Intro

Evil 8 Ball

I created this game to help players learn to find, plan and execute safes in the game of 8 ball.  Many league players played “bar rules” when they first started to play pool so they are “programed” to just look for a ball to pocket when they come to the table.  After learning the safe game in 8 ball, I notice how many players don’t use safe shots at all.  I often see a perfect, easy safe that would give them ball in hand but they don’t see it.  Playing this game will help you look for and find a safe.  Sometimes you will see your safe havens right after the break.  Here are some things to look for to find a safe:
A line (wall) of your balls that you can hide the cue ball behind.
Two of you balls at the top rail so you can hit one soft and slide the cue behind the other.
An area on the bottom rail that gives you opponent a long bad angle shot.
Many safe shots require a very soft shot to leave the cue ball behind a blocker ball.  These shots take practice. 

Evil 8 Ball Rules

Object of the game

The object of the game is to make as many safes, great safes and Evil safes as you can in a game of 8 ball.  NAPA, BCA or other ball in hand/call your pocket 8 ball rules apply except that the game is won by having the most points at the end of the match.

Play

You are playing call your pocket 8 ball rules, however you get points for each safe, great safe and Evil safe.  Each turn at the table you must make a ball first and then you can get points by making a safe.  You can do a safe on you first shot of you turn but you do not get any points.  You must call safe before a safe shot and give up you turn at the table after the shot.

Points

A safe = 1 point
A great safe = 2 points
An Evil save = 4 Points
Making the 8 ball or opponent scratches on the 8 = 2 points

Definitions

Safe - Safe means that you left the table with no direct open shot to a pocket for you opponent.  You opponent may be able to hit his ball easily but he would need to bank, jump, masse, combo or carom to sink a ball.
Great Safe - A great safe is when you leave the table where you opponent can’t hit any of his balls directly.  You have forced you opponent to go to the rail first with the cue ball or make a jump shot or masse shot to hit his suit.
Evil Safe – An Evil safe is when you leave you opponent no plausible legal shot or legal hit at all.  No jump shot, masse or bank shot will allow your opponent to hit his suit.  An Evil safe is rare and both players should agree that there is no way out.

Note:  Make the game more interesting by using a soft break which often leaves lots of hiding places.

Links

 

Video

Here is an eightball safe video by Tor Lowry.  If you are new to the safe game, pause the video after he tells what suit he is shooting. See if you can figure out what to do.

Tor Lowry 8 Ball Safe video

Score Sheet

You can download a printable score sheet here:
Evil 8 Ball score sheet

Or you can use overhead wooden score markers if you have one.

Link 1

Link 2

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