How do you play this shot on the 9?

klockdoc

klockdoc

ughhhhhhhhhh
Silver Member
This is a shot that was originally diagrammed by a well known Pro player in a magazine column. It is your shot on the 9. What is the best shot selection for your turn at the table? For those of you that have seen the solution, please let others respond first before posting. (or post, I KNOW)...:)

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i know you sell out a bank here but thats about the only "safe" that i would try... or you could bank at it in the corner but thats a very low percentage shot so i prefer to play safe.

or you could do this but its another low percentage shot... you have to hit it very thin otherwise you will knock it out to where he has a decent shot at the 9.

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How I'm playing and the equipment I'm on is going to have huge impacts on how I play this shot. If it's a tight table, I'll consider one of the safeties shown above. Assuming we're on standard equipment, I'm banking real hard. That will sharpen the angle quite a bit AND if I miss the intended pocket, it might double-bank in the bottom left corner. I also know some days I may feel very comfortable just chopping this in.

The only time I quickly play safe on the 9-ball is when a very good (and fairly routine) safety is available or I absolutely have no shot. Otherwise, I have to believe if I leave the table, there's a reasonable chance I'm not getting back.
 
i would probably try this shot as it is a fairly routine shot that has a good chance of a safety if you hit it too thin!

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JonnyC said:
i would probably try this shot as it is a fairly routine shot that has a good chance of a safety if you hit it too thin!

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You really don't want to play it this way. Trying to pocket a ball going rail-first is definitely NOT "routine". If you overcut, you definitely sell out. The carom off the 9-ball is also going to send the cue-ball in the direction of the corner pocket (lower right). You also take a legitimate chance of missing it completely.

I mean, you can make this ball and still scratch. There's just not much good going on here.
 
Actionhound said:

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i know you sell out a bank here but thats about the only "safe" that i would try... or you could bank at it in the corner but thats a very low percentage shot so i prefer to play safe
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This is the way I would have originally played this shot before I saw the Pro's explanation. However, if your opponent is a good banker, you're in trouble. Or, he just returns the favor with a long bank to the end rail and you're back in the same position.

Good thoughts though. Keep thinking.
 
Classic double-kiss shot. With the angle the way it is, you don't even need side english. Just hit 9 completely full with a bit of top. :)

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bank

I'm gonna bank this shot! I'd rather take the offensive and give myself an opportunity to win the game rather than take my chances with my opponent's banking skills.

Plus the safe here leaving the 9 and the cue ball on opposing long rails gives your opponent not only a one and two rail bank opportunity, but if they play it smart, they'll go for the bank and make sure to place the cue ball on the opposite side of the table!
 
well i would cut it into the corner. in the picture it shows it a little off the rail so i like my chances of just cutting it in and winning the game. even if it is on the rail i would still cut it in but with some inside kind of like a rail first shot is the best way i can exsplain it i guess. maybe i'm crazy?
 
Me too! The guys I play bank too darn good for me to let them shoot at the 9.

It looks like it's well off the rail, so I slice it in. Or if it's on the rail, it's even easier to pot.

But if it's just 1/4" off, then MAYBE I super- thin it on the left side, just moving it a couple of inches to right, and bring whitey 2 rails to rest on the bottom end rail.

But I really don't like letting my opponent back at the table, with only the money ball out there!

-von

Neil said:
I'm going to cut it in every time it comes up. And I'll be a little ticked off if I miss it. There is no way I'm playing safe on the 9. To me, the only way to get safe on the 9 is to corner hook your opponent. I'm not going to risk the bank, but I guarantee you that if I play safe, my opponent, no matter who it is, WILL bank it in.
Click to expand...
 
With this setup, if the ball is a couple of inches off the rail, for sure I'm cutting it in.


Chris
 
Well, we had a lot of good answers, but, the situation came down to it appears to be a 50/50 shot at the most if you are trying to cut the ball or to bank it in.

This is the same approach that the Pro was taking when confronted with the shot.

If I am unsure of a shot or if my odds aren't at the best 50/50, I am going to let my opponent shoot to win the game, I am not just going to give it to him. I like my odds about 60/40 or better or I am playing safe. That's just the way I play. JMO

Anyway, The PRO = Buddy Hall. Here is his answer to the above shot. Those of you that have a snooker table in your pool room and are familiar with the game of GOLF, probably know this shot. Buddy says to bank the 9 ball - 3 rails in the side pocket. If you miss the bank, (as I indicated he has), the 9 ball goes 4 or 5 rails back up to the head rail and the cue ball comes down to the foot rail.

This is not a shot that is automatic. I had to practice this shot quite a while to get the feeling for it. Not that I would use it all the time either. Depends on my circumstances. Just another one to keep in your arsenal.

Good Luck...:)

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I was going to submit something very similar to that, but I figured I'd get the "thats a very low percentages shot" response. I'd probably cut it though.
 
I've actually played something similar a couple of times. One time was in the semi finals of the Ocean State on my buddy Steve Tavenier but Snookers tables play soo short I accidently made it one rail back. While he racking (and everyone is clapping) I tell him quietly I was ducking and he didn't believe me.

I think it's the 5th shot in, 2 minutes into the video but the 1st 4 shots are pretty good too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoiK6tadNNQ&feature=PlayList&p=80C27B389E4BF9A1&index=13
 
jon21588 said:
I was going to submit something very similar to that, but I figured I'd get the "thats a very low percentages shot" response. I'd probably cut it though.
Click to expand...

I would agree the the percentages of "making it" are low, but the percentages of getting safe are fairly high. I would think you are a 3 to 1 favorite shooting this shot versus the cut or bank.
 
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