General Points

By potting the red into the corner pocket and leaving yourself a cross loser you will get 9 points, as the cross loser is virtually guaranteed to leave an easy middle pocket loser, which will complete the '9'. It is good Billiards to play this pot for the cross loser whenever you can.

There is a large variety of positions from which you can get into position for the Cross Loser, and you will have to adjust the shot accordingly. Use stun, top or side to get on the line. If in doubt it is generally better to be slightly wide than tight as the wide cross loser has much more margin for error and is easier to play.

The ideal position for the cross loser is to be close to the top cushion jaw. However, if you are potting the red and running through, you might not be able to aim for this position as it could be too risky. In this case, aim for a point about 1/3 of the way from the pocket to the spot. This will give you sufficient distance to play the cross loser without being too close to the red.

Pot with red close to the pocket

If you are potting the red in a direction towards the top cushion and can not stun the shot to leave a cross loser, then running side will help the cue ball run off the top cushion and on the cross loser line.

Pot with red away from the pocket

If you are potting the red in a direction towards the top cushion it is much better to use running side to help the cue ball run off the top cushion and on the cross loser line. It would be a mistake to try to play this 'dead strength' as any error in strength would not leave the loser on.

Two cushion shot

If you are potting the red in a direction towards the side cushion, usually check side will help the cue ball come off the side cushion and run on to the cross loser line. When the potting angle is not straight enough, you may not be able to play this shot and may have to settle for position for a pot red off the spot.

Standard shot

Place the red close to the pocket and the cue ball close to the side cushion. Practice playing the pot with running side, to run along the cross loser line. Play the shot gently and remember that it is better to leave a wide cross loser than a narrow one. After each pot red, play the cross loser to make sure that you were in the correct position and to get used to playing the sequence.

Further from the pocket

Place the red a bit further from the pocket, about 6 inches (152 mm) away or thereabouts and place the cue ball close to the side cushion. Practice playing the pot with running side, to run along the cross loser line.

Straight and nearly straight pots off the spot

Place the red on the spot and the cue ball for an easy straight pot. Play the pot plain ball to run along the cross loser line to about 2/3 of the way to the pocket. Then adjust and play this pot so that it is just off-straight and the cue ball will hit the cushion about 2/3 way to the pocket. Make sure that you do not leave too narrow a cross loser after coming off the top cushion.

Practice Targets

Two cushion shot

Place the red about 9 inches (229 mm) from the the pocket and the cue ball almost for a straight pot, but so that it will hit the side cushion after the pot. Play the pot with check side off the red, to run off the side and top cushions along the cross loser line.

Remember

• Play for the cross loser as often as possible
• Use stun, top or side to get on the line
• A wide cross loser is much easier than a narrow one
• Don't get too close to the billiard spot

Common Mistakes

• Playing for the pot red instead of the cross loser
• Not using running side to run along the line
• Getting a 'tight' position needing either check side or a thin contact