Pot Red from hand to leave a Middle Cross Loser
Standard shot
The first step to playing this shot successfully is to set the cue ball for the three-quarter ball pot.
There is no need to do much with the cue ball so play plain ball and concentrate on the pace to leave a middle pocket cross loser. 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.
A medium pace is used to leave the cue ball in position for the middle cross-loser. During this shot you are unable to play ALONG the line of the middle cross-loser but you can play as near to along the line as possible. It is generally better to be wide than tight, as the wide position allows you to force the loser whereas the tight position is a difficult shot.
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Nearly straight pot
When the red is near the D, in the centre of the table, it is impossible to pot the red and travel close to along the line of the middle cross loser. In this case the three-quarter ball pot is of no use and it is 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 be very close to the line for the next shot.
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Standard shot
Set the balls up approximately as shown in the diagram; if you have a measure place the object ball 55 inches (1397 mm)inches from the baulk cushion rubber and 17¼ inches (438 mm)from the side cushion. Put the cue ball on the middle spot in the D.
Variations
After you can make the basic shot and get good position 3/10, move the object ball to a new position, mark the position with a small chalk mark and now try to set the cue ball yourself. Repeat the whole procedure enough times until you are confident that you can make the shot and get good position 3/10 from any new position.
Nearly straight pot
Finally, set the pot so that the red is near the D and practice the nearly straight pot. In this case it is impossible to pot the red and travel close to along the line of the middle cross loser. Therefore the ¾ ball pot is of no use. Set the potting angle nearly straight, and follow through to just miss the far jaw of the middle pocket. As the cue ball bounces off the jaw or the side cushion it should be very close to the line for the next shot.
Practice Targets
| Beginner | 3/10 | Success rate for potting the red will be high but position success will be low at first |
| Club Player | 6/10 | An average player will get good position from about 6/10 of their attempts |
| Professional | 10/10 | Top players consistently pot the red and get good position |
Remember
- Set the cue ball for a three-quarter ball pot
- Play the shot plain ball with top
- Use a short backswing
- Concentrate on the pace to leave the cue ball on the middle cross loser line
- Make sure that you do not leave the cue ball too far past the ideal line (leaving a very difficult narrow loser)
Common Mistakes
- Playing too straight a pot
