Created by: Todd Shirley - The Lucky Loser
How to Play the Defense Mode Game
Defense Mode is a fun and easy billiards game designed for solo play or with partners. It offers a simple structure with a few key rules that allow players to develop and realize points. Winning games, executing successful safeties, or defeating safeties all contribute to the scores. The game can be played using 8 Ball, 9 Ball, or 10 Ball.
Prerequisites
To get the most out of the Lucky Loser Defense Mode game you should have some experience. There are a range of defensive techniques, and many of them require beyond a beginner’s level of skill. Such things as a good stance, vision center aligned with the cue, stable bridges, consistent and level stroke, good sense of aim, etc… Additionally, you’ll need to understand the most common games of 8 Ball, 9 Ball, and 10 Ball, and their various rule sets.
Rules of Defense Mode
1. Choose the Game Type:
Select either 8 Ball, 9 Ball, or 10 Ball as the game to play
2. Select Rule Set:
Before starting the game, players must confirm and agree on the rule set they will use (e.g., BCA, APA, house rules). Any conflicts between the Defense Mode rules and the chosen rule set are resolved in favor of the Defense Mode rules. For example, when using APA 9-Ball rules: When a player calls a “DEFENSE”, but makes a legal ball. Instead of continuing, it becomes the next players turn with or without ball in hand depending on pre-game agreement. This ensures all players are aware of the game format and can avoid disputes during gameplay.
3. Start the Game:
Breaking and making a ball/s allows the player to continue with ball in hand. Each legal ball made on the break earns 1 potential point. If no ball is pocketed or a foul occurs, the next player gets ball in hand. For basic Defense Mode use alternating breaks. For Advanced Defense Mode, players can opt for a winners break format, and/or play without ball in hand after the break.
4. Continue Playing:
On your turn, you may either:
Run balls: Pocket legal balls to develop potential points.
Play Defense: Instead of attempting to run balls, you can call defense
If you foul, your turn ends, and all potential points move to the next player
5. Potential Point Development:
The potential points developed during gameplay are based on the number of legal balls pocketed, and one point when defense is called.
6. Realized Point Accumulation:
Point realization: winning games, defeated defenses, or successful defenses.
7. When Playing Defense:
If you call defense, your turn ends after you execute your shot, and then it is the next players turn. The potential points + one point for calling defense carry over to the next player’s potential points. If they commit a foul the defense player realizes the potential points. If they make a legal hit without pocketing a ball, all potential points are negated, and the game continues.
8. Defeating Safeties:
If the next player, after a defense, manages to make a legal ball/s all potential points + made ball/s are realized for them.
9. Alternating Break:
Whenever points are realized the alternate player or team breaks
10. Winning the Game:
The game ends when a player reaches 100 points or when all players have completed 20 rounds, with the highest score winning.
Defense Mode Scoring System
When tracking scores, each player's score cell contains three sections per round, and a corner for the break.
Top Section: Active potential points for the player, “D” for a defense, or “N” for a negation.
Middle Section: Realized points, marked as 0 if none are earned.
Bottom Section: Cumulative score, which is the running total of realized points from each round.
Small Corner: In the top left corner of each cell is a small area to shade when a break occurs.
In the event of a failed break, mark an "X" over both the potential and realized sections. A failed break is considered either a foul or dry break. Easily seeing a players failed break record brings awareness to the importance of successful breaking. If a player doesn’t take a turn in a round, mark a "|" in both the potential and realized sections. Always update the cumulative points.
Special Rules: Calling Defense
When a player calls Defense mark "D" in their potential points box along with developed potential points. Additionally, when using rule sets that allow the pocketing of a ball/s while calling defense add points for those additionally made ball/s to the potential point total. In the next player’s potential points section mark those potential points +1 for the defense.
- 1. Whether player (A) makes legal contact or not during a defense, all potential points remain for player (B), including the 1 point for D. If Player (A) fouls player (B) gets ball in hand.
2. If player (B) fouls, all potential points are awarded to player (A)’s realized section and added to their cumulative total.
3. If player (B) makes a legal shot, but does not pocket their ball, all potential points are negated, mark “N” for their potential points, and play continues.
4. If player (B) pockets their legal ball, player (A)’s realized points are marked 0, and player (B) realizes the potential points + point/s for the legal ball/s they pocketed.
5. If player (B) also calls defense mark “D” in their potential points section. If player (B) fails to make legal contact refer to step 2. If player (B) makes a legal shot without pocketing a ball the process continues without negation, and all potential points move to the next player +1 for the additional defense called. Finally, update the previous defense players realized section with 0.
Tie Breakers
In the event of a tie after 20 rounds, players will compete in a single, sudden-death round where the first player to reach 10 points wins. The tiebreaker round follows all regular Defense Mode rules, and the first to score 10 points, either through offensive play or a successful defense, is declared the winner. Players lag for the initial break.
See Defense Mode in Action
Watch these videos of the gameplay to see the rules and scoring in action!
Defense Mode 8-Ball Video:
Defense Mode 9-Ball Video:
Why is Practicing Defense Important in Pool Games
Defense is a frequently overlooked option in the game of pool. For most players just getting balls in, and shape for another shot is enough to concentrate on. As players improve, they use defense more and more. Watch the pros, and you will see multiple defensive plays throughout most matches.
When is it appropriate to play defense? The answer is more often than most think. This is why you see pro players, in their experience, playing so much defense. Practically, if you can’t move forward at a certain point in the lay of the table it is prudent to plan and execute defense. I promote the 75% rule. Generally, it states that if you don’t have a 75% statistical chance to make a shot and/or run out, it’s time for defense. There’s more to it than that, and you can get more details on the 75% rule in the Lucky Loser Defense Guide. But first you’ve got to know your percentages for lots of shots and shot classifications.
Defensive Awareness
Defense awareness is half the battle. Once you start learning defenses your eyes will be opened, and you’ll be seeing how often so many players miss easy game winning defenses. At first, discernment of defense is usually when the cue ball or object ball is close to a blocking ball. This can allow for the cue ball to be more easily placed behind the blocking ball. Then comes seeing banks and kicks leaving balls on the rails as opposed to in front of pockets. Later more exotic leaves over large table distances that are difficult to perceive and discern. The Lucky Loser Defense Guide will make a significant difference in your defense awareness.
Certain games are more defensive in nature, and offer great insight into playing defense. Games like Straight Pool, and especially One Pocket. Unfortunately, these games are rarely played except by hardcore pool players. If you can’t find a partner you can always play the ghost. The Lucky Loser Defense Mode game is different than other safety games. You can play alone or with other players, and you do not have to play defense or compromise the natural tactics & strategies of the classic games. Instead, it incentivizes defensive play, and defeating defenses. This is achieved by a unique point structure algorithm. It takes a complex set of factors, solves their interrelationship, and is elegantly presented in an easy-to-use scorekeeping format.
Technique Refinement
I recommend a reevaluation of your tip maintenance regime. Having your tip shaped and chalked prior to gameplay is essential. Moreso, it is important to carry with you a scuffer. I use a chalk holder with an incorporated scuffer. Not only for power draw, but a precisely shaped, scuffed, and chalked tip is critical to the fine requirements utilized in your defense stroke skills. I also recommend a high-quality chalk that is very clean with high friction properties.
Defensive techniques employ a unique set of stroke skills. These include precise speed control, sensitive spin control, accurate cue ball exit paths, and a discerned perception as detailed in the previous section. Playing Defense Mode will improve your defense quickly. Acquiring the Lucky Loser Defense Guide at LuckyLoserBilliards.com provides additional information, exercises, drills, and more Defense Mode scoresheets to improve your defense expertise.
About the Creator
Todd Shirley - The Lucky Loser
I am very excited to present to you the Lucky Loser Defense Mode Game. I have been involved with pocket billiards in the USA from a young age. My interest and fascination for most of the time since I began had mostly to do with my technical capabilities. I grew up in San Jose, CA. At one point I worked as a porter for Saratoga Lanes bowling alley. There they had 5 Anniversary Edition Gold Crowns. I got free pool as a benefit, and I used it daily for years. That is where I learned the most from teachers who would come to visit me, and money matches. Eventually, I became a regular at the legendary California Billiards and learned more from some of the greatest players of the game, and began playing tournaments regularly. Like many, the demands of the world took my attention, and pool became more and more infrequent.
These many years later I have returned to pocket billiards, and frequent pool halls in the Greater Seattle Area. Being involved with amateur leagues has afforded me access to a range of participants. Technical ability is still important, but not for the former reasons. Now, it is more important in my experience and contribution to our incredible billiards community. As such, I am able to utilize my knowledge and skills to begin manufacturing this line of beneficial pocket billiards devices and materials.
Acknowledgements
Appreciation for the contributions of Dr. Dave Alciatore and Bob Jewett that they have generously provided to myself, and the world of billiards. Gratitude to PBIA Master Instructor Carl Oswald who got me into the PBIA. Street cred to PBIA Master Instructor Samm Diep who inspired me with her genuine best interest for her student’s success. Appreciation for PBIA Chairman Robert Anthony Moreno for innovative leadership. Thanks to Isaac Wooten and Zack Goldsmith for our opportunities with Digital Pool. Keven Engelke of PoolDawg deserves a special mention for my content opportunities with PoolDawg Academy.
My good friends in the APA, BCA, UPA, and TAP for their inspirational pursuit of the game. Thomas Mackel’s steadfast support of the Seattle billiards community through the GSAPA continually inspires and encourages me.
Livestream & AI pool pioneers in the PNW: Lee Baldwin (Friday Night Lights Productions (FNL)), Patrick Nicks (ChalkBox Productions), Patrick Nicks/Justin Li/Colin Su (EvoSports), Gregory Jensen (Distinguished Billiards), Jesse Johnson & Stephanie Shurtliff (PNW Pool Thing), and Nick Medveditskov (Playkii).
A special shout out to these valuable assets in the Greater Seattle Area: Secret Wong (Stickgame Strong), Kim Raymond (Top of the Olympics), Malini Baker (Tournament Director), VeeMan Luangsrinhotha (Tournament Director), Jared Redfern (Tournament Director), Susie O'Connor & Deb Tollum-Cicchitti (Big Dawg Memorial Tournament), Rolondo Salinas (Temple Billiards), and special love for Aaron & Renee Moss (PNW Pool Ambassadors & Referees).
Particular thanks to Christian Eiberger and Samuel Cook for assistance, and good vibes, with the video production of Defense Mode demonstration. I am so grateful to my daughter, Reina, who gave good feedback of my training devices through a beginner’s eyes. She spent years with me playing pool as a leisure activity, and carries on our family tradition of billiards.
