How Would You Play This? 1/23/09 II

[blackeee]

This is sort of the polar opposite of what I posted earlier. This scenario came up about a week ago. I was down 9-7 in a race to 11. In spite of the fact that I weighed out the pitfalls, I ended up losing this rack. What are your concerns? What would you have done?

CueTable Help

Being confident in my banking ability, I would just bear down and bank the seven. You get automatic 3 rail shape. Commit to the shot and go.

 

[Travis Bickle]

So Jude, how did you play it?

I think at Amsterdam, with the bouncy rails, you'd have to assume that if you tried to bank the 7 with the intention of leaving it in the middle of the short rail if you missed, you'd come around at least to the center of the table. No way you could (that is, I could) count on holding it behind the 9, tables are way too fast there. If I felt comfortable leaving the ball on the middle of the short rail and playing the bank short -- in other words, I wouldn't like my opponent's chances on the bank that I'd be sure to leave if I missed, OK. And if I was feeling good in general, and not behind.

But otherwise, I've got to go with the safe. At least then I know I'll be leaving a much tougher bank if I don't get behind the 9.

 

["T"]

This is sort of the polar opposite of what I posted earlier. This scenario came up about a week ago. I was down 9-7 in a race to 11. In spite of the fact that I weighed out the pitfalls, I ended up losing this rack. What are your concerns? What would you have done?

CueTable Help

The seven looks like an 75% shot as drawn to a decent one pocket player, maybe 50% for me. lol

Sometimes fate just puts you on the spot and you have to make it work. The solution to this scenario depends on what shots you have in the bag. I would lean towards missing that seven bank short with left and letting the cue ball maybe even getting behind the nine with the seven on the short rail. If I get nervous and don't follow through, maybe the seven drops.

 

[Big Perm]

I set this up first thing Saturday as promised (not that you care)

8 footer, slow cloth

First time, missed the 7, but got the defensive leave I wanted...

Second time, made the 7, actually bumped the 8 in the pocket, and had makeable bank on the 9.....

Third attempt, made the 7, got the leave I wanted....

I can see where the cueball would bound more on quick cloth and aggressive rails...