Bank or Long Straight-In?

Which shot is easier to make?

  • Total voters
    107
jsp

jsp

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
So which shot is easier for you to make? The full cross-side bank or the long straight-in shot?

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think most people would say that the bank is slightly easier to pot than the long straight-in shot.

But why? If you look at the absolute distances the CB and OB travels in both shots, they are roughly the same...so they should have roughly the same margin of error.

But in actuality, do they really have the same margin of error? I'd venture to say that the bank has slightly less margin of error, provided you know how to hit it to maximize your error margin.

What are your thoughts, and which shot are you more comfortable shooting to win a hill-hill match?

CueTable Help

 
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I will take the bank as well. I think it has to do with the perception of the shots. The cross side bank is thought of as a "duck" bank. Therefore, we let our mind drift to that notion. "Hey, this is a gimmie." Everyone talks about the difficulty of the long straight in...i think we can get that in our heads.

I dont think it is the difficulty of the shot, I think it is our perception.
 
Bank for the cash. For me it is having the distance between the cue ball and the rail (my aiming point) being shorter that helps. It's almost as easy as shooting a ball into a side pocket if you look at it that way (disregarding english).
 
I'd take the straight-in. I've practiced this type of shot sooo much.

Although, if you miss the straight-in, nothing is supposed to roll in you favor.
If you miss the single bank... you may fluke it in somewhere (in the other side maybe). I have to admit that banks is one of the weakest part of my game, I'm just never exactly sure where and how (line, power, spin) to hit the rock for a center pocket putt.

Edit: If the cueball was 6 inches from the rail for the bank, I'd vote for the bank.
 
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Before I read Banking With The Beard I'd have said the long straight shot, but now the cross-side would be my better shot .... thanks Freddy :cool:

Dave
 
I agree with bomber about the perception idea.

I'd also like to add that the side pocket can be easily looked wider with more margin for errors. Also, you can have more options with the CB in the bank shot (Stun, Draw, Follow, English, Throw, etc). I don't think one would want to toy with anything on the CB in the straight in shot as shown...

As a suggestion I think this might be a better comparison..

CueTable Help

 
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If you miss the straight-in shot slightly, you will miss the pot. If you miss the bank slightly, it would still goes in the pocket. I would definately go for the bank.
 
To Bank, or not to Bank, That is the question

For me, I would rather go with the long shot. If I hit the CB at medium speed I don't have to worry about deflection or throw. Where I hit, is what I get.
On the bank, I have many other things to worry about. The condition of the rubber, the english I put on the CB has a drastic effect on the course of the OB ball, even follow or draw effect the final destination of the OB.
I am not saying I cannot shoot them, just that there is much less to consider when shooting long.
 
Long straight shots should be in every player's bag. You'll lose way more games missing "easy" straight shots versus "easy" banks - the latter do not exist (like the Easter Bunny and honest politicians)

That is, no two tables ever bank the same. I think everyone assumes they are plyaing on their "favorite" table at their local hall, but if you are on the road gambling, this bank is by no means a hanger. On top of that, conditions can make the bank play different from day to day (even the Beard notes this is a concern). Too much humidity, too many people in the room, new cloth, old cloth, dead rails, no AC, etc, all can make this "easy" bank a loser on the road. Plus, I don't like cross side banks when you are jacked up on the rail.

Howver, the long straight shot will play the same in Topeka or Shanghai, on an 7-footer or a 9-footer. There are no variables you need to consider, just line up and shoot.

IMO if you can't shoot straight in shots, then maybe banking for the cash is the least of your problems ;)

-td
 
jsp said:
So which shot is easier for you to make? The full cross-side bank or the long straight-in shot?

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think most people would say that the bank is slightly easier to pot than the long straight-in shot.

But why? If you look at the absolute distances the CB and OB travels in both shots, they are roughly the same...so they should have roughly the same margin of error.

But in actuality, do they really have the same margin of error? I'd venture to say that the bank has slightly less margin of error, provided you know how to hit it to maximize your error margin.

What are your thoughts, and which shot are you more comfortable shooting to win a hill-hill match?

CueTable Help

Click to expand...

One thing you left out, that should be factored in. Where does the cue ball have to go for position?
 
I'm with Thomas on this one...straight in. Assuming it's a good table.

BTW Thomas, a quote for you, why I'm now done with those cars:

"Now, to put a water-cooled engine in the rear and to have a radiator in the front, that's not very intelligent."
-Ferry Porsche (PANO, Oct. '73)
 
Every table has its quirks. Knowing the table is essential, even for a straight in bank. Ever come across a gaffed table? They certainly exist in pool halls. Imagine a pin is pounded into the rubber at a few key spots where banks are often made. If you don't know about that, uh oh, what happened on that bank, is a thought you might have.

However, on a long straight in shot, it's a very repeatable event regardless of the table.

If someone doesn't like those long straight in shots, they should get Joe Tucker's 3rd Eye Stroke Trainer to learn how to pot them consistently.

Flex
 
WesleyW said:
If you miss the straight-in shot slightly, you will miss the pot. If you miss the bank slightly, it would still goes in the pocket. I would definately go for the bank.
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That's a great point, if I interpret you correctly.

If you have a straight-in bank, and you miss hit the OB such that you cut it slightly one way or the other, any induced side spin to the OB due to the cut hit would compensate somewhat for the miss hit.

For example, if you have a straight-in bank to the right (as in the example in the original post), and you cut the OB slightly to the right such that it would bank a bit long, any induced left spin on the OB would give it reverse english coming off the rail such that it would bank shorter and correct the longer trajectory. This increases your margin of error compared to a straight-in shot of equal length.

But as other posters have said, rail conditions vary from table to table. If I were to shoot only one shot without any practice shots or experience with the table rails, I would definitely shoot the straight-in shot over the bank.

However, if I were to shoot the shot 100 times one after the other, I would bet that I would make the bank at a much greater frequency than the straight-in shot. Once you know exactly where to contact the rail to pot the shot, your margin of error is much bigger for the bank (assuming the table plays consistently).
 
jay helfert said:
One thing you left out, that should be factored in. Where does the cue ball have to go for position?
Click to expand...
Assume you're shooting at the last 9 ball, and position doesn't matter. Would you rather have a straight-in bank or a long straight-in shot, as illustrated in the original post?
 
I have to stick with the minority. Straight in is way easier. I will admit my banks suck and this is why, first of all, I vote for straight in. But also, I do know that there are many more variables in a bank than in a straight in shot. Stick with constants and you will be much more consistent. The straight in shot is in your control 100%, all that matters is your line of sight and your stroke, while the bank is partially dependent upon the table conditions.
 
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