During a break a lone red has settled close to the top cushion below the black. If possible leave it where it has come to rest, playing position for the reds in the middle of the table.

The reason for this is that at some stage during a break after potting a red you may end up out of position, perhaps straight or nearly straight on the black (as shown). Should this happen you can either deep screw the cue ball off the black onto the cushion and out into the middle of the table hoping to regain position on a central red, or play a soft screw shot for the red into the left centre pocket.

Alternatively you could gently roll the black in, following through with the white for the red close to the top cushion into the opposite corner pocket.

Playing with deep screw involves striking the cue ball with extra power which clearly increases the potential for error. The red in the centre pocket is easy to miss and will need to be played at gentle pace. Playing position for this ball may also create difficulties later in the break as two reds are situated close to the cushions and one is tied up beneath the pink.

After due consideration, you may feel that running the white through remains the best option, gaining position on the red on the top cushion. Should the pot go in down the cushion you are guaranteed to gain some sort of position on the black.

There are many examples where you may find a red on the top cushion useful whilst compiling your break. Leave one there and use it when you have to!

 

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