How would you play this? Two balls on same rail

Jude Rosenstock

Jude Rosenstock

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Okay, it's 9-ball. You only have to shoot these last two balls to win the set but both sit on the same rail. Fortunately, you've fallen dead perfect but you still have one last shot to execute to finish off your opponent. What do you do?

CueTable Help




Just to mix things up, would you play the 8-ball the same way in the diagram below or would you do something different? Explain.

CueTable Help

 
On the first one, I might go across and back, but I might just spin the 8 and try to hold the cueball close to the rail for a cut in the same pocket. After the last thread, I don't want to commit without seeing it on an actual table. LOL.

On the second one, I'd definitely go across and back, trying to bounce below the bottom side pocket and land above the top side pocket, so I have less chance of scratching in the top side. JMO.
 
This is another (of many) where knowing where you are going to hit the 2nd rail is fairly important.

The one thing I would (NOT) do on these shots is use a follow stroke......mabey just a touch if any...

I think there is also a tendancy for the CB to bank "short" when hitting the second rail...that coupled with too much speed can result in the "unexpected" scratch.
 
On the first shot, I'd use 1:30 or so english and a lag stroke to go back and forth across the table, and the english should bring the CB back above the 9 to play it in the same pocket as the 8. It's a pretty wide margin of error, and I'd try not to hit the rail above the 9, but just lag close to it. My reason for that is in case I really over-spin the ball, the side pocket above the 9 could come into play, but not if I don't quite hit the ball hard enough to get all the way there.

On the second shot, it depends how easy the pockets are playing. If they're playing moderate to easy, I'd drop the english and hit the shot just above center, to come back below the 9 and play it into the upper right corner. On moderate to easy pockets I'm very confident on this shot, and it doesn't require me to work to spin the CB above the 9, bringing that side pocket I mentioned earlier into play. If the pockets are very tight, I might change my mind about taking the longer shot on the 9, and go for the spin shot to play the 9 in the same pocket. In this case, since I need to get further uptable and I'm scared of that cross-side scratch, I'd use more like 2:30 english, and try to get above the side pocket instead of between the 9 and the side pocket.

-Andrew
 
Last edited:
Clearly, I would scratch in the upper side pocket either way (twice across, or inside three running three railer).

Fred
 
both

Jude Rosenstock said:
Okay, it's 9-ball. You only have to shoot these last two balls to win the set but both sit on the same rail. Fortunately, you've fallen dead perfect but you still have one last shot to execute to finish off your opponent. What do you do?

CueTable Help




Just to mix things up, would you play the 8-ball the same way in the diagram below or would you do something different? Explain.

CueTable Help

Click to expand...


shoot both in the same pocket as the eight, second one just use more english to get below the side hole.
 
LoL. I was thinking the same. I scratch very well, even on tight pockets.

Cornerman said:
Clearly, I would scratch in the upper side pocket either way (twice across, or inside three running three railer).

Fred
Click to expand...
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
What kind of english would you use?
Click to expand...


Without seeing the shot in person.....

I would guess a smooth tip of 3 oclock puts in position for either shot......maybe 2:50 oclock
 
First table, I would pot the 8-ball with low right english, medium stroke, and bring the CB back to the center of the table.

Second table, stun ball, medium stroke, thin cut to cheat the pocket. Bring the CB back to the rail on the position between the 8-ball and 9-ball.
 
This is easy as you really only have to avoid the scratch on the second rail, and its kind of tough to overdo the spin to get that far uptable:

CueTable Help



For this, I prefer the 3 rail route as you may come up short on the back and forth and have a steep cut down the rail:

CueTable Help

 

CueTable Help



A slight bit of right, medium firm stroke, and the CB will straighten out off second rail.

On yer second shot, I like inside english, aiming for the 1rst diamond past the side on the third rail. Key is not to hit this shot too hard, lest you get too much stun, which will make you go two rails directly towards the side pocket.

JMHO, as a C player.

Russ
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
Okay, it's 9-ball. You only have to shoot these last two balls to win the set but both sit on the same rail. Fortunately, you've fallen dead perfect but you still have one last shot to execute to finish off your opponent. What do you do?

CueTable Help




Just to mix things up, would you play the 8-ball the same way in the diagram below or would you do something different? Explain.

CueTable Help

Click to expand...

In the first scenario back across to the other side rail & back could work; however it depends on how the cloth is playing fast vs. slow. Fast cloth, no problem--slow cloth I may have to hit it harder than I am comfortable and if that's the case, I will high inside 3-rail it for shape in the same hole.

Second scenario, high inside 3-rail all the way!
 
CrownCityCorey said:
In the first scenario back across to the other side rail & back could work; however it depends on how the cloth is playing fast vs. slow. Fast cloth, no problem--slow cloth I may have to hit it harder than I am comfortable and if that's the case, I will high inside 3-rail it for shape in the same hole.

Second scenario, high inside 3-rail all the way!
Click to expand...


I am not doubting you could do this shot, I have seen you play and frankly you could shove the 8-ball up my arse.

But I am curious why you would go the 3-rail route as the table gets slower?

Since the 3-rail is out of line much longer than the two rail path...I would thing it would be the other way around??????

as the table gets faster...(or bar box) I could see the 3-rail route...but as it gets slower...

The 3-Rail looks like it could be a little touchy....(especially since the 8-ball is not frozen to the rail)

Please learn me something here.....:D
 
I believe as the table gets slower, one would have to hit the 2 rail shot firmer, therefore making it easier to slightly overhit the ball, and end up scratching.

Also, with a slower table, the CB will more easily go forward into a sharper angle from the first rail to the second rail, making the three railer much easier. On a fast table, on this three railer, if you hit it a bit too firm, the CB "stuns", going much further up the second rail, ruining the three rail angle, and coming close to a scratch in the opposite side.

Take this with a grain of salt.

JMHO as a C player...

Russ
 
here you go mofo

As odd as this sounds, I'd zig zag it by going low outside and just watch my speed so I dont scratch in the side. Bottom right would work if you experiment with it, and go for the natural cut angle, ignoring squirt or throw. You have to follow through then get your stick out of the way quick, but it'll work. I prefer that type of spin on dead rails because it takes a lot better.
 
I'm going 3 rails with inside on both shots - no question in my mind whatsoever.

Andy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top