Play Your Best Nine BallTable of Contents for 
Play Your Best Nine Ball

 
Chapter 1 Shotmaking 1
Chapter 2 The Break 39
Chapter 3 Position Routes 59
Chapter 4 Fine Points of Position 123
Chapter 5 Principles of Position Play 137
Chapter 6 Pattern Play 173
Chapter 7 How to Run Out 219
Chapter 8 Cluster Management 241
Chapter 9 Reading the Table 249
Chapter 10 Pushout Stragety 261
Chapter 11 Safety Play 277
Chapter 12 Kick Shots 331
Chapter 13 The ABC’s of Strategy 359
Chapter 14 Competitive Nine-Ball 373
Chapter 15 Practicing  Nine-Ball  397

Appendix 429

 
CHAPTER 1 - Shotmaking
Position Play or Shotmaking? 
The Fundamentals 
Stance 
Grip 
The Bridge 
The Stroke 
12 Keys for Getting in Stroke 
Shot Selection 
Difficult Shots 
Extending Your Comfort Range 
Use Feedback from Missed Shots 
Missed Shot Tendencies 
Classifying Shots By Difficulty 
Shots You Must Master 
Maximum Practical Cut Angles 
Side Pocket Cut Angles 
Thin Cuts Rail First 
Off the Rail (P) 
Jacked Up Near the Rail 
Basics of Banking 
Short Rail Banks 
Try this Bank for Fun (P) 
Long Rail Bank Cut Angles 
Crossover Bank Shots 
Bank Combos Offer a Big Target (P)
Aiming Factors 
Using the Aiming Factors 
Combining Aiming Factors 
Billiards 
Billiards Using the Tangent Line 
The Draw Back Billiard 
The Diversion Billiard 
A Long Distance Billiard (P) 
Caroms 
Combinations 
Difficulty of Various Combos 
Combo or Partially Blocked Shot? 
Rail First Shots 
Curve Shots 
A Masse/Curve Shot (P) 
Jump Shots 
The Pros Use of the Jump Shot 
Legal Jump Cues 
Practicing the Jump Shot 
Technique 
The Cue Ball's Flight Pattern 
Playing Position 
When to Jump 
When Not to Jump 
Shooting the Gamewinner 
Ideal Position on the 9-Ball 
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CHAPTER 2 - The Break 
The Importance of the Break 
C Players 
B Players 
A Players 
The Pool & Billiard Study 
Your Optimum Break Speed 
The Strong Breakers Advantage 
Goals for the Break Shot 
Where the Balls Go on the Break 
Playing Position After the Break
Losing the Cue Ball on the Break 
Where the Pros Scratch 
Cue Ball Location 
Looking for the 'Sweet Spot' 
Looking for the 'Sweet Speed' 
The Control Break 
Setting Up for the Break Shot 
The Break Shot Stroke
Johnny Archer's Break 
The Cue Balls Flight Pattern 
The Sardo Rack 
Racking is as Easy as 1-2-3 
Reading a Table for Tendencies 
Racking Technique 
Accept Imperfection 
The Racker - It Takes All Kinds
When to Play Rack Inspector 
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CHAPTER 3 - Position Routes
The Run Out Game Plan 
The Sequence for Learning Position 
Cueing - Learn to Become Multi Dimensional
English and Position Play 
Rules for Using English 
How English Affects the Cue Ball 
How English Affects the Rebound Angle 
The Cue Ball's Traveling  Distance 
Mixing the Right Ingredients for Position 
The Primary Emphasis 
Don't Fight the Physics of Pool 
ABC's of Position Plays 
Recovery Shape 
Setting Your Positional Goals 
Average Players 
Advanced Players 
Expert Players 
Learn Both Sides of the Shot 
Formulas for Position Play 
No Rail Position Routes 
Stop Shots (C) 
Soft Follow Shots (C) 
Power Floaters (A) 
Follow Stun (B-A) 
Basic Short Range Draw Shots  (C) 
Long Draw Shots (A & B) 
The Return Path on Draw Shots 
Draw Floater (B) 
Draw Stun  (B) 
One-Rail Position Routes 
Basic Follow Routes (C) 
Balls Near a Pocket (C) 
Pocket Speed Position and the Lag Shot (C) & (A)
One-Rail Follow on 30-Degree Cut (C) 
Inside English and the 90-Degree Reference Line 
How the Angle Naturally Widens (B) 
Long Distance 1 Rail Follow (B) 
Targeting the Contact Point (B) 
Long Distance Finesse Stun Follow (A) 
Basic Side Pocket 1 Railers (C) 
Creeper Follow  (B)- (P) 
Inside Power Follow  (A)- (P) 
1-Rail and Out (C & A) 
Draw Across Table and Out (B) 
Draw Across Table and Out on Backcut (B)
Draw to the Rail and Out (B) 
Draw Up the Side Rail (C) 
Finesse Draw Outside English (B) 
Draw Kill Shot (A) and (B) 
Side Pocket to the End Rail (C) 
The Pound Shot (A) - RR 
Super Hard Pound & Draw (A) 
Creating an Angle (B) 
Two-Rail Position Routes 
Two Rails with Follow (C) 
Cueing and Speed Affects the Follow Route (B) 
Two Rails with Inside Follow (B) 
Shallow Angle Two Railer (B, B, & A) 
Small Cut Angle Two Railer  (A, A, & B) 
Crossing the Table with English 
Long Distance Side Rail Follow Shots - (B & A) 
Avoiding a Common Scratch (C) 
A Natural Centerball Two Railer (A) 
Going Deep into the Corners - (P) 
Reversing with Outside English (A)(P) 
Across and Down with Inside English  (A), (P)
Two Rails with Draw (C) 
Stun Draw Two Railer (B) 
Two Rails Across with Draw Outside (B)
Stun Across and Down the Table (B) 
Basic Side Pocket Two-Railer (A) 
Side Pocket Inside English two-Railers (B) Inside Draw 2 Rails (A), (P) 
Three Rail Position Routes 
Power Three-Railer (B &A) 
Off Side Rail Three-Railer (B) 
Three Rails Across (B &A) 
Three Rails After a Thin Cut (A) (P) 
Power 3 Rail Position (A) (P) 
Side Pocket 3 Railer  (C) 
Inside English Side Rail 3 Railer (A) 
Inside English Three-Railer (B) (P) 
Inside Draw off the Side Rail (A) (P) 
Cross Table Twice (A) (P) 
Massive Three Rail Draw (A) (P) 
Four-Rail Position Routes 
Draw Four-Railer (A) 
Four Rails to the Short Side  (A) (P) 
Inside English 4 Rails to the Short Side (A) (P)
4 Rails with Inside Spin (2)  (A)(P) 
Long Distance Four-Railer (A) (P)
Follow/Pound Around the Table (A) (P) 
Thin Cut Four Rail Route - (A) (P) 
Position off of Bank Shots 
Cross Corner Bank Routes 
Long Rail Bank Routes 
Crossover Side Pocket Bank 
Intentionally Banking for Shape
Around the Table Bank Shape (A) (P)
Draw to Rail and ut off a Cut Bank (A) (P0
Draw for Shape off the End Rail (A) (P)
Bank and Go Three Rails - (A) (P)
Position Play Errors 
Why Errors Happen 
The Corrective Cycle 
Specific Error Tendencies 
General Error Tendencies 
Shots with High Error Potential 
Landing Behind the Big Ball 
Undercutting for Position 
Overcutting for Position 
Hitting Another Ball 
Choosing the Wrong Route 
Speed Control 
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CHAPTER 4 - Fine Points of Position 
Hitting Balls for Position 
Hit Ball the 9-Ball for Shape (P) 
Using a Backstop (P) 
Using a Backstop (2) 
The Kiss of Death 
Billiards for Position 
Billiards for Shape (P) 
Draw/Billiard for Shape 
Bouncing off an Obstructer for Shape 
Position after a Combination 
Controlling Both Balls on a Combo 
Rail First Combo Guarantees Position (P) 
Shape After a Combo (P) 
The Angle Of Departure 
Angle of Departure on Soft Follow Shots 
Playing Position Using the  Path of Departure 
Cut Angle Dictates Angle Out 
Frozen Balls 
Angle In Dictates the Angle Out 
The Cue Ball Tends to Run Wild 
Big Danger on Frozen Balls 
Various Concepts 
Peripheral Vision 
Take the Long Way Home 
Using Balls as Targets and Landmarks 
Cheat the Pocket 
Rail First Position 
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CHAPTER 5 - Principles of Position 
#1 Speed Control 
#2 The Correct Cut Angle  Optimizes Position 
#3  Know the Boundaries of a Position Zone 
#4 Margin for Error 
#5 When to Play Area Shape 
#6 Survey the Table Before Shooting 
#7 Playing for Three Balls at a Time 
#8  Play the High Percentage Sequence 
#9 Right Side/Wrong Side
#10 Play to the Long Side When  Possible and Practical
#11 Ball in Hand Shape 
#12 Playing Down the Line of a Position Zone when 
#13 Enter the Wide Part of a  Position Zone 
#14 Play Natural Shape as Often as Possible 
#15 Plan Your Route and Avoid Obstructions 
$16 Use Rail Targets 
#17 Avoid Scratching 
#18 Keep the Cue Ball Away from the Rails and Other Balls 
#19 Pay Attention to Details 
#20 Play Your Game 
#21 Use Your Imagination 
#22 Know the Exceptions to the  First 21 Principles
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CHAPTER 6 - Pattern Play
The Run Out Game Plan 
Pattern Recognition 
The Primary Skill of Pattern Play 
Position Routes as Tools 
Key Principles of Position for  Planning Patterns 
A Tale of Two Players 
Become a Skillful Navigator 
Choosing the Optimal Route 
Distance Affects Your Choice of Routes 
Obstruction Creates a Gap in Position Zones 
Connecting Naturally to the Next Ball 
Using a Natural Route to Avoid a Combo (P) 
Drawing to the Right Side (P) 
Setting Up the Zorro Shot (P) 
Setting Up a 1 Rail Route (P) 
Three Ball Patterns
Good Speed to Get on the Right Side 
Setting up Two Way Position 
When A Sharper Angle Works Better 
A Multiple Option Pattern - Two Way Position 
End-to-End 
4 Ball Patterns 
Second Ball Cut Angle 
The Second Ball's Cut Angle is Key 
Setting Up Down the Line Shape 
One Good Angle Leads to Another 
Don't Fight the Table 
Accept what the Table Gives You (P)
Cinching Position with a Long Shot (P) 
Play Shape for a Combo 
Simple is Often Best 
Don't Needlessly Play Shape When You Have Shape
Keep it Simple to Avoid Trouble (P) 
A Sensible but Overlooked Pattern 
The Easiest and Best Sequence (P) 
The Right Choice is a One Railer 
Shoot Easy Combos to Simplify Things 
Pocket Choice 
Setting Up the Short Side (P) 
Use All Six Pockets (P) 
Multiple Pocket Shape (P) 
Managing Risk and Avoiding Trouble 
Weighing Risk and Reward 
Going Near a Pocket for Shape
Balls Together Away From the Rail 
Shape Versus Scratch 
Shape for a Safety (P) 
Avoiding Trouble with the High % Route (P) 
The Gap Past the Side Pocket 
Precision Pattern Play
Precision Pattern Play (P) 
Top Flite Planning and Execution (P) 
Precision Short Side Shape (P) 
Across and Out to a Small Zone (P) 
Setting Up a Precision Follow Shot (P) 
Ultra Precise 1 Railer (P) 
Draw Control (P) 
Improving the Layout by Moving a Ball 
Optional and Mandatory Layout Improvement 
Looking Ahead 
Getting a Ball off the Rail (P) 
End of Rack Pattern Play 
End of Game Run Out %'s 
The 9-Ball Determines the Correct Route 
When to Play for a Cut on the 9-Ball 
End to End on the Last Three Balls (P) 
The 8 and  9 are on the Same Rail 
End of Rack Pattern (P) 
Sending the Cue Ball to Center Table (P) 
Side Versus Corner Pocket 
Side Versus Corner 
Patterning Balls in the Middle 
Ball in the Middle  (P) 
Shaping a Ball in the Middle of the Table (P) 
Two Consecutive Balls on the Same Rail 
Two Consecutive Balls on the Same Side Rail (1)
Two Consecutive Balls on the Same Side Rail (2)
Either Side of the Ball Can Work 
Either Side Works Just Fine 
One Side Is Better 
End Rail Position 
End Rail Position (2) 
Setting Up for a Bank 
Bank Shape Zones 
Playing for a Bank (P) 
Miss Position then Play a Bank (P) 
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CHAPTER 7 - How to Run Out
The Run Out Game Plan 
The Importance of Shotmaking n Running Out 
Starting and Maintaining a Run Out 
The 5 Step Position Grading System 
Run Outs of the Champions Shot by Shot 
A Double Hill Thriller  (P) 
Reyes In Route to a Double Hill Thriller (P) 
Hall Captures His Second U.S. Open (P) 
Souquet's First Big Title In America (P) 
Sigel Shows Off His Run Out Power  (P) 
Guts, Determination, and Superior Shotmaking  (P) 
Strickland's Firepower Wins 4th U.S. Open (P) 
Precision at Long Range (P) 
Rempe's Mastery of the Cue Ball  (P) 
Learn From Observing the Best 
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CHAPTER 8 - Cluster Management
Cluster Management 
Reading Clusters 
High % Breakouts 
Low % Breakouts 
Avoid High Risk Cluster Busting
Controlling the Path to the Cluster 
Timing a Break Is Critical 
The Ideal Cluster Busting Scenario 
Use Ball in Hand to Break Clusters 
Breaking a Cluster with BIH (P) 
How to Break a Cluster (P) 
Precision Cluster Breaking 
Break a Cluster with a Safety (P) 
Use a Bank to Break a Cluster 
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CHAPTER 9 - Reading the Table
The Football Analogy 
The Stop Light Analogy 
A Simplified Decision Matrix 
Know Your Game and Play Your Game 
Get to Know the Table 
Where the Balls Tend to Locate 
Reading the Table 
How to Read the Table 
The Various Types of Layouts 
The Roadmap (or Cosmo) (P) 
Tough Racks that Appear Easy 
Precision Run Out is Possible 
A Traveling Rack 
A Tough Position Play (P) 
The Out Shot (P) 
Short Rack Opportunities (P) 
Congestion Rules from the Start 
Congestion at the End 
The Improbable Dream (P) 
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CHAPTER 10 - Pushout Stragety 
Professionals Use of the Push Out 
The Push Out is a Valuable Strategic Weapon 
Common Errors 
The 40-60 Rule of Push Outs 
Push Out Decision Making Matrix 
Developing a Winning Push Out Game 
Basics of Cue Ball Control 
Shoot Don't Push 
Leave Two Tough Shots 
Bank or Cut - Wha's Your Preference? 
When to Kick at a Pocket Hanger 
Accept Free Shots 
Get It Close to the Rail 
Push to an Uncertain Hook 
Sucker Shot versus Smart Safety 
Combo in the Lowest Numbered Ball 
Make the Run Much Tougher 
Pocket a 9-Ball in the Jaws 
Tying Balls Up 
The Beginner's Big Mistake 
Pushing to a Semi-Easy Hook Opportunity (P)
Be Wary of the Congestion Factor
A Bluff Could Lead to a Mental Mistake 
Push Out to a Better Kick Shot (P) 
Combining Elements of a Push Out 
Jump or Kick? 
Cluster Balls Past Your Money Ball 
Get Your Money Ball in Front of a Pocket 
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CHAPTER 11- Safety Play
Mindset for Safety Play 
Defensive Goals 
Rating the Quality of Your Safeties 
The Spectrum of Safeties 
Skills for Excelling at Safety Play 
Mastering the Basics 
Hitting the Object Ball the Correct Thickness 
Controlling the Cue Ball'sPath off the Rails 
The Angle of Departure 
The Thin Hit 
Draw Control 
Safety Skills Inventory 
Knowing When to Play Safe 
Safety Over a Shot 
Selecting the Best Safety 
Which Safety is the Better Choice? 
Basic Hook Safeties 
Hitting the Hook Zone 
Hitting the Hook Zone (2) 
Eliminating Options 
Block the Natural Kick Route 
Hooking Behind the 'Big Bal' 
Basic Hook  (P) 
Off the Side Rail and Down Table  (P) 
Multiple Ball Hook Safeties 
Risk Versus Reward 
Multi Rail Hook Safeties 
Controlling the Right Ball is Key 
Airtight Safety (P) 
Controlling the Cue Ball at Long Range (P) 
Beware of the Returning Object Ball 
Control Both On a Billiard (P) 
Don't Accidentally Make a Bank 
Control Both Balls (P) 
Thin Hit Across Table (P) 
An Effective Long Distance Safety (P) 
Using Available Blockers 
Using Available Blockers (P) 
Window Free (P) 
Banking Past a Big Ball 
Soft Follow Shot Safeties 
Lock'em Up Tight
Super Soft Hit Safety (P) 
A Finesse Follow Shot Safety 
Inside English Kill Shot Safety 
Finesse Draw Safeties 
Soft Draw Hook Safety (P) 
Draw Spin Finesse Safety 
Thin Hit Safeties 
Thin Hit at Short Range 
Frozen Ball Safety 
Ball in Hand Thin Hit Safety 
Thin Hit Safety or Bank Shot? 
Perfect Speed Avoids Possible Scratch (P) 
Crossover Bank Safeties 
Safes with a Carom 
A Carom Safety 
A 'Dead' Carom Bank Safety 
Carom Safety at Long Range (P) 
Kick Safeties 
Two Rail Kick Safety (P) 
Short Rail Kick and Stick 
Thin Hit Kick Shot 
Missing Safe (1/2 Safe, 1/2 Shot) 
Overcut to Miss Safe 
Miss Short Rail Banks on the Pro Side 
Cross Side Bank Safeties 
Cross Side Safety Bank 
Missing Long Rail Banks on the Pro Side 
Leave a Tough Shot after a Bank (P) 
End Game 
Long Distance End Game Warfare (P) 
Two End Game Bank Safeties 
Strategic Safeties 
Pass on a Shot that Leads Nowhere 
Pass on Shot, Hook at Long Range (P)
Pass on Shot for Sure Safe (P) 
Simplify the Rack with Ball In Hand (P) 
Set Up Combo on the 9-Ball (P) 
Leave Shots Your Opponent Doesn't Like 
Creative Safety Play 
Imagination Creates a Winning Safety 
Grady's Near Masterpiece (P) 
Jump and Hook (P) 
Rail First Safety (P) 
Use a Second Ball as a Stopper 
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CHAPTER 12 - The Kicking Game 
Your Attitude Towards Kicking 
The #1 Basic Requirement 
The Possible Outcome - How You View a Kick Shot 
A Game Plan for the Kicking Game 
Basics of Kicking 
The Importance of Speed Control 
Adjusting for Speed and the Table 
Combining Adjustments 
How to Adjust to the Table 
English Pick Up 
Testing a Table 
The ABC's of Kicking Targets 
Kicking to Hit 
The Triangle Method 
The Dominant Rail 
Kicking Past Obstructers
Two or Three Rails is Often Better than One 
Aim at the Big Ball 
Long Distance End Rail Kicks 
The Side Pocket Gap 
Corner Pocket Gaps 
'The Shot Heard Around the Pool World'  (P) 
Kick to Separate the Balls 
The Big Ball Ensures a Hit 
Separate the Balls 
Separate the Balls (P) 
Kick to Hook 
Kicking at Balls Near a Rail 
Kick and Stick (P) 
Two Rail Stick and Hook at High Speed (P) 
A Soft Hit Kick Safety 
Kick and Hook One-Rail (P) 
Kick and Hook (P) 
A Perfect Kick and Hook (P) 
Kick to Pocket 
Tough, But Easier than it Looks 
Ride the 9-Ball (P) 
Kick to Pocket off the Side Rail 
Skill Lets You Get Lucky Sometimes (P) 
Creative Tactics 
Creative Use of Spin Plus Great Execution (P)
Draw Bender 
Jump/Kick and Hook (P) 
Curve Kick Shot (P) 
Kicking Errors 
Don't Kick Softy to an Open Area of the Table
Avoid Scratching 
Using the Wrong Speed (P) 
A Common Scratch on a Kick (P) 
Be Wary of the Point (1) 
Be Wary of the Point (2) 
Hitting the Wrong Side 
A Sure Safety Beats a Suckers Kick Shot 
Short Distance to the First Rail 
Trying to Hit Balls Thinly and Missing Altogether 
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Chapter 13 - The ABC's of Strategy 
Rating Your Game and Testing  Your Skill 
Measuring Your Ability By the # of Racks Run 
How to Measure a Run 
Your Typical Good Runs
Personal Bests 
The Three Phases of a Rack 
Phase 1:  The Beginning 
Phase 2:  The Middle
Phase 3:  The End 
The ABC's of Strategy 
Strategy for All Levels of Players 
 Strategies for C Players 
C Player vs. C Player 
C Player vs. B Players 
C Player vs. A Player 
Strategies for B Players 
B Player vs. B Players 
B Player vs. C Player 
B Player vs. A Player 
Strategies for A Players 
A Player vs. A Player 
A Player vs. B Player 
A Player vs. C Player 
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