Styles of Play:
Defense or Offense?
There are different ways people play the game of pool, on Yahoo as well as on real tables. Some are mainly defensive players, some play a game of offense. As you might guess, the best players combine
both styles to have a well rounded game.
Personally, I think that people that play a strictly defensive game are just terrible at making the balls and trying
to compensate by leaving their opponent nothing to shoot at.
Does this sound like good gamemanship to you?
There is a school of thought that says the best offense is a good defense, just wait for the other person to mess
up. You might be able to win against mediocre players like that, but your game
will never improve because you never take a chance.
On the other hand, offense games (I hesitate to use the word “offensive”, lol) may make you a “good
shot” but you will lose against someone able to capitalize on the times you do miss. It is best you have a plan
for those times.
The best strategy for winning that I have found is one that works like this:
1.) Try to make your ball, attempting to leave the cue ball
in a place where your next shot will be an easy one, also making an attempt to leave your opponent a hard shot if you DO miss.
2.) If you have doubts about being able to make the shot,
see rule #1.
3.) If u can’t make a shot but still can “see”
your ball from the cue, try to hit it leaving the cue ball in a place your opponent will have a tough time shooting from.
4.) If you can’t “see” your ball, then
you are “hating it”. Do your best to contact one of your balls first
trying again to leave your opponent “out” (out of a shot).
I have played people who win strictly by playing defense, and many were good at it.
It is frustrating indeed when you log on to play a few quick games and they turn into marathon games of defense. So, to be nice to your opponents, try not to do that.
Keep your game well rounded and you will become a well rounded player.
Again, I wish you all luck and look forward to seeing you on Yahoo! Pool.
- Dawn
