Watching matches on television over the last few years has been very educational for me. Many times, the players will get down to around three balls, and the commentator will say something like: “It’s pretty automatic from here.”

     The table in question may look like the one in Diagram 1. Over the years I have done a lot of commentating myself, and it is easy to take a layout for granted. Since the players at the table are the best in the world, it is natural to assume that it will be a cakewalk for them. Pool always looks easy from the sidelines. It’s certainly hard to miss or make a mistake from the commentator’s booth. However, when you are at the table, it doesn’t always seem so simple.

     Now back to Diagram 1. The first shot is to pocket the 7 ball in the corner pocket. You need to draw back with low left English to position C-1. From cueball position C-1, you have great position to pocket the 8 ball and draw back uptable for the 9 ball at position C-2.

     Most players would be happy to pocket all three balls from the three cueball positions shown in Diagram 1. About the only way to miss one of these balls would be to forget to focus and concentrate. However, the key to making the runout easy is the first position shot. Ending up at C-1 for position on the 8 ball makes pocketing the 8 ball easy, and that makes position on the 9 ball easy. In 9-ball, you must look at least three balls ahead in order to run out consistently. I covered this key strategy in earlier columns. Looking only two balls ahead will result in catastrophe along the way.

     The layout in Diagram 1 looks simple, because you stay in position going from the 7 ball to the 8 ball. Good execution makes the game look like child’s play. Remember, you have a great angle on the 7 ball to begin with. You are close to the 7 ball, which makes pocketing a simple task. And you don’t need the cue ball to travel far to get to position C-1.

     Next, look at Diagram 2. The only change is the cue-ball position for the 7 ball. Your first thought might be that the layout is still easy. But one of the reasons the layout was easy in Diagram 1 is because you started the three-ball run with great position on the 7 ball.

     Now, from this new starting spot, it is really hard to get the cue ball to position C-1 from this angle on the 7 ball. Speed control is a lot more difficult. You might fall at C-2 or C-3 instead of C-1. Anytime you miss position, missing the next shot can become a real threat.

     This reminds me of the first time I played a scotch-doubles match with Charlie Williams as my teammate. Charlie said, “Nick, don’t worry about position; I’m used to shooting tough shots.” Sounds like the opposite of what I just stated, but let me put it in a more accurate context. He meant for me not to gamble too much for position if it might force me to miss. Instead, I should focus on pocketing the shot and just get him to the next ball. Definitely a great train of thought — if you miss your shot, position on the next ball becomes a moot point.

     This leads me to another good memory. I’ve played a few scotch-doubles matches with Buddy Hall. If I ended up at the 50-yard line (out of position) for Buddy’s next shot, he would chuckle. Somehow, that chuckle said to me, “Hey, let’s pay attention here. We’re trying to win.”

     Back to Diagram 2. Getting position at C-1 is really difficult. It’s easy to fall in a tougher position at C-2 or C-3, or in any number of other lessthan- ideal positions. Then pocketing the 8 ball becomes tough, and so does getting position on the 9. You could end up losing the game.

     One of the things I always loved about pool is the drastic change a few inches can make. At first glance it may not register, but hopefully it will hit home before you get down over the shot. Taking games for granted is a sure recipe for disaster.

     Plan at least three balls ahead, and once you’ve decided on your plan, switch your concentration to the execution. Just a slight lapse in focus can end up costing you the game. Bear down.