The Perfect End Pattern

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CueAndMe

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've been thinking about how to define the perfect end pattern. Is it necessarily the one that allows you to stop shot to perfect position for a break ball? Is it necessarily the easiest 3 or 4 ball sequence that you can play with no other balls present?
I don't believe so. I think more has to be taken into consideration.

In my opinion, the perfect end pattern has 3 assets:

1) It plays well with others. It allows all other balls to pass to pockets and stays out of the cue ball's way.
2) It's easy to fall on after all other balls are pocketed. Worth considering may be the location of the majority of balls to be pocketed. From that location, is the first ball in the end pattern easily accessible?
3) It's easy enough to play. It doesn't have to have perfect stop shots. It just has to be something you're capable of playing.

This perfect end pattern has to be a chameleon. It has to change from rack to rack depending upon the layout. If a stop shot pattern is available but blocks paths or has no easy setup route, it may be worth looking elsewhere for it's uglier but more amenable cousin.
 
For me, ideally I like an end pattern that leads me to a stop shot in the key ball. If that isn't an option, I like #3.
 
Blackjack said:
For me, ideally I like an end pattern that leads me to a stop shot in the key ball.
Click to expand...

I think everyone wants stop shots. But look at the end patterns of the big runs I posted. They didn't happen as often as they may have wanted them to happen.
And when they do show up, although that stop shot key ball rarely gets in the way of other balls, the ideal setup ball for that key ball, if there is one, can often get in the way of other balls, especially if it's near the other side pocket and slightly down table --- another good reason not to ignore uptable balls for end patterns. A slight uptable tilt of that stop shot end pattern is almost always completely out of the way of other balls.
 
Also, what about a situation like this? You have a perfect stop shot pattern, but the 13-ball screws it up. This time the pattern doesn't play well with others. Before the last few balls, you'll probably have wanted to use the 2 to get to the 13. Or choose the 13 as the key ball.

CueTable Help

 
What I have found with the stop shot in the side, is that you need to set up for it perfectly - if you don't - and you end up a half an inch to the left or right, it will change your plans considerably. Usually you'll miss position on that ball because you missed position on the set up ball - or you lost control of whitey somewhere in the run - you're only paying for it on the key ball. LOL... happens to everybody.

Here is a little end sequence that I like to use to avoid those situations.

I just leave 2 key ball options for the end - and play center table position.

This way, I have that side pocket shot available as a set up shot to get the stop shot on the key ball, this time in the corner.

CueTable Help



You always here players say that it's good to have more than one break ball option - here is where having two workable key balls helps you out too.

Great topic! Keep them coming!

(wow - I posted this without reading the post directly above this one -pretty spooky - but this answers that question)
 
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That seems to be a real winner. I believe Mizerak kept choosing that one. I'll have to go back and look. It stays well out of the way and is simple, even if you don't have the stop shot on the key ball and have to play it off of the rail.
 
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