Ball in hand... recommendations please

S

Snorks

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I had this layout last night with BIH. It was an 8 ball game that I had to win. I am shooting solids. What would you recommend doing here?

[Yes, I know it is a very simply layout, but one that I could easily mess up and not get on the 8 ball]

CueTable Help

 
It looks like you have to go forward 3 rails with top left and just try to get anywhere to the left of the head string as seen on the diagram.

Anything other than that you would risk hitting the 8 ball.
 
If you didn't feel confident on getting a good shot on the 8 ball, you could play a tap safe on the one, moving it to an open spot and freeze the cue to the backside of the 8.
 
I would just bump the 1 to the rail, in front of the pocket and stick the cue ball behind the 8 to hook the opponent.

This would still leave the 1 in front of the pocket to block the 8 in case the opponent made some miraculous kick shot to hit his stripe, plus leaves the 1 in a position when my next ball in hand comes, to pocket the 1 and get shapes on the 8.

It appears by this diagram that the 1 is too close to the 8 to be able to make both without separating them first. May be different in person, but, this is my suggestion.

edit to include: Good post tbone1213, writing while you were posting.
 
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There is no reason to play safe there.

Make the 1 and bump the 8 ball down the rail. Shoot the 8 ball straight down. Very simple

You could do it other ways, but I realized a long time ago that simple shapes work alot more often than sending the cue ball around 3 rails, especially in tight spots
 
I'd put the cue ball close to that bottom (of diagram) rail, between the 1 and 8 - not directly between, but below that line - and cut the 1 into that corner to the right, take it around two rails to get shape on the 8 in that same pocket.
 
ScottW said:
I'd put the cue ball close to that bottom (of diagram) rail, between the 1 and 8 - not directly between, but below that line - and cut the 1 into that corner to the right, take it around two rails to get shape on the 8 in that same pocket.
Click to expand...

This was possible, but it was an extremely thin cut... This is what my initial thought was. In short, I made the ball calling safe and put the cue ball behind the 8 ball. Unfortunately I didn't freeze to the 8 (I really have to work on the freeze shot). Anyway, opponent kicked but missed so I had BIH on the 8. Of course, the reason I started the thread was to see if I had other thoughts from other people.
 
ScottW said:
I'd put the cue ball close to that bottom (of diagram) rail, between the 1 and 8 - not directly between, but below that line - and cut the 1 into that corner to the right, take it around two rails to get shape on the 8 in that same pocket.
Click to expand...

me too unless theyre too close together
 
tbone1213 said:
If you didn't feel confident on getting a good shot on the 8 ball, you could play a tap safe on the one, moving it to an open spot and freeze the cue to the backside of the 8.
Click to expand...
This is what I would do, as illustrated below.

CueTable Help

 
Actually, I would do something more like this. I think it's a little safer and less margin of error.

CueTable Help

 
BPG24 said:
There is no reason to play safe there.

Make the 1 and bump the 8 ball down the rail. Shoot the 8 ball straight down. Very simple

You could do it other ways, but I realized a long time ago that simple shapes work alot more often than sending the cue ball around 3 rails, especially in tight spots
Click to expand...

This is the answer. Any other approach is foolishly over-complicating the situation, and opening up the potential that something unexpected could happen and you might not win this rack. I win this rack 10 times out of 10 playing it the way you suggest above.

-Andrew
 
BPG24 said:
There is no reason to play safe there.

Make the 1 and bump the 8 ball down the rail. Shoot the 8 ball straight down. Very simple

You could do it other ways, but I realized a long time ago that simple shapes work alot more often than sending the cue ball around 3 rails, especially in tight spots
Click to expand...

Andrew Manning said:
This is the answer. Any other approach is foolishly over-complicating the situation, and opening up the potential that something unexpected could happen and you might not win this rack. I win this rack 10 times out of 10 playing it the way you suggest above.

-Andrew
Click to expand...

By looking at the CB placed in this diagram, (naturally, you would position it back further), there doesn't appear to much room for error.

You are saying that you can pot the 1 and draw back at a angle perfectly in order to tap the 8 down the rail for a straight in shot?

Better at this than me. I think, as I stated before by looking at the diagram and not being at the table, I would take my aforementioned suggestion and play safe. JMO

CueTable Help

 
Anytime you bump a ball you add a bunch of risk , usually the last thing you want to do IMO if the game is on the line.

Comes down to confidence really , personally I would cut the one in from under the 8 and go 2 rails for win. It's almost fool proof as long as you make the 1 with the one being so close to the pocket and the 8 as well.
 
if it is at all possible to pocket the 1 and spin the cue ball around the eight, I would do it. You're bound to nudge the eight a little, but the spin off of the rail sends the cueball to the center of the table anyway.

Most certianly this is not the safest or smartest route, it is just the one that would work best for ME if it is possible.

That saftey play setting up the 1 in the jaws is probably the sanest route.

I might get all nervous and miss-hit the 3 railer, sending the cueball to the 1 hole.
 
klockdoc said:
By looking at the CB placed in this diagram, (naturally, you would position it back further), there doesn't appear to much room for error.

You are saying that you can pot the 1 and draw back at a angle perfectly in order to tap the 8 down the rail for a straight in shot?

Better at this than me. I think, as I stated before by looking at the diagram and not being at the table, I would take my aforementioned suggestion and play safe. JMO

CueTable Help

Click to expand...

At first glance it looked more natural that the CB would nudge the 8 the right direction after pocketing the 1. Once you put the CB in there, I see there's a little too much gap between the 1 and the 8 for that to be a natural shot.

So then if that's not available, I'd definitely take the safe where you leave the 1 straight in front of the pocket and the CB frozen to the back of the 8. Even if he makes a good hit, he probably sells out. And he can't really tie up your ball by taking an intentional foul if you leave it close to the pocket.

-Andrew
 
My first thought was to play safe freezing the CB to the back of the 8, moving the 1 very little -- hopefully in the jaws blocking the 8.

But then I thought if my opponent would make a successful kick, I could possibly be hooked by the 8 and would be in a pickle.

So, I would still play safe, freezing the CB to the back of the 8, but I would choose to bank the 1 ball two rails to leave it right in front of the top right pocket. Then if my opponent makes a successful kick, I think my chances of having a clear shot are much greater.
 
If playing BCA rules call safe make the one and freeze to 8 ball. If you dont make the one there is a chance your opponent hits his ball and then the 8 would block your ball. If opponent makes his ball say great shot and shake his hand.

If apa rules you move the one near another pocket or center table and freeze cue to 8 ball that way if opponent happens to hit his ball you have a easy hit or easy run with ball in hand.
 
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