Joey, How many times did you set that shot back up and play out different options after that match was over? It's not every day we get a real tester like that on film in real competiton which gives us the opportunity to set it up exactly for further analysis. Would you shoot the same shot again?
JC
JC,
I regularly test out JoeV's two rail kicking system. I even tested it out when I was in North Dakota on their Valley Bar Tables. I try to test out that particular two rail kicking system on every table I play a match on.
I would DEFINITELY shoot that shot all over again. Here's my thinking since others have mentioned various thoughts about what they would do. Now I am not saying any of them are wrong. This is just based upon what I know about myself. I can't say what's good for someone else. :
If I kick off of the side rail and down to the head rail and try to come in behind the 5 ball, I can easily scratch in the corner pocket nearest the 5 ball. If I hit high on the 5 ball, trying to kick it in the nearest corner pocket, the cue ball is taking off like a rocket, looking for a hole to fall in. It is just too difficult for me to shoot at the foot rail with left side spin, bending over the table stretching and trying to see the aim line and again on this particular shot, the corner pocket nearest the 5 ball is HUGE and for the most part the shot is "fraught with peril".
I have practiced this two rail kick well enough that I can most of the time guarantee that I can hit one side of the pocket or the other. Since I am very confident that I can hit either side of the corner pocket nearest the 5 ball, I saw that the 10 ball didn't completely cover the 5 ball on the two rail kick and that I could actually make the ball. I still feared hitting the 10 ball on that shot and giving Robb cue in hand. But I knew in my heart of hearts that I could shoot this shot and possibly win the game. ON a bar table with just three balls on the table it is unlikely that you are going to get back to the table if you miss, unless you are playing a lock up safety, especially against a great player like Robb. Most of the other shots that I considered shooting were low percentages for making the 5 ball, without having multiple shots to "dial in", and then you had the scratch factor with the corner pocket and other pockets on the small bar table. I had to pretty much decide to give myself the best chance of making that 5 ball and based upon my experience and the fact that I regularly practice this shot, I felt I had to go all in and did. After all that thinking, I believe that I gave myself the best chance of winning the game. Ironically, I win the game based upon my opponent having to compensate (by shooting harder than normal) because of a leaning table with a straight in shot at half of a pocket. Pool is a strange game indeed.
And NO, I don't play slow. The pressure of the event and playing a great player like Robb had me reaching farther than I would have liked but at least this time, a "system" paid off well for me. I guess, I should
tell people where they can learn how to shoot this shot with amazing consistency. :grin: 
Oh yeah and if you would have seen what got me into this difficult situation, you would be laughing your butt off. (I did it to myself) aiehhhhhh................ (Now Realizm knows how poorly I really play)
