What
is the best approach when faced with a re-spotted black
at the end of a drawn game?
Should
you win the toss, what do you do?
The majority of players will ask their opponent to play
first, hoping that an error is made and the chance of a
winning pot then becomes available.
As
in Fig 1, an opponent may attempt to promote the black up
and down the spots to safety, leaving a difficult shot for
the next player.
Alternatively, you can try to force the issue, by electing
to play first on winning the toss and then by playing an
attacking safety shot, as shown in Fig 2.
This
may then force an error from your opponent and leave you
a relatively easy pot to win the frame.
Or what about the long double for victory, demonstrated
in Fig 3. This is very risky and fraught with danger. Should
the black not go in there is good chance that it will be
promoted over a pocket or come to rest in the centre of
the table. A
further worry is the inability to control the cue ball whilst
playing the shot.
In
conclusion, it is safe to say that there is no right or
wrong shot to play on a re-spotted black.
The
frame is so close that one successful pot will decide the
outcome. The frame is on a knife edge and one good pot or
safety shot can make all the difference. Alternatively,
a slice of luck can affect who wins and who loses.
The best bit of advice, is to be positive at all times,
whether you are playing safe or attempting a pot. Remain
composed and recognise that the frame has come down to one
shot to decide the winner. The player who maintains focus,
concentration and nerve will most likely be the winner.
On
a respotted black try and win the frame as opposed to just
waiting for your opponent to make an error. Should you end
up losing the frame you will then be able to take some consolation
from the fact that you remained positive and aggressive
and did your utmost to win the frame. There is nothing worst
than losing and thinking "I should have gone for the
pot".
