9 Ball Two Way Shots: Make the Ball or Leave Your Opponent in Trouble
Quick answer: A two way shot in 9 ball is a shot where you try to make the ball, but you also plan where the cue ball and object ball will end up if you miss. If the ball goes in, you keep shooting. If it misses, your opponent is left with a hard shot or a safety. Two way shots are smart when the shot is hard and a straight safety would give up too much. The key is controlling speed so both balls end up in good spots.
Strong 9 ball players use two way shots a lot. They are a way to take a chance without handing over the table.
Two Way Shot vs Safety vs Offense
| Choice | Goal | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Offense | Make the ball and get position | Easy or medium shots |
| Two way shot | Try to make it, leave a safety if you miss | Hard shots with a safe miss |
| Safety | Do not try to make it, leave your opponent stuck | Very hard shots or no good options |
To learn more about safeties, read 9 ball safety shot.
When to Play a Two Way Shot
- The shot is hard, like a long cut or a thin cut.
- If you miss, the object ball can roll to a safe area.
- The cue ball can end up behind a blocker or far from the object ball.
- Your opponent is strong and will likely run out from an easy leave.
How to Plan a Two Way Shot
- Pick the shot. Decide which pocket you will try.
- Picture a miss. Where will the object ball go if it misses the pocket?
- Plan the cue ball. Can you send it to a long rail, behind another ball, or far from the object ball?
- Pick a speed. Speed decides where both balls stop. Soft speed is often best.
- Commit and shoot. Do not change your mind during the stroke.
Simple Two Way Examples
- Long cut along the rail: if you miss, the object ball stays on the rail at the far end, and the cue ball comes back to the other end, leaving a long, hard shot.
- Thin cut near a corner: if you miss, the object ball rolls up table, and the cue ball stays near the bottom rail behind a blocker.
- Bank shot: some players try a bank where a miss leaves the object ball near the far rail and the cue ball near the head rail. For kicking ideas, see how to kick at a ball in pool.
Two Way Shots and the Push Out
In many 9 ball rules, the player who shoots after the break can choose to push out. A push out is a shot to a new spot instead of hitting the lowest ball. Your opponent then chooses who shoots next. Thinking in two way terms helps you pick a smart push out spot. Read the rules for your game, since rules vary.
Speed Control Is the Key
A two way shot only works if your speed is right. Too hard and both balls may end up near the middle of the table. Practice speed with simple drills, like rolling the cue ball to a target. See 9 ball pattern play for position ideas.
Practice Drill
- Set up a long cut shot with a blocker ball near the far rail.
- Try to make the shot and send the cue ball behind the blocker.
- Note where both balls end up, make or miss.
- Repeat until you can leave a tough shot on most misses.
For more practice ideas, read how to practice 9 ball alone.
Common Mistakes
- Hitting too hard and leaving an easy shot
- Planning the miss but forgetting the cue ball
- Using two way shots on easy balls you should just make
The Bottom Line
9 ball two way shots let you go for a hard ball while planning a safe leave if you miss. Picture the miss, plan where the cue ball ends up, and control your speed. Used well, two way shots win games without big risks.
Keep Reading on This Site
- 9 Ball Cue Ball Control: How to Get Shape on the Next Ball Every Time
- 9 Ball Rules for Beginners: A Simple Guide to Play Today
- Common 9 Ball Mistakes and How to Fix Them
- 9 Ball Pattern Play: How to Plan Your Run From the 1 to the 9
- 9 Ball Strategy for Beginners: 8 Simple Ideas to Win More Racks
- How to Rack 9 Ball: A Simple Step by Step Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a two way shot in 9 ball?
It is a shot where you try to make the ball but plan a safe leave for your opponent if you miss.
When should I play a two way shot?
When the shot is hard and a miss can leave the object ball and cue ball in safe spots.
Is a two way shot the same as a safety?
No. A safety does not try to make the ball. A two way shot tries to make it and leaves a safety on a miss.
What is the most important part of a two way shot?
Speed control, because speed decides where both balls stop.