Stun loser across the table
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General Points
It is important to know how you are going to play the shot. The two main options are whether to push the white to the area between the middle pockets and the D, or whether to leave the ball higher than the middle.
Aim to leave the white in the middle of the table as It is too risky to do much else with this shot. If the red is on the spot, trying to leave a drop cannon from this white loser is very risky; if you get the strength wrong you could easily leave the white on the cushion.
The shot is played with the appropriate amount of side, contact and screw to push the white away from the top of the table.
- SIDE - The side throws the white down the table but it is the transmitted side that really helps here; this is similar to the effect that you get when doubling a ball in snooker. You will need to vary the side amount, depending where you are aiming to put the white.
- CONTACT - The thinner that you hit the shot, the further you will push the white away from the top.
- SCREW - The amount of screw that you use to make the shot depends on the distance from the white and the contact that you use. It is standard to address the cue ball at 5 or 7 o'clock
Pushing the white towards the D
For this shot to be on the white needs to be close to the corner pocket and it helps if the cue ball is above the white i.e. nearer the top cushion. The path that the white will take (assuming that you get the side and contact correct) when crossing the table will be at a nice angle, without risking potting it in the middle.
Leaving the white short of the middle
This is always the safest option for the shot; choose this method when there is doubt about potting the white in the middle, after the loser. Less running side and a thicker contact is needed for this shot.
Important shot
This is an important shot, in that it teaches you the principle of controlling the object ball. As there are two main variables to control the white ball path (side and contact) you may find the shot quite difficult. If you are having little success, try playing the shot with maximum side every time and only varying the contact.
Standard shot
Set the cue ball half-way from the billiard spot to the top cushion and about 2 balls off the top cushion. Set the white about 1 ball off the side cushion and about half way from the top cushion to the spot.
Different cue ball positions
Leave the white in the same position and vary the cue ball position
Different object ball positions
Now put the cue ball half-way from the spot to the cushion and vary the position of the white
Practice Targets
| Beginner | 3/10 | Success rate for achieving your aim and getting good position for the white will initially be low and this is a difficult shot to master |
| Club Player | 6/10 | An average player will get good position most of the time, but will sometimes leave the object ball too close to a side cushion |
| Professional | 10/10 | This is an easy shot for the top players and has little risk of going wrong |
Remember
- Pick the shot option that you are going to play
- Aim to leave the white in the middle of the table
- Use side, contact and screw as required
Common Mistakes
- Guessing at where the white will go
- Trying to leave a drop cannon
- Trying to leave a middle pocket loser after the shot, when this is not on
- Not getting the side on
- Not adjusting the contact
