Rail shots

[Dawgie]

What is the best way to hit a rail shot when both the CB and OB are frozen to the rail.

Let's say the OB is 2 dia. from the lower right hand corner pocket and the QB is 2 dia above the side pocket and both are fronzen to the rail. What is the best way to hit this shot?

I couldn't find this info on the instructional page.

 

[mikepage]

What is the best way to hit a rail shot when both the CB and OB are frozen to the rail.

Let's say the OB is 2 dia. from the lower right hand corner pocket and the QB is 2 dia above the side pocket and both are fronzen to the rail. What is the best way to hit this shot?

I couldn't find this info on the instructional page.

Slightly away from the cushion with some cushion-side english.

Pretty much do whatever you would do if the cushion wasn't there and you wanted to play a stop shot with cushion-side english.

 

[Scott Lee]

I agree with Mike Page's suggestion...inside spin, and a fairly soft stroke.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

 

[okinawa77]

Fundamental Shot

What is the best way to hit a rail shot when both the CB and OB are frozen to the rail.

Let's say the OB is 2 dia. from the lower right hand corner pocket and the QB is 2 dia above the side pocket and both are fronzen to the rail. What is the best way to hit this shot?

I couldn't find this info on the instructional page.

Dead center cue ball with the cue as level as you can get it.
This technique should result in the most accurate and highest percentage of success.

Using side english will make this shot less consistent and a lower percentage of success.

Using side english should only be used if the table and/or side pocket does not allow a straight roll. If the table felt is worn and/or a collection of dust near the rails, then there are what some players call ruts. With a slow roll, the CB can get into the ruts and roll away from the ideal path. Also, the side pockets may have the rails jutting out a little and cause the CB to hit one and throw the CB off the correct path.

Some players may be more consistent the with side english technique, but it all depends on what you practice the most.

The side english technique is comparable to a masse shot because you are shooting the CB away from the rail and the spin curves the CB back to the rail to hit the OB. But if the OB is truly frozen, then the CB has to hit the OB perfectly.

If the table is in good condition, then the dead center CB technique is the right way to go. But shooting dead center with little elevation in the back end of the cue is a lot harder than people think.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Yeah, the funny thing is, I've known about how to shoot these shots for over 15 years now and I gotta say, IT NEVER COMES UP! I think I've done this "inside english" approach to pocketing balls frozen on the rail about twice, maybe three times.

Seriously, it's fun but trivial knowledge.

 

[Pushout]

Slightly away from the cushion with some cushion-side english.

Pretty much do whatever you would do if the cushion wasn't there and you wanted to play a stop shot with cushion-side english.

I, also, agree with Mike.

 

[mikepage]

Yeah, the funny thing is, I've known about how to shoot these shots for over 15 years now and I gotta say, IT NEVER COMES UP! [...]

Yeah but Jude it's like how it never rains when you remember your umbrella.

If you DIDN'T know, it woulda come up lots of times...

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Yeah but Jude it's like how it never rains when you remember your umbrella.

If you DIDN'T know, it woulda come up lots of times...

How many times have you had to play it? Seriously, if it's more than 5 times, I'd be shocked!

 

[Ant812]

How many times have you had to play it? Seriously, if it's more than 5 times, I'd be shocked!

gotta agree there, i dont think i have EVER ran into it. a guy on my team set it up about year ago for fun and had us try it. i shot it a twice with center ball and the cue ball left the rail, then tried it with inside once and sunk it.

 

[mikepage]

How many times have you had to play it? Seriously, if it's more than 5 times, I'd be shocked!

I'm not disagreeing with you.

But before you go into full shock, recognize that while this shot is rare on any equipment, it is less rare on worn equipment with significant rail grooves.

A lot of those balls that should be a few mm away from the cushion get sucked back to the cushion on poorly maintained equipment.

And... importantly ... these are the same tables for which you have to worry about the side pocket sticking out a bit...

 

[av84fun]

Yeah, the funny thing is, I've known about how to shoot these shots for over 15 years now and I gotta say, IT NEVER COMES UP! I think I've done this "inside english" approach to pocketing balls frozen on the rail about twice, maybe three times.

Seriously, it's fun but trivial knowledge.

Agreed...........

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

I'm not disagreeing with you.

But before you go into full shock, recognize that while this shot is rare on any equipment, it is less rare on worn equipment with significant rail grooves.

A lot of those balls that should be a few mm away from the cushion get sucked back to the cushion on poorly maintained equipment.

And... importantly ... these are the same tables for which you have to worry about the side pocket sticking out a bit...

Actually, it really depends on so many things. Newer tables have bouncier rails BUT old cloth will develop dirt under the rails. You see it all the time when a ball looks like it's going to barely hit the rail and then it rocks backward. That's because the ball was trying to climb over the dirt and failed!

Like I said before, this stuff is fun but trivial.

 

[diller47]

rail shot

Actually, it really depends on so many things. Newer tables have bouncier rails BUT old cloth will develop dirt under the rails. You see it all the time when a ball looks like it's going to barely hit the rail and then it rocks backward. That's because the ball was trying to climb over the dirt and failed!

Like I said before, this stuff is fun but trivial.

did you ever hear of a way to make a shot that you agreed with judd,seems to me its your way or the highway///......for me this shots a givin.....and i only shoot once in a blue moon,just think if this game i took seriously so shut your pie hole for a change

 

[manwon]

What is the best way to hit a rail shot when both the CB and OB are frozen to the rail.

Let's say the OB is 2 dia. from the lower right hand corner pocket and the QB is 2 dia above the side pocket and both are fronzen to the rail. What is the best way to hit this shot?

I couldn't find this info on the instructional page.

Inside English is the trick, by using it will allow the cue ball to move past the side pocket without interference. It will also reverse the English on the Cue Ball so that the ball will pocket smoothly even if it touches the rail.

Use a firm Medium Stroke Speed on the Cue Ball, if shooting from the Foot Spot to the Head Spot on the right side of the table use Top Right English or English next to the rail. If shooting up the other side of the Table do the opposite.

Set it and practice!!! practice!!! Practice!!!!

 

[BRKNRUN]

Yeah, the funny thing is, I've known about how to shoot these shots for over 15 years now and I gotta say, IT NEVER COMES UP! I think I've done this "inside english" approach to pocketing balls frozen on the rail about twice, maybe three times.

Seriously, it's fun but trivial knowledge.

Although I agree with you that it is trivial, and you may only shoot it a few time in your life, the fact is you DO know this shot and at some point about 15 years ago, took the time to learn it....even if it only took 10 seconds to learn.

The point is, not everyone that comes on this board has played for 15 years, and there is nothing wrong with posing the question of the correct way to hit this shot....

It MAY acutally come up for this person...and it MAY possibly be hill hill of a important match....It would not be "trivial" to know how to execute the shot at that point.

My guess is you can't name me one pro that has not taken the time to learn this shot......and also the point about looking at the side pocket to see if the far rail sticks out.

I know the shot, you know the shot, many other people know the shot....but just keep in mind that there are a LOT of trivial shots that you know and I know and others know that many on this board don't know yet.

Learn and let Learn...

 

[mullyman]

Yeah, the funny thing is, I've known about how to shoot these shots for over 15 years now and I gotta say, IT NEVER COMES UP! I think I've done this "inside english" approach to pocketing balls frozen on the rail about twice, maybe three times.

Seriously, it's fun but trivial knowledge.

Yeah, I have to agree here. I've been playing damn near 25 years and have probably come across that shot less than 5 times. But, with that said, I made the shot because I knew how so it doesn't hurt to at least practice it a little.

You know the trick shot where you have an OB against the rail and the CB frozen to it, you shoot across table, the OB moves up in front of the side pocket and the CB comes back across table and makes the OB in the side? I actually came across that shot in a game one time and made it. The people watching went nuts, because I called it when I saw it . They were laid up a little different but the theory was the same.

I see nothing wrong with practicing all kinds of weird shots because even though you may never see them, the chance of them showing up is still there and for me, it's nice to know the way out.

But I still agree with Jude. It's not like that shot comes up all the time.
MULLY

 

[Scaramouche]

The Definitive Answer

From: Playing Your Best Pool - Phil Capelle

Shotmaking
Frozen/Frozen Shots

One of the more unpleasant situations you will encounter is when both the cue ball and object ball are frozen to the same rail. Your first priority is to make the ball as playing position will be extremely difficult.

Two situations are given:

No Intervening Pocket
Aim just a hair away from the rail
Use a soft stroke and hit slightly downward on the cue ball a touch below centre.

Intervening Pocket
The shot is much tougher because you must circumvent the side pocket.
Use the same technique as above, but with a slightly firmer stroke.
You might also want to aim a little bit further outside the pocket.

The description above indicates that the cue ball should be hit on the vertical axis, slightly below centre.

The diagram indicates a hit on the cue ball on the side close to the rail, that is, at 7 or 5, and that the path of the cue ball is an arc into the object ball.

I trust that all find the foregoing to be the definitive answer

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

did you ever hear of a way to make a shot that you agreed with judd,seems to me its your way or the highway///......for me this shots a givin.....and i only shoot once in a blue moon,just think if this game i took seriously so shut your pie hole for a change

Did I ever say I disagree with the shot? Um, wow. Kudos on your grammar. Also, my name is Jude.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Yeah, I have to agree here. I've been playing damn near 25 years and have probably come across that shot less than 5 times. But, with that said, I made the shot because I knew how so it doesn't hurt to at least practice it a little.

You know the trick shot where you have an OB against the rail and the CB frozen to it, you shoot across table, the OB moves up in front of the side pocket and the CB comes back across table and makes the OB in the side? I actually came across that shot in a game one time and made it. The people watching went nuts, because I called it when I saw it . They were laid up a little different but the theory was the same.

I see nothing wrong with practicing all kinds of weird shots because even though you may never see them, the chance of them showing up is still there and for me, it's nice to know the way out.

But I still agree with Jude. It's not like that shot comes up all the time.
MULLY

Yeah, my point in saying that is simply about practicality. You have no idea how many people I see at the poolroom practicing things like jump shots and masses. I mean, they literally will pull you aside and ask how to shoot a masse! Seriously, I tell them the same thing every time. I jack-up, say a prayer and hit the side of the cueball. If I get the desired result, awesome. This game is about mastering simple situations. It's NOT about accummulating trivial shots. Now, I admit, I knew this shot and I've used this shot but I gotta say, in the grand scheme of things it's amounted to very little in my pool-life.

 

[berlowmj]

99 Critical Shots

What is the best way to hit a rail shot when both the CB and OB are frozen to the rail.

Let's say the OB is 2 dia. from the lower right hand corner pocket and the QB is 2 dia above the side pocket and both are fronzen to the rail. What is the best way to hit this shot?

I couldn't find this info on the instructional page.

This is one of the shots explained in the book. Even at my infantile stage of pool development, I have been able to readily apply more from this book than much of what I have read.