... And you have to miss the 5. But if I'm the other I could thin the 2 freezing you on the back rail.
Take the 3 foul for sure.
My first thought was same as Dennis. But as sjm points out it takes perfect speed to not leave a 2 ball cut. And you have to miss the 5. But if I'm the other I could thin the 2 freezing you on the back rail.
This is something I considered, too, and it's a tactically important point. Even if the four rail safe were executed to perfection, an intermediate or weak opponent might play safe off the two ball sending the two uptable and leaving the cue ball deep in the kitchen, and if they do so, you're not going to get the best of it very often.
Very nice observation here.
That’s a pickle,; this question is for 14-1Straightman. Why can you not see a use in taking another foul?