Half Ball

[Bob Jewett]

If there's a cut angle that offers the best combination of easy to make and easy/versatile CB control, what do you think it is?

I think it's the 30-degree cut angle, also known as half ball. It's well within the aiming comfort zone and allows easy, flexible and predictable CB control. I find myself habitually aiming for half ball shape unless there's a reason not to.
...

I think it does let you move the cue ball easily, but if you are playing really well, you move the cue ball a minimum amount once you get control. At nine ball that's hard to do, so half-ball angles work well, but at other games you are generally looking for fuller shots, down in the 0 to 10 degree range.

The other end of the range can also come up when you have to move the cue ball a long way and choose a thinner shot to help.

Since I don't play much nine ball, my default choice would be a fuller shot than half-ball. I've been working on my "stun run-through" lately after watching a lot of snooker.

 

[BC21]

playing shape to get a certain half ball,3rd ball or
anything else sounds impossibe for me

i hope to get ashot that i can make on the right side of the ball

if people are good enough to get a certain angle

i now see why i never played so good

Naturally, it's often best to play CB position toward the next shot, coming into the desired area at the widest room for error vs moving across the area or perpendicular to the shot line. Not every shot can be played this way, but it's the favored approach when available. The more you do this the more you find yourself automatically getting a shot between 25 and 35 degrees, so it's not exactly like you're trying to play for a certain angle.

 

[Black-Balled]

I gave up on playing position a long time ago.

I find the game is far more exciting when you don't know what is gonna be next.

 

[BC21]

I gave up on playing position a long time ago.

I find the game is far more exciting when you don't know what is gonna be next.

Lmao.....some nights I feel like I've forgotten how to play position!

 

[Patrick Johnson]

I think it does let you move the cue ball easily, but if you are playing really well, you move the cue ball a minimum amount once you get control. At nine ball that's hard to do, so half-ball angles work well, but at other games you are generally looking for fuller shots, down in the 0 to 10 degree range.

The other end of the range can also come up when you have to move the cue ball a long way and choose a thinner shot to help.

Since I don't play much nine ball, my default choice would be a fuller shot than half-ball. I've been working on my "stun run-through" lately after watching a lot of snooker.

Your exceptions make lots of sense - I may be biased because I primarily play 15-ball rotation.

pj
chgo

 

[Ralph Kramden]

I usually play for slightly less than 1/2 ball. Anywhere around a 1/2 ball is good, but
thicker hits also mean better CB control as the ball energy split is more in your favor.

.

I think it does let you move the cue ball easily, but if you are playing really well, you move the cue ball a minimum amount once you get control. At nine ball that's hard to do, so half-ball angles work well, but at other games you are generally looking for fuller shots, down in the 0 to 10 degree range.

The other end of the range can also come up when you have to move the cue ball a long way and choose a thinner shot to help.

Mr. Jewett... I think we're on the same page... but both of us use a different choice of wording. Your wording always seems to be the better choice. :smile:

.

 

[Black-Balled]

Your exceptions make lots of sense - I may be biased because I primarily play 15-ball rotation.

pj
chgo

Conversational turn signal.

I play 15b rotation almost exclusively, as my home practice.

Do you shoot either highest or lowest ball, or lowest only?

I have been doing lowest only, but recall seeing players play where either ball is 'on'.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Conversational turn signal.

I play 15b rotation almost exclusively, as my home practice.

Do you shoot either highest or lowest ball, or lowest only?

I have been doing lowest only, but recall seeing players play where either ball is 'on'.

Lowest only - never heard of that choice...?

It's a great practice game - it's tough and everything comes up.

pj
chgo

 

[KMRUNOUT]

If there's a cut angle that offers the best combination of easy to make and easy/versatile CB control, what do you think it is?

I think it's the 30-degree cut angle, also known as half ball. It's well within the aiming comfort zone and allows easy, flexible and predictable CB control. I find myself habitually aiming for half ball shape unless there's a reason not to.

What about you?

pj
chgo

View attachment 24835

I tend to favor slightly fuller hits. If 1/2 ball is 30 degrees (I kinda thought it was a bit more than 30?), then I'd favor say 20 degrees or 25. I like the broader range of options I can get for position. I can hold the cueball up a lot more if necessary, but I can also let my stroke out a bit if needed. I prefer a medium speed punch type stroke when possible. I feel it is most accurate for me.

Of course where my next ball is will dictate the angle I choose.

Good question!

KMRUNOUT

 

[KMRUNOUT]

I gave up on playing position a long time ago.

I find the game is far more exciting when you don't know what is gonna be next.

Haha! Actually that is probably exactly how most of us learned to pocket balls and make a variety of shots. Necessity!

KMRUNOUT

 

[Black-Balled]

Lowest only - never heard of that choice...?

It's a great practice game - it's tough and everything comes up.

pj
chgo

Huh? Lowest only, as in how we play 9/10ball?

If all the balls are on the table, do you have to shoot the 1 first, or do you have a choice between the 1 an 15 (low/ hi).

And, do you play to 61pts, or through all 15 balls?

 

[KMRUNOUT]

Conversational turn signal.

I play 15b rotation almost exclusively, as my home practice.

Do you shoot either highest or lowest ball, or lowest only?

I have been doing lowest only, but recall seeing players play where either ball is 'on'.

I've heard something like this called "convergence 8 ball".

KMRUNOUT

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Huh? Lowest only, as in how we play 9/10ball?

If all the balls are on the table, do you have to shoot the 1 first, or do you have a choice between the 1 an 15 (low/ hi).

And, do you play to 61pts, or through all 15 balls?

I meant I only play lowest first. And I always play through all 15 balls, though I like the first part better than the last - better CB challenges.

pj
chgo

 

[jrctherake]

Huh? Lowest only, as in how we play 9/10ball?

If all the balls are on the table, do you have to shoot the 1 first, or do you have a choice between the 1 an 15 (low/ hi).

And, do you play to 61pts, or through all 15 balls?

I'm a fan of low and high until five balls are down. At that point I choose either low or high and stay with the choice until I run out or miss.

When I play rotation, I treat it like 9 and 10 ball as far as keeping score. If I run a rack, 1 for me. If I miss, 1 for the rotation ghost.

Btw, I usually slaughter the 9 and 10 ball ghost with ball in hand. Usually I'm 80% favorite. But....lol.....with 15 rotation, I'm the lamb and the odds drop to 25% - 30% range with low/high for first 5 balls.

It's brutal,

Rake

 

[Black-Balled]

I meant I only play lowest first. And I always play through all 15 balls, though I like the first part better than the last - better CB challenges.

pj
chgo

Same here, re: gameplay...

And when you are shooting the 10, it feels like you are coasting downhill.

 

[Black-Balled]

I'm a fan of low and high until five balls are down. At that point I choose either low or high and stay with the choice until I run out or miss.

When I play rotation, I treat it like 9 and 10 ball as far as keeping score. If I run a rack, 1 for me. If I miss, 1 for the rotation ghost.

Btw, I usually slaughter the 9 and 10 ball ghost with ball in hand. Usually I'm 80% favorite. But....lol.....with 15 rotation, I'm the lamb and the odds drop to 25% - 30% range with low/high for first 5 balls.

It's brutal,

Rake

Nice. I might run a rack or 2 an hour...but I did have a 3 pack once.
On an rkc gold crown, with azbwitnesses.

 

[Bavafongoul]

Just a point of clarification .....the 30 degree rule applies to more than just a 1/2 strike on the object ball..
The OP wasn't originally referring to the 30 degree rule and was illustrating his point with great photos.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Just a point of clarification .....the 30 degree rule applies to more than just a 1/2 strike on the object ball..
The OP wasn't originally referring to the 30 degree rule and was illustrating his point with great photos.

Those photos are actually screen grabs from Virtual Pool 4 - I like to give the programmers credit for their excellent graphics.

pj
chgo