What would you do with this 9-ball ball layout?
- Thread starter dr_dave
- Start date
If I were in "safety mode" that night, I think I would lob the 1-ball softly into the 3-4 and use top on CB to position the 7-9 in the way of hitting 1 on the opponent's shot.
If I were in "Efren Mode" that night, I would follow StraightPool_99 plan.
If I were in "Efren Mode" that night, I would follow StraightPool_99 plan.
The problem I see with that is with both balls on the rail the kick is pretty simple. I saw an excellent video on the internet by a guy named Bob Jewett regarding something called the plus two system.
The angle for breaking the cluster and getting by a stun kind of shot behind the 2 is actually there, considering that the 1 has to hit the long cushion first before contacting the 3.
In case the safety is not perfectly achieved there is still a chance of leaving quite a mess for the opponent since the 1 after the 3 should travel towards the 7.
Speed is essential, not an easy shot but worth trying in case one doesn't feel going for breaking the cluster after the 2, the offensive option.
The behind the 2 safety is quite stronger than safety behind the 8 (second best defensive option), giving more chances for breaking the cluster efficiently while resulting most likely in banking "away" from the 1 for re-safe.
In case the safety is not perfectly achieved there is still a chance of leaving quite a mess for the opponent since the 1 after the 3 should travel towards the 7.
Speed is essential, not an easy shot but worth trying in case one doesn't feel going for breaking the cluster after the 2, the offensive option.
The behind the 2 safety is quite stronger than safety behind the 8 (second best defensive option), giving more chances for breaking the cluster efficiently while resulting most likely in banking "away" from the 1 for re-safe.
I think a lot depends on the level of the players. If both players are, say, APA 5s, neither can really expect to run the table with that cluster present. If it goes into a safety battle, it's likely a toss up as to who will get the first shot. In that kind of situation, the value of an early nine increases. There is also the psychological effect on the opponent of seeing the money moving.
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If you hold up a piece of paper to the screen with the edge through the centers of the CB and 1, it looks pretty straight into the right side of the pocket. I think you need to cut the 1 a hair to the left to pocket the ball.
Here it is again:
Does that change your vote?
Regards,
Dave
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I might try and play the one ball towards the side but not in and try and put the cue ball on the 5 ball, bottom rail. Tough to tell when not at the table but looks like an option to me.
That option hasn't been mentioned yet. That seems reasonably safe, with a chance to get a break out shot from the side pocket. And if you miss, you aren't selling out.
Good one,
Dave
Hard to tell without being behind the cue ball but it looks like hit the 1 with draw pull cue ball near right corner pocket. 1 ball, rail 1st into the 3 breaking them (lightly) 1 goes toward 5 giving at best long hard cut or maybe hung behind 7 & 9. May be able to slide the cue behind the 2?
Set it up on my table 1st try,hid the CB behind the 2, broke the 3,4 up rolled across and as my luck would go 5 ball fell! LOL
Set it up on my table 1st try,hid the CB behind the 2, broke the 3,4 up rolled across and as my luck would go 5 ball fell! LOL
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As much commentating I do, I can tell you that this is why it's near impossible to say what you'll do based on a snapshot. I'm forever trying to see every angle in the real world, and that's tough enough.
That being said, I can't imagine why I wouldn't pocket the one ball, pocket the 2-ball, and try to play safe on 3-ball. If the angle is there for the left side pocke as we view it, then that's where I'd play the 1-ball. If it's not there (and having to tell us that the angle is not there highlights the difficulty of using a snapshot), then up table it goes.
Freddie
That being said, I can't imagine why I wouldn't pocket the one ball, pocket the 2-ball, and try to play safe on 3-ball. If the angle is there for the left side pocke as we view it, then that's where I'd play the 1-ball. If it's not there (and having to tell us that the angle is not there highlights the difficulty of using a snapshot), then up table it goes.
Freddie
For the "What would you do here?" shot layout shown at the 1:59 point in the following video, what would you do?
1.) Pocket the 1 in the side and get long-side shape on the 2.
2.) Pocket the 1 in the corner and draw back for short-side shape on the 2.
3.) Pocket the 1 in the corner and and play for a bank shot at the 2.
4.) Hit the 1 into the 3-4 cluster to break it up, and hide the CB behind the 2.
5.) Hit the 1 down table, and hide the CB behind the 8.
6.) Hit the 1 into the 9, attempting to pocket the 1-9 combo for the win and/or kiss the 1-ball into the corner, while keeping the CB up table for a shot at the 2.
7.) Something else (if so, please describe your option).
Please pause the video and come up with your answer before you look at the shot in the video. I look forward to seeing what most people would do in this situation. Obviously, the right choice will depend on the person and the opponent, but try to answer for yourself playing an opponent of equal ability.
For convenience, here's an image showing the shot layout in the video:
Thanks,
Dave
These are great puzzles and can really tell you a lot about what level people play at in my opinion.
I would consider option #4 if the angle let me feel really comfortable getting behind the 2.
I would also consider #7.... If this was a hill/hill match etc... I would probably clip the 1 toward the 8 and put the cue ball close to the 5 on the bottom rail.
I would also consider #7.... shooting the 1 into the 3 (If I thought I could hit it flush in stick it there bringing the cue ball down behind the 9 (and the other ball).. if I hit it flush I'm almost assured to shoot again... even if I don't get behind the cluster.
There's only one shot. It's fairly easy to execute seeing it's just a pure speed control shot. Cue it high about 11:50 and roll forward....with the resulting cut angle a natural to draw back and open up the 3. And if ya hit the break out a little short and miss the 3, you've got a close up look at a 3 ball bank safe. Hard to lose table control if ya get right on your 2 ball shape to the 3.
If you hold up a piece of paper to the screen with the edge through the centers of the CB and 1, it looks pretty straight into the right side of the pocket. I think you need to cut the 1 a hair to the left to pocket the ball.
Here it is again:
Does that change your vote?
Regards,
Dave
I never voted, but this image of the layout changes everything. I previously thought the 9 and 7 ball were all but frozen, but they're not. Throw the 1 ball into the corner pocket with high inside and your automatically going into the 3 and 4 ball. Your also almost gaurenteed a shot on the 2 ball this way. I would vote to runout since the 7 and 9 ball aren't frozen. If they were, I'd still play the safety and try to mentally break down my opponent. My runout. https://youtu.be/c614aFis_gs
Thank you for posting another video. That break out and shape on the 2 worked out nicely.
I just got done filming a bunch of video of all of the options discussed so far in addition to some not discussed yet. I'm about to start editing the video now and I'll post something tonight or tomorrow. I'll post a link here when it is available.
Catch you later,
Dave
To those of you taking this game seriously even tho this was the outcome by going forward, his route is the lower percentage run out breakout shot pattern, shooter has much less cue ball control while the breakout 3 is going to the foot rail and a tough thin cut to the corner will be next up with lots of draw.
Nice dose of reality. If that's the angle, IMO, there's no reason not to shoot it that way. This game is tough enough. Not going for the runout when there's something available doesn't seem to ever win tournaments.
Freddie