I want to share with you a shot my father first showed me when I was about 6 or 7 years old. This shot frequently comes up right after the break in straight pool, but many players don't know to look for it. Here is what the shot looks like:
The corner of the rack is clipped off and the 6 is frozen to the 5 ball. The 4 ball is a little off the 6. Here is another look:
The key part to this shot is the separation between the 6 and the 4 and the 6 ball being frozen to the 5.
What happens is that the 6 is hit into a kiss with the 4 and goes into the lower right pocket. The 5 is pushed to the side rail and is no threat to double kiss the 6.
Right after the break, before you take that long straight shot or look for a place to duck, look for this shot. It comes up more than you think and is harder to see than make.
I watched my father shoot this shot in amazement. How could he do that? 60 years later this is still one of my favorite shots.
Remember, if this shot does come up in a game, make sure in your excitement to shoot it, you play position with the cue ball! You don't want to make a great shot, open the stack and then leave yourself with nothing!
Try breaking a straight pool rack a few times and look for this shot. It comes up more than you think.
See you on the road. Next stop Atlanta.