This is one possible scenarios of using CueTable in a blog...
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Recently I have received a question from Gail of NYC:
"How should I play this. I'm a C player.
This shot came up in a league match and it was hill-hill. I'm a C player from NYC.
The cut on the 6 ball is very very thin, but it is possible. How should I play this and what are my various options both offensive and defensive?
I ended up under cutting the ball and left an open shot on the 6."
Here is Mike's answere:
GG11, after taking a look at this layout and setting it up on my home table, I've listed some of the options available to you in this situation, both offensive and defensive. I would like to note, however, that (assuming this layout is accurate) the cut on the 6-Ball isn't extremely thin, but it's certainly not a hanger, especially while on the hill. In other words, as a C player, this a reasonable shot for you to attempt. If you feel it's out of your skill level, I would suggest taking some lessons with a certified instructor in your area to see if they can help you with shots such as these, which require good mechanics.
I played this layout against a friend of mine with each of these options to see how successful each of them was, and I found the most success (clearances) with the inside english route. I attempted to get an angle on the 7-ball, but ended up straight in most of the time, which is fine, since you need to get back for the 8-9 carom later in the rack, which is easy to do by simply drawing back off the 7-Ball. If you don't end up straight in on the 7-Ball, adjust your position route accordingly to get toward the center of the table to play the 8-9 carom.
Page One: This shot is played with just less than a tip of outside english. Some players prefer to cut balls in by "throwing" them in this way. Many times I ended up straight in on the 7-Ball, which isn't a bad thing in this particular layout. The outside english prevents the scratch in the lower left corner.
Page Two: This shot is played with a half-tip or so of inside english, and I found it to be higher percentage, though this may differ for other players.
Page Three: This is a defensive shot, using the 7-Ball as a blocker, you can try to reposition the 6-Ball and cue-ball on either side. This can be a touchy shot, but it's relatively low risk. I played it with a smidge of inside english to slow the cue ball down, and about a half ball hit. Your opponent will more than likely have an easy kick shot for the hit.
Page Four: Reposition the 6-Ball and Cue-Ball the same way as before by kicking behind the 6-Ball with a bit of right english. In this particular layout, this shot is difficult to execute consistently, and it essentially leaves a "free" one rail kick for your opponent.
Page 5 - 7: This is all the shots from option one: Run-Out with inside english.
As you can see, the defensive measures have more cons than pros, typically leaving your opponent a free one rail kick and no distance between the 6-Ball and Cue-Ball. Shooting out is the right play in my opinion. I hope some of this information was helpful.
