Ball In Hand On The Money Ball - What To Do?

Patrick Johnson

Fargo 1000 on VP4
Silver Member
Earlier tonight. 9-ball. Ball in hand on the 9.

No pocket.

The ball is frozen to the pocket point, just far enough inside it to hook it from the corner pockets to left and right, but not far enough to be able to make it in the side pocket.

What to do?

photo.JPG

I tried to force it past the pocket point by hitting it hard at the angle shown in white. The result is shown in yellow.

Was there a better way?

pj
chgo
 
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Could have possibly forced it with less angle than you did, catching less of the bumper. Personally I would have double-kissed it in.
 
itsfroze:
What about a soft rolling double kiss?
Better than my idea.

CoachDitka20001:
Personally I would have double-kissed it in.
I shoulda axed Da Coach!

CoachDitka20001:
Could have possibly forced it with less angle than you did, catching less of the bumper.
The 9 ball was frozen to the point - but maybe a shallower angle would have met less resistance? Or did I need a steeper angle to better power through the point?

pj
chgo
 
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Earlier tonight. 9-ball. Ball in hand on the 9.

No pocket.

The ball is frozen to the pocket point, just far enough inside it to hook it from the corner pockets to left and right, but not far enough to be able to make it in the side pocket.

What to do?

View attachment 242529

I tried to force it past the pocket point by hitting it hard at the angle shown in white. The result is shown in yellow.

Was there a better way?

pj
chgo

You could have played safe it truly would not go. Place the cue near where the nine hit ans slow roll the nine past the pocket leaving the cue frozen on the point.

Dave
 
You could have also intentionally fouled, which may have led to a stalemate, which would lead to a re-rack. But it depends on the rules you are playing by.
 
beat me to it

I think that's the shot Pat tried. Usually it will go -- maybe the pocket facing was extra hard.

Lou Butera pointed out that a similar shot works for the corner pockets. If the ball is on part of the point where it looks like you need to cut it along the rail to make it, sometimes you can just shoot it straight into the pocket for easier position. This also depends on the facing and the cloth in the pocket.
 
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I think he needs more draw.. you have to impart some top spin to the OB to beat the nipple.. might not even be possible under all conditions.. but I'll defer to you
When I've tried it smashing it through was enough. It depends a lot on the pocket, though, and exactly how much it's around the point. Try it with a frozen combination instead of a single ball.
 
You could have also intentionally fouled, which may have led to a stalemate, which would lead to a re-rack. But it depends on the rules you are playing by.
This is what I though of also. I've never played with a stalemate rule. If you had ball in hand it means he is on one foul already. I might just pick up the cue ball and hand it to him.
 
You could try a soft safety leaving your opponent corner-hooked on the side pocket horn. The pocket opening looks very shallow, though, so it's a little risky.
 
Earlier tonight. 9-ball. Ball in hand on the 9.

No pocket.

The ball is frozen to the pocket point, just far enough inside it to hook it from the corner pockets to left and right, but not far enough to be able to make it in the side pocket.

What to do?

View attachment 242529

I tried to force it past the pocket point by hitting it hard at the angle shown in white. The result is shown in yellow.

Was there a better way?

pj
chgo

I think you should try hitting it even harder, PJ.
...looks like a GC4 to me....I haven't seen a GC that wouldn't take this hit.
This shot is tougher on a Diamond and impossible on some makes.

...and hit the shot dead ball....spin doesn't help.
 
I know if the 9 was over a hair to the right you could actually bank it cross side even though it doesn't seem like you can. I think it would still be possible here.

You just need to hit it really firm. I've done it before, but I can't remember the location of the CB. I'll give it a try today.
 
PJ...you didnt hit it hard enough. You have to hit this HARD. That shot goes every time.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2
 
PJ asks "what to do?"

For me, the answer would be dependent on a few factors not all to do with the shot itself.

Those being, how skilled is my opponent, how important is this game (ie am I ahead, losing, is it hill-hill, are we in a money game, etc.).

JJ posted a video earlier in this thread of the shot being made. I would have to ask myself, is it likely that my opponent would know this shot? Or are his chances good that he could he hook me on a side-pocket point safety?

The double kiss shot that was suggested sounds good but miss and you've sold the farm. Again, where I'm at in the match would dictate my courage. A cross-side attempt is a likely sellout, imo.

If my opponent would have a tough time deciding on what exactly to do, like PJ was (and most of us would be, too), and the opponent is already on one-foul, I'm handing him whitey and will take my chances on either him making the tough shot or seeing what he leaves me.

best,
brian kc
 
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