Every once in a while, the safety battles end up exciting.

Just stumbled across this battle for a win using the 3 foul safety rule...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja9y8Lv_A1s

Should it have been played any differently?
Given that people are getting so good at jump shots, the escape is not surprising. An alternative would have been to go thin off the one (somehow) and take the cue ball to where the jump is impossible and the kick very tough. It looks like he could have placed the cue ball very close to the seven ball, gone very thin off the one and gone three or four cushions to the other side of the four ball. But I would have tried what Foldes played.
 
If I were Luong, I would have tied something up before giving up the 1st foul. But then again, I don't know what would happen next, so I guess it's best not to mess around with the table.
 
I know jump shots are done all the time...but that was so tight and such a specific "landing" spot is was fun to watch. What I found most interesting was the demeanor of both players...neither one let the safeties get in their head...in fact smiling and laughing about the situation! What a great display of emotions in a match as well as the composure to not give up or give in!

Jason
 
I remember Grady Mathews doing this shot 100 years ago.
In the old days when we didn't have jump rods, the shot in this situation was to play the cue ball off the end rail to get the jump. Direct short hops were not possible.
 
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