Danny Kolacz
08-26-2004, 02:46 PM
Was playing a little cheap one-pocket this past weekend with a beginner/intermediate player.
Here is a shot that came up several different times in our match in slightly different variations in which my opponent played the shot incorrectly (and sold out every time!)
I just wanted to bring this shot to attention for it may be helpful to other players who are not aware of it's nuances.
The balls are positioned like this. Your pocket is 'A' and you need both balls....What is the shot?
START(
%Hn4P3%II5R1%PD2K7%QA8A8%eA9a6
)END
Most beginner, and intermediate players would bank the 8-Ball TOWARD their pocket in hopes of pocketing it.
However....
This is undoubtedly a better way to play this shot....
START(
%Hn7P2%II5R1%PD2K7%QA8A8%Tr2W8%Wm2P3%XE1K9%]r1W2%^n2P5%eA9a6
%bH2M2%cs5O7%dn4P1
)END
....for a few great reasons
1) It is difficult to control the cueball and get an accurate hit on the bank when attempting to pocket it.
2) If you dont MAKE the bank, there is an awful good chance you are going to leave a game-winning bank for your opponent.
3) If you play the shot as diagrammed, you are putting both balls in a funny position that your opponent now has to deal with. Many times, it will be uncomfortable for the opponent to play safe and not leave a GOOD bank on one of the other balls.
4) There is almost ZERO percent of selling out playing to hit the ball thicker and banking it to the middle area of the table.
5) Doing anything off the yellow ball is not that great a shot since you will be putting it downtable - and you need both balls....(the 2 railer is there, but risky)
Hope this makes sense.....Don't shoot shots like this to the hole. Lag them to the end rail and put your opponent in a heap of trouble!
Here is a shot that came up several different times in our match in slightly different variations in which my opponent played the shot incorrectly (and sold out every time!)
I just wanted to bring this shot to attention for it may be helpful to other players who are not aware of it's nuances.
The balls are positioned like this. Your pocket is 'A' and you need both balls....What is the shot?
START(
%Hn4P3%II5R1%PD2K7%QA8A8%eA9a6
)END
Most beginner, and intermediate players would bank the 8-Ball TOWARD their pocket in hopes of pocketing it.
However....
This is undoubtedly a better way to play this shot....
START(
%Hn7P2%II5R1%PD2K7%QA8A8%Tr2W8%Wm2P3%XE1K9%]r1W2%^n2P5%eA9a6
%bH2M2%cs5O7%dn4P1
)END
....for a few great reasons
1) It is difficult to control the cueball and get an accurate hit on the bank when attempting to pocket it.
2) If you dont MAKE the bank, there is an awful good chance you are going to leave a game-winning bank for your opponent.
3) If you play the shot as diagrammed, you are putting both balls in a funny position that your opponent now has to deal with. Many times, it will be uncomfortable for the opponent to play safe and not leave a GOOD bank on one of the other balls.
4) There is almost ZERO percent of selling out playing to hit the ball thicker and banking it to the middle area of the table.
5) Doing anything off the yellow ball is not that great a shot since you will be putting it downtable - and you need both balls....(the 2 railer is there, but risky)
Hope this makes sense.....Don't shoot shots like this to the hole. Lag them to the end rail and put your opponent in a heap of trouble!