OB on rail and needs to clear another ball

JE54

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I had this shot and missed it. Game was 8 Ball.
The 1 would only clear the stripes by maybe the width of a credit card or so. It cleared but you had to hit it perfect.
What is the best way to shoot this or any rail shot ?
Especially when it has to be hit perfect.
Center ball, inside or outside english ?

CueTable Help

 
Same situation as the other shot, it could have been more like this.
The 1 will just barely clear the stripes. (game is 8 Ball ) Maybe by the thickness of a credit card. So it has to be hit perfect. Not looking for suggestion to get on the other solid, just on how to clear the stripes with the 1.

CueTable Help

 
If shape isn't a concern, shoot the shot pocket speed. Accuracy is critical, so I would not try to spin the cue ball. I think the softer you can shoot it, the better the odds of making it.

Steve
 
What if the scenario is changed a little ?
The 1 is on the rail, stripes are lined up,and the 1 just barely clears and have to get shape's on the 2.
I guess my real question should be, with the CB that close to the rail with the minimal angle and have to hit the OB perfect. What would be the best way to clear those stripes and have OB hug the rail. As that's the only way the OB will make it to the pocket

CueTable Help

 
Now you've asked the correct question.
If you hit the cue ball with a little bit of bottom right (not much as this is very close to straight in), the cb will squirt a bit to the left, and then straighten out before it gets to the ob. After contact, the cb should follow the ob down the rail.
It's a tough shot, since you have made the tolerances very tight, but it can be done if hit perfectly. The key is to stroke the shot so the cb has time to lose any back spin it gets from hitting bottom, and develops natural roll before it gets to the ob.

Gyroscopic Procession.

Steve
 
Remember, since you are playing to use the squirt, you need to aim a little more full on the cue ball. The cue ball is going to shift to the left with that shot.

Play with it. It's a fun shot. Another variation is if the OB is sitting just barely past the side pocket. You can use the same technique to cut the ball down the rail to the corner and still not scratch in the side.

Steve
 
If shape isn't a concern, shoot the shot pocket speed. Accuracy is critical, so I would not try to spin the cue ball. I think the softer you can shoot it, the better the odds of making it.

Steve

Steve

Can you clarify what pocket speed is?

I have heard 2 different versions.

One is the softest or slowest that the OB can be hit to make it to and into the pocket.

The other is the fastest or hardest that the ball can be hit for the pocket to accept it.

Thanks
 
When I say pocket speed, I am talking about just enough speed for the ob to drop into the pocket. As I said in my post, with this shot, the softer you shoot, the better your odds of making it.
Steve
 
This one I learned from Dr. Dave, and I'm almost sure of.

You use a bit of inside english, and hit the rail JUST prior to hitting the ball. (You pretty much are hitting the rail and ball at the same time)

This will make the ball follow straight down the rail.
 
What if the scenario is changed a little ?
The 1 is on the rail, stripes are lined up,and the 1 just barely clears and have to get shape's on the 2.
I guess my real question should be, with the CB that close to the rail with the minimal angle and have to hit the OB perfect. What would be the best way to clear those stripes and have OB hug the rail. As that's the only way the OB will make it to the pocket

CueTable Help

In this particular situation, your shot on the 1 will be useless if you don't get a shot on the 2. It looks like you are going to have to hit the cue ball firmly and with either draw or left to get out for the 2. You can hit this shot with left, right or no side spin and still make it. You need to be able to play it all of those ways.

How many ways have you tried to play the shot so far? Which methods work for you?
 
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