25 Advanced Game-Winning Pool Shots – BU Exam III

[dr_dave]

https://youtu.be/9myYl6ifI_w

Above is the link to my youtube video. I scored a 30. The video is edited for brevity and short attention spans (mine!).

Thank you for posting the video. You are the very first person in history to post a BU Exam III video!

To answer Dr Dave, I believe I could score higher with dedicated practice on these shots. Specifically, the jacked up shots of the draw and masse variations. I purposely rarely practiced these in my life, and rarely even take a jump cue to the pool hall when I'm gambling.

The banana shot I just have to figure out how exactly to hit it, and I know I can score better on that. Same with a couple of the other shots, it comes down to knowing how to hit it. These are knowledge improvements, not a stroke improvement.

All that said, scoring higher on this test than my first attempt, will not show that I have improved as a player

If you practiced all of the shots in this video and got better at executing them (especially the jumps), this would make you better prepared to execute shots like these if and when they come up in game situations. Regardless, your point is well taken. Improving your ability to make advanced shots does not improve you as a player as much as improving your ball pocketing, CB control, position play, and safety play. Practicing and drilling this stuff (e.g., with BU Exams I and II, dedicated-skill drills, playing-the-ghost drills, etc.) is much more important.

Thanks again for participating. I enjoyed watching your video.

Catch you later,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

https://youtu.be/9myYl6ifI_w

Now that you've done the Exam, which shots do you think are the most difficult, and which do you think are the most fun (if you practiced them enough to be more effective)?

Catch you later,
Dave

 

[peppersauce]

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[peppersauce]

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[dr_dave]

I ran through the exam today and scored 45, if I counted correctly.

https://youtu.be/bK5FgCFG664

Thank you for participating. FYI, I've added your link and score to the AZB BU sticky thread. You now have the top Exam III score to date!

Regards,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Dr Dave...I noticed an interesting discrepancy between your Exam III demo vid and the table layouts on the website. On shot A9 where you draw with low inside, the 5 ball is in a different position in the video.

In the video, it’s 1 1/2 diamonds from the corner and 1/2 diamond off the long rail. The diagram shows it 2 diamonds from the corner and 1/2 diamond off the long rail. That 1/2 diamond farther up the rail makes a big difference! It actually puts the tangent line under the 5 by about a half ball. You can draw out of the carom, but is it even possible to get on the 2 from there?

I set the shot up both ways and got on the 2 several times with the 5 set up like the vid, but couldn’t seem to get there when set up like the diagram. It’s not by much though. If I move the 5 just an inch closer to the long rail from the diagram position I can get there.

Thank you for pointing this out. I decided to just remove the 5. It isn't important. I just uploaded the new document.

Also, in shot A15 the position of the 3/4 is different in the vid—although it doesn’t interfere with the shot.

Thanks again for pointing this out. That was just a mistake in the video. I won't change the diagram for this.

Catch you later,
Dave

 

[Grandslam]

The test

Was surprised how many of the shots I could play BUT The Corey Duel draw shot was a no go after many many attempts. I can draw a cue ball the length of table but this shot blows me away what am I not seeing or doing HELP

 

[dr_dave]

Was surprised how many of the shots I could play

Post your score (and video if possible) when you get a chance.

BUT The Corey Duel draw shot was a no go after many many attempts. I can draw a cue ball the length of table but this shot blows me away what am I not seeing or doing HELP

If you post a video, I will be able to better diagnose. If you can draw the length of the table consistently, you should have no problem with this shot. If not, check out:

draw technique advice resource page

Have you tried adding some outside to the Corey shot? As I demonstrate in the video, outside makes the shot much easier. Also, do you have the balls spotted exactly as shown in the Exam document?

Catch you later,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

The Billiard University (BU) just released a third installment in the playing-ability Exam series: BU Exam III (Advanced Shots). It consists of 25 challenging and advanced pool shots that are fun to practice and can help you get out of jams and win games. Shot diagrams, instructions, and a score sheet can be found under "Exam III" here:

Billiard University Playing-Ability Exams

A video demonstration of all of the shots in the Exam is available here:

25 Advanced Game-Winning Pool Shots – BU Exam III

Enjoy,
Dave

Anybody else plan on posting a score (and video if possible)?

Good luck,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Examples of pros using BU Exam III advanced shots in real game-situations

Now we just need:

A2 – Spot Shot With Break Out
A6 – Straight Power Draw
A10 – Ball-First Inside Follow
A11 – Ball-First Outside Draw
A13 – Rail-First Spin across Table
A17 – One-Pocket Foot Spot Bank off Head Rail

Some of these should be easy to find, especially A6, A10, and A11. I'll keep looking.

FYI, I recently added a bunch of shots to Examples of Pros Using BU Exam III Advanced Shots in Real Game Situations, some for the list above and others as additional examples of other shots. I still need examples of:

A2 – Spot Shot With Break Out
A13 – Rail-First Spin across Table
A17 – One-Pocket Foot Spot Bank off Head Rail

I'll keep looking. If anybody else spots examples similar to any of these, please let me know. Here are the BU Exam III (Advanced Shots) shot diagrams and video demos.

Enjoy,
Dave