Pot red to get to the Top
General Points
The pot red into the middle can be a reasonably tough shot on some tables. Depending on the table, you may choose to set the pot at a slight angle to slowly drift up the table, towards the top. This is perhaps the safest method on tight tables, as the pot can be played at an easy pace. If you are feeling confident and the pocket sizes are suitable, you may pot the red at a moderate pace so that your cue ball bounces off the top cushion to leave a pot or a cannon at the top.
Standard shot
The first step to playing this shot successfully is to set the cue ball for the standard pot. Around 3/4 ball is a reasonable pot contact, to start with. In general, try to use a potting angle that will take the cue ball about half way from the side cushion to the middle of the table.
There is no need to do much with the cue ball so play plain ball and concentrate on the pace to leave the cue ball in a good position Playing with a constant medium pace allows you to to get the feel of the shot and you will learn to repeat the shot time after time. There is no need for much backswing on this shot. Address the cue ball above centre.
The shot is usually played without using the top cushion, but if you are from a snooker background and prefer to play with more freedom and bounce off the top cushion, this is fine.
Red near the D
When the red is near the D, in the centre of the table, you may not feel comfortable potting the red at a 3/4 ball angle. In this case it is often better to set the potting angle nearly straight, and to follow through to just miss the far jaw of the middle pocket. As the cue ball bounces off the side cushion it will run along a line that should be suitable to get to the top.
Standard shot
Set the balls up as shown in the diagram. Play the shot slowly, using a short backswing.
Variations
After you can make the basic shot and get good position 5/10, try a few different pots. It is worth using the top cushion if the shot is a thin pot, as the cushion kills some of the pace.
Nearly straight shot
Finally, set the pot so that the red is near the D and practice the nearly-straight pot, bouncing off the side cushion.
Practice Targets
| Beginner | 5/10 | Success rate for this shot should be moderate at first |
| Club Player | 6/10 | An average player will get good position from about 7/10 of their attempts |
| Professional | 10/10 | Top players consistently pot the red and get good position |
Remember
- Set the cue ball for about a three-quarter ball pot that will keep the cue ball off the side cushion
- Play the shot simply with top, with a short backswing, and concentrate on the pace
- Bounce off the top cushion if you feel more comfortable playing it this way, or if it is a thin pot
Common Mistakes
- Playing too straight a pot
- Leaving the cue ball too near the side cushion
