In the game of eight ball you will be exposed to many pitfalls. This is not an easy game. It is tough. You are required to make decisions while in the heat of battle. Unlike nine ball, where you go from one ball to the next, in the game of eight ball you have choices. To be successful, you must develop the ability to make your choice, and feel one hundred per cent certain. Here is the problem for most league players. They decide to play the twelve ball, and think about the fifteen ball. They make their decision, but still have reservations. This is not the way to stroke a shot. Remember, The stroke, minus the interference, equals the shot. Be sure you are fully committed to what you intend to do.
You'll face uncertainty
You will be faced with shots where you are not sure what is going to happen to the cue ball. The cue ball is going for a ride and you cannot control it. In this situation, you are “playing for a roll”. Make that commitment. I will pocket this ball. “I am playing for a roll”. I have “I am playing for a roll” T Shirts.
I have another saying about this type of shot. I am going to pocket this ball and “take my medicine”. How many times have you missed a shot because you were attempting difficult position on the next shot? Sometimes you need to put the ball in the pocket, and take the tough shot in front of you. This is “taking your medicine”. I have won many game by “taking my medicine”. I’m straight in. I can’t get down table. I can only stop the cue ball and take a chance on the bank shot. This is all I have. To pretend otherwise, is to fool myself. So I “Take my medicine” and go for the bank. With Dr. Cue’s banking system, The Monk 202 series, I am very good at banking balls. As a result of the “taking my medicine” mode, I win more games. Give yourself a chance for a win. Don’t take yourself out of the match by missing the shot in front of you. After every game of eight ball, ask yourself if; “I came to win” or “I play for a roll” and “I take my medicine.”
