One-Pocket Strategy Question

sjm

sjm

Older and Wiser
Silver Member
I saw this position a few times at Derby City, but can't remember the move.

You've got ball in hand behind the headstring playing one pocket. The last two balls are on the spot, one directly behind the other, as shown below. Pocket A is your pocket, what's the correct shot if you need just one?

CueTable Help

 
This is not a shot I recall seeing. Is this the best percentage move needing just one?
 
I've *never* seen good one-pocket players play this move needing one (and the opponent needing two). Yes, it's a viable shot but percentage-wise, only the Ronnie Allens of the world would attempt it.

Typically, I've seen players glance off the head ball moving both balls toward their pocket and repositioning the cueball back in the kitchen. I'm too tired to diagram via cuetable, but if no one else posts it I'll do it first thing tomorrow.

sjm said:
This is not a shot I recall seeing. Is this the best percentage move needing just one?
Click to expand...
 
sjm said:
This is not a shot I recall seeing. Is this the best percentage move needing just one?
Click to expand...

It's a pretty good shot if you need 2, but with CB in hand you always need only 1, so the answer would be, probably not.
 
What I do:
Position CB on far right directly behind headstring.
Make sure two balls are frozen.
Hit far left side of front ball with high left. Soft stoke.
Second ball will go to rail and re-position itself behind front ball which should barely move.
CB will end up on bottom rail behind the two balls.

Beware. If two balls aren't frozen before shot, you're screwed.
 
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If you need one this is not the shot. Also If the balls are not frozen its a sell out.

How ever I do shoot this shot on a regular basis and win more times than I lose. For me I win 2 out of 3 shooting the spot shot.
 
Neil said:
The best move depends on what you are capable of. You can do the two shots mentioned, or you can roll the cb onto the head ball. Freezing the cb to it, and the second ball goes to the bottom rail. I don't care for that one, it's just a possibility. Personally, I am banking the 2nd ball cross corner and leaving the cb on his side of the table.
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Sorry. I posted same thing. We must have been posting at the same time. :embarrassed2:
 
I had the same shot come up 2 weeks ago.I cross banked the back ball,made it and got shape on the spot ball to get out.I don`t play alot of onepocket so I just did what I thought would be my best option.Hope this helps,mike
 
Many factors need to be consider with this situation. If you need a single ball your opponent needs both balls for the win. While other posters have brought the long Z-bank into the picture, this shot is not a sure thing and if you miss you will leave your opponent either the ability to cross bank a ball or even Z-bank a ball back to their hole. Another possible shot is to cross bank the second ball as spotted, this shot will result in leaving your opponent near the opposite lower corner pocket on his side of the table.

However, I like shooting the cue ball straight up the table and hitting the head ball straight on, with just enough speed to drive the second ball to the head rail, and leaving the cue ball touching the head ball. This safety leaves your opponent with zero options, and greatly increases his chances of a mistake.:)
 
sjm said:
I saw this position a few times at Derby City, but can't remember the move.

You've got ball in hand behind the headstring playing one pocket. The last two balls are on the spot, one directly behind the other, as shown below. Pocket A is your pocket, what's the correct shot if you need just one?

CueTable Help

Click to expand...


I am not a 1P guru but if you only need 1 I line up tight to the long rail and cut the 12 with max top spin at medium speed.. game over...
 
bank the back ball with alot of low outside and leave the cue ball up table. you should be able to put it near the jaws.

or put cue a little of the side of the spot and draw the cue ball and force the head ball toward your hole. what you do depends on how well your opponent plays.
 
I've thinned this shot in several times...You gotta shoot from the rail and on the string, but it's what I usually do.

EDIT: Shoot at the back ball.
 
You absolutely do not shoot that shot. Period.

You take one ball out of play and not leave a shot on the other. Several ways to do it, depending on your preference and your opponents abilities. Myself, I hit the balls almost full with just enough angle to send the first ball to my side of the table and also send the second ball down to the far corner on my side.
 
Deadon said:
You absolutely do not shoot that shot. Period.
Click to expand...

why?????

If you don't have the skill to make a simple cut shot to win the game...

why are you playing pool??

the shot is easier than the safe...

if you add top spin and a little inside english you still come out ahead even if you do miss

I want someone to explain to me why a conjured up almost safety is a better shot than a game winning .. IMO "EASY" cut???

what don't I get?

I understand playing safe if you can't get out

what I don't understand is playing safe when you CAN get out...

Just WIN the F***ing game

right???
 
sjm said:
I saw this position a few times at Derby City, but can't remember the move.

You've got ball in hand behind the headstring playing one pocket. The last two balls are on the spot, one directly behind the other, as shown below. Pocket A is your pocket, what's the correct shot if you need just one?

CueTable Help

Click to expand...

i just continue to play with those two balls on table and hit a safe shot in this spot..put cue ball left side behind head string(like one diamond out) slow roll whitey and hit 5 on left side where 5 goes straight right and 12 hits bottom rail and comes back up on your side table near 5 and cue ball sits on bottom rail..
http://CueTable.com/P/?@4EADW4LADo2PcIr3QcAt1RLme4YADW3YUTW4gADo3gHYk3gOgh1mLme4mCPS4mJUi@
 
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softshot said:
why?????

If you don't have the skill to make a simple cut shot to win the game...

why are you playing pool??

the shot is easier than the safe...

if you add top spin and a little inside english you still come out ahead even if you do miss

I want someone to explain to me why a conjured up almost safety is a better shot than a game winning .. IMO "EASY" cut???

what don't I get?

I understand playing safe if you can't get out

what I don't understand is playing safe when you CAN get out...

Just WIN the F***ing game

right???
Click to expand...

you can't cut the second ball in. when there's three its some what possible. with four its makable all day
 
softshot said:
why?????

If you don't have the skill to make a simple cut shot to win the game...

why are you playing pool??

the shot is easier than the safe...

if you add top spin and a little inside english you still come out ahead even if you do miss

I want someone to explain to me why a conjured up almost safety is a better shot than a game winning .. IMO "EASY" cut???

what don't I get?

I understand playing safe if you can't get out

what I don't understand is playing safe when you CAN get out...

Just WIN the F***ing game right???
Click to expand...

uh..u can try to cut it in all day long..im playin safe..
 
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