How would Efren run this rack?

[jsp]

This rack was taken from a 2001 Accustats 8ball Invitational match between Archer and Efren. Efren is shooting low balls and this is a snapshot of the middle of Efren's run. On his previous shot, Efren came too far to the right with his cue ball positioning. The obvious plan for his next shot was to use the cue ball to nudge the 8 away from the 12 after pocketing the 7 in the top right corner. However, since he came too far underneath the 7, moving the 8 in such a manner would be almost impossible. Therefore, he had to change his plans. How would you run the rest of this rack if you were Efren? Let's see if anyone has his same vision. Efren's solution will be posted soon.

START(
%AE9M5%BG6Y0%EE9X1%Gj7R7%Hi3P7%IR4W5%Jl7U0%KJ6J5%Lk4N3%Oq6R5
%Pi9V7
)END

(The 8 doesn't pass the 10 in the bottom right corner. To all those who own this video or have seen this match, don't give the answer away!)

 

[Rod]

I don't know how Efren would run this out. If it was me, since I can't bump the 8 and there is no shot on the 5 or two, other than carom the 2 off the five, which is risky. I'd make the 7 then 2 and 1, leaving a good angle off the 5 to slide the c/b down for the 8. If bump the 10 its ok or go under the 8 is ok to. It can be done other ways but this seems like the most simple route. I'd like my chances from from there. Something like this. START(
%AB5B3%BB3[8%EE9X1%Gt0B8%Hi3P7%IR4W5%Jl7U0%KJ6J5%Lk4N3%Oq6R5
%PF1T3%WP2[1%XF3W4%]k4S6%^Q1[3
)END

Rod

 

[sjm]

Quite a few ways to get out if he cuts the one in immediately and avoids the balls at the top of the table. Otherwise, I think I like Rod's solution.

As an afterthought, John Ervolino, who was a master at making dificult carom shots, might have caromed the seven into the side off the twelve to open up the eight, but that's a little too complicated for my taste.

 

[TheOne]

I wouldnt be suprised if he went rail first to make the 2 ball, especially with the other ball next to it. he then has two balls left to get easy position on his last ball near the 8 ball making the 8 much easier

 

[Shorty]

I would of tried 7, 5 and 2, and then tried to get underneath the 1 like this:

START(
%AE9M5%BB6[9%EB7\0%Gt4B5%Hi3P7%IR4W5%Jl7U0%KJ6J5%Lk4N3%Oq6R5
%PD3S0%WD0D4%XE7L8%Y_9D3%ZF0N2%[r7K5%\`9D2%]n0O2%^r9L0%eC2`9
)END

Then use natural 2 rail with a little right to run it long...

A lot of ways to play this really...just depends on where you end up on the one. There is even a natural two rail around the bottom right corner to get the 8 in the top side. I am just not sure how to get the cue ball in at that angle.

Shorty

 

[cuetechasaurus]

I would of tried 7, 5 and 2, and then tried to get underneath the 1 like this:

START(
%AE9M5%BB6[9%EB7\0%Gt4B5%Hi3P7%IR4W5%Jl7U0%KJ6J5%Lk4N3%Oq6R5
%PD3S0%WD0D4%XE7L8%Y_9D3%ZF0N2%[r7K5%\`9D2%]n0O2%^r9L0%eC2`9
)END

Then use natural 2 rail with a little right to run it long...

A lot of ways to play this really...just depends on where you end up on the one. There is even a natural two rail around the bottom right corner to get the 8 in the top side. I am just not sure how to get the cue ball in at that angle.

Shorty

Well the angle you drew in your diagram is way off, not even close to how the cueball would rebound after the first rail.

 

[Jaden]

This rack was taken from a 2001 Accustats 8ball Invitational match between Archer and Efren. Efren is shooting low balls and this is a snapshot of the middle of Efren's run. On his previous shot, Efren came too far to the right with his cue ball positioning. The obvious plan for his next shot was to use the cue ball to nudge the 8 away from the 12 after pocketing the 7 in the top right corner. However, since he came too far underneath the 7, moving the 8 in such a manner would be almost impossible. Therefore, he had to change his plans. How would you run the rest of this rack if you were Efren? Let's see if anyone has his same vision. Efren's solution will be posted soon.

START(
%AE9M5%BG6Y0%EE9X1%Gj7R7%Hi3P7%IR4W5%Jl7U0%KJ6J5%Lk4N3%Oq6R5
%Pi9V7
)END

(The 8 doesn't pass the 10 in the bottom right corner. To all those who own this video or have seen this match, don't give the answer away!)

WEll what I would probably do in this situation is play the seven with a little draw to end up middle table on the two. Then play a little angle off the side rail for shape on the five. I would then play to about a foot away and just a little closer to the rail in line with the five on the one so that I have about a 30 degree angle on the one. Then play the one with a little left follow so that it curves up and around the twelve. It might carom off the fifteen but you would have the best shot at making the eight from that side of it.

 

[weelie]

Caroming the 7 or 8 off anything seems impossible. If I felt lucky I would force the 7 (and cannon on eight) playing it slowly head-on with extreme left side.

Would be nice to leave the seven there. But to pocket the two ball would have to go rail first and play it off the 5... risky. If one pocketed the 7 first, then two, one, five, for example. Position around 15 or 10.

I wonder what's the magic solution here, I just can't see it.

 

[NaClBandit]

I think you have to play the 7 first.

Then the 2 and 1 in that order staying even with or below the 5. Low left from there could take you back to the CB's original position for the 8 in the top side pocket. The final shot would need some finesse, but Efren's got scores of that.

How long are you going to keep us hanging, jsp?

 

[jsp]

How long are you going to keep us hanging, jsp?

All your answers are pretty good, but none involve any magic.

I'll give a hint. Efren took full advantage of his outstanding 3-cushion billiard skills.

 

[Crispy Fish]

I'll give a hint. Efren took full advantage of his outstanding 3-cushion billiard skills.

You're leaving one thing out: he missed the shot on the 8...

 

[jsp]

You're leaving one thing out: he missed the shot on the 8...

Haha...I never did say he successfully ran out the rack. He did get an easy shot on the 8, however, he just plain dogged it.

But Efren did eventually win the rack because Archer missed an easy shot on the 11 in the top corner.

 

[ARM9BALLER]

I would think you would hit the 7 and brush the 8 out to give it a pocket. Then go to the 5,2,1?

 

[Colin Colenso]

I don't know how Efren would run this out. If it was me, since I can't bump the 8 and there is no shot on the 5 or two, other than carom the 2 off the five, which is risky. I'd make the 7 then 2 and 1, leaving a good angle off the 5 to slide the c/b down for the 8. If bump the 10 its ok or go under the 8 is ok to. It can be done other ways but this seems like the most simple route. I'd like my chances from from there. Something like this. START(
%AB5B3%BB3[8%EE9X1%Gt0B8%Hi3P7%IR4W5%Jl7U0%KJ6J5%Lk4N3%Oq6R5
%PF1T3%WP2[1%XF3W4%]k4S6%^Q1[3
)END

Rod

I agree, I think this route is a pretty high percentage. The shot to get on the 8-ball could go wrong, but if played reasonably well should give a player a pretty certain shot on the 8-ball 80% of the time.

 

[Colin Colenso]

Another option is something like this, which is an aggressive shot with a pretty good chance of getting safety.

 

[Cornerman]

Another option is something like this, which is an aggressive shot with a pretty good chance of getting safety.

This seems maniacal, but it's not out of the realm of possibilites. LOL!!!

I like your first pattern. And with Efren, he may have drawn right to the end rail to bump the 15-ball. He knows how to get to the middle of the end rail pretty well.

Fred

 

[Crispy Fish]

Another option is something like this, which is an aggressive shot with a pretty good chance of getting safety.

Wouldn't you be afraid of kissing the 2 on this shot?

 

[Jaden]

This is what I was saying

Something like this is what I would do.

 

[Colin Colenso]

Wouldn't you be afraid of kissing the 2 on this shot?

Well the 12 ball might cause an unwanted collision. I'd much prefer the first option, but I read the plant combinations pretty well and figure I could make the plant into the center over 50%, so if, say the 7 didn't pocket to the corner, it may be worth a try.

That's why I'm the "Shanghai Shotmaker", I'm always selling out going for the maniacal shots

 

[Colin Colenso]

Something like this is what I would do.

I'd much prefer to play the 5 last than the 1 ball, as that line from the 1 is so easy to get stuck behind the 12.

If I had to play the 1 last, I'd play to draw the CB directly into the 8-ball. Hitting either side should set up the 8 for either corner and missing to the either side will leave a good shot to the center or corner pockets. The worst result would be the perfect center ball hit on the 8-ball, which would be pretty unlikely.

Also, some chance of getting hooked behind the 12 from a haf ball kiss on the 8. I'd tend to favor the other side of the 8 to aim at.