Great shot or stupid shot????

Williebetmore

Member, .25% Club
Silver Member
I need the opinions of the straight pool gurus - was this a good shot or a stupid shot? Last Thursday, league night I'm playing the league director who I have never beat before (just played him twice in the past 2 years) - game to 100. I am tied for first at 4-0 with 2 other players (not the league director, who is in second place). I did not have time to warm up, and missed 3 of my first 4 shots (if I had missed any more I guess I would have had to claim the sun was in my eyes); falling behind 48-8. At 48-8 my opponent scratches on the 1 ball, leaving the following position (just 2 object balls on the table, cue ball in hand). I was just disgusted with my play so far, and I decide to play the 1, trying for position on the 8 for a side pocket break (a rather small target area for whitey). I made the 1 and got PERFECT on the 8 (see lower table below) - splattered the rack, ran about 30 balls, played safe, ran some more. I ended up winning 100-63 after being 40 balls behind - it's a great game.
 

Attachments

  • pooltable7.JPG
    pooltable7.JPG
    28.8 KB · Views: 243
I like the shot. With the 8 so far above the rack you'd need better position or angle to play it in the corner. Here you have a large side pocket and c/b speed. Personally I'll opt for that type of position over some other shots.

You have to feel good about making the one ball first. If you miss position there is always a safe. One thing about 14-1 it sure is better to have a key ball and that spot shot isn't a good key ball. lol Since you missed several shots earlier who is to say how smart it was but it worked.


Rod
 
Strongly agree with your choice. Only down side is that you'll often end up with whitey too close to the rail. Still, with the eight that high, the two rail shape onto the eight in the corner is a very iffy proposition. A hidden advantage of your choice is that if you come up short on the speed, you might still have a break shot on the eight into the top corner, so the position zone is a little bigger than it looks.

Well played!
 
Willie,

I am assuming since you are from Indy, this is the Airport Billiards Straight Pool league. Who is the league director these days...Mack...Jim S.? I lived in indy for 10 years and know a lot of the guys who play there. Who knows...I may even know you.
 
Worminator said:
Willie,

I am assuming since you are from Indy, this is the Airport Billiards Straight Pool league. Who is the league director these days...Mack...Jim S.? I lived in indy for 10 years and know a lot of the guys who play there. Who knows...I may even know you.

Hey. I played there on a few trips to Indy. Fun place. Played some guys one pocket, straight and 9 ball. If any one is in the area, stop in. It's a GREAT place with outstanding employees and players.
 
Worminator said:
Willie,

I am assuming since you are from Indy, this is the Airport Billiards Straight Pool league. Who is the league director these days...Mack...Jim S.? I lived in indy for 10 years and know a lot of the guys who play there. Who knows...I may even know you.

Worm,
Mac A. and Jim S. both dropped out of the league (one of them because the league changed to handicapping - he said he "liked giving lessons during the matches" and couldn't do it if they gave spots to the weaker players - some people think he just wanted the cheese). Lance M. from GM runs the league - I spot him 25 balls, but man he's tough to beat - shoots straight, but doesn't manufacture a lot of shots for himself. I've still not matched up with Jim S. - he's had some shoulder surgery and is just working back into form - I suspect he would school me (but you never know).
 
Back
Top