This really is a very playable break shot. As Steve has said,"Straight pool is an aggressive game." I end up with this shot I'd say maybe once in every 20 games and is usually due to either poor planning, execution or both. Although it looks tough it's not as difficult as it seems. Playing with straight follow and and a medium hard stroke usually does the trick for me. Playing safe is not recommended in my opinion because so many different variables could happen leading to your opponnent beating you to a shot. There is no feeling worse when you initiate a saftey sequence and end up giving up the table... well that and missing a break shot and smashing the rack wide open.
Funny story too... Not 2 days ago my opponent needed 23 balls to win and I needed 48; where I go to 150 and he goes to 75. Needless to say, he opted to play safe on this very shot and after a few safeties back and forth I find a shot and run the 48 to get out. He never got back to the table and told me he had no chance to win. I told him he did; he just didn't take it.
Funny story too... Not 2 days ago my opponent needed 23 balls to win and I needed 48; where I go to 150 and he goes to 75. Needless to say, he opted to play safe on this very shot and after a few safeties back and forth I find a shot and run the 48 to get out. He never got back to the table and told me he had no chance to win. I told him he did; he just didn't take it.