How do you lose from here???

[TATE]

I'll try it but my sides are only 4.5 inches. I think 5 or greater would be the ticket. ( I'm not C.C. - you might be thinking of Chris Cass (Airdo). I don't get around much.

Chris

 

[sjm]

Could someone post that lucky shot on a wei table...

Not all in this forum can watch the match on teevee (grin)

Well, I certainly don't remember every last detail, but only four balls are relevant to understanding what happened. A few other balls were on the table, but they did not figure in the shot. After a superbly played safety by Harriman, this was the result of Earl's diagonal kick at the two. Really.

 

[mjantti]

Man, that's a cruel shot at hill-hill...

 

[chefjeff]

Chris,
Up until 1 hour ago I was in total agreement with you, I was positive my opponent would play safe (I wasn't even going to sit down). This morning I put 2 stick-on dots where the corner balls of a 15 ball rack would be. I then shot 300-400 shots into the side pockets from along the line between the side pocket and these dots. I was amazed to see that these balls can be made fairly easily, even when struck with fair pace (I would say my table has tight but not unfair pockets). Even from near the short rail, these can be made, and position obtained almost anywhere. I've never even considered these shots before (I've always considered them low percentage, with no chance to play position). It will radically change my safety play in 14.1 (at least against players who know and practice this - I normally leave these shots all the time for my opponent), and it will radically change my shot selection (I've always avoided these like the plague). Of course, if my opponent only needed one ball, I might still play safe, but even in one day of practice my make percentage is about 80% - I expect that to improve. Professional players - these guys are good (and if you are CC from the IP forum, I'm including you in that group).

Those shots work fine on a big table, but I'd be careful trying them on a barbox...those sides are teeny-tiny little slots from that angle.

I agree that proper speed really makes them makeable, though. When I could see better, I remember one guy literally wanted to punch me because I made the 8 that way....for a dollar...oooooh, the pain. He said I was "lucky," but wouldn't bet another buck.

400 practices on the same shot?!?!?!...Willie, you're gonna end getting good at this game...real good. You're a shining example of walking the talk.

Jeff Livingston

 

[Williebetmore]

Those shots work fine on a big table, but I'd be careful trying them on a barbox...those sides are teeny-tiny little slots from that angle.

I agree that proper speed really makes them makeable, though. When I could see better, I remember one guy literally wanted to punch me because I made the 8 that way....for a dollar...oooooh, the pain. He said I was "lucky," but wouldn't bet another buck.

400 practices on the same shot?!?!?!...Willie, you're gonna end getting good at this game...real good. You're a shining example of walking the talk.

Jeff Livingston

Jeff,
What is this "barbox" of which you speak??? Actually, in my whole life I have played on a 7 foot table only once for an hour or two (in a friends basement) - it seemed like a different game, and quite a bit easier ( I stomped my friend royally, and his league team has played well in Vegas a few times) - I think I might have missed 2 shots in a couple of hours.

I also think there should be a federal law that anyone claiming you are lucky must put up the cash or retract the slander. I played a match yesterday, called a shot in the corner that required a carom. After making the shot, my opponent said, "Geez, you sure were lucky that 13 hit that other ball and still went in." I told him that I meant to carom it in, and he said "Whatever." If we had any sort of decent government, he would be required to slap down a fiver, set up the shot, and let me have at it (it was a simple shot).

You give me too much credit. Usually on new shots I have intentions to shoot 200 times, but usually get bored after 30-50. I then take the shot and shoot 15-30 every day until it becomes automatic (usually 2-3 months for me). Yesterday, though, I was so astounded by how hard I could hit it and still make the ball, that it was fun - I just kept going from all different cue ball positions, and on both sides, trying for radical position routes after the make.

Here's a good story regarding this type of practice. In Jeanette Lee's book, she reports that if she misses a shot in a game, she will, in her next practice session, set up that shot and shoot it 200 times. I had the chance to meet her about 2 years ago, and I asked if she still does this after missed shots. She said (and I quote), "No I don't do that anymore... now I shoot them 400 times." I think that may be why pro's are better than me (one of many reasons).