Trick Shots

The Hustler, Straight Pool, Hidden Ball Shot

This is a shot from the movie "The Hustler" released in black and white in 1961. Willie Mosconi was the technical advisor on "The Hustler" and set up this shot for Jackie Glesaon, playing a character named Minnesota Fats, to shoot. Most people don't know that a man named Rudolph Wanderone Jr. legally changed his name to Minnesota Fats AFTER the release of the movie - so the character Minnesota Fats in the movie was purely fictional.


To set up this shot, first rack up a set of balls on the spot with the 1 and 3 on the upper corner, and bottom left corner. The 2 ball should be in the bottom right corner. Above the two should be the 8 ball. Next to the 2 ball should be the 5 and then the 6 respectively. Once the balls are racked, pull the 1,2, and 3 ball away from the rack and set them aside. Move the five ball so that it is frozen to just the 6 and lined up to the short rail in the corner pocket. Move the 8 to the right about 1 centimeter so that it is only frozen to the ball above it. Take the 2 ball and freeze it to the 8 in a direct line from long rail to long rail. Try this shot as it is now... without the 1 & 3. Hit the 2 ball on the right, 1/4 ball hit. If the 8 hits the short rail, adjust the 5-6 to aim more into the pocket. This shot needs to be hit pretty hard. Once you have it working without the 1 & 3, then place the 1 & 3 as per the above digram. This you have to hit even harder. Think about the energy transfers... the cue to the 1, the 1 to the 3 and the 2, the 2 to the 8, and the 8 gives energy to the ball it is frozen to and the 5 ball. WOW!!! It's a wonder it moves at all! :) But let me tell you.... when this shot goes... it sure does look and feel GREAT! Good luck!!