Simple Draw/Set-up Shot

This is a set-up shot for three balls using a draw stroke to make the forth ball. The set up on this is simple. Place the 1 and 2 ball directly in the middle of the side pocket, frozen, with the edge of the 1 ball exactly even with the rail. The 3 ball is frozen to the 2 ball with the tangent line to the long rail point of the upper left corner pocket. Remember, when you hit this you will be pushing (throwing) this whole 3 ball combination towards the end of the table - so if you line the 3 ball up with the point, the throw will send that 3 ball in center pocket. If you miss the 3 ball to the long rail, set up for less throw (line it up more center pocket), if you miss to the short rail set up for more throw (line it up higher on the long rail.) The 4 ball is placed anywhere between the points in the lower right corner pocket. The cue ball is in hand any where behind the 2 1/2 diamond line from the long rail.

To make the set-up portion of this shot, just hit it!! But to draw back and make the 4 also, you need to hit low with a little smidgen of left. Since the cue ball is in hand, you can move this and play a little with it, to decide what placement is best for your particular draw stroke. Remember, the cue is only coming back approx. 4ft. so you don't have to smash this!! Medium stroke at best. And follow through!!!! Good Luck!

Thru The Window

Everyone! Sorry it's been so long! This is a GREAT shot, and it's pretty easy too! Extreme english is needed, so make sure your tip is picked!!

I'm, I think, the only one on tour that hits this shot from the right side of the table, as diagrammed. Most players set this shot up as the mirror image. You may also choose to do that, however - just remember to switch your english as well!!

Here's the set up. The 1, 2, and 3 are all frozen and are two balls out from the rail (two balls will fit between them and the rail.) However, the 3 is just tilted toward the upper right corner pocket by a hair.

Off the first diamond from the side pocket line up five balls in a row. Leave a two ball gap and continue with a few more balls. (This is the window part of the shot :)

The cue ball goes EXACTLY where it shows in the diagram. The front edge of the cue will be on the center string and the right side edge (left if you mirror this shot) will be on the first diamond line from the side pocket. This is a very specific spot for the cue ball. As per tour rules the cue ball is in hand anywhere behind the center string... but I'll bet it takes you a lot longer to learn to do this shot if you put that cue ball anywhere else!!

Now... how to hit this shot!! Top inside english is needed, but when I say top inside, I mean TOP INSIDE! Way more stroke is needed to bend this shot back to the corner pocket - if you've got a stroke, don't worry, don't over work it, but the hit on the cue ball IS outside the scratch zone. Aim the cue ball for a half hit on the 1 and half hit on the 2... yes between the 1 & 2.

If you hit the row of balls by the rail (the 4,5,6,7, or 8) you need to hit the shot harder. If you run into the 9, 10, or 11 take a little speed off the shot. If you come through the gap, but run into the short rail, more stroke is needed. Stroke, not speed. Put a little more top, see what happens, then use a little more right. Since so much top is needed for this shot, my suggestion is to move your bridge closer to the cue ball (as much as halfway!) It feels uncomfortable, but by shortening your stroke to the ball, it almost guarantees that your cue tip will hit top and not dip down - which is natural for any stroke at the end.

Las Vegas Show

The Systems Group hired me for a show in Vegas this past Tuesday night. What a great event! It really was a good time. I shot some 8 ball against some of their clients, and between players I showed them some trick shots. I set some shots up and some of the clients took on the challange of doing them - with a high rate of sucess! The Systems Group was looking to hold a memorable party for their clients, and I'm sure that it was!

Oh, and Mr. John Lee - thank you once again for the story.

Las Vegas Bound!

Well folks, I'm on my way to Vegas! A company has hired me for their entertainment for a party on Tues. night - this should be a blast!!! I'll tell you all how it goes and get some pictures up!