Riding the Rails - Viking Cues Tip of the Week with Mike Roque, Author of "Build Your Game"

RIDING THE RAILS

“… a serious player must have this shot in his arsenal.”

-Larry Schwartz

KNOWING HOW to shoot rail first shots is like having a get out of jail card. They get you out of difficult situations when it looks like there’s no way out at all.

For example, when the object ball is straight in and you need an angle to play position, you can create some

angle by hitting rail first and then pocketing the ball.

Here’s another situation: you are in an eight ball match and only need to make the eight ball. It’s close to the pocket, but your opponent’s ball partially blocks the aiming point. No problem, go rail first and win the game! You can use various types of follow and draw along with spin. With a little practice, good results are possible if the object ball is less than three inches off the rail and within two diamonds from the pocket.

Many top players judge where to hit the rail by feel, but some professionals use a simple mirror system to get them in the ball park.

Establish where the center of the cue ball must be in order to make the object ball. Measure the distance from that point to the rail edge and aim at a point the same distance away on the other side of the rail, a mirror opposite.

Know your rail first shots, they’re like having a magic wand.

Love our Tuesday Tip of the Week with Mike Roque, you can purchase your own copy of the his book "Build Your Game" at the BEBOB Publishing Website at http://bebobpublishing.com/morebooks.htm