Easier to play than they look!

Kiss Cannons are beautiful shots that are much easier to play than they look.

Average players often avoid playing simple Kiss Cannons in favour of attempting much harder shots. Try them - you will make quick progress at Kiss Cannons if you practice them!

Two Contacts on a Kiss

As the cue ball hits the object ball it is stopped more or less in it’s tracks. The object ball drives into the cushion rubber, rebounding and hitting the cue ball. Therefore, there are two definite contacts between the balls. You do not hear the double contact, but it is there.

Distance

Generally speaking, Kiss cannons are best played over short distances between all three balls. Although cannons can be on when the distance between the object balls is large, they are normally risky. If the distance between the cue ball and the object ball is large, then the Kiss Cannon is normally best left alone. However, if the distance between the red and the opponent's ball is large, as long as the distance between the cue ball and the first object ball is small, then the Kiss Cannon is often worth a try.

How to strike the cue ball

Normal Roll

If a ball is rolling when it hits a ball that is frozen on the cushion, after the kiss it will skid for a while, then it will start to roll again.

Backspin

Surprisingly, a cue ball hitting a frozen ball with backspin will skid for a while before starting to roll.

Stun/Skid

The cue ball may skid slightly after the kiss, but will start to roll much more quickly than with normal roll or backspin. (With stun/skid there is no rotation at contact with the object ball so there is minimum friction).

Practical Uses

When playing kiss cannons it is normally best to get the cue ball skidding before contact with the object ball.