8 Ball Analyze: Rack #3

mohrt

Student of the Game
Silver Member
Looks pretty easy at first glance... solids or stripes and why?

uEr9tds.jpg


OVRvBEo.jpg
 
Solids. From the cue ball position, I'd rather have an easier opening shot, than a long shot at the 10 or a 14/9 combo.

I'd roll the 6 into the side and get out from there. The 2 is in a good spot to get position on the 7 and 4.
 
Yeah, without a doubt solids is easier. For one, stripes only has a couple of challenging shots to get you started but there's also that 11/12 mess on the rail you'd have to deal with. The big issue with solids is the upper left corner pocket that's not available for the 4-ball but, you should be able to start your run with the 7-ball in the side and get relatively straight on the 2-ball. After a stop on the 2, the 4-ball is available in the bottom-side pocket and then it's duck-duck-duck-goose.
 
Yes I think solids is a good choice. If I felt like gambling I could take the easy 14-9 combo and the 14 should run up and break up that 12-15 problem, all on the first shot. But that is somewhat risky, I may not have a good 2nd shot and I could create another cluster. I would only do this if I needed a 10-0 for the round (our league system is 10 points, point per ball and 3 points for the 8).
 
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I would also take solids.

6 in the side to start.

Depending on where I roll, I am either shooting the 1 ball to get to the 3.

Or I am shooting the 5 and drawing back to get better position on the 1 ball.

Once on the 3 I am trying to get straight in on the 2 ball for a stop shot.

Depending on how this turns out, I would like to shoot the 4 in the side, with a little draw, and then the 7 in the bottom left corner, sliding a bit up table for the eight in the side or upper left pocket.

If the 5 is still on the table at this point I would get the angle on the 7 by drawing a bit off the 4 and then slow rolling the 7 at a steep angle into the bottom left pocket to bring the cue ball up table past the side pocket. Then it is just a stop shot or a little draw to make the 8-ball in the side.

Not that I would get out, but I see it all going well in my head :D.

Ben
 
Yeah, without a doubt solids is easier. For one, stripes only has a couple of challenging shots to get you started but there's also that 11/12 mess on the rail you'd have to deal with. The big issue with solids is the upper left corner pocket that's not available for the 4-ball but, you should be able to start your run with the 7-ball in the side and get relatively straight on the 2-ball. After a stop on the 2, the 4-ball is available in the bottom-side pocket and then it's duck-duck-duck-goose.

Solids are the correct choice...

7 in the side is not the first ball
 
Looks pretty easy at first glance... solids or stripes and why?

Here are my thoughts. Solids are the right shot, but you have one shot at it. You miss, and I think you're cooked. Either way, the first shot is the toughest, but the rest of it should be an out for most very good players. I don't want to make it like everyone on the board can run everything out all the time, but the attitude and mindset on this rack should be: make the first solid and run out the rack. No glorious safety battles here.

IMO, since the 2-ball passes into the corner, then the 6-ball is the first ball on this table. I don't mind the 7-ball as the first shot either, but since the 2-ball is nice, then the 7-ball isn't a "must get it out of there now" ball.

And quite frankly, I don't think stripes is a bad choice here for you grinders.

Freddie <~~~ would miss the 6 or 7 anyway
 
Please share!

The angle on the 7 is no good. If you aim to the far end of the pocket with speed like you are supposed to hit that ball you have a large risk of getting uncomfortably close to the 2 and having to shoot an odd shot. The margin for error is very small when shooting the 7 first. No reason to make your life difficult by doing that, there are plenty of shots you can take after pocketing the 6 first which will give you a straight shot on the 2, which is how you would want to play this out.
 
The angle on the 7 is no good. If you aim to the far end of the pocket with speed like you are supposed to hit that ball you have a large risk of getting uncomfortably close to the 2 and having to shoot an odd shot. The margin for error is very small when shooting the 7 first. No reason to make your life difficult by doing that, there are plenty of shots you can take after pocketing the 6 first which will give you a straight shot on the 2, which is how you would want to play this out.

In case you want to see that shot on the 7:

c4unj1p.jpg
 
The angle on the 7 is no good. If you aim to the far end of the pocket with speed like you are supposed to hit that ball you have a large risk of getting uncomfortably close to the 2 and having to shoot an odd shot. The margin for error is very small when shooting the 7 first. No reason to make your life difficult by doing that, there are plenty of shots you can take after pocketing the 6 first which will give you a straight shot on the 2, which is how you would want to play this out.

I see the angle on the 7 as relatively straight. I agree, if you're drifting toward the 2, it's no good but if it's near-straight, I'm confident I can get straight on the 2 with no problems.
 
Okay, my revised plan is to start with the 6, take the 5 after. Get near straight on the 4 in the side and then take out the 2 and 7.
 
I would also take solids.

6 in the side to start.

Depending on where I roll, I am either shooting the 1 ball to get to the 3.

Or I am shooting the 5 and drawing back to get better position on the 1 ball.

Once on the 3 I am trying to get straight in on the 2 ball for a stop shot.

Depending on how this turns out, I would like to shoot the 4 in the side, with a little draw, and then the 7 in the bottom left corner, sliding a bit up table for the eight in the side or upper left pocket.

Perfect. Almost my exact plan...

6-5-1-3...

Getting a stop shot on the 2 is relatively easy. So is a subsequent stop shot on the 4 in the lower side, but that leads to a harder position on the 7 - unless you are able to deftly control a 5" draw.

It's easier to control a soft follow shot that a soft draw. So, I'd take the 7 before the 4, as I'd prefer to softly follow the 7 to open two pockets for the 4 (top side, upper left). Following the 4 gives you any of the lower pockets for the 8, depending upon how far you follow.
 
In case you want to see that shot on the 7:

c4unj1p.jpg

This angle looks like the 4 in top side is possible. It may bump the 8 somewhat with a soft follow.

Then it's stop shot on 2, follow on 7 to lower left corner, soft follow on 6 in the lower side to clear the 10.

Then it's high inside follow on 1 to top right corner, 3 in same pocket taking cue ball across table to bottom rail.

Then it's drawing back for 8 in side or soft follow for 8 in upper right corner.

A LOT is riding on avoiding the 8 and 10 in the 6-1-3-5 sequence. That 10 ball can loom large when I need to navigate it 3 times. In my first pattern, we only need to clear it once.

That said, I still prefer my first pattern.
 
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