One of the old, standard rules that we follow when deciding how to play
position is to look for the least complicated path to the next shot. In other
words, keep it simple; don't choose three-rail paths when two will suffice, or
two-rail routes when one will do, and so on. Overall it's a good rule and one we
see illustrated in the game's apparent simplicity when we watch great players,
especially great straight-pool players, who run through racks moving the cue
ball short distances for one easy shot after another. However, as with all of
the many catch phrases that we hear, it applies best as a general rule of thumb,
and cannot address every possibility in a game so complex as pool. When we
examine certain shots, we learn that in many cases, the simplest choice may not
be the most natural path for position.
Looking at shot A in the diagram we see a very common sequence that requires
pocketing the 8 ball in the lower-left corner and coming out from the bottom
rail for position on the 9 ball into the same pocket. If we followed the
simplicity rule we would move the cue ball directly off the bottom rail to
position on the next shot and the game winner. However, that choice has a couple
inherent problems. One is that we do not want to move out on a path too close to
the 9 ball, which would present harsh speed demands. So we must move the cue
ball away from the 9 ball toward the side rail, a shot that, despite its
apparent simplicity, also requires precise touch for good position. The biggest
problem, since the cue ball is moving toward the side rail, is that it's very
easy to hit it a little too hard and leave the cue ball frozen to the side rail
for a difficult shot on the 9 ball.
My rule of thumb for shots like this is, if the cue ball is moving toward a
rail, the best choice is to bump that rail and bounce off of it. Too often we
allow the cue ball to drift toward a rail and, because of a bit too much speed,
cause it to land on the rail. It's much better on shots where the cue ball is
moving toward a rail to add enough speed to hit that rail and rebound away from
it. So in this case, the experienced player will play the two-rail shape shown
with the dotted lines. It's a more natural path with a wider margin for error.
Use a below-center hit with a touch of left-hand english and a slightly firm
stun stroke. An 8 ball that lies past the nine, near the X for example, might
offer simple one-rail position with straight follow for a shot on the 9 ball
into the lower-right corner. However, when the angle looks a little too straight
for that type of position, the better choice is usually follow with right-hand
english to move the cue ball two rails for the shot on the 9 ball in the
lower-right corner.
Looking at shot B we see another common position shot, pocketing the striped
ball on the left, side rail and moving across the table to the striped ball on
the right side rail for a similar angle to move the cue ball away from that
rail. Again the simpler path would be one rail to the desired spot for position.
However, we encounter the same problem we saw with the first shot regarding the
cue ball's movement toward a rail. Experienced players tend to play this shot
two rails to avoid landing on that second rail and winding up straight in on the
next shot. A big danger on this shot with either choice is the possible scratch
in the side pocket. The scratch will occur more often when we attempt to play
position without hitting the second rail since we must move the cue ball on a
wider track from the first rail to land far enough away from the second ball. In
the two-rail scenario, the cue ball keeps moving away from the next ball after
bouncing off of the second rail. The best way to avoid the side-pocket scratch
is to play the shot with a straight, below-center hit, ignoring the temptation
to apply some left-hand english.
A game so varied as pool logically comes with a lot of guidelines to help us
stay directed. But because of its complexity we must be careful not to buy into
clichés as hard and fast rules. While the common rules work to keep us on
course much of the time, we should not lose sight of the value in veering from
them when it feels more natural to solve the problem at hand with a little
disobedience.
