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This is today’s bit of advice from the book Safety Toolbox.

There are many situations where giving your opponent ball-in-hand is a good idea. These examples show you how to use an illegal shot to make it easier for you to win.

8 Ball illegal shot, example 1

It’s always good to send two of your opponent’s balls into dead zones.

8 Ball illegal shot, example 2

Increasing congestion doesn’t hurt. Creating clusters of your opponent’s balls is good.

9 Ball illegal shot, example 1

There already is one cluster problem. If you can create a second cluster, more power to you.

9 Ball illegal shot, example 2

If the 9 ball is in a dangerous situation early in the game, shoot it in illegally, re-spot it, and get on with the game. Use his BPI against him.

9 Ball illegal shot, example 3

Force him to travel up and down the table for each shot.

Tactics to save yourself when someone does an illegal shot safety on you!!

Here are some suggestions when you are on the receiving end of an illegal shot and have ball in hand. Do not take the first shot idea that pops into your head. Consider the additional options below.

8 Ball

• Break up any messy groups while playing a safety.
• Carom off your ball and push his into a dead zone.
• Combo or carom his balls to build a cluster.

9 Ball

• Shoot the target ball to a difficult location and also hide the cue ball.
• If the table is really messy, give the ball in hand back to your opponent.
• Be patient. Eventually he will give you an opening.