8 Ball Strategy

      8 ball is a very challenging strategy game. Blocking pockets, Shot selection, Clearing up balls present issues on the 8 ball table.  Offense is king in 8 ball early in the game and late in the game defensive minded 2 way shots prevail. When down to the last few balls always keep in mind your cue balls location after the next shot and try and make your run out more difficult to impossible just in case you miss a shot.  An example is if your opponent has one striped ball left on the bottom rail. Whatever you do on your next shot make sure you do not leave the cue ball on the bottom rail or anywhere near it. Keep yoru shots and leaves away from that rail and your opponent will have nothing handed to him or her in case you happen to miss. If you do not miss then you win the game if you do miss you probably still may win the game as your opponent has a tough shot left and playing a safety with a few balls left is a hard thing to accomplish. Balls you have early in the game that will go in the pocket but happen to be blocking your opponents shot at a pocket are to be left for last. These are your insurance balls just in case. Keep them blocked till the end when you have a simple 2 ball or 3 ball high percentage run out.  Then and only then do you clear out those blocker balls for your opponent.