Creating an Edge: Making Things Tougher for Your Opponent
Your opponent's
runout attempt has failed, leaving you with the layout above. You could begin
your run by playing the 9-ball into pocket #4, drawing the cue to position
A. This approach follows an accepted principle which says to leave your opponent's
balls alone. However, there is an alternative strategy which can build your
advantage by making things tough for your opponent.
With this layout you have an easy run although you must still pocket 8-balls to secure victory. Even with "gimme" racks like this, good players have been known to mess up. This being the case, why not build an edge, just in case you do fail to run out? Simply play a follow shot on the 9-ball. The cue ball will then bump into your opponent's 2-ball, sending it over to the rail next to his/her 5-ball.
What you've
done is insure your victory. You still have an easy shot on the 12-ball. In
addition, your opponent now has very little chance of winning the game if
you fail to run out. You will also have created a mild degree of stress and
anguish in your opponent who was thinking he/she would have another shot at
the game if you failed in your run out attempt.