Taking the Easy Way Out

by Grady Mathews

The most effective way to win a game of o­ne-pocket is to keep your shots simple.  Most players fall into the trap of trying what they think everybody else says is the right shot.  Inevitably, the player rarely experiences success and thus squanders many chances at victory by trying to play a complicated textbook move. Here are some easy and more effective “stop shots” that I think will improve your winning percentage.

Example 1:
I need all three balls, and my pocket is “B.”  I have a terrific offensive shot here.  The correct play is the cut the 1 ball a little to the shooter’s left.  This accomplishes two things:
1.  The 1 ball goes in the side pocket and will be spotted, unless the 11 ball goes in my pocket.
2.  The 11 ball banks towards my pocket. 
Lastly, I want to stop the cue ball and leave it right behind the 6 ball.  If I’m more than approximately 2 1/2 feet from the 1 ball o­n a shot like this, I won’t attempt it, because it’s too difficult to stop the cue ball.

Example 2:
Again, I need all of the balls.  The 13 ball goes for me, but I don’t think that is the right shot.  The cue ball is frozen o­n the rail, and even if I were to pocket the 13 ball, I’m not assured of getting position o­n the 6 ball.  In fact, if I try to get o­n the 6 ball, there’s a good chance that I’ll leave my opponent straight in o­n the 1 ball.

A much better shot is to hit the 6 ball into the left side of the 1 ball with medium speed.  Both balls will go towards my pocket.  I want the cue ball behind the 13 ball around Point “X.”  If I’m too far away from the object ball, I’ll find a different shot.

Example 3:
I need three balls, and my opponent needs four.  I can’t use the 11 ball or the 5 ball, and the 1 ball blocks the 9 ball from going in my pocket.

The correct play here, even though the 7 ball is about 2 feet from the pocket, is to go ahead and give my opponent the 7 ball.  I’ll stop the cue ball and leave it behind the 3 ball, pretty much locking my opponent up.  What I like the most about these types of shots is that they are free, effective, and easy.

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