Tyler, from this position your objective should be to move balls out of play, as opposed to putting balls in play. :sorry You may say that by banking the 12ball your opponent will be preoccupied with moving the 12ball after you shoot. If you play it short, like you mentioned you then will leave one of two shots that will possibly lose the game for you or put you in more trouble. Banking it long will obviously leave a return bank, with the 7ball as a helping ball to pocket the bank.
Agree? Banking it short will leave Reyes two options, and their both good options. Option one, if the 12ball rest on the bottom rail Reyes can kick into the side rail then toward the 12ball with the chance of pocketing the 12ball either straight in or off the 7ball.
Also by banking it short Reyes will not only have the kick option but will also have the ability to put the stripe that's positioned cross table into play. This option offers the ability to position the cue ball at the top of the table behind the string of balls positioned on Reyes side of the table.
You will then be up table alone, without an escape ball and be forced to take a scratch, or very possibly lose the game with any other shot. Banking the 12ball does look tempting but a shot that should be avoided at just about any expense. If I were your opponent I would be thrilled to see you bank the 12ball for the reasons I explained.
Shooting toward the 1ball or 7ball insures you that whatever happens there will still be balls on the table that will be difficult for Reyes to run, especially if you move another ball some what out of play. And who knows...you just might get away clean.
Dr. Bill