bstroud said:With the new pic my shot is much easier. Just go off the stripe and put the cue ball on the side rail. Maybe I'm not quite understanding how the cue ball will come off the stripe to the side rail. Is it a little swerve into the left side of the stripe? That's what I am seeing when I read your posts.
The problem in going down to the far opposite pocket is that he will just bank the stripe in the middle of the table and place the cue ball back in the original position. Perhaps worse. He could also shoot a ball in his hole. In order to shoot the stripe, he will be aiming it towards Gabe's pocket and there will probably be some kind of collision with the stripe and the 7, 8, 9 or 14. Unless the balls lie perfectly, I don't think he will be able to move the stripe away from Gabe's pocket. The 7, 9, 8 and 14 are all there to keep the stripe near Gabe's pocket after impact, unless somehow Alex is able to hit it mach speed. Personally, I don't think repositioning the cue ball in a worse spot is possible, considering where Gabe is now, and there is a high chance it will not even be an option for Alex for reasons just stated. And I don't think anyone shoots from that spot unless one is obviously sold out.
Why give up a ball and take a risk when a simple shot is available. Therein lies one of the many beauties of the game.
Bill Stroud
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