Shoot or duck?

[3RAILKICK]

I shoot it-because (1) I don't see a good safe/(2) I'm not gambling/(3) it's a fun shot(see-(2)).

CueTable Help

If YOU ARE GAMBLING-do you shoot it? or send it to the bottom rail?

Depend? on .....? What would the TAR commentators predict you would do hill-hill?

3railkick

since I'm not a 'player', I like wacky shots

 

[CharlesUFarley]

I always shoot that shot. My percentage is pretty good on that one.

 

[dardusm]

I've heard Nick Varner say if the shot/safety is 50/50 go for the shot! I would shoot it.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

I've heard Nick Varner say if the shot/safety is 50/50 go for the shot! I would shoot it.

In this case I think the shot is quite a bit higher percentage than the safety - it's a bread-and-butter shot for just about everybody I play (Bs). And shape is automatic.

pj
chgo

 

[swrooster]

Shoot it

In this case I think the shot is quite a bit higher percentage than the safety - it's a bread-and-butter shot for just about everybody I play (Bs). And shape is automatic.

pj
chgo

In addition if the 8 does not pocket, it will leave a difficult shot for your opponent make and get shape. This is a classic example of a two way shot, make it or safe it.

 

[Andrew Manning]

I shoot it-because (1) I don't see a good safe/(2) I'm not gambling/(3) it's a fun shot(see-(2)).

You could have stopped at (1). "I don't see a good safe" is always a good reason to shoot, especially when you're a big favorite to get out if it drops.

-Andrew

 

[Ponytail]

I'm not shooting the shot the way you have it, but I am shooting it.

It's getting cut down the rail, and letting the cue ball come back two side rails and shooting the 9 in the pocket that's at the bottom right.

That cut shot should not be a problem. It's less angle than a spot shot with the cue ball one diamond off the rail, on the head string.

 

[Celtic]

Well from that angle im not banking it at all im gonna fire it in the corner

Yeah looking at it few good players I know would shoot the showboat cross side shot if they were playing a serious set. The cut is fairly shootable on the diagram, most top players are expected to win from there with a fairly high percentage by simply making the cut down into the corner with low and abit of right and come across twice and play the 9 in the lower corner.

The shot for 99.96% of players in the world, namely those without the nickname of "banks", should shoot the cut.

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

Yeah looking at it few good players I know would shoot the showboat cross side shot if they were playing a serious set. The cut is fairly shootable on the diagram, most top players are expected to win from there with a fairly high percentage by simply making the cut down into the corner with low and abit of right and come across twice and play the 9 in the lower corner.

The shot for 99.96% of players in the world, namely those without the nickname of "banks", should shoot the cut.

Playing on a "regular" table, I'd likely cut it too.

Playing on a tight table with a deep shelf like a 9' Diamond Pro-Am, I'm likely banking it. The cut option when missed has "for sale" written all over it, much more so than a missed bank when you're confident you can bring the cue ball close to the end rail.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Well from that angle im not banking it at all im gonna fire it in the corner and get my shape from there its only about 25% better chance of making it in the corner which would be 75% chance of making it for those who thought it is a 50/50..and you dont have to have your cb travel too much

But you have to hit it lower and harder than the bank shot (and then cut the 9). The stroke is much easier for the bank shot - centerball, lag speed, piece o' cake.

Actually, I like both and will shoot the one that feels best at the time (i.e., the one I think will most impress the railbirds).

pj
chgo

 

[dabarbr]

Playing on a "regular" table, I'd likely cut it too.

Playing on a tight table with a deep shelf like a 9' Diamond Pro-Am, I'm likely banking it. The cut option when missed has "for sale" written all over it, much more so than a missed bank when you're confident you can bring the cue ball close to the end rail.

Matt, I think I also would select to cut it to the corner and bring the cue ball back to the nine using the two side rails.

But if I decided to bank the eight, I would use inside english (right english) to reverse off the short rail and back to the nine. Inside english lets the eight ball run naturally and the cue ball is coming back to the larger area for position on the nine.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

dabarbr:
I would use inside english (right english) to reverse off the short rail and back to the nine. Inside english lets the eight ball run naturally and the cue ball is coming back to the larger area for position on the nine.

You can do the same thing with outside english (going three rails rather than two) and a slightly different hit on the 8 ball.

pj
chgo

 

[dabarbr]

You can do the same thing with outside english (going three rails rather than two) and a slightly different hit on the 8 ball.

pj
chgo

I don't think the balls a lying for what you say. It looks like you would be striking the 1st rail past the side pocket at too steep of an angle to hit the third rail at a comfortable spot. To get on the good side of the nine ball where there is more area for position with outside english you would need to draw the cue ball to the short rail then come two rails around. The third rail would just be incidental but not actually needed.
Going three rails like you suggested with outside english would be taking you in the direction of the nine ball. Which would be a no no IMO.

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

Matt, I think I also would select to cut it to the corner and bring the cue ball back to the nine using the two side rails.

But if I decided to bank the eight, I would use inside english (right english) to reverse off the short rail and back to the nine. Inside english lets the eight ball run naturally and the cue ball is coming back to the larger area for position on the nine.

What you say makes absolute sense, assuming one is good with the difficult to apply thin cut with inside.

I'm working on my inside english as my semi-embarrassing thread - "deflection on hard inside" indicates!

Frank, you keep talking like that and I'll need the 6 and out.

 

[Tin Man]

bank it in

I set this up to see how it looked on the table.

The way it is diagrammed I bank it cross side with low left, drawing two cushions back up table. I should be able to curve a little going into the first end rail and shorten it up, cueball hits the third rail around the first or second diamond and comes to rest on the end rail by the 9 ball.

As pointed out, a miss doesn't guarantee a loss.

The cut looks tougher to me on most tables, plus you aren't assured of shape.

I would say that this bank is at least 75% even under pressure and alien table conditions, and I am not a super banker.