Recommend a Shot

[socks]

i really only mentioned the masse for the more daring and it would depend on the particular lay out at the time. generally, if you can see at least 1/8 of the 8-ball, theres no reason to even try a curve as thinning it is easier and acoumplishes the same thing, but if less of the 8-ball is visible, the masse is a very viable alternitive to kicking, especially the length of the kick shot jds described. just the slightest amount of unintentional english or wrong speed can miss and give up ball in hand, and even if you do hit the 8-ball, the odds of leaving it strait in are like 90%. as far as a jump shot? no way. that hopes off the table with ease.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

I think if it were flatter like I show in the diagram below, thinning the 8-ball would be the right shot but with the original diagram, I see too many things coming into play.

CueTable Help

 

[jdr]

i really only mentioned the masse for the more daring and it would depend on the particular lay out at the time. generally, if you can see at least 1/8 of the 8-ball, theres no reason to even try a curve as thinning it is easier and acoumplishes the same thing, but if less of the 8-ball is visible, the masse is a very viable alternitive to kicking, especially the length of the kick shot jds described. just the slightest amount of unintentional english or wrong speed can miss and give up ball in hand, and even if you do hit the 8-ball, the odds of leaving it strait in are like 90%. as far as a jump shot? no way. that hopes off the table with ease.

Yeah. When I played the long kick, I actually thought I'd have a better chance to get behind the 9 if I came into the 8 at a steeper angle. So I played it with right english and ended up missing the ball completely. At a steeper angle, I may have a better chance to get behind the 9, but I'm more likely to miss the 8 completely...

I'm kinda liking the masse... I'll have to try it later today...

 

[Cuebacca]

+1 for the masse, given comfortable playing conditions. The likelihood of leaving the guy tough doesn't look that bad to me, given the other options. I'm no top player by any means though. I'll give it a try later. I'll take some crow out of the freezer now just in case.

 

[okinawa77]

I think both the jump and masse shots are good options....depending on what you are most comfortable with. I for instance, do not jump very well, and masse very well. I don't practice either, but for some reason I am just a natural when it comes to masse. I can half ball jump with a regular cue, but I have never used a jump cue.

For me, masse is my first inclination, kicking is my second inclination, and if I am just playing around...I would go for the jump bank.

 

[av84fun]

That's fine so long as you don't start threads with titles like, "How come my winning percentage sucks?"

LOL. I was going to post..."Wanna play some." But I didn't have the nerve...probably because I'm not a New Yorker!!

KIDDING JUDE!!!!
(-:

 

[av84fun]

Yeah. When I played the long kick, I actually thought I'd have a better chance to get behind the 9 if I came into the 8 at a steeper angle. So I played it with right english and ended up missing the ball completely. At a steeper angle, I may have a better chance to get behind the 9, but I'm more likely to miss the 8 completely...

I'm kinda liking the masse... I'll have to try it later today...

Right. English off the rail is pretty tough to predict...whereas with centerball, hitting the 8 is a hanger...but as you noted, you might not have gotten the shape you wanted.

However, hitting even the intended side of the 8 from that distance with english off the rail is a championship shot IMHO.

Regards,
Jim

 

[dabarbr]

I agree with Jude. The masse is not easy but to me it seems like risk is worth it. If done correctly you might even get a hook with the nine, at least you will get some seperation between the balls. Hitting the eight thin and taking the cue ball up table almost guarantees your opponent a shot. Getting the eight behind the nine seems unreasonable considering the position of the balls. The masse is difficult but well within range for a fairly decent player.

 

[bigdaddygerald]

Just load up on the inside and bank her 3 in the side. With dead shape on the nine.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

I tested out this shot in the poolroom the other day - the cuts, banks and jump-banks are simply not going to happen. Trying to cut the 8ball to hide behind the 9ball is a pipedream. I think the masse actually looks tougher in the diagram because in real life, it's so easy even a caveman can do it. The results of the masse are a little up in the air BUT the rewards outweigh the risks. You have a chance at a safety AND you're leaving your opponent long, guaranteed. Yes, if you're not familiar with it, you can easily foul but if you are, there's no chance of fouling.

 

[dabarbr]

I tested out this shot in the poolroom the other day - the cuts, banks and jump-banks are simply not going to happen. Trying to cut the 8ball to hide behind the 9ball is a pipedream. I think the masse actually looks tougher in the diagram because in real life, it's so easy even a caveman can do it. The results of the masse are a little up in the air BUT the rewards outweigh the risks. You have a chance at a safety AND you're leaving your opponent long, guaranteed. Yes, if you're not familiar with it, you can easily foul but if you are, there's no chance of fouling.

I tested this myself and found it to be the best option. My objective was to take the cue ball to the short rail and if I left a shot on the eight they most likely would have to take the cue ball upstream away from the nine.

It's all a matter of percentages %.