Deciding between corner and side

[BRussell]

For the shot below, would you shoot it in the corner or side? Assume it’s the last ball and so position doesn’t matter.

What if you shift over? The balls are still aiming right between the side and corner, at the middle diamond.

And what if you shift the OB closer to the rail, like below? Some might bank, but what if the bank wasn’t available and you had to choose side or corner.

Are there any general principles here for shot choice when these in-betweeners come up?

 

[Nikrnic]

I'm going for the corner. Last shot cross side and leave the qb safe.

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[chefjeff]

Look at the size of the pockets from the OB's viewpoint.

The corner is bigger.


Jeff Livingston

 

[middleofnowhere]

For the shot below, would you shoot it in the corner or side? Assume it’s the last ball and so position doesn’t matter.


View attachment 600385



What if you shift over? The balls are still aiming right between the side and corner, at the middle diamond.

View attachment 600386


And what if you shift the OB closer to the rail, like below? Some might bank, but what if the bank wasn’t available and you had to choose side or corner.

View attachment 600387
Are there any general principles here for shot choice when these in-betweeners come up?

Shot 1 in corner with some speed and draw.

Shot 2 in side with draw hitting the bottom rail with the cue ball. It's a very small cut.

Shot 3 in corner. Not much speed. Not really a big cut should be easy to make.

I'm looking on my phone. Your pictures are good and I can see a good perspective tilting the phone.

If you draw a line from the cue ball to the object ball and then to the pocket. You often find the cuts are not as extreme as they may appear.

I should add, on shot 3. The choice is also based on the fact the corner presents a big pocket from that angle. You could even bump the rail and still make it.

The side on the other hand is small from that angle and if you hit the point your dead.

 

[mikemosconi]

Shot 1 in corner with some speed and draw.

Shot 2 in side with draw hitting the bottom rail with the cue ball. It's a very small cut.

Shot 3 in corner. Not much speed. Not really a big cut should be easy to make.

I'm looking on my phone. Your pictures are good and I can see a good perspective tilting the phone.

If you draw a line from the cue ball to the object ball and then to the pocket. You often find the cuts are not as extreme as they may appear.

Exactly what he said - if we rule out any banks for any of these shots.

 

[Scratch85]

Shot 1: Corner pocket with rolling ball and speed to leave CB in the middle of the top rail.

Shot 2: Side pocket with a little low outside. Not too difficult. Just don’t miss.

Shot 3: Corner pocket with a little outside to avoid the opposite side scratch. Try to leave the CB up table near the top rail.

My .02


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[middleofnowhere]

Exactly what he said - if we rule out any banks for any of these shots.

He has us pretty close to the object ball. From that distance you can cut in almost anything.

 

[The_JV]

Exactly what he said - if we rule out any banks for any of these shots.

Exactly what he said...lol. My approach wouldn't change if banks were an option.

 

[MitchAlsup]

My take::

First example: The side pocket is wider than the corner pocket as drawn. Shoot at the side.

Second Example: The corner pocket is wider than the side pocket. Shoot at the corner.

Third example: it is time to start considering a bank shot.

 

[Dead Money]

My shot is the same on all of them....miscue horribly and leave the opponent a hanger or ball in hand.









My intention would be:

1) Corner


2) Side


3) Corner

Speed and what I would put on the ball depends on the table and how I feel that day.

 

[Fatboy]

The old 50 yard dilemma

best regards

Fatboy

 

[ChrisinNC]

For the shot below, would you shoot it in the corner or side? Assume it’s the last ball and so position doesn’t matter.


View attachment 600385



What if you shift over? The balls are still aiming right between the side and corner, at the middle diamond.

View attachment 600386


And what if you shift the OB closer to the rail, like below? Some might bank, but what if the bank wasn’t available and you had to choose side or corner.

View attachment 600387
Are there any general principles here for shot choice when these in-betweeners come up?

I like the top right corner for all 3 shots. For all three, you can send the CB up to the far end rail to likely leave your opponent a harder shot just in case you miss

 

[middleofnowhere]

Has anyone with home tables set the shots up and tested them? I tried them and would do them the way I said. The hardest is 3 but I made it every time.

Number 2 while I like shooting at side pockets, it could be equaly made in the side or the corner.

When I got down on the shots, I felt no need to be thinking defence, I feel I'll make the shots pretty much every time.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

All 3 in the corner - because it's a bigger pocket for 1 & 3 and it's an easier cut for 2.

pj
chgo

 

[DieselPete]

Does anyone change their decision if they mirror-image where the cue ball is (in #1 put the cue ball at the top of the drawing, not the bottom)?

The difference that makes is relative to your handedness and your dominant eye. If I shot #1 in the corner it is a back cut to my blinder side, but if the cue ball is in the mirrored spot the corner pocket feels like it is in front of me.

 

[Bob Jewett]

All 3 in the corner - because it's a bigger pocket for 1 & 3 and it's an easier cut for 2.

pj
chgo

And for some of them it's easier to play safe.

 

[David in FL]

All 3 in the corner with enough speed to minimize the chance of a cinch hanger. None are terribly difficult, but any miss is going to leave more distance for your opponent’s follow up shot…