14.1 - 2 shots from the woodshed

[Williebetmore]

As some people know, I have been spending most of my free time in the woodshed, mainly lurking here, not much posting. This week I was fortunate to get in about 8 hours of straight pool with a pro who has been ranked #1 in the world. During that time I observed 2 sequences as good as any I have seen (one by my opponent, one BY ME).

SHOT #1
The first shot was by my opponent who got out of line on the penultimate ball, leaving no shot (apparently) on the 6 ball, with the 8 ball sitting in perfect position. The 8 ball did not pass the 6 (the wei may be a little off). At this point I was chalking up, thinking I would surely be shooting again. In this position my opponent elevated the cue, and with a half-masse' curved the cueball around the 8, rail-first into the 6 ball, then to the bottom rail, the long rail, and back for PERFECT position on the 8 for a break shot. Playing against players this good will ensure that I become one of the greatest ball-rackers of all time.

 

[Williebetmore]

Shot #2

SHOT #2

My opponent missed, but luckily left me the position detailed in the first table - cue ball frozen to the rail, almost straight in on the 8 ball. My only choice was to slow roll the 8, leaving a cross side bank on the 4 ball. The bank was made with some low inside English, bringing the cue ball up for perfect position on the break ball. This was one of the best sequences I have ever played and got a standing ovation from my opponent (who now thinks I am better than I really am).

Well, back to the woodshed. I have another match this Wednesday, I'll try to detail any really good shots.

 

[Steve Lipsky]

SHOT #2

My opponent missed, but luckily left me the position detailed in the first table - cue ball frozen to the rail, almost straight in on the 8 ball. My only choice was to slow roll the 8, leaving a cross side bank on the 4 ball. The bank was made with some low inside English, bringing the cue ball up for perfect position on the break ball. This was one of the best sequences I have ever played and got a standing ovation from my opponent (who now thinks I am better than I really am).

Well, back to the woodshed. I have another match this Wednesday, I'll try to detail any really good shots.

Nice shot Willie! I must say I like your out much better than the first one; unless your WEI diagram is off, he would need to significantly curve the cueball there. That seems too low-percentage for top-flight 14.1, especially considering it looks like he could've played the 8-6 combination and left the 8 in a potential break position. If your diagram is off a bit, and he only barely had to swerve it, I like the shot more.

But your out is truly something to be proud of. Very, very nice, sir!

- Steve

 

[Williebetmore]

That seems too low-percentage for top-flight 14.1, especially considering it looks like he could've played the 8-6 combination and left the 8 in a potential break position. If your diagram is off a bit, and he only barely had to swerve it, I like the shot more.

- Steve

Steve,
Thanks for the input. I would say the half-masse' was not extreme, but more than just a little. My opponent (a mutual acquaintance of ours) DEFINITELY expected to make it. In any case, the risk of missing when I'm the opponent is SUBSTANTIALLY lower than when playing against a pro, my opponent may have just been playing around (I just shut up until it is my turn).

On my little sequence I can say it was extremely gratifying, because my opponent apologized for leaving it (on a miss), but had a huge smile while apologizing. I don't think anyone expects to start a run from that layout - I only take pride in visualizing the sequence to start, I am NOT a favorite to execute a layout like that. I STILL get nervous when playing top players, even with nothing on the line.

 

[Williebetmore]

Since this thread is mainly for viewing, in response to a request I am posting a link to a previous thread discussing a "match" I had with Johnny Archer last year. On the second page of the thread is a wei diagram of a shot Johnny played against me - also one of the better shots I've seen - also a recovery shot after he missed position. Even the greats miss position frequently, but dang, they sure do recover better than we do.
Enjoy.

http://www.azbilliards.com/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?t=7726&highlight=Johnny+Archer

 

[Black-Balled]

Sorry to go backwards, but I want to point out somethings in shot 2, diag2.
Take note of how the CB was spun to side rail after top rail. This is the correctway to go, as opposed to just rolling the CB straight up/ down. Reasons are that:1- R spin on the CB is the natural spin to make the bank, 2- The OB can be struck firmer because the CB rolls a greater distance, 3- the window for position on the break ball is much greater when played off any part of the side rail.

That is a quality shot and I have learned (or been reminded of )my new thing for the day!

 

[Williebetmore]

Sorry to go backwards, but I want to point out somethings in shot 2, diag2.
Take note of how the CB was spun to side rail after top rail. This is the correctway to go, as opposed to just rolling the CB straight up/ down. Reasons are that:1- R spin on the CB is the natural spin to make the bank, 2- The OB can be struck firmer because the CB rolls a greater distance, 3- the window for position on the break ball is much greater when played off any part of the side rail.

That is a quality shot and I have learned (or been reminded of )my new thing for the day!

BB,
I think you are correct. An additional benefit is that you are using 2 rails, and with each rail taking about 30% (?) of the speed off the ball, you have a larger margin of error (distance-wise) compared to trying the one rail route. The really good straight pool players have thought these things through so long and hard that it becomes second nature to them - I wish I was them (sort of).

 

[bruin70]

SHOT #2

My opponent missed, but luckily left me the position detailed in the first table - cue ball frozen to the rail, almost straight in on the 8 ball. My only choice was to slow roll the 8, leaving a cross side bank on the 4 ball. The bank was made with some low inside English, bringing the cue ball up for perfect position on the break ball. This was one of the best sequences I have ever played and got a standing ovation from my opponent (who now thinks I am better than I really am).

Well, back to the woodshed. I have another match this Wednesday, I'll try to detail any really good shots.

geez W,,,,you play goooooood. i woulda played safe.

 

[Williebetmore]

. i woulda played safe.

Bruin,
Perhaps you weren't paying attention in Straight Pool 101 class. Remember the first 4 rules: You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind, you don't pull the mask of an old Lone Ranger, and you don't play super tough safeties on this particular opponent (you are very likely to be sitting and racking for the next 45 minutes).

Seriously though, this layout was fairly typical of what I was looking at every time I came to the table - at least it seemed that way - the few easy layouts I inherited I seemed to find a way to screw up in fairly short order.