9-Ball Layout With 21 Different Shot Options! Which Do You Like Best?

[dr_dave]

​

The following video demonstrates many options for approaching this table layout:

NV I.12 - VENT-II 9-Ball Layout With 21 Different Shot Options! Which Do You Like Best?​

Here are the options demonstrated in the video:
(1) 1 in side with long-side shape on 2
(2) 1 in corner with short-side shape on 2
(3) 1 in corner, playing for bank on 2
(4) 1 into 3-4, hide behind 2
(5) 1 down table, hide behind 8
(6) kiss 1 off 9 into corner
(7) combo 1 into 9 for win
(8) combo 1 into 9, with possible kiss off 7
(9) hide behind 8, send 1 into 3-4
(10) hide 1 behind 3-4, with distance
(11) hide 1 behind 3-4 with slight break out
(12) hide 1 behind 3-4 with slight break out and roll forward
(13) 1 in corner, follow to break out 3-4
(14) 1 in corner, draw off cushion to long side of 2
(15) 1 in corner, draw off cushion to short side of 2
(16) 1 in corner, draw off cushion to short side of 2 for follow forward
(17) hit 1 into 3-4 cluster and hide behind 7-9
(18) hide CB from 1 using 7-9 blockers
(19) 1 in corner, follow for shape on 2
(20) after 1 and 2, kiss 3 off 4 to pocket 3-5 combo
(21) after 1 and 2, play safety on 3

other options suggested after filming:
(22) bank 1 into 4 to throw 3 into corner
(23) 1 in corner, follow with inside to break out 3-4 rail first for better shape on 2
(24) 1 into and/or behind 8, CB by 5

Which one or two do you like best, and why?

Here's one more bump hoping a few more people will vote. And if anybody else can think of other options (like 22-24), please share them.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[12squared]

Given your equipment and how fast it played, the 1 in corner, draw off cushion to long side of 2 appears to to give you the best chance of ensuring you had the proper angle on the 2 to break up the 3 cluster. I didn't like breaking up the 3 ball cluster prior to making the 2 because you are not assured of shape.

Slower cloth and tighter pockets would change my selection to one of the safeties.

Good work Doctor.

 

[dr_dave]

Given your equipment and how fast it played, the 1 in corner, draw off cushion to long side of 2 appears to to give you the best chance of ensuring you had the proper angle on the 2 to break up the 3 cluster. I didn't like breaking up the 3 ball cluster prior to making the 2 because you are not assured of shape.

Slower cloth and tighter pockets would change my selection to one of the safeties.

Good work Doctor.

Dave,

Thank you for your input. I appreciate it.

The good thing about this approach is that the shot on the 2 is easy (assuming you draw the ball enough), and even if you miss the break-out (which you probably wouldn't), you can play one of the safeties.

I like it,
Dave

PS: Thank you for voting!

 

[dr_dave]

I noticed that a lot of people so far have picked:

(9) hide behind 8, send 1 into 3-4

Here's a direct link to the shot in the video.

With the exact ball layout shown in the diagram, this shot was very difficult for me and it took many attempts to get a good outcome. In fact, I think this shot option was the most difficult of all the shot options except for the 9-ball combo shots, which were brutal.

I had to use left spin to the throw the 1 enough to make it work. And both the line of aim and speed had to be nearly perfect. The amount of partial forward roll required to stun the CB forward was also a little hard to judge. Now, if there were slightly more angle on the shot, I would agree that this would be an excellent option; but with the ball layout in the diagram, it was extremely tough. Millimeters make a big difference here.

If you picked this option, try it out at a table with the CB and 1 positioned exactly as shown in the diagram, and let me know if you still think it is a good choice.

Has anybody else tried "(9) hide behind 8, send 1 into 3-4" yet (using the exact ball layout shown in the diagram) to see how difficult it is? Or is there something I'm missing?

Regards,
Dave

 

[Petros Andrikop]

From one point of view it's good to explore the diversity of options in any case, but one should never forget that not all are equally good/effective in competitive Pool.

Playing good Pool is also about making the right choice at the right time, getting the most of it while saving valuable energy to go on.

Trying to clear this layout from this given position is really not easy at any level, not sure if any pro would go for it instead of playing a good aggressive safety, so I would stick with options 4 and 9 and would not go any further.

I already explained my vote (option 4, best way to break up the cluster - contact rail first - and letting the opponent with playing "away" from 1 for re-safe), not trying to be smart here just wanted to make this point.

 

[dr_dave]

From one point of view it's good to explore the diversity of options in any case, but one should never forget that not all are equally good/effective in competitive Pool.

Playing good Pool is also about making the right choice at the right time, getting the most of it while saving valuable energy to go on.

Trying to clear this layout from this given position is really not easy at any level, not sure if any pro would go for it instead of playing a good aggressive safety, so I would stick with options 4 and 9 and would not go any further.

I already explained my vote (option 4, best way to break up the cluster - contact rail first - and letting the opponent with playing "away" from 1 for re-safe), not trying to be smart here just wanted to make this point.

Well stated. Option 4 is also still my top choice after practicing all of the options.

Regardless, it was still fun and educational to explore and practice all of the other approaches too. I think I learned a lot in doing so. Also, sometimes based on where other balls might be on the table, we might be forced into some of these other types of shots, so I think this sort of practice is worthwhile.

Thank you for your input and vote,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Trying to clear this layout from this given position is really not easy at any level, not sure if any pro would go for it instead of playing a good aggressive safety, so I would stick with options 4 and 9 and would not go any further.

Have you tried "(9) hide behind 8, send 1 into 3-4" yet, using the exact ball layout shown in the diagram? This shot was very difficult for me to pull off, per my previous posts. There really wasn't enough of an angle to hit it reliably (without sidespin and throw and the perfect line and speed). For those interested, here's a direct link to the shot in the video. The shot in the video might make this option look easy to pull off, but it was not. It took many attempts (not shown in the video), and most left an open look at the 1 and/or did not break the cluster.

Regards,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Well, it looks like the top 5 choices from the voting (with links to the individual shots in the video) are:

(4) 1 into 3-4, hide behind 2
(9) hide behind 8, send 1 into 3-4
(21) after 1 and 2, play safety on 3
(13) 1 in corner, follow to break out 3-4
(15) 1 in corner, draw off cushion to short side of 2

With the exact ball layout in the diagram, I still think "(9) hide behind 8, send 1 into 3-4" should not be on the list. I think anybody who tries the shot on an actual table would agree.

Thank you to everybody for voting and for the insightful posts. I learned a lot from this thread.

Regards,
Dave

 

[Petros Andrikop]

Have you tried "(9) hide behind 8, send 1 into 3-4" yet, using the exact ball layout shown in the diagram? This shot was very difficult for me to pull off, per my previous posts. There really wasn't enough of an angle to hit it reliably (without sidespin and throw and the perfect line and speed). For those interested, here's a direct link to the shot in the video. The shot in the video might make this option look easy to pull off, but it was not. It took many attempts (not shown in the video), and most left an open look at the 1 and/or did not break the cluster.

Regards,
Dave

To be honest I haven't tried any of the options, I just estimated the situation out of my humble experience.

My objection with choice 9 has to to mainly with the outcome of the cluster break. I believe breaking the cluster through option 4 provides a better outcome, after all aggressive safety in general should achieve two things: tough re-safe and better chances for winning the frame afterwards. If the 3 isn't open enough after the break then it still remains not an easy task to run out.

I believe choice 4 is much better than choice 9 in both of these objectives, you have already shown good replies from behind the 8.

Congrats for providing once again inspiring work, we all learn through talking about the game in a healthy constructive way like this.

 

[dr_dave]

To be honest I haven't tried any of the options, I just estimated the situation out of my humble experience.

My objection with choice 9 has to to mainly with the outcome of the cluster break. I believe breaking the cluster through option 4 provides a better outcome, after all aggressive safety in general should achieve two things: tough re-safe and better chances for winning the frame afterwards. If the 3 isn't open enough after the break then it still remains not an easy task to run out.

I believe choice 4 is much better than choice 9 in both of these objectives, you have already shown good replies from behind the 8.

Congrats for providing once again inspiring work, we all learn through talking about the game in a healthy constructive way like this.

Thanks again for your insights, and for your kind remarks.

Best regards,
Dave

 

[Cornerman]

I'd like to know what Justin Bergman would do.

Freddie <~~~ can't be alone

 

[dr_dave]

I'd like to know what Justin Bergman would do.

Freddie <~~~ can't be alone

... or Efren.

Maybe some people out there who know top players can ask them what they would choose, and let us know.

Regards,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Well, it looks like the top 5 choices from the voting (with links to the individual shots in the video) are:

(4) 1 into 3-4, hide behind 2
(9) hide behind 8, send 1 into 3-4
(21) after 1 and 2, play safety on 3
(13) 1 in corner, follow to break out 3-4
(15) 1 in corner, draw off cushion to short side of 2

With the exact ball layout in the diagram, I still think "(9) hide behind 8, send 1 into 3-4" should not be on the list. I think anybody who tries the shot on an actual table would agree.

Thank you to everybody for voting and for the insightful posts. I learned a lot from this thread.

We've gotten a lot more votes the last few days and "(9) hide behind 8, send 1 into 3-4" has taken the lead in the poll. Has anybody tried this shot with the exact ball layout in the diagram and gotten it to work? It took me many attempts (not shown in the video) and it worked only with the perfect amount of sidepin with the perfect line and perfect speed. I was hoping to hear from others who have tried this shot at a table.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[MFB]

one in the corner shape for the two to play safe.

 

[dr_dave]

one in the corner shape for the two to play safe.

How do you plan to play safe on the 2? Do you just plan to hide the 2 behind the 7-9 cluster and/or the hide the CB behind the 8?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[MFB]

How do you plan to play safe on the 2? Do you just plan to hide the 2 behind the 7-9 cluster and/or the hide the CB behind the 8?

Thanks,
Dave

After making the 1, I would position the CB so I could to bank the 2 behind the 3/4. And bring the CB one or three rails behind the 8.

To accomplish both would be quite the shot. To accomplish hiding the 2, or hiding CB would be acceptable. If I accomplish neither, hopefully my opponent will pocket the 2, and need to do something with the 3/4.

Either way, it progresses the game.

 

[dr_dave]

After making the 1, I would position the CB so I could to bank the 2 behind the 3/4. And bring the CB one or three rails behind the 8.

To accomplish both would be quite the shot. To accomplish hiding the 2, or hiding CB would be acceptable. If I accomplish neither, hopefully my opponent will pocket the 2, and need to do something with the 3/4.

Either way, it progresses the game.

That works.

FYI, I've added the following to the first post:

(25) 1 in corner, play safe on 2 (CB behind 9 and/or 2 behind 3-4)

Anybody else have any ideas not already listed or demonstrated?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Anybody else have any ideas not already listed or demonstrated?

Here's what we have so far:

Options demonstrated in the video:
(1) 1 in side with long-side shape on 2
(2) 1 in corner with short-side shape on 2
(3) 1 in corner, playing for bank on 2
(4) 1 into 3-4, hide behind 2
(5) 1 down table, hide behind 8
(6) kiss 1 off 9 into corner
(7) combo 1 into 9 for win
(8) combo 1 into 9, with possible kiss off 7
(9) hide behind 8, send 1 into 3-4
(10) hide 1 behind 3-4, with distance
(11) hide 1 behind 3-4 with slight break out
(12) hide 1 behind 3-4 with slight break out and roll forward
(13) 1 in corner, follow to break out 3-4
(14) 1 in corner, draw off cushion to long side of 2
(15) 1 in corner, draw off cushion to short side of 2
(16) 1 in corner, draw off cushion to short side of 2 for follow forward
(17) hit 1 into 3-4 cluster and hide behind 7-9
(18) hide CB from 1 using 7-9 blockers
(19) 1 in corner, follow for shape on 2
(20) after 1 and 2, kiss 3 off 4 to pocket 3-5 combo
(21) after 1 and 2, play safety on 3

Other options suggested:
(22) bank 1 into 4 to throw 3 into corner
(23) 1 in corner, follow with inside to break out 3-4 rail first for better shape on 2
(24) 1 into and/or behind 8, CB by 5
(25) 1 in corner, play safe on 2 (CB behind 9 and/or 2 behind 3-4)