The Most Surprising Shot in Pool History

I love The Dancing Bear, so nicknamed for his wild looking break and frequent use of body english. Dude was a player. In the 2001 World Championships that Niels knocked him out in the QF, he won a prior match 11-0 running the set. His opponent only needed his cue for the lag. Another guy you won't find in the pool fundamentals bible.
I remember seeing this on the original telecast. Blew my mind. Obv luck to make the combo, but the hit alone is class.

BTW, I think this was in the Border Battle, a USA vs CAN team event the US team used as a warmup to the Mosconi Cup. Bring that back! Not only will it let the US team bond and play better doubles, but they got so weak now, that Canada actually has a shot. Hell, while we're airing our wishes, take the best players from the Border Battle and make a team North America to go up against team Europe.
 
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I do not see why the CB could not be shot 90º across the table (missing the 6 by a match stick or so) and using spin to change the bounce angle off the rail to make contact.

Surely the probability of avoiding BIH is greater this way.
 
I love The Dancing Bear, so nicknamed for his wild looking break and frequent use of body english. Dude was a player. In the 2001 World Championships that Niels knocked him out in the QF, he won a prior match 11-0 running the set. His opponent only needed his cue for the lag. Another guy you won't find in the pool fundamentals bible.
I remember seeing this on the original telecast. Blew my mind. Obv luck to make the combo, but the hit alone is class.

BTW, I think this was in the Border Battle, a USA vs CAN team event the US team used as a warmup to the Mosconi Cup. Bring that back! Not only will it let the US team bond and play better doubles, but they got so weak now, that Canada actually has a shot. Hell, while we're airing our wishes, take the best players from the Border Battle and make a team North America to go up against team Europe.
Who are the top players in Canada after Alex and Morra?
 
Who are the top players in Canada after Alex and Morra?
Jason Klatt and Erik Hjorleifson come to mind immediately. They are solid. Not great, but solid. A handful of others have gotten to the elimination stage of the world championships so they can hold their own too. If the US is gonna field a team as weak as this year's, Canada would have more of a shot against them than the US has vs EUR.
 
The kick jump is a useful tool, but the situation rarely comes up. It is not especially difficult, so it is worth a little practice. As Stu said, the outcome here was pure luck, he was just trying to hit the ball.
 
Jason Klatt and Erik Hjorleifson come to mind immediately. They are solid. Not great, but solid. A handful of others have gotten to the elimination stage of the world championships so they can hold their own too. If the US is gonna field a team as weak as this year's, Canada would have more of a shot against them than the US has vs EUR.
Do either JK or EH play anymore? Never see their names at any tournaments much.
 
Do either JK or EH play anymore? Never see their names at any tournaments much.
Ye they're around. Klatt came second to Pagulayan in the Canadian 9b Championships this year. Erik has been playing quite a bit of snooker lately but seems to have gotten over his back injury from the car wreck that derailed his career way back when.
 
Ye they're around. Klatt came second to Pagulayan in the Canadian 9b Championships this year. Erik has been playing quite a bit of snooker lately but seems to have gotten over his back injury from the car wreck that derailed his career way back when.
This is incorrect. Alex was not at the previous CDN Championships. Stephen Holem won the 8ball, 10ball and came 2nd in the 9ball to Erik H.
 
ah,
This is incorrect. Alex was not at the previous CDN Championships. Stephen Holem won the 8ball, 10ball and came 2nd in the 9ball to Erik H.
my bad. i googled 2022 canadian 9ball championship and an article on AZB popped up with that info. obv it is old from another year. still tho Erik and Klatt are around and playing some good pool.
 
Jason Klatt and Erik Hjorleifson come to mind immediately.
Stephen Ho Lem is a notch below Klatt currently in fargo, but Klatt doesn't seem to be overly active these days. Klatt knocked me to the B-side of the Canadian 9ball this year and Stephen took me out in the quarters in the 8ball. I won't comment on how I did in the 10 ball :(

As to the OP... I have managed to replicate that shot by Alain once or twice in a few dozen attempts. The legal hit that is. Not actually making any ball. Climbing the rail like that is actually a pretty handy escape. Real hard to judge and control distance though
 
Alain Martel actually commented on the video explaining what his intention was when playing the shot:

"I had the choice between two shots since I could not complicate the game by blocking other balls. First the masse by the rail around the 5 ball to touch the 2 ball, I didn't like that choice. It was easier to hit the 2 ball that way but I probably would have left an easy shot for JJ. The second choice was the jump on the rail, I knew that if I touched the 2 ball while jumping several things could turn in my favor ... and the miracle happened!"

Great guy!
 
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