Defensive play is one of the things about pool that separates it from bowling or golf. Both bowling and golf are great games, and there is strategy involved, it is more subtle and not as satisfying. A great series of safeties in pool can directly lead to a game win, alter your opponent’s approach and playing style, or create a significant mental advantage. Or it could bring about a combination of all three.
At the US Open 9-Ball Championships in October, I witnessed an excellent and rare example of safety play. Ralf Souquet and Larry Nevel met for a winner’s side match on Day 4 of the tournament. Both had been playing excellent pool and the match was a close battle with Ralf winning 11 to 10. After one of Larry’s breaks, he scratched and gave ball in hand to Ralf. After analyzing the table, Ralf decided to play safe. Larry missed the one ball and was on two consecutive fouls. One more foul on his next shot and he would lose the game.
Ralf noticed that the one ball was pinned to the side cushion with object balls surrounding it on either side. Ralf then wisely took cue ball in hand and shot the five ball to a resting place right up against the one ball cutting off the only accessible path to a legal hit.
By doing this, Ralf took a deliberate foul giving Larry ball in hand with the nearly impossible task of making contact with the one ball. Larry attempted the only thing he could — take his jump cue and try to launch the cue ball into the air hoping it would come down directly on top of the one ball. He jumped the cue ball a bit too far and committed his third consecutive foul and lost the game.
This happened in the middle portion of the match, but in such a close match Ralf’s safety savvy may have made the difference and won him the match!
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