Figure 2 illustrates the key ball principle in 8-Ball pool. Again, the 8-ball will fit easily in Pocket A, but which ball will be the last solid played?
The 4-ball in this diagram offers the best fit, and once the cue ball comes to rest where the four now sits, probably taken with a stop shot rolling the four into one of the other three pockets shown, all is well and straight onto the eight for Pocket A. Game over.
The 1-ball will of course need to come off soon, sometime long before the four to clear the path intented for the game-winning 8-ball. But the 4-ball is the key to the win and saved for next-to-last as this game's key ball.
**Is it okay to hit an opponent's ball first to play safe and end your inning? Is this "dirty pool" or a smart move when the opponent is not awarded ball-in-hand?The answer is it's a smart move, and often even when the opponent takes ball-in-hand. Players don't like it played against them, but they also don't like when others win!
Just a few weeks ago, I did the same thing in a match, separating two nearby together stripes and breaking up their possible run for the win as I waited my next turn at the solids...**
Watch for upcoming articles on other fascinating aspects of 8-Ball. I've taught 8-Ball pool for many years and am still learning, too. Earth's most popular pool game also offers some of its deepest strategies.
