Run a Rack 3 Ball

[Billiard Architect]

Ok now that the two ball is down and E won the vote here is our second shot.

Here is an explaination of some of the positions

A) is a semi soft stroke so the cueball picks up some top from the cloth so it is one rail to that positon
B) 2 rails going behind the 8 and 7
C) One rail
D) A little harder giving you an option for the 4 into the side
E) is a bit harder with a draw shot coming one rail between the 7 and 8 back across the table. This I think is a risky shot because if you don't get much spin you are going to end up wiping out the 7 and 9.
F) One rail up table.
G) a dead shot with the draw and the english this shot just trickles off the end rail. Very difficult to get anything predictable.
H) Hit this one a little harder getting up table for the 4 ball
I) This one is a 2 railer (end rail and top rail) behind the 7 and 9.

JV

 

[Black-Balled]

I am going w/ F here. Tougher to make the OB, but shape is a huge area.

 

[efirkey]

H is the easiest shot with natural position on the next ball and getting position for H is relatively easy with very little that can go wrong if you hit your shape bad.

 

[Billiard Architect]

H is the easiest shot with natural position on the next ball and getting position for H is relatively easy with very little that can go wrong if you hit your shape bad.

The only thing that concerns me with H is coming across the position zone. If you play it too far you are looking at having to go way down table to get back for the 5.

 

[efirkey]

with the 3 ball eliminated, going past your target and having to go up and down table doesn't seem that hard or risky. If the 3 ball was still there I might think otherwise.

 

[Cory in DC]

I like C. It's got about 3 feet along which you're on the right line to shape the 5; and even the harder version of the next shot (the one diagrammed, rather than a shorter shot on the same line) isn't too tough.

And if C goes a little bit bad, you've got shot F, which is probably my second choice.

 

[hustlefinger]

Have to go with option C or F, one rail after pocketing the 3. I’d be playing to shoot the 4 in the lower right hand corner (pocket 6) and trying for position at I.

Rick

 

[efirkey]

I can't under stand why anyone would go with C or F? I can make shot H more times out of 100 than any pro could make C or F and we are only talking about rolling the cueball another 18 inches or so to get to position H. Also, to get to C or F you will need some inside english making the 3 ball harder to pocket.

 

[Guru]

I can't under stand why anyone would go with C or F? I can make shot H more times out of 100 than any pro could make C or F and we are only talking about rolling the cueball another 18 inches or so to get to position H. Also, to get to C or F you will need some inside english making the 3 ball harder to pocket.

C allows me to approach along the angle I want, rather than crossing it. If my speed is off I still have essentially the same shot just longer or shorter. As usual: YMMV

 

[efirkey]

I guess the only solution is to get on a table and try it out

 

[Cory in DC]

I can't under stand why anyone would go with C or F? I can make shot H more times out of 100 than any pro could make C or F and we are only talking about rolling the cueball another 18 inches or so to get to position H. Also, to get to C or F you will need some inside english making the 3 ball harder to pocket.

Yes, if you land on spot H exactly. But you could overshoot it and have to go up and down the table, or end up straight and have to draw with some spin and cheat the pocket, or end up on the rail. The target zone for shot C is much, much larger (though as I said before, I'd aim to be closer to the 4-ball than shot C reflects, but with the same angle.)