Cue Ball or Object Ball

[jono*]

I've found that I have been losing many frames off the colours due to a combination of bad safety and good long potting. In this case, is even though I leave the cue ball past the baulk line, there is often a pot on and is knocked in. In this case, where obviously it would be best to get both cue ball and object ball tight, but if I must pick between the two, which is most important to get safe?

At first I thought it would be the cue ball, to make the pot difficult. But a good long pot renders that option unavailable. Then object ball, because no matter what it would not be pottable, but leaves the option for a good counter safety.

Help please as Im losing a lot like this.

Thanks

[DeanH]

when I am playing safe/for a snooker, I try first to see if I can get the object ball close to a high value colour (if they miss the object ball they could give me huge penalty points ), and then second to get the cue ball in a difficult position.
I think it is really how the balls are on the table and what is achievable in that instance, no hard and fast rule as to which to get safe, except the obvious starting thought "get both balls in very safe places"
Interesting to hear others' thoughts on this scenario... good question

[tedisbill]

Always get the object ball safe as the main priority.

Like you've said, if you just get the white safe, it probably leaves a shot to nothing.

Obviously the ultimate aim is to leave both object ball and white ball safe. But if that's not possible, you must get the object ball safe.

[snookerdad]

Getting the object-ball safe is the first priority.

[vmax4steve]

Learn to play billiards as in that game you need to control three balls rather than just one. It will help your safety and positional play no end.

[mythman69]

Learn to play billiards as in that game you need to control three balls rather than just one. It will help your safety and positional play no end.

Yes, playing billiards helps your snooker.

[tomlimcj]

just get the CB safe. it makes it harder to cue if the CB is right at the cushion.
to go another level up, is to leave the CB past the baulk line in the spot where there are more than 1 balls the in way of the pocket. So your opponent cant take the direct pot on. if there is definitely a pot on regardless where you place your CB, play the safety such that he has little control over the CB ie. thin cuts on 1/4 ball.
tbh, i dont think a lot of us here think that much. just try to get the CB safe, best to use the baulk colors to cover most of any available shots available...

[jono*]

the thing is out of the two, i often feel that i should get the object ball in an unportable position. Even though the cue ball is safe it still leaves the option of a good long pot available...