Here is a situation that came up in my 9ball match yesterday. How would you approach this? First person to figure what I did gets a big virtual attaboy. The 5 doesn't pass the 9 in either corner.
How to win from here?
- Thread starter dan_boersma
- Start date
I'm guessing you ran to the 5-ball, and kicked off the side rail into the 5-ball, caroming the 9-ball into the lower left corner.
With the table laying as it is, there's no easy out. I'd play safe here. I'd bank the 2 downtable, and hide the CB behind the 6...forcing your opponent to "go for the hit". If they missed, and you got b-i-h on the two, you should be able to set up the right angle, to break out the 5/9, off of pocketing the 3...which leaves a shot on the 4, and so on. The reason I don't like the 3-rail bank on the 2, to break out the 5/9, is because it isn't natural, and the safe is all but a sure thing (the 5/9 will likely be a factor, and in the way, in trying to kick to the 2).
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
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I didn't see that option while playing, but I do like it. only problem is you do sell out if you don't hide whitey. My play was, I think, safer.
That play was not available, although it looks like it is on the WEI.
I am the type of guy that would normally try for #3. but no, none of these.
Cut the two in with low-left and carom the 6 into the 5-9. You'll have shape on the three, then run-the-fu**-out! :thumbup:
Ding Ding Ding!!! That's what I did. I figured it was very safe, b/c even if I miss the breakout, I am still on the 3 ball with a chance to break it up from the 3. Cue ball ended up around point A after the carom on the 6.
dan_boersma...Well, frankly, you got a lucky kick on the 6, to break out the 5/9. I'd bet that if you shot that exact same shot 10 times, you would miss the 5/9 at least several tries. Also, with kicking into the 6, you have to get a lucky roll to have a shot on the 3. You could just as easily kicked poorly on the 6, and the CB ends up on or near the rail, by the middle diamond...making the cut shot on the 3 tougher, if not impractical. jmo...but the safe on the 6 is pretty simple, and a high percentage potential for b-i-h, as long as you don't hit the 2 too hard.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
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The safe behind the 6 is easy, but it does not get you any closer to winning - the 5/9 has to be dealt with.
I'd take the flyer with the 6 carom all day long. If I miss it, chances are I'd have another shot moving them with whitey off the the 3 and on my way to shape for the 4.
Gotta play to win IMO.
Oh yeah, and the 5/9 is a really big ball by the way; even if you get the rail well under them, it will still bank into them and get some movement. :grin-square:
Edit: I forgot my supporting illustrations. LOL!
I'd take the flyer with the 6 carom all day long. If I miss it, chances are I'd have another shot moving them with whitey off the the 3 and on my way to shape for the 4.
Gotta play to win IMO.
Oh yeah, and the 5/9 is a really big ball by the way; even if you get the rail well under them, it will still bank into them and get some movement. :grin-square:
Edit: I forgot my supporting illustrations. LOL!
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Corey...I agree that you have to play to win. However, most people don't have the eye and stroke of a professional player, and with a likely ball in hand, from playing safe, it's highly likely that the 5/9 can be broken out from the 2, 3 or 4 (the 2 or 3 being preferable to the 4, since it's tough to know where the 5 will end up). Sometimes playing an easy safe IS playing to win!
I think both offense and defense have their merits and pitfalls here.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
I think both offense and defense have their merits and pitfalls here.Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
I make it a point never to disagree with Corey when he is right :wink:
Corey...I agree that you have to play to win. However, most people don't have the eye and stroke of a professional player, and with a likely ball in hand, from playing safe, it's highly likely that the 5/9 can be broken out from the 2, 3 or 4 (the 2 or 3 being preferable to the 4, since it's tough to know where the 5 will end up). Sometimes playing an easy safe IS playing to win!
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Good point. The right shot in any given situation can largely be based on skill level.
Take a shot
If you are going for the runout you can either cinch the 2 ball in or go up and down laying the cue ball inside the 4, play the 3 ball with most likely left english and open up the 5/9/ ....yes you can get stuck ,play to catch it rail first coming out..play to hit it on the pro side,,,,if you miss it completely the 4 ball is basically a hanger.... pocket the 4 ball and play safe on the 5 ball,,lock on the 9
Otherwise just run out to the 5 ball and play a lock up safe,,,disregard trying to break them open,,,fairly easy play..never a guarantee the opponet won't kick it in or safe you back
Playing safe off the 2 and holding the cue ball under the 6 is not as easy as it looks.
If you are going for the runout you can either cinch the 2 ball in or go up and down laying the cue ball inside the 4, play the 3 ball with most likely left english and open up the 5/9/ ....yes you can get stuck ,play to catch it rail first coming out..play to hit it on the pro side,,,,if you miss it completely the 4 ball is basically a hanger.... pocket the 4 ball and play safe on the 5 ball,,lock on the 9
Otherwise just run out to the 5 ball and play a lock up safe,,,disregard trying to break them open,,,fairly easy play..never a guarantee the opponet won't kick it in or safe you back
Playing safe off the 2 and holding the cue ball under the 6 is not as easy as it looks.