I GOT the idea for this shot when I noticed similar situations pop up when I played a lot of 8-ball and 9-ball. What was at first a passing curiosity has since become an integral part of almost every exhibition I have done since the early '80s. This shot is a super crowd-pleaser. It's also used in almost every fixed-program event in the sport of artistic pool, so it's definitely a good one to know for players who are curious about trick shots.
The Shot
This shot all takes place in rather cramped quarters, right near a corner pocket. The goal is to send the cue ball into the 1 ball, up over the edge of the 9 ball, and have it draw back and pocket the 9 in the corner.
I call it the "Snap, Crackle, Pop, Jump, Nip, Draw" - because, if executed properly, spectators will hear the snap, crackle and pop, and they will see the jump, nip and draw.
The Setup
Freeze the 9 ball on the short rail, a few inches above the corner pocket. Put the 1 ball about a half ball to the right of the 9, so that the top edge of the 9 is even with the center of 1 ball, just as it is in
Diagram 6.
The goal is to send the cue ball off the 1 ball (
Diagram 7) and over the 9, before the cue ball hits the table and draws back to pocket the 9 in the corner (
Diagram 8).
The Execution
Strike the cue ball well below center (Fig. 6a) with a slightly elevated cue (10-15 degrees should be plenty). This downward hit on the cue ball will help it hop over the 1 ball.
You must accelerate through the cue ball, aiming for a nearly full hit on the 1 ball. Once you are able to hit the cue ball so that it hops off the table while still spinning backward, the key is finding the correct contact point on the 1 ball. If the cue ball comes off the end rail without hitting the 9 ball into the corner pocket, then you must hit the 1 ball more fully (but still not completely full). If the cue ball comes straight back to you, you?ve hit too much of the 1 ball.
There is a fine line for the hit on the 1, but with practice, this shot will become a natural for anyone with a good draw stroke. Just remember to slightly elevate your cue, of course!
Two Tips
- Use a closed bridge to maximize control.
- Accelerate through the cue ball to produce the necessary ?zip? on the cue ball.
