"Hit the pro side of the pocket" myth.

thenaturalpoolplayer said:
What the heck is this? So if I "aim" to over cut the shot to one side of the pocket, and I over cut the shot and miss, then I am pleased with myself because I didn't leave a hanger from under cutting it? Um, if I didn't "aim" to over cut the pocket then I would have made the shot! Come on people.
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How do you stir up so much crap being a member for such a short amount of time?
 
thenaturalpoolplayer said:
What the heck is this? So if I "aim" to over cut the shot to one side of the pocket, and I over cut the shot and miss, then I am pleased with myself because I didn't leave a hanger from under cutting it? Um, if I didn't "aim" to over cut the pocket then I would have made the shot! Come on people.
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The "pro side" is in the pocket, but missing a ball on the wrong side of the pocket can be suicide.

Play some 1P and learn about the concept of threats. Learn about using speed to lob at a ball and leave your opponent no shot. If it goes in, great, you keep shooting, but if it doesn't the CB just so happens to be snugged up on a ball that blocks them from any but the most "flier" of shots. Learn about using speed to separate the CB and OB if you were to miss. You're not trying to miss, but if you do you left a world of hurt for your opponent.

The "pro side" is a thing but it's more about controlling the CB and keeping your opponent from having a shot. I never call safety unless it's a dead easy one that you would be a fool not to use. I'll "miss" a lot of shots, whoops, looks like I got a good roll and hooked the piss out of my opponent... but look at that! I missed the 2 but look at the perfect shape on the 3! Oh, sorry you're frozen behind 2 blockers with no bank routes. I guess I got lucky.

All shots should be 2 way shots unless you're a fool.
 
Everyone is frying the op, but no one has answered the question about what the "pro side of the pocket" really is. 🤔 🤪

For the op: It's definitely not a "myth", and it's definitely not stupid. And it sure doesn't always mean to overcut the ball.

It simply means to aim the ob to the most accessible portion of the pocket. For example, when the ob is close to a rail, it's best to aim for the visible open pocket facing. This is the "pro side" of the shot. There is no overcutting or undercutting involved. It just means to aim the shot in a manner that gives the ball the best entry into the pocket.

It's called the "pro side" because most amateur players simply shoot the balls into the pockets without paying much attention to exactly which portion of the pocket the ball happens to find. Pros take care to be more precise.
 
BC21 said:
Everyone is frying the op, but no one has answered the question about what the "pro side of the pocket" really is.
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The pro side of the pocket is the side where you do not sell-out if you miss.
This includes BOTH a aim-window and a speed window often with CB side spin to enhance the non-sell-out.
If you make it, you win
If you miss it, the opponent has no direct shot at a win
 
thenaturalpoolplayer said:
What the heck is this? So if I "aim" to over cut the shot to one side of the pocket, and I over cut the shot and miss, then I am pleased with myself because I didn't leave a hanger from under cutting it? Um, if I didn't "aim" to over cut the pocket then I would have made the shot! Come on people.
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It refers to playing the percentages and not selling out. As others have stated, a two way shot. If you have a long tough cut shot on the game ball that you know there’s a decent chance you might miss, You tell yourself to make sure you do not undercut the shot. You play the shot at a speed which will allow the cue ball to come all the way back down near the end rail and the object ball if you overcut it, to end up somewhere on the opposite end rail, leaving a tough shot for your opponent.

Good bank players do the same thing on corner pocket bank shots - choosing to err on undercutting the bank just a hair and controlling the speed, so that if they miss, most likely the object ball stays very close to the end rail and leaves the cue ball somewhere at the other end of the table.

Yes, there is certainly the possibility that you could overcut the shot just enough to rattle it in the pocket or hit the point and leave it close enough to the pocket for your opponent to make, or overcut or so thin that it never makes it to the pocket or cushion, but it is still a percentage play that, over the long run should increase your chances of winning the game.
 
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Pretty sure it's been around in golf for decades...used when you miss a putt that breaks right...on the left or "high" side. Suggests an amateur would not be bold enough to play too much break.

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ChrisinNC said:
It refers to playing the percentages and not selling out. As others have stated, a two way shot. If you have a long tough cut shot on the game ball that you know there’s a decent chance you might miss, You tell yourself to make sure you do not undercut shot. You play the shot at a speed which will allow the cue ball to come all the way back down near the end rail and the object ball if you overcut it, to end up somewhere on the opposite end rail, leaving a tough shot for your opponent.

Good bank players do the same thing on bank shots - choosing to err on undercutting the bank just a hair and controlling the speed, so that if they miss, most likely the object ball stays very close to the end rail and leaves the cue ball somewhere at the other end of the table.

Yes, there is certainly the possibility that you could overcut the shot just enough to rattle it in the pocket or hit the point and leave it close enough to the pocket for your opponent to make, but it is still a percentage play that, over the long run should increase your chances of winning the game.
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On two way shots; player should be required to call the pocket or the safe. Incoming player has the option if shooter guesses or calls incorrectly.
 
So we have POCKET SPEED & RATTLE SPEED.
There isn't a DROP SPEED?
If there's a PRO SIDE of a pocket, what's the AMATEUR SIDE? Or is that pool speak for MAKE & MISS?
Someone asking from '3 doors down'.
.
 
I think you can tell a player just how he misses. A good player will miss thin. A player who doesn't understand pool will miss fat every time. I first heard that on a Burt Kinnester tape where he was describing where the pocket is.
 
ChrisinNC said:
1

10 ball rules
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Really? I hadn't noticed that. Watching only the prominent matches where they don't often miss. Ok got my bearings. Safeties aren't called; only pockets. This is where the two way sucks. Call the pocket it rattles out to the end rail - you nudat. What happens?
 
Maybe part of this is that pros tend to hit the ball in a way that reduces skid and thus is less likely to undercut.
 
The pro side of the pocket is, When you are lining up a shot to pocket the ball aim for more of a over cutting on the ball. That way if you miss the ball you don't sell out. The OB hits the rail and bounces towards the center of the rail and the CB heads to the other end of the table leaving your opponent no shot .
 
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