Shot Selection

[BeiberLvr]

Here's a screen cap from a situation I faced in practice yesterday. I saw two possible options, and the one I tried seemed like the most reasonable, but I screwed up. So now I'm second guessing myself, and wanted to see what more established players think.

This was in the 2nd rack.

As far as I can tell my two options are

1. Cut the 14 down the rail, and the CB will naturally come back into the stack. The 14 is about half a chalk's width from the rail. So it's a tough shot, but not impossible.

2. Kick up table and hit the 11. It wasn't frozen to the 9, but it looked like it was pretty dead to hit the 15 and make it in the corner.

So if I see both shots as equal in terms of difficulty, is one truly better than the other?

 

[Marop]

14 ball, I would not even consider the kick shot...

-Bill

 

[rikdee]

If during a game of any importance, neither shot has a make percentage sufficient to justify the risk of shooting. Option three is a well executed safety. However, if just practicing, fire at either.

 

[Dan White]

If I had to shoot one or the other, 14 ball definitely. Safety is the smart shot, but what size table is that? It looks tiny, but maybe just from the angle. On a small table the 14 probably is a decent percentage shot.

 

[zeronine]

Not an established player but here's my 2c

i'd go with the 14. I figure the CB is closer to the 14 so even though it's a tight shot, the short distance makes it makeable in my mind. Could hit it with a good bit of force, and only some of that force would go onto the 14 with such a thin cut, then the CB would whip back into the pack.

The bank onto the 11 seems like even if it was successful, i might just end up nestled against the 11 or the rest of the pack with the 15 pocketed and the 9 drifted down were the 15 was. I personally wouldnt feel confident banking that distance at speed to break up the pack more after hitting the 11, plus you say they're not frozen so it would need a fairly accurate middle ball hit to make the shot.

So given two difficult shots, i'd go for the one which i think would split the pack and continue the run better. So the 14.

I suppose if you could put left english on the CB, you might be able to play the 14 more slowly, drift the CB across the top of the pack and off the opp rail, and then smash the 11/pack for the next shot. Hard to see if that's possible from the pic tho.

 

[Pidge]

The kick would never enter my mind unless the 14 wasn't there. Its the kind of your you choose in a last gasp effort to continue towards a high run. The 14 is a decent option, and its a bonus that you go into the pack. Practice, id take the 14 ball on 100% of the time.

In a match? I'd be looking to cross bank the 14 in the side and send the white onto the top rail. I'm unsure of the angle but I'd play it pocket speed, then if it hits the point it leaves a tough shot for the next guy with no real path into the pack. I'd be more concentrated on getting a good cue ball. Then if I made it the 3 ball plant becomes more appealing and higher percentage.

That being said, if it actually was in a match and a mistake means me sat down for a long time id play safe. Bank the 14 up table, and try to either hide below the pack or nestle into it.

 

[Dan Harriman]

Here's a screen cap from a situation I faced in practice yesterday. I saw two possible options, and the one I tried seemed like the most reasonable, but I screwed up. So now I'm second guessing myself, and wanted to see what more established players think.

This was in the 2nd rack.

As far as I can tell my two options are

1. Cut the 14 down the rail, and the CB will naturally come back into the stack. The 14 is about half a chalk's width from the rail. So it's a tough shot, but not impossible.

2. Kick up table and hit the 11. It wasn't frozen to the 9, but it looked like it was pretty dead to hit the 15 and make it in the corner.

So if I see both shots as equal in terms of difficulty, is one truly better than the other?

would not let me see your screen cap, I had an expert try to look it up and he's scratching his head also. Sorry I would have liked to see it but 'they' won't let me.

 

[BeiberLvr]

would not let me see your screen cap, I had an expert try to look it up and he's scratching his head also. Sorry I would have liked to see it but 'they' won't let me.

I use vvcap, and there seems to be an issue with the server.

Hopefully it will either come back up, or I can take another screen cap later on.

 

[sfleinen]

If I had to shoot one or the other, 14 ball definitely. Safety is the smart shot, but what size table is that? It looks tiny, but maybe just from the angle. On a small table the 14 probably is a decent percentage shot.

Agreed. The table looks like a barbox, and if it is, I'm going at that 14 with vigor.

-Sean

 

[Pushout]

Agreed. The table looks like a barbox, and if it is, I'm going at that 14 with vigor.

-Sean

Agreed. I've been shooting a lot of these lately and they're becoming second nature. I play on a 4x8 Olhausen.
I've been experimenting on what to put on the cue ball to go into the rack and am not decided just what I would do yet.
Working on it

 

[michael4]

14 for sure.

(also, 15 doesnt look like it goes, in the pic anyway)