Simple situation and you must not dog it. How do you usually play it?

[cleary]

explain to me why on this specific shot, C is not a good option?

With C, it's all up to speed. If you're 8" short or 8" too long, you're looking at a much tougher 8ball.

With A, you can be 8" short or 8" too long and still have a great shot at the side pocket. When you cross the position line, especially closer to the object ball, your target area is small. But when you "come into the ball", you're target is huge and you always have a shot

 

[TSW]

With C, it's all up to speed. If you're 8" short or 8" too long, you're looking at a much tougher 8ball.

With A, you can be 8" short or 8" too long and still have a great shot at the side pocket. When you cross the position line, especially closer to the object ball, your target area is small. But when you "come into the ball", you're target is huge and you always have a shot

I can be 8" short on C and I'm still happy with that shot. Long, no.

The reason I shoot C is because I know I'm shooting at the 8 ball.

 

[cleary]

I can be 8" short on C and I'm still happy with that shot. Long, no.

The reason I shoot C is because I know I'm shooting at the 8 ball.

I understand that. But things happen under pressure. Not only could you hit it too long or two short, you could hit the wrong place on the cueball and end up freezing to the 8ball. It happens.

Just, from what I learn, coming into the line of the shot is nearly always the right shot. Doesn't mean you won't get out with C, but I don't think it's right.

 

[TSW]

I understand that. But things happen under pressure. Not only could you hit it too long or two short, you could hit the wrong place on the cueball and end up freezing to the 8ball. It happens.

Just, from what I learn, coming into the line of the shot is nearly always the right shot. Doesn't mean you won't get out with C, but I don't think it's right.

I agree that things happen under pressure. That's why I definitely don't want to be spinning the ball with inside.

 

[TX Poolnut]

I prefer route D. Hitting that extra rail always helps me to control the speed of the shot. Additionally, Stan Shuffet teaches to shoot my shot in this situation as well. The reason is because throwing the ball into the pocket in this way decreases the likelihood of a skid.

Yes. I think Archer calls it "helper english" in one of his videos. I go route D all day long too. Although at his level, choosing between A and D is probably more a matter of whether he wants to walk around the table for the 8-ball shot or not. :smile:

 

[pletho]

You should play C..... NOT with any extra top, or any side english.......... just a center ball - cut shot, the angle of the shot will make the cue ball come off in the right direction naturally without any help.

#1 The line of travel is closer to the object ball your intending to shoot, and even if you come up short or long, you will have a pretty easy shot. You will not be shooting off the rail.

Your margin for making a mistake and still getting a decent shot is the best out of all the options.

Remember, you said a C player.

A C player may not be that great a controlling multiple variables with accuracy.

The other options are great if your very good at cue ball control, but the simplist route is C, it's natural and give you 3 different pockets to shoot at.

#1 the target pocket, the side
#2 the far left corner up table, same side as the side pocket your trying to sink the ball into
#3 the corner pocket to the right of the main object ball your shooting at ( if your shot runs too long past the side pocket shot ).

There is no EGO in this shot, it's a simple straight cut shot, letting the rail do the work, while all your attention primarily goes into making the 3 ball. Of course you want to have your speed tuned down, but only secondary to making the shot.

As long as you hit this shot with accuracy, and just a smooth soft stroke you will get out, providing you make the final ball of course. Which you are setting yourself up to do by choosing the most simple and best route, route C.

 

[TX Poolnut]

I didn't expect the poll to be so divided. Great thread CreeDo!

 

[cleary]

You should play C.....

#1 The line of travel is closer to the object ball your intending to shoot, and even if you come up short or long, you will have a pretty easy shot. You will not be shooting off the rail.

If you over run C, you're gonna have a tough shot and may have to play it in the corner now.

 

[BelleBelle]

Option D all day without a doubt

 

[original palmer]

You should play C.....

#1 The line of travel is closer to the object ball your intending to shoot, and even if you come up short or long, you will have a pretty easy shot. You will not be shooting off the rail.

Your marging for making a mistake and still getting a decent shot is the best out of all the options.

My point exactly!:thumbup:

took the words out of my mouth

 

[pletho]

If you over run C, you're gonna have a tough shot and may have to play it in the corner now.

That's the point.

You're giving yourself options if you under or over shoot the ball.

The other routes make the under or over shots even harder angles.

Humbly, I am an A player, and would still shoot this ball with the C route mentioned in my post, not the C route mentioned in the POLL, which added two more variables that are not needed. Inside english and slight top english.

On a Diamond table shooting this as a C player your asking for trouble with that combination.

Cinching the first shot is the primary goal, and let the table do the rest to get in line for the 8 ball. Cinching it would be no english, center ball, soft stroke, let the rail and angle of approach create the right angle of attack.

If you could get on the A route without the english needed, that would be a better route but not for a C player in my opinion, because it possibly puts them on the rail, and makes for harder corner shot angles if you do not get in line with the side pocket. Remember again, the primary goal is not the 8 it's the 3, then the 8. The 8 will come naturally as a reward for making the 3 which you want to make with the easier shot.

 

[TSW]

On a Diamond table shooting this as a C player your asking for trouble with that combination.

I think the question is, how would YOU shoot this? Not how should a C player shoot this.

I'm also an A player and under these circumstances I play this with C, then D.

Under different circumstances I would favor D. For example, if I have to be straight on the 8 (say, for position on another ball), D makes that easier. Or if I'm unfamiliar with the speed of the table, I'd prefer to kill it with draw (D) than roll up with natural follow (C). However as posited, this is a shot for the match, so I'm assuming I'm already familiar enough with the table's speed that I'm comfortable with C.

 

[Neil]

I actually meant C or D. I understand your not crossing the line, and generally I would agree, however IMO on this shot adding more english increases the odds of a miss, I would make the ball the easiest way I could while staying closer to center cue ball..

I suggest some try D. You need very little english or draw. You need much less than using A. I think you will be surprised at how little you really need.

 

[TSW]

I suggest some try D. You need very little english or draw. You need much less than using A. I think you will be surprised at how little you really need.

I'd like to get on a table and try C vs D. Under extreme pressure, my default would be C. But I could be convinced to try D.

The people who are shooting A under extreme pressure.... why make things harder for yourself?

 

[Dunnn51]

I know this is so dead easy that every C player on earth should be out from here.
Say you're playing on a 10 footer, totally unfamiliar with the cloth, you're nervous, shaking hands,
it's for ALL THE MARBLES, etc. etc.

Oh yeah... does anyone play shape for the corners instead, on a big table?

OK CreeDo, ..... ya got me. I'll do "B" only because it'll give me better exposure to both the corner and the side pockets. If my aim is decent, (hope it is if i'm onna 10 footer), then I got 2 pockets of opportunity. :smile:

 

[cleary]

We can agree to disagree but it's a hanger going two rails A or D. I'm a C player and I'm out.

 

[pletho]

I think the question is, how would YOU shoot this? Not how should a C player shoot this.

I'm also an A player and under these circumstances I play this with C, then D.

Under different circumstances I would favor D. For example, if I have to be straight on the 8 (say, for position on another ball), D makes that easier. Or if I'm unfamiliar with the speed of the table, I'd prefer to kill it with draw (D) than roll up with natural follow (C). However as posited, this is a shot for the match, so I'm assuming I'm already familiar enough with the table's speed that I'm comfortable with C.

I personally would have no problem shooting it with any angle. I like D also, but I am looking at this from a C players point of view, not mine.

And looking at it from the most natural shot choice, with the least amount of variables to control.

I am not saying that I am an expert, but I have lots of experience, tried and true, and love side shots.

Lately I have been playing on bar boxes, because that's where all the action is, and I have had to change lots of thought processes. I like to ride the rails for shape, not to show off, but because the rails give you some of the most natural lines of approach, if you know the path to take and control the cue ball.

But bar tables have made me simplify my shot making routes to one rail routes with very micro english adjustments for tight cue ball control.

 

[TSW]

We can agree to disagree but it's a hanger going two rails A or D. I'm a C player and I'm out.

Sure, we should all be out from any of these routes. But next time you play me, I would be happiest if you shot A in this situation.

 

[pletho]

We can agree to disagree but it's a hanger going two rails A or D. I'm a C player and I'm out.

A C player in the Northeast, would more than likely be a average B player many other places in the country. So, your thought and choices make sense from that perspective.

 

[cleary]

Sure, we should all be out from any of these routes. But next time you play me, I would be happiest if you shot A in this situation.

lol I would be happiest too! I prefer winning.