Banking off the End Rail into the Side

9BallPaul

9BallPaul

Banned
I snorted in private derision last night when a guy called this shot in a bar. Then he proceedes to make it, and act nonchalant about it. What they hey?

Since when are players banking into the side from the end rails? Can't say I've ever seen a top player even attempt this shot. It's no simple matter just firing the cueball into the side from the end rail.

Have I been living a sheltered life, or is this a standard shot in your book?
 
I've never seen a decent player shoot this shot unless they were just showing off/messing around, or it was a two way shot (shot/safety), or it was last-pocket and that's the only pocket they're allowed to shoot at. Because of the size of the side pocket opening from that angle, it's never the easiest shot. In all situations, there's an easier shot to pocket.

-Andrew
 
I can't count how many times I've heard the guys at the place I play call "2 into the side", usually they hit a long rail, an end rail, and then the OB goes into the side. This is almost exclusively when they're playing banks though.
 
I do that as a bar bet one of two ways..

One is to line up a OB right at the side pocket, then place the CB on the head spot. Say i will make the OB in the side with the CB only striking the end rail dead in the middle..

The other is same thing only call the CB to go in the side pocket after hitting the end rail dead on the middle diamond as well.

Both shots are relatively easy, just a lot of either top right or left English depending on the side you are going for

I have tried to bank another OB into the side with about a 30% success rate, haven't quite mastered the English needed for that one.
 
I have tried to bank another OB into the side with about a 30% success rate, haven't quite mastered the English needed for that one.
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LOL. Bring all your money to Chicago - I'll give you 4-to-1 on this shot until you beg to be released.

pj
chgo
 
I've called this shot in a tournament before, made it and ended up winning. The way I look at it, if a CB can scratch in the side at a sharp angle, why shouldn't you play a bank to the side from an end rail.

Why rule out a perfectly good option.

That being said, I wouldn't plan a run out that included a bank from an end rail.

CueTable Help

 
The shot used to be played more often in push-out, before Texas Express. Part of the strategy was also a safety play.
 
I am with Patrick Johnson on this one...

I actually played banks last night and played this shot twice during the course of the evening. I typically use outside English and shoot with finesse to make this ball pretty consistently. I have been using this and the two rails in the side shot quite often in banks on both barboxes and 9fters. I am at work and cant see the diagrams but I know the shot using the end rail one time in the side. It almost has to be center of the table or beyond on the opposite side of the targeted side pocket.

I think if you want to see angles better and increase your knowledge of the game, you must play banks and other games. Start with banks and then begin playing one pocket. You will be surprised at how much your overall game will improve. You will see how to "move" the balls, play safe, adjust your English and speed, etc.
 
Sure, we've all made it for fun and we've all been fortunate to make it when it counted and there was no other option. However, as a shot-by-shot proposition when it REALLY counts is totally different. The pocket is the size of a BB after the first miss or 2....or 3....
 
Now that you mention it...I have recently called that shot on an 8-ball and made it for the win.

The 8-ball was not near the rail either, but I had no other shot. I must admit, I DID NOT expect to make that shot....but I focused and played it the best that I could and it went in.
 
LOL. Bring all your money to Chicago - I'll give you 4-to-1 on this shot until you beg to be released.

pj
chgo
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LOL

How about I take the drive up from the chain and i'll pay the table time, you show me how to make it..
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I shoot it like any other bank, just a lot less frequently - because it's like trying to bank through the eye of a needle.

On the other hand, kicking off the end rail to make a ball that's jawed in the side pocket is a lot easier than most players think. I'll shoot that one for even money.

Anyway, drive to Chicago and we'll just play some and split the time. No foolishness required.

pj
chgo
 
nathandumoulin said:
lol good call.

Might be a bit tough to keep the cue ball on the table after potting that bad boy.
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On my last trip to the Philippines in 1976 I saw Efren make that shot 3 times in a row without touching a rail, shooting with an aluminum baseball bat, on a table with no cloth.

True story.

-Andrew
 
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