Strategy break shot question

[BigDeal52]

Let's say the 15th ball is in the kitchen (very close to a corner pocket, a real duck) and the cue all is in the rack. So the cue ball goes on the head spot. The obvious thing to do would pocket the ball and try and go into the other balls to break them up. As we all know when the object ball is near the pocket it is sometimes difficult to control exactly where the cue ball might go. So what might be an alternate strategy?

I was thinking about intentionally scratching the cue ball. Kind of a crazy idea right? But what might happen next. I think some players might try to the corner ball go into the rail and snug it up on the bottom of the rack. Chances are the corner ball will be pulled down a bit and so you would come to the table with a fairly easy stop shot safety on the dislodged corner ball. In a perfect world you will put the corner ball close to the other corner pocket in the kitchen. Now your opponent is in a tough spot where if he makes any sort of mistake on his safety you have a duck in one of those two corners.

I know this could easily backfire on you but thought it was an interesting idea an am interested what you masters of the green cloth and long sticks might come up with.

 

[sparkle84]

In the situation you're describing many times the best option would be to pocket the ball by going rail 1st. This allows you to maintain a lot of speed going towards the rack. Of course you're correct about the difficulty of judging CB direction here and a big problem is a scratch off the rack is a very real possibility.
The score of the game would also play a big factor in the decision here. If you don't have to worry about losing the game then most players will probably attempt to break the rack. If you wish to take the safe or conservative route then pocket the ball and call safe, leaving the CB up by the top rail. The pressure is now on your opponent.
Purposely scratching accomplishes nothing except to give your opponent a big advantage.

 

[BigDeal52]

I know you are right but if you have a good idea what your opponent is going to do it might not be that bad of an idea. After all, 14.1 is one part pool, one part chess and one part psychology.

 

[michael4]

I know you are right but if you have a good idea what your opponent is going to do it might not be that bad of an idea.

maybe...............but I have learned from playing many sports, is that you are wise to always anticipate your opponent will make the best play available to them......

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

I see no reason to take an intentional scratch in this situation. It leaves you on one to what end? The better play, if you're inclined to go that route, is to call a safety, pocket the ball, and leave your opponent up table on the head rail, preferable in the middle of the rail.

 

[NYC cue dude]

No scratch

I see no reason to take an intentional scratch in this situation. It leaves you on one to what end? The better play, if you're inclined to go that route, is to call a safety, pocket the ball, and leave your opponent up table on the head rail, preferable in the middle of the rail.

There is nothing to be gained by scratching, even if your opponent is on 1 or 2 fouled already. Ball in hand behind the string with a full rack is an easy behind the stack safety that will leave you at a disadvantage, ALWAYS.

The correct move, if you are unsure about hitting the stack, is to call safe before shooting, if you can leave the cue ball center table up near the head rail. It makes the 1 rail behind the stack safety much more difficult. Don't assume your opponent plays banger level speed in 14.1

 

[alstl]

Let's say the 15th ball is in the kitchen (very close to a corner pocket, a real duck) and the cue all is in the rack. So the cue ball goes on the head spot. The obvious thing to do would pocket the ball and try and go into the other balls to break them up. As we all know when the object ball is near the pocket it is sometimes difficult to control exactly where the cue ball might go. So what might be an alternate strategy?

I was thinking about intentionally scratching the cue ball. Kind of a crazy idea right? But what might happen next. I think some players might try to the corner ball go into the rail and snug it up on the bottom of the rack. Chances are the corner ball will be pulled down a bit and so you would come to the table with a fairly easy stop shot safety on the dislodged corner ball. In a perfect world you will put the corner ball close to the other corner pocket in the kitchen. Now your opponent is in a tough spot where if he makes any sort of mistake on his safety you have a duck in one of those two corners.

I know this could easily backfire on you but thought it was an interesting idea an am interested what you masters of the green cloth and long sticks might come up with.

It's almost guaranteed to backfire if your opponent is a strong player.



1. A strong player more often that not will pocket the ball near the corner pocket and send the cue ball into the rack.

2. If for some reason the object ball is in a position where it is impossible to get into the rack with the cue ball, pocket the ball and call safe. Taking a deliberate scratch in that situation and giving your opponent the advantage in foul sequence will eventually lead to you shooting a break shot.

 

[LightsOut]

I have two thoughts on this one. Set up the shot you are talking about and shoot it over and over again until you can hit the rack well 10 times in a row. Practice makes perfect and one must devote time to practicing things to develop the awareness and technique to get consistent results to play at a high level.

If this is not a great solution for your question, the other alternative would be to pocket the ball and call safe, leaving your opponent on the 'Brunswick' frozen to the rail. A less experienced player will often roll into the top ball (the one you pocketed of course) and sell out. Or they take the right shot and go two rails into the back of the rack which will most likely result in them being on a foul first. Commence safety battle...those are my thoughts anyway, for what it's worth.

 

[BigDeal52]

I think the safety shot is obviously the best solution. The two rail into the back of the pack shot made me think how difficult of a shot that is. I usually try to hit it hard enough to drive a ball to the rail but have a difficult time doing that and sticking the cue ball in the back of the rack in a safe spot. It is a very difficult shot for me. I usually sell out more often then not.

Danny, if you see this please do not pass this information on to others in our league. LOL

 

[FranCrimi]

Let's say the 15th ball is in the kitchen (very close to a corner pocket, a real duck) and the cue all is in the rack. So the cue ball goes on the head spot. The obvious thing to do would pocket the ball and try and go into the other balls to break them up. As we all know when the object ball is near the pocket it is sometimes difficult to control exactly where the cue ball might go. So what might be an alternate strategy?

I was thinking about intentionally scratching the cue ball. Kind of a crazy idea right? But what might happen next. I think some players might try to the corner ball go into the rail and snug it up on the bottom of the rack. Chances are the corner ball will be pulled down a bit and so you would come to the table with a fairly easy stop shot safety on the dislodged corner ball. In a perfect world you will put the corner ball close to the other corner pocket in the kitchen. Now your opponent is in a tough spot where if he makes any sort of mistake on his safety you have a duck in one of those two corners.

I know this could easily backfire on you but thought it was an interesting idea an am interested what you masters of the green cloth and long sticks might come up with.

I wouldn't do that. I was taught never to take the first foul unless you are absolutely stuck. If you really feel uncomfortable going for the break shot, then call a safety, pocket the ball and leave the cb on the head rail, as close to the middle as you can. Your opponent may have to take an intentional foul just to shoot the 2-rail shot to get the cb to land softy behind the pack --- if they know the game, that's the move. That puts you in the driver's seat with your opponent on the first foul.

 

[BigDeal52]

Fran,

I know you are right. I just had this crazy idea in my head and wanted to throw it out there. Sometimes it is good to think out of the box; you never know where it might lead you. But I do appreciate your response. Thanks.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

It's really simple. Fouling first is always a scenario you'd like to avoid. In 14.1, there are times when this is the appropriate play but the scenario you describe is not one of those.

If I didn't feel comfortable about going into the stack on this shot, I would call safe and pocket the hanger, leaving my opponent right on the head rail. If I can leave that cueball frozen to the center, I could be playing ANYBODY IN THE WORLD and feel confident that I'll get the first open shot.


Being first to intentionally foul in 14.1 is always a risky move. It's a move you only want to take when you're FORCED to do it. These scenarios should be limited to when there is no legal shot or safety available and, for weaker players, when a loss of game is likely to occur after a legal shot.

 

[sjm]

My opinion is that if you know the moves, you should always try to hit the stack in this situation. The key point here is that even if you miss the stack, you could end up with a decent look at a safety and your worst case scenario is having to take a scratch. Even scratching the cue ball into a pocket does little damage. The downside here is minimal.

Second best strategy is to play shape for the second ball safety from the front of the rack, which will give you a lead in the ensuing safety battle. This approach is certainly reasonable. Again, the downside is minimal, for the same reasons already noted.

The only exception would be when the object ball is very deep in the pocket. In that case, tap it in (or hit a stop shot) and call safe.