You are playing four ball Carom. You need to hit the two coloured balls in the picture in the same shot and in any order/combination. If you don't hit any coloured ball, or hit the opponent's cue ball (in these problems marked 'A') with any ball, you incur a ten point penalty and lose your visit. If you hit one coloured ball - but not both - you just lose your visit.

You are early (both below 10) in a race to 100 on a well cut and well maintained 8ft by 4ft billiard table against a solid amateur opponent (can run 30+ from a nice spot). You are on the blank cue ball with a red dot in the centre in both problems, and should assume there are no pockets on the table.

Best shot in the two cases and why?

Problem a):



Problem b):

NOTE: I've never played carom.

I'd prefer to draw back of the 8 into the top side of the 3, leaving the 8 approx mid table. I think bridging is going to play a large part in this shot though and i'd attempt the same shot on the 3 instead.
Safety - 3 with top to the bottom rail, attempting to keep the white snookering the opponents white from the 3.