What is the Catch in this spot

T

TheBook

Ret Professional Goof Off
Silver Member
A team mate last night was telling me about a propostion a well known local shortstop made to him.

A race to 10 in 9 ball for $200. He is given the break and the back rail on the 7, 8, and 9. The back rail will also be a scrach and BIH for the CB.

Many players have told him that it is a sucker bet but they won't say why. This player is a 6 in 8 ball in the APA.

Would you try it?

What is the catch?

Thanks
 
Hmmmm.......

TheBook said:
A team mate last night was telling me about a propostion a well known local shortstop made to him.

A race to 10 in 9 ball for $200. He is given the break and the back rail on the 7, 8, and 9. The back rail will also be a scrach and BIH for the CB.

Many players have told him that it is a sucker bet but they won't say why. This player is a 6 in 8 ball in the APA.

Would you try it?

What is the catch?


Thanks
Click to expand...
OK, think of how the balls break and your first shot on the 1 ball. How many times do you play shape off the back rail?
The smarter player will win this game.
I just noticed the back rail is only for 7-8-9. The shorstop is favorite on this one I beleive.
 
Last edited:
tucson9ball said:
OK, think of how the balls break and your first shot on the 1 ball. How many times do you play shape off the back rail?
The smarter player will win this game.
I just noticed the back rail is only for 7-8-9. The shorstop is favorite on this one I beleive.
Click to expand...
OP clearly states:
He is given the break and the back rail on the 7, 8, and 9. The back rail will also be a scrach and BIH for the CB.

SXounds like the back rail is a pocket for the one getting the spot, no?

Thats a lotta $ to be moving around on the break...
 
Black-Balled said:
OP clearly states:
He is given the break and the back rail on the 7, 8, and 9. The back rail will also be a scrach and BIH for the CB.

SXounds like the back rail is a pocket for the one getting the spot, no?

Thats a lotta $ to be moving around on the break...
Click to expand...


Correct. The back rail is the pocket for the player getting the spot.
 
tucson9ball said:
OK, think of how the balls break and your first shot on the 1 ball. How many times do you play shape off the back rail?
The smarter player will win this game.
I just noticed the back rail is only for 7-8-9. The shorstop is favorite on this one I beleive.
Click to expand...

Why do you believe this?

Why is it a sucker bet? Many players say it is but not why.
 
This is a designed bet.

First, he's giving up the breaks so he can control how the balls are racked. He definitely is pattern racking in such a way that will move the 7 and 8 away from the back rail.

Second, the back rail is utilized A LOT in 9-ball, especially if the balls are staying down table. You're going to end up scratching A LOT simply trying to run 3 or 4 balls.

Third, safety play will be much easier for him. Imagine losing AN ENTIRE RAIL when he safes you?

Fourth, his level of play. If he's a shortstop, he's probably running out every time he's left any reasonable opportunity.


There's a reasonable chance he's got a lot of experience with this game and you have none. You're best off asking for standard weight that's easier to adjust.
 
Neil said:
You have to remember this is 10 ball, not 9 ball. You are less likely to make a ball on the break. If you don't, rest assured that the first ball you shoot at will be on the bottom rail. Then, you are either just banging it off the rail, hoping to get a lucky leave, or you are going to scratch.
Click to expand...

first post says it's a race to ten in nine ball. help me out here. i've never heard of this spot. what does the back rail mean?
 
Jude Rosenstock said:
This is a designed bet....Third, safety play will be much easier for him. Imagine losing AN ENTIRE RAIL when he safes you?...
Click to expand...

He can play safe at any point by bunting a ball to the end rail. Often times, even w/ BIH, you won't have a good opportunity from there.
 
Variables......

TheBook said:
Why do you believe this?

Why is it a sucker bet? Many players say it is but not why.
Click to expand...
Couple details we need to know first. Do money balls count on the break? Usually they spot up, this is on opposite side of back rail.
Other question, does back rail apply on every shot for cue ball?
Answers on these 2 questions make "BIG" change to game.
 
Neil said:
You have to remember this is 10 ball, not 9 ball. You are less likely to make a ball on the break. If you don't, rest assured that the first ball you shoot at will be on the bottom rail. Then, you are either just banging it off the rail, hoping to get a lucky leave, or you are going to scratch.
Click to expand...

It is a race to 10 in 9 (nine) ball.
 
tucson9ball said:
Couple details we need to know first. Do money balls count on the break? Usually they spot up, this is on opposite side of back rail.
Other question, does back rail apply on every shot for cue ball?
Answers on these 2 questions make "BIG" change to game.
Click to expand...


From what I was told when ever the 7, 8, or 9 hits the back rail it is a win. Any time the CB hits the back rail it is a scratch. This is only for the player getting the spot. The other player plays according to reg 9 ball rules.
 
jrt30004 said:
i've never heard of this spot. what does the back rail mean?
Click to expand...


The back rail is the pocket. If one of those balls including the CB hits the back rail it is considered being pocketed.
 
Black-Balled said:
He can play safe at any point by bunting a ball to the end rail. Often times, even w/ BIH, you won't have a good opportunity from there.
Click to expand...

This is the key. Any time he wants to play safe, all he has to do is hit the low ball to drive it near the back rail, while leaving the CB on the opposite end of the table. If he does this, the only option the shooter has is to hit the low ball full enough to stop his ball or draw back. Very little chance of making a shot doing this, and even less chance of getting position. Unless the player getting the spot can break and run to the 7 consistently (without being able to use the end rail for position), the player giving the spot can't lose.

-Andrew
 
Andrew Manning said:
This is the key. Any time he wants to play safe, all he has to do is hit the low ball to drive it near the back rail, while leaving the CB on the opposite end of the table. If he does this, the only option the shooter has is to hit the low ball full enough to stop his ball or draw back. Very little chance of making a shot doing this, and even less chance of getting position. Unless the player getting the spot can break and run to the 7 consistently (without being able to use the end rail for position), the player giving the spot can't lose.

-Andrew
Click to expand...


All you have to do is make your first shot count. Sorta like one pocket, move as many money balls up the table as possible with that shot. You will foul, but your next shot will more than likely combo one of the money balls to the back rail. The guy won't like your strategy, and may even want to pull up after 1 game. Such is the case with these games. As soon as you turn the tables, they are gone!
 
#1) for a guy to even offer this spot he must be saying it to a much worse opponent.
#2) shorstop speed= good odds of running out from any table
#3) back rail is scratch for opponent but not for shortstop= huge advantage for shortstop
#4) opponent probably does not know strategy to win this game
I have to lean toward the shorstop mopping the floor with this guy.
 
TheBook said:
The back rail is the pocket. If one of those balls including the CB hits the back rail it is considered being pocketed.
Click to expand...
gotcha:wink: sounds like a sucker bet to me. if the guy giving the spot has chops all he has to do is play to leave the ob on the rail once or twice and he's getting ball in hand a lot. on the other hand if you got some decent stroke you do have a few more options to to kiss, carom, and combo the 7,8, or 9 to the back rail.
 
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