I can't tell if he can cross the 8 ball straight back without a kiss, and float the CB over to the head rail, preferably by the corner pocket near the 1 ball. Otherwise, Beard's safety looks real good.
I don't know if Earl plays many safeties. If not, he probably fired the 8 straight back. Incidentally Fred-- the tables play so short down here that the 3 ball can be banked straight back without english. Hit it wide, and it'll bend right around.
Doc
So far, good Doctor, you have been the only guy really interested in the why's and wherefore's of shot selection -- as per your comments and questions on that Shane 1pkt thread.
I dont like to burn up ink and waste my time trying to defend a shot selection against all other shot selections. To try and determine what to do on one particular, certain shot is a worthless endeavor. Exact shots come up every thousand years.
Situations, however, come up all the time.
I try to teach -- as I was taught --
situational one pocket. Stuff that enables you to think thru
every predicament.
That's why, because there are exceptions to every rule, there may be a quantitatively better option than mine for
that exact shot but I try and present a working
concept to that particular type
situation that will serve you faithfully many, many times over.
If my pool ego wasnt so set in stone I might take offense at the comments some of my options get, especially in the bank forum. The fact that some of the best players in the world ask me for advice, and Piggy Banks and Jet Johnson call me "The Master," notwithstanding, it is a little discouraging to post on the forum and not be taken seriously enough.
You see I especially like to make an unorthodox comment, because if the shot is so obvious what do you need me for? And rather than going to pieces, because it might not make sense at first light, I am awaiting someone to use some reason and ask themselves questions like, "Well, the Beard is supposed to know the game, so why would he suggest doing something that appears to be risky or unusual?" "I guess he aint senile, so there must be something more to it." Yes, more important than a particular shot is the concept and motives behind it. So far you have been the only one that took that line of thought.
Beard
Remember, it aint my loss, I already know this shit.