Hit me with your best shot...

Aaron_S

Aaron_S

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Ok, it's hill-hill in an important 9-ball match. You've decided to shoot the 8 straight into the side pocket, and you've also determined that slow-rolling the shot is not an option. So you're going to turn to your 99.9%, never fails, couldn't-screw-it-up-if-I-shot-it-opposite-handed-one-handed-jacked-up-eyes-closed shot. Great, good thinking... but what shot is the one you think you can't possibly screw up (or at least gives you the best chance of getting out)?

To save time, I've added three of the more obvious plays as pages 2, 3, and 4 of my diagram. Feel free to add others or provide your own diagrams as you see fit (for instance, if you think that rolling into the 9 and bumping it toward the pocket is the best option. :wink: Hey, who am I to judge?). I would have made this into a poll, but I didn't want to have 6.2 million votes for "YOU NIT, you left off the best shot!!!"

So... what's your best shot??

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I would be shooting the third option (low left). It's gives the highest probability of good position and allows for a greater margin for error.
 
i will go for the last option ... just my personal preference as i am more comfortable playing by this route...
The line you drew on page #3 is nice but i myself cannot guarantee the CB could come off the last rail without hitting the 9-ball...
 
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I like the last option almost every time here. Speed is less of a factor because you simply hit it firmly with natural outside and almost nothing bad can happen.

With 2, a lot of bad things can happen.... you bump into the 9, you stop close to the 9... you don't come up table enough.

With 3, bad stuff.... you don't use enough inside and crash into the 9, you use too much inside and not enough speed and leave yourself against the top rail with a super-thin doggable cut.

Option 4 offers the most margin for error with speed and is the most repeatable (in my opinion). I'm not afraid of inside, I use it all the time... but I don't use it if there's a better option with outside.
 
I'm with the 4th option. It seems to be the best one to assure the 9 stays where it is and doesn't accidently get hit to an unplayable position.
 
I like the last option normally, but might go for the first option on a tore up bar table. :shocked2:
 
Option #3

I like #3 for my comfort zone of stroking the ball and let the low left english work.
 
First option for me, but I hit it a little lower and a little harder:

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The slight extra draw is to make sure I don't bump the 9, and the extra speed is because I don't mind a slightly longer shot, but coming up short is a real risk playing it this way.

-Andrew
 
Options

I like option 2 the best. It keeps a straight angle for shape. The other options have paths of crossing shape.

I use low left english on this shot. It pull the cue back some, and then the left english pulls the cue straight back down the table.
 
I must not be looking at it right; but it looks like you could hit it a bit full in the face (aiming to miss into the outside titty and let the throw make it) using right and hit it easy and still stay under the 9.

If not then I like the first option of the end rail and back down.
 
I'll have to set it up at home (w/hole reinforcers) and then see which way looks best... try that way... and then try the alternatives.

I'll post back the results tomorrow.
 
Low inside, bring the cue ball back to the middle of the table. But then I'm just a banger.
 
cigardave said:
I'll have to set it up at home (w/hole reinforcers) and then see which way looks best... try that way... and then try the alternatives.

I'll post back the results tomorrow.
Click to expand...

This is not really one of those "right answer vs. wrong answer" questions, but this is a great answer. Most of us could probably benefit from setting up the shot and hitting it a few different ways. The "right" shot may be different depending on the player and the equipment. It's not all that difficult of a layout, but it's also one that's not too difficult to hose up when the pressure's on. At least by knowing which is the highest percentage out for you personally, you can get down on the shot without any doubts about your shot selection.

Good rolls,

Aaron
 
You NIT you left off the best shots! j/k...I'm just playing around here, but when I'm just banging around with friends I do this shot shown below all the time and I don't think I've ever scratched once. It's just an extension of shot #4 in your diagram but with more power. Not saying this is the best option but when my arm is loose, I can do this shot 20/20 times and the CB will always be on the center of the table.

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shinigami said:
You NIT you left off the best shots!

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Click to expand...

DAMMIT!! LOL.

Nothing wrong with that shot, just make sure you clean out the side pocket first. Otherwise you could end up with an 8-ball tattoo on your forehead. ;)

Good rolls,

Aaron
 
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