Introducing PoolSynergy… A Pool Blog Collaboration!

NYC Grind is very pleased to introduce a brand-new collaboration project between some of the web’s best blogs on pool. Every month. The following article is part of PoolSynergy, where each month, different pool-related bloggers will come together to write on a common theme.

This month is the very first issue of Pool Synergy, an the topic for this issue is “strategy.” Click here to head over to The Pool Student’s Blog (where this month’s issue is being hosted) to check out the articles in this edition. Every month PoolSynergy will be hosted on different sites, so pool players will get the chance to try different “flavors” from blogs across the web.

NYC Grind’s article for this edition of PoolSynergy was written by our instructional columnist, Mark Finkelstein, where he takes a holistic view on approaching pool strategy. Read on…

Assessing Ability… On the Road to Effective Strategy

By NYC Grind Contributor, Mark Finkelstein

To address strategy, we first must look at solid goals we are trying to achieve, and what tools we have to accomplish these goals.

In pool, the main goal is to win the game, the match, or the money. The strategy we use may be different depending on the goal. The tactics we use in our strategy for accomplishing the goals are the tools we have in our pool skill set.

Let’s first look at some of these tools, how we get them, and finally, how to combine these tools to win the game or match.

The first and most basic skill set to have is solid fundamentals. The ability to stroke the cue ball in a straight line to where we want–with the speed we want–is basic.

Pocketing ability is next. Understanding the function of throw, curve, and how to pocket balls, comes through practice and experience.

The next tool in your bag is patterns and position play. How many times out of ten can you run out six balls? Seven balls?

What about your ability to play safe? Can you consistently play safe and get ball in hand? If you get ball in hand, what is your percentage of running out?

Some other things to consider when approaching strategy… how well do you break? How well do you jump? Are you tournament tough? Do you gamble? How are your nerves for $5? For $500?

It is important to have accurate knowledge of your skills and abilities. Without knowing what we you capable of doing, it is impossible to craft a strategy that will accomplish your goals consistently.

To gain skills, we need a three-pronged approach. First, we need correct instruction to learn the skills we need, then we need quality time to practice these skills. Finally, we need competition to harden our nerves and learn what works. Then, we head back to the woodshed, and repeat.

Let’s now look at 9-ball and some of your percentages. Many players practice by simply running racks. Well, take a set of ten racks. I want you to break, and then with ball in hand, try to run out. What is your percentage? It may not be as high as you would think.

Next, try shooting ten spot shots. How does your percentage lie here? With this stat, we can deduce that for shots harder than a spot shot, your percentage will be lower.

What do you do when you are faced with a shot longer than a spot shot? If your odds are low in making the shot, why shoot it? Hoping it falls in somewhere is a losing proposition. If you are not 100% confident, play a good safe and get ball in hand

Finally, I want you to break ten racks and ride the nine from the one, with ball in hand. How many times did you make the nine?

Using these numbers, you can begin to put together an effective strategy to win.

Now let’s look at a rack of nine ball. With ball in hand, what is your real percentage in running out the rack? Without ball in hand, what is your percentage? Is your percentage better riding the 9? Can you see a way to run 3 or 4 balls and then play a lock up safety to get ball in hand and win the game? Can you fire at the table and run out?

Your ability to win is directly related to your realistic appraisal of your skills, and what you can do.

So the first question you should ask yourself when you get to the table should be: how can I win from here? What about your percentage of running out? Playing safe to get ball in hand and then running out? Riding in the nine? My guess is that most players always try to run out and when they miss, they hope for a safe. If they do not get a shot, they play a desperation safety, and again hope for something good. But remember, hope is not a plan.

So how will this thinking help you? By realistically assessing your percentages, you will make better choices and increase your winning percentage.

When you look at a rack objectively, ask yourself, do I know I can run out? If you can, go for it. If you can’t consistently run out from the one, envision your strategy by taking the above variables into account.

The final piece of the puzzle is studying your opponents. Know what they can or can’t do, can they run out? Use your brain and figure how to win. Now that is strategy.

Let’s do a little mental pool and look at how we would beat a run out player. I’m assuming here you are not a run out player.

First, we want to use a safety break. You don’t want to blast the balls all over the place and give your opponent opportunities to run out. You want to make the rack difficult with clusters and tied up balls to make them work. Then you assess every shot. If we aren’t 85% or better, we look for lock-up safes. We try to change the game to a grind rather than letting the shooter get shots. You look for two-way shots, to get position that works both if you make the shot, but safes your opponent if you miss.

Will this work? Not always, but having a planned approach to strategy is a start.

Good luck and see you on the road.

Mark Finkelstein is the House Pro at Slate Billiards on 21st Street in Manhattan.

If you have questions, or would like to see a particular topic addressed, you can email Mark at mark@nycgrind.com