My question is this, how do YOU justify it? I just need to hear a good
reason to take the ride vs runnin the out?
I kknow it seems like a silly question but I'm playin in our BCA
regionals this week and its gonna come up. I need a good self talk
reason.
Thanx you guys.
Matt
In a tournament or league setting it only makes sense to chose the option
that has the best odds of winning a particular game. If there is an easy
combo on the 9, you take it. That does not mean you take any possible combo
on the 9. Combos or caroms are often low percentage so it has to be a
better bet for your skills than the runout. Often the runout is the safer,
higher percentage option.
John Black
Yeah -- what Jack said! Besides, what good is it to bring home the bread
without a little cheese?
Mike Collier
Oak Harbor, WA
I don't consider making an easy combo on the 9 "riding the 9". To me,
riding the 9 means blasting away at the 9, in hopes that it falls in
somewhere. This rarely happens with good players, but does occasionally
rear it's ugly head. It comes up when you have little chance at a good
safety, can't make a ball, but have a way to legally get the 9 flying
around the table. I can't think of a particular example, but I've seen
it come up. Usually the player says something apologetic before he
shoots it, like, "what the hell, might as well give 'er a ride".
Occasionally you can play safe, or make a good shot, and still give her
a ride. When this happens, it is always the correct play.
--
Jack
Using FREE News Server: http://www.eternal-september.org/
http://jbstein.com
Yeah, I think you are right. We may be talking about different things.
Blasting away at the 9 just to get it moving around in hopes it bounces in
somewhere is almost never a good idea.
John Black
Oops -- WAAAAYYY SORRY! -- meant "John," not "Jack."
But, I also agree with Jack (yes, JACK) about not thinking of a legitimate
combo or billiard on the 9 as "rolling" on the 9, but as a LEGITIMATE SKILL
SHOT -- and I agree with BOTH John and Jack that "taking a flyer" (some kind
of blast shot) at the 9 when no real shot is available IS "rolling" on the
9. I also do this without compunction when no viable alternative exists and
I know I will probably NOT sell-out if I don't get the 9, slop another ball
or otherwise get back to the table to continue shooting.
I feel no guilt about this, as EVERY opponent I have ever played at EVERY
skill level has tried this on me at one time or another, not necessarily
infrequently. Some of the least expected guys seem to be better at this
than others, but game outcome, regardless of success/failure of the shot
(the failure rate is far greater than the success rate), has been right
around 50-50 for me. Most of my opponents have said the same thing.
Sometimes, you just get your hands tied. It's just part of the game.
When deciding whether or not to take this flying roll, DO NOT consider
personalities! -- consider only strategy and possible outcomes. Do not take
this if you have a good chance of selling-out -- it's almost always better
to look for some kind of safety, no matter how convoluted.
Mike Collier <-- just havin' another senior brainfart
Oak Harbor, WA
>
> Yeah, I think you are right. �We may be talking about different things. �
> Blasting away at the 9 just to get it moving around in hopes it bounces in
> somewhere is almost never a good idea.
>
> John Black-
I'm probably exposing my inability to play 9 ball, but I occasionally
will send the 9 flyin if I can make my object ball on the same shot
and HOPE for position ( the ole "poke and hope'). But then again I
don't gamble much and it is fun. A gambling man wouldn't do that.
In most cases, it is better to give your opponent a very difficult
shot (altho not a lockup safety), than send the 9 flyin.
Hank
PatH..driven by economics
That is the problem with doing that. Instead of carefully controlling the
position of the cue ball, you carom it into the 9 and now you have to hope
for position because its much much harder to control the cue ball off of a
carom than not. That just does not seem to be a good strategy in 9-ball
where position is so critical due to there only being one ball on the table
that you can shoot at for your next shot.
John Black
>
> That is the problem with doing that. �Instead of carefully controlling the
> position of the cue ball, you carom it into the 9 and now you have to hope
> for position because its much much harder to control the cue ball off of a
> carom than not. �That just does not seem to be a good strategy in 9-ball
> where position is so critical due to there only being one ball on the table
> that you can shoot at for your next shot.
>
> John Black
So, what would be the percentage of success? I gotta believe someone
on here has done a "study". :-)
I am guessing less than 10% if it is a true "ride" and not a combo.
Hank <~~~can saddle up when needed
If its a sure thing I will ride it every time !!
Tom S.- rarely runs out ....
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It's interesting. When playing a much better opponent, a ride off the
1- or 2-ball can give them a real pause, it has a psychological effect
against them.
Certainly, look to hide the cue ball or etc. with the same stroke.