League Advice - How To Improve In Tournament And League Play
League Advice #1: Get a tight rack from your opponent. This is for your benefit and theirs. They need to learn how to rack. You need a tight rack in 8-Ball or 9-Ball to learn patterns and adjust between games.Walk over to the rack at the foot of the table before returning to the head of the table to break. Up close, you'd be amazed at the rack imperfections you can find. Ask them politely to re-rack more tightly. I'll usually ease the pain with something like, "Sorry, you probably couldn't see how loose the head ball is. Would you mind re-racking for me?"
The exception is if they rudely leave your rack loose or you suspect they're loosely racking to cheat you. You examine the rack and see an opportunity to capitalize and sink the 9-Ball or 8-Ball, etc. The punishment then fits the crime.
These type of challenges are often sharking techniques. Get to psychological equilibrium again by insisting politely on a tight rack of balls for your break.
League Advice #2: Forego the break where it seems opportune. I've written before about passing the break if you can and breaking against good players in 8-Ball is usually not a wise idea no matter your skill level.
If they break softly but not defensively or if you know they usually scatter the rack widely but don't run the table, let 'em have at.
#3) Consider playing safe breaks against tough opponents. I've taught before on safe breaks. Stop trying to be the young stud or studette who smashes every rack to Hell and back. Play a few safe breaks here and there, and yes, you can break safe in 9-Ball just as well as 8-Ball.
Outstanding players use this move, coolly calculated defensive breaks, and you should too. If I get a mean "D-Break" in 8-Ball or 9-Ball, the rack looks more like 14.1 Billiards and now I have a huge advantage with my carom and combinations knowledge.
#4) This next piece of choice league advice is in the same vein as #2 above-play safe and let them give you the game. The pros constantly and always play safe. TV edits down matches to show the offensive run outs that are perceived as exciting.
Stellar defensive play can blow your mind as much and top players see moves almost no one else does. I saw some beautiful 8-Ball safety shots this month, shots that went unplayed because they existed in my imagination but not my opponent's.
A couple of good safeties are enough to put 90% of players off their hot hand, too. Do safes more often and you'll be like the infamous Las Vegas Coolers brought in to slow down the action when the suckers get on a roll.
#5) Continuing this effort in bettering your league and match play, I'm telling you frankly to become more familiar with your local rule set. We're still not even close to consistent sets of rules for leagues nationwide, and some even play under the worst pool league conditions a person can imagine.
If I had a nickel, as the saying goes, for every person who lost a game or match when they had ball-in-hand but assumed the cue ball returned to the kitchen, or made another foolish choice, etc. Sigh. Simple, but some of my finest league advice lies in your knowing the rules of the league or tournament thoroughly and you'll enhance your confidence at the table and in calling fouls on opponents and more. Speaking of which:
#6) Call fouls on your opponents. I'd have enough change in my pocket to drown three men in the Atlantic if I had a nickel for each player who lost a game being charitable when they knew their opponent fouled. It's more courteous to call the foul than not. Why? Because if you don't they'll never learn to refine their play and manners. Seriously. Don't let me hear this exchange from you at the tables when I see you:
"Hey, did you know you hit the 6-ball with your stick? That's a foul. I get ball-in-hand."
"It didn't move, I don't think. It's your call."
"Well-"
"--It only moved a little. Here, I'll put it back, no harm done."
"I guess that's okay, then."
[Opponent proceeds to run out the table after making two fouls, moving the ball and moving it "back".]
--You know I'm always game to answer your pool tournament questions, dispense league advice or give a personal pool question. Keep those questions coming here and thanks as always from this devoted About.com GuideSite writer.
