Problem of the week 35 - Pool, Snooker, and Billiards -- Two Plus Two Poker Forums

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Problem of the week 35

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04-19-2011 , 12:24 PM

dinopoker

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 9,437

So here's another problem from the great game of one pocket...

The proposition here is fairly simple; the score is 7-7 and your opponent has hung the final ball up in his hole, and at the same time left you stuck in the jaws of the upper corner pocket, completely snookering you from being able to hit it.

Is there a shot out there? What would you do?

04-19-2011 , 11:30 PM

llDayo

grinder

Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 461

Besides turning off the lights and "accidentally" bumping the table I can only see one shot. Hit solid left on the cue ball between the top middle pocket and first dot to the right. If done at the right speed it will hit the left rail second, run into the two and sit behind it.

04-19-2011 , 11:43 PM

Frank the Tank

old hand

Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,458

Seems like desperation time again. Two rail kick to get the 2 ball out. Give it a touch of left english, off the top rail, off the left side rail as close to the jaw as possible, hit the 2 ball. Don't hit it so fast the 2 ball flies everywhere cuz you're liable to scratch but definitely hard enough to move the 2 ball up table. If we're lucky, we snooker villain on the jaw this time.

04-19-2011 , 11:55 PM

Benjamaniac

newbie

Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 30

pay the man

04-20-2011 , 04:26 AM

Cueball

grinder

Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 467

I remember a post on another forum about this shot and IIRC it caused a bit of a split among the members.

I believe the correct shot is to tap the cueball gently against the cushion taking a deliberate foul and leaving your opponent in the same spot. This way you've forced him to attempt a kick or take a foul himself, thereby taking himself off the hill.

04-20-2011 , 06:36 AM

Wamy Einehouse

rack 'em

Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4,653

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cueball

Yeah this was my first instinct on this shot. Unless your opponent is pro speed this is most likely highest EV shot.

Last edited by Wamy Einehouse; 04-20-2011 at 06:43 AM.

04-20-2011 , 12:31 PM

llDayo

grinder

Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 461

In one pocket you can just tap the cueball without touching an object ball and then a rail? If that's the case then I agree with Cueball's idea.

04-20-2011 , 04:19 PM

Cueball

grinder

Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 467

Quote:

Originally Posted by llDayo

In one pocket you can just tap the cueball without touching an object ball and then a rail? If that's the case then I agree with Cueball's idea.

Well in order to make a legal shot then you have to hit an object ball and a rail after contact but my shot is taking a deliberate foul which costs a ball(that is spotted).

04-20-2011 , 10:30 PM

Frank the Tank

old hand

Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,458

Wouldn't that deliberate foul just force a stalemate if villain decides to take the same deliberate foul? It'll just be re-racked and you have to play all over again which I guess could be demoralizing for villain.

04-21-2011 , 02:39 PM

#10

Cueball

grinder

Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 467

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank the Tank

No stalemates in 1 pocket, as soon as your opponent takes a foul then you're not in nearly as much trouble and can play the cueball out of the corner pocket. The key part is to take him off the hill and leave him needing 2 balls because the hanger in the corner isn't as big an issue.

04-24-2011 , 11:12 AM

#11

dinopoker

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 9,437

Okay so here is the solution to this week's problem...

Spoiler:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cueball

This is the correct shot. By just taking a foul we get a ball on the spot and thus force our opponent to take an intentional foul himself, thus creating this situation.

And now you can kick at the two with a little bit of insurance. You may still miss and leave him a shot, but at least he has to do a little something to win the game. Play to hit just above the side pocket and use about a 1/4 tip of running english, and that should be the path to kick in the two.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wamy Einehouse

Yeah this was my first instinct on this shot. Unless your opponent is pro speed this is most likely highest EV shot.

Actually this is a situation where your opponent is irrelevant. You simply have nothing else. If your opponent steps up and kicks the two in, well all you can do is tip your hat. As we say in one pocket, you can't defend against the wrong shot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by llDayo

In one pocket you can just tap the cueball without touching an object ball and then a rail? If that's the case then I agree with Cueball's idea.

Yes, and the intentional foul is one of the most powerful shots you can play in one pocket. For situations where you don't want to move the cue ball at all, just hover your stick above it, and then tap it gently with the side of the ferrule. This by far the easiest way to do it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank the Tank

There are no stalemates. One pocket is usually played with a "three foul" rule, where three consecutive fouls are a loss of game. Thus as the first person to take an intentional foul, you're also going to be the first one forced to make a legal shot or you'll forfeit the game.

04-24-2011 , 11:57 AM

#12

Wamy Einehouse

rack 'em

Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4,653

Another great problem Dino. I got one for this week but am still hyper busy over next few weeks so may well need some more in near future if you are up for it.

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