one ball. I surveyed the table and saw a great layout that would get around the table and breakup two trouble balls touching each other and kissing the rail. I got through the rack almost exactly as I envisioned it for the break and run out.

I'm thinking to myself "when was the last time that happened". I'll break and run out once about every 6-9 racks but the plan always changes if I don't get the exact shape I'm looking for, or if I see that making an adjustment in the pattern might work better. How often does this happen with you guys? Are you guys constantly changing plans mid-run or are you guys more consistent than that?

Changing Your Pattern Mid-Game in a Pool Match

Replies & Comments
  1. Bishopdjkx1 on 3/21/2007 10:12:05 PM

    I don't play much 8 ball but I generally try not to plan out the whole table. I find I get ahead of myself and sometimes miss the easy ones, so I try to stick to 3 balls at a time. Sometimes the layout is obvious for the whole run, but all it takes is to end up on the wrong side of a ball to change the pattern for me.

    I do change my patterns mid rack often, but I don't think that's a negative thing. It is a lot smarter than sticking to a pattern that is no longer the right choice.

  2. BishopA-Train on 3/23/2007 9:19:43 PM

    I play about 3 or 4 balls ahead of myself. I try not to get hung up on the exact layout of the table after the break because I will likely change it.

    I'm in an experimental phase of my game in which I'm testing the limits of my stroke and deciding where my abilities lie.

  3. Bishopshark3149 on 3/24/2007 12:51:35 AM

    I am one of those guys that looks at the table and looks for the percentage of the run out if its not that great I look for the safety.

    I do have to say I always look at the table after every shot to see if I need to change my thought. I run a lot of racks but I would say I am more of a safety player.

  4. BishopBishop on 3/24/2007 10:00:02 AM

    Do you think playing excessive safeties has cost you games?

  5. Bishopshark3149 on 3/24/2007 12:42:03 PM

    I don't think so. I play a lot of one pocket so I play a very good safe game. I think if I get in a safety game with some one I will be the favorite to win.

    I do see players play to many safes and end up losing the game. You have to know when and how to play safe you when to get out. The game is all about knowing the right time to play safe and the right time to run out.

    I have made a game up that you have to play safe at least ten times before you try to get out, and after you play like that for awhile you learn how to play strong safes and when you can, you run out.

  6. BishopA-Train on 3/28/2007 7:39:55 PM

    For me? No. Playing horrendous safties has cost me many a game though.

  7. BishopManiac on 3/29/2007 9:02:11 AM

    I feel your pain @A-Train.

    I can't count how many games I've lost because I executed poorly on a safety.

    Most of the time it's on the one where you MUST hit the object ball as lightly as possible to achieve what you're after. I invariably hit it a tad too hard and end up leaving not only an easy hit on my opponents ball, but often an open shot.

  8. BishopA-Train on 3/29/2007 9:30:52 PM

    Adaptation is key to running out.

  9. Bishopshexcpoolgawdess on 3/30/2007 1:59:42 PM

    What a coincidence. It's funny that I should come online today and find this thread.

    Last night I actually had to change my look at the table and how I wanted to run my balls quite often. I don't normally have to remap myself mid-rack as much as I did last night. I tend to see exactly what I have to do when I have to do it first look at the table. I don't always complete that vision but for the most part get to where I need/want to be to shoot the next ball. Last night being an oddball night, I found myself rethinking my run out on just about every regardless if it frustrated me...I already knew I was having an off night and tried to adjust my stroke to accommodate myself. Unfortunately it did not work to my advantage.

    As far as defensive shots go. I'm in all honesty a very aggressive competitive shooter who thinks more offensively. I very rarely find myself in a position to play defense, but if I must, I do. I don't think that I can ever recall it being the doom of me when it comes to my opponent.

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Changing Your Pattern Mid-Game in a Pool Match

  • Title: Changing Your Pattern Mid-Game in a Pool Match
  • Author: (Ryan Jones)
  • Published: 3/21/2007 2:17:39 PM