Problem of the week eleven sees us in deep trouble at the end of a game of 8 ball. We are snookered in a particularly awkward manner, and our opponent will most likely win in one visit if we do not do something creative.

In the case of US 8 ball, where a player gets ball in hand if we deliberate foul, our only option is to play hard off of two rails and try and bink it somewhere. This excellent diagram from 9ball is a great visual demonstration of the various options if you play this:



Note that using two cushions opens up the potting angle much better than playing off of one, and this is more than enough incentive to play a slightly harder shot than simply coming off of one rail. Even with this extra point, this shot will rely as much on luck as it will on judgement for all but truly world class players.

Just like in poker or backgammon, even when we are in deep trouble in pool we still want to try and maximise what little EV we have, and an aggressive and risky shot like this that can win us the game in one is by far the best option available considering how much trouble we are in.

In World Rules 8 ball, where ball in hand is not given without being snookered, we have some other options apart from the hit and hope we need in US 8 ball. The first of these is to try and pot their ball over the pocket and make their clearance harder. This has the advantage of adding a lot more pressure, but the disadvantage that they will pretty much be guaranteed an easy opening shot, and with an extra visit remaining regardless of if they miss this is a big problem. It also may be the case from the diagram that we have to play off a rail first – making the shot much harder if it is blocked.

The second option is to simply tap the cue ball lightly with the tip, and leave it just where it is with the opponent left with two shots. This has the advantages of forcing them to give up their first shot with an awkward stun like shot, but the disadvantage of allowing them some control over where they leave the white, and the ball over the pocket in place as an insurance policy if they run out of position.

On balance, the second option is probably slightly better – although there is probably very little in it in my opinion – having a free visit is such a psychological advantage when clearing the table that in most spots where you have such a choice, you should nearly always sacrifice some game flexibility for a position that forces your opponent to play under much greater pressure and from an awkward initial position. Playing away from balls you are very close too is never that easy, and in this example your EV is probably highest just playing a deliberate foul to leave the white where it is.

Solution: In US 8 ball you should run into it off two cushions and hope to sink it, and in UK 8 ball you should tap the cue ball and leave it exactly where it is.