Hitting the five can leave it in the way. You can`t tell me that off two cushions you can hit a pinpoint on that 5. Why would you take that chance?
Which Way Do You Play This Shot?
- Thread starter DrCue'sProtege
- Start date
In the interest of scientific method, I next tried the straight path between the 9 and 5. It yielded a Nope. A nopadope hook behind the 5. 
I next attempted the path that was my first choice initially. The 2 rail draw. It found the hole in the side rail. So I stand by the path between the 5 and 7.
I next attempted the path that was my first choice initially. The 2 rail draw. It found the hole in the side rail. So I stand by the path between the 5 and 7.My nickname in our poolroom among some opponents is Mr. Inside, as I almost always choose inside over outside when the positioning routes offer that option, which I understand is contrary to what most players would choose. I guess that’s why when I see this layout, my immediate preference is for the high inside route.
In two words, tangent line. To move the cue ball as far as any of the shots indicate, the next thing the cue ball is hitting after the two is the rail by the two on something very close to the tangent line. I need very little spin of any kind to come off that rail and hit the five. I'll plan to hit it anywhere between full and thin. on the same side as the nine.
That keeps me well away from any other traffic. Suits my style of minimizing cue ball movement too. I'm at least eight or nine out of ten on that shot, speed and angles. I can't say the same about the others, especially since none of the paths seem to include coming off of the foot rail, something the cue ball will surely do by my eyeballing.
While I don't like the shot as well looking at the overhead, I would defer to Greg since he has actually worked with the shot and go between the five and seven. Looks riskier to me but if he says that is the most natural shot I can't disagree with him and I almost always favor the most natural shot.
Of the multi-rail shots, I would draw back, just like the route better. However I like one rail very close to the tangent line best of all. Even if I miss the five I still have good enough shape on the three and it is a close shot.
Different strokes for different folks but I like a simple game.
Hu
A choice of outside over inside is to minimize the variablesrange of effect. With inside the friction between balls can have a larger effect. Pristine Conditions to degrees of dirty leads this barbox player to favor outside. Not exclusively just favored. ☺
Okay, round 2.....
This result going between 5 and 7 leads me to a conclusin And Grampa brag. 
Doing a remodel of a clothing store as a temp carpenter, with a 5 or 6 man crew. We needed to use gray caulk around the mirrors in the dressing rooms, so tags couldn't be hidden there by shoplifting person. The wall was white. So the supervisor says, " I will give each a shot at the caulking as it's difficult to keep a good clean bead. I raised my hand and asked to go first. I did the first mirror, he looked and announced, "Greg will be doing the caulking." I did a lot of siding caulking one winter.
The second result definitely tells me that I don't need to try any other path.
Doing a remodel of a clothing store as a temp carpenter, with a 5 or 6 man crew. We needed to use gray caulk around the mirrors in the dressing rooms, so tags couldn't be hidden there by shoplifting person. The wall was white. So the supervisor says, " I will give each a shot at the caulking as it's difficult to keep a good clean bead. I raised my hand and asked to go first. I did the first mirror, he looked and announced, "Greg will be doing the caulking."
I did a lot of siding caulking one winter. The second result definitely tells me that I don't need to try any other path.
I concur that I only play in our poolroom, with clean balls and clean cloth, so that’s not a factor in my decision here.
Im gonna close my eyes and hope the 2 goes in and bump every ball on the table at the same time.
An interesting 9 ball strategy that I enjoyed. A 1 and 2 ring game with 4 others that employed that method supplemented my income for over a year in Bellevue WA.
My Daddy told me, "if it feels good, do it. When it hurts quit. "
Inside is is easy. BHE and aim the stick at the contact point. Adjust around that. But, why is the speed any easier than drawing the ball?
Which 3 cushions?
Set up a straight in shot, OB and CB near the middle of the table, a few feet apart. So what’s easier - to pocket the ball and draw the CB a specified distance, 1,2,3, and 4 feet or pocket the ball and follow the CB 1,2,3 and 4 feet? For most, speed control on the CB is far more accurate using follow.
hey grampa....Okay, round 2.....View attachment 787746This result going between 5 and 7 leads me to a conclusin And Grampa brag.
Doing a remodel of a clothing store as a temp carpenter, with a 5 or 6 man crew. We needed to use gray caulk around the mirrors in the dressing rooms, so tags couldn't be hidden there by shoplifting person. The wall was white. So the supervisor says, " I will give each a shot at the caulking as it's difficult to keep a good clean bead. I raised my hand and asked to go first. I did the first mirror, he looked and announced, "Greg will be doing the caulking."
The second result definitely tells me that I don't need to try any other path.
so you like the red path more than the yellow path
yes??
Yes. On my table it's a natural roll so volume is the only concern and it would be hard for me to run long enough to scratch. Worst case I might have to bank the 3 or new pocket new plan with options for safety if angles don't work for me. I always inspect for the shot to nothing. A missed ball landing ugly is a ring game skill. That along with reasonable shape on the next is often my choice. If I have screwed the shape that much it's hard to feel confident (yet).
Whether you take the red or yellow path or even split the difference I wouldn’t float the CB up any further than the spot area. Why even bring the 5 into play, you can stay two diamonds away from the 5 and still have an easy shot on the 3 and stop for the 5 or bring the CB back for the 5 in the side.
I love shooting inside also, BUT I would never shoot this shot high inside and if I'm gambling I want an opponent who would
Red line might be the worst option
That might be fine for a younger player or on a 7’ table, but for us seniors, playing on a 9’ table with tighter pockets, I’m not leaving myself a 3/4 table length shot when I don’t have to. I’m getting my CB closer to the center of the table below the 5 ball, within 2 feet or so of my next OB, not 4+ feet away from it.
If that’s what you’re comfortable with but two or three diamonds away really doesn’t make a difference to a serious player when the shots are easy no matter pocket size or table length.