My thinking as well Dr. Bill. I hate those combination "clean out" shots unless I hide the cue ball. Too much goes wrong. That's why I never considered that in my first post. I felt the 13(or12?) 5 bank was the right shot. It looked like to me the 5 would catch just enough of the bottom of the stack (or pile as your good friend and compadre Danny D would say) to open a few up and head toward my hole, while freezing the great Efren on the top of the stack. If I'm wrong on my thinking please explain. Thanks in advance your accustats student ,Todd
You're thinking right when you say that the combo bank 12-5 is a good option (providing the 5ball doesn't bank back into the stack and move the cue ball) it positions a ball near your pocket and locks your opponent up in the stack.
I didn't like the shot only because I felt that the 5ball was going to brush the 8ball and send the 5ball back into the stack and move the cue ball from it's secured position. If that can be avoided then that option becomes a very viable option and possibly the best one because it's effective and simple to execute.
Franks 11ball option doesn't get much done but it does buy a little time which would allow you on your next visit to the table to look at something better. I also see a counter move to Franks option that would be effective and not too difficult to execute..providing you're not frozen to the 6ball.
For those that may be interested in hearing my counter move i'll explain.
Providing you're not frozen to the 6ball you will have the ability to "kick" two cushions to hit the "high side" of the 2ball and send it toward your side where many good things can happen. If you happen to miss the 2ball entirely you will then hit the stack and send balls toward your side sending the cue ball up table near the top right pocket. From there your opponent will be in trouble. This kick imo shoud be struck with a medium speed..not hard not soft..but hard enough to position the cue ball near the top rail. The target for this kick is huge because of the position of the 2ball in relation to the stack.
Try it.
Bill Incardona