Interesting shot by Efren

Aaron_S

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
In the 2005 Derby City 10-Ball Ring Game, Efren was confronted with an interesting situation, but I thought the way he attempted to deal with it was even more interesting. After attempting to break out the 7/9 on his 4-ball shot, Efren left himself this layout:

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Here is a video of the situation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13nvYiiMGI0

Efren's next shot is depicted on pg. 2 of the Wei diagram. Danny and Cardone were doing the commentary, and Danny remarked that Efren had attempted to bank the 6 one rail and just take the cross-corner bank on the 7. While I like that shot, I don't actually think that was Efren's primary objective. Page 3 of the Wei diagram shows why I feel that way.

The red line coming from cueball A shows a line that Efren measured out with his cue before he shot the 6-ball. He just did it in the air, with his cue hovering over the table, which may explain why the commentators didn't catch it or comment on it. Based on that red line, it seems clear to me that Efren was actually trying to bank the 6 two (or three) rails into the hanging 8-ball, and thereby give himself shape on the 6 in the side, which would also allow him one more swing at separating the 7/9. As you can see on page 2, that is very nearly what happened, he just got a bit unlucky and went between the 2 and 3 railers and hit the 8-ball too full.

Considering who we're talking about, I think it's safe to assume that Efren was seeing three possible favorable outcomes on this shot: 1) make the 8 two rails with the 6 and play a breakout on the 7/9, with the cross-bank as a last resort; 2) make the 8 three rails with the 6 and play the breakout, again with the cross-bank as a last resort; 3) make the 6 one rail and play the 7 cross-corner.

To me, this is a wonderful example of someone who has a great mind for the game taking a tough situation and finding the shot that offers the maximum potential for a favorable outcome... oh, and executing it to near-perfection... left handed. ;)

Good rolls,
Aaron
 
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Black-Balled said:
I don't get it. DIdhe get out? Have to bank 7?:confused: ?

No, if you look at pg. 2, you can see that he did not pocket a ball on the shot. I shared the shot because I thought the shot selection itself deserved some attention, despite the fact that it was unsuccessful.

Aaron
 
Are you sure the 7/9 wasn't dead (or at least throwable) into the corner past the 10? Maybe he was playing the 1-rail bank on the 6 and trying to get "under" the 7? From that range, you can move the 9 a few balls off the natural line.

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Last edited:
rackmsuckr said:
Great evaluation of the shot selection. Is there a link to watch this shot?

Regrettably, I have not been able to find this video online yet. The shot in question is about 14 minutes into part 3 (of 4) of the ring game video that was produced by Billiard Club Network. The 2004 ring game videos (all six parts) are on youtube and can be viewed, but 2005 is a different story for some reason. This appears to be a link to part 1 of the 2005 video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3TbhjSPcs0&feature=channel

but I haven't been able to view this video, as it tells me it is private. Perhaps if you have a youtube account, it will allow you to view it, I'm not sure.

Aaron
 
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mosconiac said:
Are you sure the 7/9 wasn't dead (or at least throwable) into the corner past the 10? Maybe he was playing the 1-rail bank on the 6 and trying to get "under" the 7? From that range, you can move the 9 a few balls off the natural line.

CueTable Help


I'm pretty sure the 7/9 was not throwable, although it was lined up pretty good for the suicide 7-9-10 combo. I'll try to post a screen shot of the actual video so you can see for yourself. The fact that Efren measured out the two-railer first, and that he only shot the shot about half as hard as necessary to get the shape you show in your diagram leads me to believe he was not playing for shape above the 7/9.

I wish I had the software and knowledge to cut out a few seconds of this video so you could see the real thing. I unfortunately don't have any experience with video editing, though. :(

Aaron
 
Aaron_S said:
I ...unfortunately don't have any experience with video editing, though. :(

Aaron
Get busy! Learn a new skill and then update the resume.

Sheesh! Where are your priorities?!?!
 
Aaron_S said:
I'm on it. :wink:

Aaron

Why not ask one of the Pinoys that frequent this forum, too copy your pool table shot and have them ask him personally, I'm sure Efren will remember this shot especially since it was an offense shot.
 
Ok, I think I have successfully edited the video down to about a 1 minute clip showing the shot and the events leading up to it. Here is the youtube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13nvYiiMGI0

At about the 40 second mark is where Efren holds his cue on the line to the 8-ball, then at the 45 second mark he puts his left hand on the rail where (I believe) he's playing for the six ball to hit. It is a spot about 2 to 3 inches from the pocket, and if he had hit there the 8 probably would have dropped. Whether or not he would have gotten another breakout opportunity is debatable, but I believe it's also a moot point. The real point is that he and many other great players often come up with solutions to these types of problems that may not be immediately obvious to us (or even expert commentators) when we're watching. I think he was trying to give himself the greatest possible chance at success, and chose a shot accordingly.

Aaron
 
Great thread and great analysis, Aaron. I agree completely.

Of course, this is just the kind of shot that would disappear from the face of the earth if the game ever went to call shot. A great visionary can often design shots having multiple possible positive outcomes as long as such creativity is not litigated out of the game. The game of pool has never known a greater visionary than Efren.
 
Aaron_S said:
Ok, I think I have successfully edited the video down to about a 1 minute clip showing the shot and the events leading up to it. Here is the youtube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13nvYiiMGI0

At about the 40 second mark is where Efren holds his cue on the line to the 8-ball, then at the 45 second mark he puts his left hand on the rail where (I believe) he's playing for the six ball to hit. It is a spot about 2 to 3 inches from the pocket, and if he had hit there the 8 probably would have dropped. Whether or not he would have gotten another breakout opportunity is debatable, but I believe it's also a moot point. The real point is that he and many other great players often come up with solutions to these types of problems that may not be immediately obvious to us (or even expert commentators) when we're watching. I think he was trying to give himself the greatest possible chance at success, and chose a shot accordingly.

Aaron

Excellent quality thread and analysis. Rep to you Aaron.
 
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