Run This (25)
- Thread starter CueAndMe
- Start date
Obviously, break with the 6. The 2 is a good key ball, but there is no easy way to get on it. If you are going to play it in either side, you have to be in a very narrow shape triangle unless you plan to go one or two cushions to the ball.
Is there a way to play the 2 to a corner as a key ball? Again, it is so far from the pocket that you have to be nearly straight in (and on the correct side of the ball) to use a corner pocket. The 7 is a possibility to get on the 2 but working backwards from there doesn't suggest much.
So, for "key balls with cushions" we have the 1 and go one rail or two out of the top left corner, the 4 and two cushions out of the top right corner or the 9 and one rail off the top.
The problem with the 1 is that you should play the 7 just before and you need to get good position on the 7. This could be done with the 8-7-1 with minimum motion by playing the 7 in the side. If I get just right on the 7, I'll leave a draw shot from the 1 and not use a cushion. You can start with the 2 (one rail), 4, 9 to get on the 8.
If you're not comfortable with that sequence for the 1 as a key ball, you can start wtih 8-7-1. If you screw up, you can recover with the additional balls on the table. Whether you use the 4 or 9 as a key ball after that depends on what your shot on the 1 is.
As a final wrinkle, if the 1 is a favorite key ball for you, and you end up with the right angle on the 7 after starting with the 8, you could go up-table for the 2 and 4-9 or 9-4. The big advantage of the 1 is that it can be shot from a lot of different angles and you can still get a good angle on the 6.
Is there a way to play the 2 to a corner as a key ball? Again, it is so far from the pocket that you have to be nearly straight in (and on the correct side of the ball) to use a corner pocket. The 7 is a possibility to get on the 2 but working backwards from there doesn't suggest much.
So, for "key balls with cushions" we have the 1 and go one rail or two out of the top left corner, the 4 and two cushions out of the top right corner or the 9 and one rail off the top.
The problem with the 1 is that you should play the 7 just before and you need to get good position on the 7. This could be done with the 8-7-1 with minimum motion by playing the 7 in the side. If I get just right on the 7, I'll leave a draw shot from the 1 and not use a cushion. You can start with the 2 (one rail), 4, 9 to get on the 8.
If you're not comfortable with that sequence for the 1 as a key ball, you can start wtih 8-7-1. If you screw up, you can recover with the additional balls on the table. Whether you use the 4 or 9 as a key ball after that depends on what your shot on the 1 is.
As a final wrinkle, if the 1 is a favorite key ball for you, and you end up with the right angle on the 7 after starting with the 8, you could go up-table for the 2 and 4-9 or 9-4. The big advantage of the 1 is that it can be shot from a lot of different angles and you can still get a good angle on the 6.
This shot here would be my first choice (I can't believe Jewett didn't see this shot - I thought it was obvious)
If that doesn't work, I'll try something like this...
I like using the 7 as a key ball - setting up for it with the 2 ball. There are a few different options to land on the 7 from the 2, so I would opt to go with the key ball that gives me the most options - rather than to try to get too cute to land perfect on the 2 ball. If that doesn't work, I still have that first shot.
If that doesn't work, I'll try something like this...
I like using the 7 as a key ball - setting up for it with the 2 ball. There are a few different options to land on the 7 from the 2, so I would opt to go with the key ball that gives me the most options - rather than to try to get too cute to land perfect on the 2 ball. If that doesn't work, I still have that first shot.
Maybe I'm nuts, but I like the 2 in either side as the key ball going one rail off either end rail to get to the break shot - it offers two very big landing zones to get on the 2 and nice shallow rolling angles to get on the break shot.
pj
chgo
But that has the disadvantage of having to move the cue ball 8 feet from the key ball to break position. I think of one or two rails from the key-ball 2 as the result of a mistake rather than a plan. Of course the problem is that if you play for straight in on the 2 and get enough angle that you have to go two cushions, you are probably too straight to go two cushions easily.Patrick Johnson said:
Ok, not saying this is the way to go, all I'm saying is that it's an option that is very controllable as far as getting on the break ball is concerned. The scratch in the bottom corner off the rack is huge, I won't try to deny that. But this is one way to possibly play it.
you could shoot the 4-little follow to come down for the 9. center table gives you either the 2 or the 8 to get on the 1 or 7then it is your choice- 1-7 - 2 , 7-1-2 . the key is geting on the 8 right to go either 2 railes for the 1-7, or just the 1 after the 8.if you used the 2 for the 8positionyou have the 1-7 as last two balls . if you got on the 1 after the 8 you have the 7-2 or 2-7 as key balls. boy that is a lot of thinking for and easy layout!
what i would really do is 8-7-1-2 9-4 or 4-9 . that is how i saw it to start and i liked it.
what i would really do is 8-7-1-2 9-4 or 4-9 . that is how i saw it to start and i liked it.
Maybe it's my inexperience, but I like going one rail along the break shot line better than going two rails across it, even if I have to take a longer trip. The alternative I like almost as much is using the 2 as the key to get on the 7 for a two-rail roll out of the top left corner semi-parallel to the break shot line.
pj <- don't know jack about straight pool
chgo
Patrick Johnson said:
Pat
The thing with these side pocket key balls, is that if you don't get perfect on them, you will get yourself in trouble. You never want to risk getting into trouble on your key ball, because you basically have no options left to get back in line.
That is why I used the 7 as a key ball in my earlier diagram. I had more options and as long as I fell on it (the 1 ball would also work extremely well) I would be okay.
scroll through these diagrams...
The 2 rail route off the 1 or the 7 is a basic key ball shot - I set up for it a lot when I see it, especially if I have two balls that are excellent break balls - I have more options - and I can find a good set up ball that will land me on either side of the triangle.
Here is a great example of having many options by leaving two break ball options and a good side pocket key ball/set up.
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I understand that; it's why I like going to one of the end rails from it rather than trying to stop or draw from it - you can do that from a comfortably big position zone.
I also like two-railers doubling the corner the break ball goes to (for a nice "parallel" position roll). Your example of saving two break balls to have more ways to do that is very instructive. Thanks.
pj
chgo