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After carefully surveying the table, I noticed that my 2 and 3 ball were positioned near the 8, and could
be potentially used as blockers for executing a different type of safety. My new plan was to shoot thinly
into the left side of the 6-ball and position the cue-ball two rails onto the other side of the table, leaving
it at position “B”. This plan cuts off the upper cushion, which takes the easier to pocket 1-rail kick
out of the equation. I would rather have my opponent kick to the short side of the ball with a lower
percentage of making it, rather than letting him kick to the long side, which has a higher probability of
the ball being pocketed.

After I executed the safety, Louis came to the table and kicked to the short side. The 8-ball rebounded
off the cushion and broke loose my 2 and 3. This was the only opportunity that I needed to run the
remaining balls and win the match.

Looking back, I now realize how important that it is to look for various safety options and to weigh
the probabilities of each shot. If I had elected to go with my first instinct and had attempted to play the
simpler safety, I very well may have watched Louis kick in the 8-ball and win the game. The movie
Money Ball talks about how the Oakland Athletics general manager, Billy Beane, uses percentages over
the long haul to win at baseball. Pool is no different. It’s important to weigh all of your options and to
always play the percentage. Any time you can gain even a 1 or 2 percent advantage it is important to
exercise that option. Even small percentages add up over the course of time.

Anthony Beeler is the 2011-2020 Billiards Instructor of the Decade and is a former BCAPL
National Champion. He has numerous top 25 national finishes and is one of only 8 ACS
Master Instructors in the world. He is the primary author of the ACS National Billiards
Instructors Manual and has also authored the book Unstoppable! Positive Thinking for Pool
Players. Anthony currently has the highest established Fargo Rating of any Master Instructor.
He has won over 300 tournaments and has defeated numerous professional players in tournament competition.

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