The shot everyone’s talking about - European open final Raga v Alcaide

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[@cj-ef1rp]

Really a great lesson and insight on how to play that shot. And delivered so respectfully to Anton.

[@porkstamina]

I'm glad Darren spoke to that, both the element of pressure and also the tightness of the pockets on the tournament tables. Shows a masterful understanding not only of this one shot but the situation as a whole.

[@kelvikelv5322]

I agree. He gave some factors I didn't consider like smaller pocket sizes on that table.

[@khunley73]

Happy to see you back at it, Darren! Thanks for doing a video on this controversial shot. I wish you a continued speedy recovery!

[@boytiwtiw]

what happened to him brother?

[@tkreiner1902]

​@@boytiwtiwhe had a heartattack

[@richardparker7168]

Thank you Darren for sharing with everyone on KZbin! I love the way you talk through your shots and racks -- this has been a game changer for me. We're lucky to have you around.

[@brettjern3264]

It was the right shot. He just happened to miss it, that's life, sometimes u go for it all and fail. Good for him for going for it

[@ludymeldulalas4858]

Nop,you only do that if their is no shot on seven....

[@andoxcv]

Yep I agree, sometimes you win sometimes you lost and at that moment that shot was the most reasonable choice for Anton

[@raskolnjikov1]

@@ludymeldulalas4858 yes the shot was correct, it was dead no, he just didn´t hit it hard enough, simple

[@brettjern3264]

@@ludymeldulalas4858 a shot on the 7 most likely would have panned out. I've seen Efren make these shots for decades. The young man just missed the shot

[@totoydevastator8231]

Thanks Darren! Very thorough explanation. We all saw Anton's reaction after the shot. Coz for Anton that situation is not really difficult. Like if he's gonna shoot it 100 times, it will go in 100 times. It just didn't went in that time. And that is just how pool is

[@jbart9309]

Great video. Greedily, I wish Darren included the Gorst shot when he blew the game vs. Filler. Amazing weekend of pool. Would love to see DA get another title shot in such a tournament.

[@rodconner9079]

Shoulda, woulda, coulda! Hindsight is 20/20 (typ). Perfect demo Mr.D. These things happen to the best of all of us!!! Thanks Be Safe

[@BACKSPIN9ball]

Great video I was waiting for someone to give new pool fans some technical explanation that Anton didn’t just miss that ball carelessly but he was worried about where the 7ball was gonna end up. I’ve watched Anton for many years now and he’s an incredibly fast player ,I was surprised to see the shot clock get him a couple of times.

[@Joseph-xi5bt]

No question the carom was the right shot here. What i question was the safety shot on the 2 ball the rack before. The run out was there for him to take. He played a safety. It was a small landing spot but very doable for a player of his level.

[@elh3fe88]

It's funny when I first watched Darren Appleton he was playing in the Mosconi Cup against my country (USA) and I absolutely hated him (because he was so good and killing us haha). But I heard his interview afterwards and instead of being boastful and braggedocious (unlike one or two of our players), he was respectful and even complimented our players on their game. After that, I started following his pool career and I'm so glad I did. This guy is a class act and is great for pool. Hoping to see you back winning world titles soon, Dynamite. Thanks for all you do.

[@dynamiteappleton]

Thanks so much means a lot 🙏

[@billysikes1374]

We've missed you Darren, I believe I play the safety you shot the very first shot you showed, glad to see you back

[@blaine4973]

I agree. but with a little running to get closer to the 7. I also like the carom as well though.

[@MrPat1953]

Excellent video we were all wondering what we would have done differently thanks for explaining

[@walts555]

👍 Excellent video. Lots of considerations. You covered the important ones and still gave Raga credit for a job well done on a 30 sec shot clock. Amateur pool players (like me) don't fully appreciate the pressure of a major pro event under a clock. Thanks for explaining that well!

[@estebanstrangiato]

Loving the content, Darren. Thanks for the breakdown. JJ in the commentary booth was also saying how he expected Anton to hit this shot with firm stun

[@olinsjt0731]

Hey Darren, thanks for vindicating the decision Anton made and am happy to see you on your way to recovery. a Filipino fan here. 🤙🏼

[@johnniewalker9737]

Great demonstration. Thanks a lot Dazzle. Cheers.

[@thangs]

Great analysis and fun to watch. Can't tell ya how great it is to see you on a vid, Darren. All the best to you, hope to see you busting up some tournaments soon.

[@dwakeling38]

I would love to see more of these!

[@bertblue9683]

Best analysis I've seen on this. I bet he makes that carem 9 out of 10 times or better. Even under the pressure of the title and shot clock. Painful for him indeed. But the fans sure had a great match. Hill hill drama at its best.

[@richard0807]

Great vid from a true legend. Love your pool room and especially your back wall. Well impressive!

[@jig9657]

Only thing I’d say is if you look at raga brown 7 is in line with far knuckle, you have brown middle of pocket so easier to play…

[@carlosgamez9521]

Thank you for the lesson Darren

[@porkstamina]

Really enjoyed this analysis, thanks so much for doing this.

[@2000conman]

Nice breakdown sir...

[@ronthepoolstudent]

Thanks Daren 👍🏻

[@SampsonFTL]

what would i do? lose in the first round and then lose in the second

[@charlesc4925]

So say we all!! 😄

[@azbdizzy4176]

Good to see you back Darren. One of my favorite players.

[@anthonykeller5120]

Thanks for a great explanation. You are looking great.

[@wayneburba9457]

Excellent, love from your perspective vs others. .

[@Arthur-nr5ci]

So Jeremy Jones and Karl Boyes agreed it was the correct shot, Darren Appleton makes an entire video explaining the alternatives and why they aren't better than the shot he chose, and oh yeah, an absolute legend, money game Filipino beast at the table choosing that shot, and yet there are people out there insisting that the straight shot in the side was the "right" shot. Pure ignorant stubborness. And those same people wonder why they play pool for 30 years and they're still a 7 in APA...

[@scottbranson7872]

You'd probably have shot it in the side.

[@Arthur-nr5ci]

@@scottbranson7872 No, I would've been a bitch and played safe.

[@oponamikwe5011]

Fully agree wih you mate. Shyte happens and it did for him.

[@Arthur-nr5ci]

@@oponamikwe5011 Taking that shot is why he's a champion.

[@TimZ007]

Another thing to factor and not so much here but just like left means right english on object ball. Bottom means top english transferred. If you shoot lots of bottom even with a firm shot it will cause the object ball to roll initially. A firm center or even top spin to the cue ball will help put stun or slight draw to the object ball. The distances where close so it was speed that was the most important factor which Ragas shot as it just barely to slow. There are some very parallel situations though where the shot is only makeable with maximum speed and top english.

[@ranchopatriot]

Very helpful analysis.

[@gr8ful68]

Thanks for the video, Darren... as usual excellent content.

[@emsnewssupkis6453]

I have watched Raga for the last two years at SHARKS videos where he plays often very long games, 90 games over three days, for example. He is familiar with pressure. It is just he is young and not used to playing Europeans all the time. He annihilated some of the top EU players, by the way, in this tournament!

[@AznJsn82091]

You should do commentary!! I'd love to hear your thoughts on the announce table! Maybe with Karl Boyes!

[@jeremiahenglehart13]

Looking good Darren. Hope you're feeling good as well.

[@JinxTravel]

I was thinking why didnt he go in middle with the cut but you explained why. Nice explanation

[@tylersmall3169]

"Darren, we're almost done designing the layout of the pool room, just one question: You want a trophy shelf or a trophy room?" "Yes."

[@davidhunternyc1]

Brilliant tutorial. Yes, with that kind of pressure, Raga was in a conundrum. The shot is deceptively complicated and I could see why any pro would NOT think about stunning the cue ball give the situation.

[@ericperedo131]

Yes for me i agree 100 percent that safe ty shot. its the best thing to do. what ANTON did is yours or mine. because even if ball 6 went in, the problem is the 7 ball. If it stay on a clear clean shot but when its not makable then make a safety shot just thesame.

[@chino1619]

Even though David won the title, it seems that Anton Raga has given more popularity because of his deciding shot. Still a tremendous run for my fellow Cebuano dude. 😇😇😇

[@goba44]

look at all those trophies behind him. I’m not arguing with his analysis.

[@natehall6120]

Best insight in the game, thanks

[@mykolas566]

I didn't like the shot selection for that one, but that was a much tougher shot than people think. I preferred the cut in the side but you're right about those pockets, they played tough as hell.

[@jama211]

So well said!

[@lawrencemaweu]

Excellent explanation

[@wdiddy1]

I don't see why everyone is talking about this shot, seemed like the logical choice, the odds of making that shot is pretty high. I think Anton lost by playing safe in the previous game when he had a makeable shot on the 2 ball. Anton can't win with the people, he played safe and it cost him the win in the 24th game and then he went for it in the 25th game and still lost. If he only turned those 2 decisions around he might have won lol, hindsight is 20/20 and he still might have lost too.

[@MannWayne]

Thanks for sharing.

[@greeceuranusputin]

I think his mistake was time management. It was a somewhat complicated shot but he still went through his routine of going back to the chair and wiping his cue before he really saw what he was facing. No shot clock and he's out, no problem. You'll see this a lot, complicated shots ruined by the shot clock. I don't watch to see players making easy shots, I want to see how they handle the complicated ones, but the shot clock doesn't allow those shots the time they deserve.

[@lyndoncamingue2092]

Just remember its his 1st major event and his young but probably caught the eyes of all pool enthusiast..

[@Scotty47170]

One in twenty but we just watched it go wrong two out of four. 😂😂 kidding. Good analysis thank you !

[@turner9324]

If Filler, SVB, or Jayson Shaw..... they will cut the side or carom ?

[@MegaBagera]

Great vid…this shot has been on my mind

[@concerncitizen8988]

DA thanks for the demo. Good job. 👍

[@the_alchemy_method]

The root cause is being overlooked here- the mental aspect. His mind was likely was too attached to the outcome - trying to get over the line quicker due to the pressure and as a consequence he was not in the zone at that moment , so not thinking as clearly as he normally would so that’s possibly why he didn’t play this shot as he would normally. Maybe an element of overthinking… The MindShift tool to reset focus prior to the shot would be the way to go here

[@badjal1]

Awesome vid champ

[@jonnycarroll6676]

Crisp..thank you

[@sealewy7905]

Should be side pocket darren! 😊

[@bushputz]

His mistake was his priorities. Raga tried to do too much with the shot. He tried to do 3 things at once: 1) Make the 6 ball 2) Control the cue ball 3) Control the 7 ball Sometimes you just have to make sure you make the shot and take what the table gives you afterwards. In this case, if he had driven the six into the seven a little fuller with a good firm stun shot, the odds are he would have ended up with some kind of shot on the 7 ball.

[@MrTargetU]

Good replay

[@JohnSmith-mk8hz]

6 ball bottom left corner is the correct shot.

[@flyant321]

a great explanation from the old timer champion..

[@supriadiramlan5545]

awesome insight from the how the champions think

[@ZSharkPH]

Great break down.. That was a ruff loss for Raga.

[@dirkswish31]

How about in the last rack that Anton went for a safety to an open 2ball instead of shooting it that costs him for alcaide to have an open ball and eventually clearing the rack for a win, what's your opinion about that?

[@ludymeldulalas4858]

That’s another mistake on him,their are difficult shot he managed to put in the hole than that 2 ball.

[@fykeque]

missed chance! but still, raga is way a hell of a beast! he's gonna comeback stronger

[@xaralampos1990]

Hallo darren can you do a video from the game alcaide vs kazakis 2019 hil hil and remake the the last shot from kazakis what should have done bang the nine or play it safety.👍

[@mariuszwiszowaty2979]

Middle pocket all the way:-)

[@saintuseman4140]

Anton made a right choose, but he was unlucky !

[@joncue0304]

Could you just play a stun run through? Get a slight bit of backspin on the 6 and get the cue closer to the center of the table to increase your odds of having a shot on the 7 that much higher.

[@andresilius5790]

Raga Made that same exat shot on a previous Match in that tournament so he definetly now how to shoot but I think the crowd and the shotclock make something on him

[@richkid2667]

And it's one take only, with all the pressure in his shoulder. Darren is a great player no doubt but he practiced it already multiple times with no pressure, and it's a video so you can try again and again if you miss 😅 Raga knows how to do that shot, it's the pressure to win his 1st ever major title got him.

[@chrisp.9172]

If I remember right the 6 came short of the side pocket. So he hit it with too much speed, if anything. Probably nervous..

[@Derek_1111]

​​@@chrisp.9172Darren played the clip of the shot in this video. He missed long by playing it too slow.

[@boyax_biker2367]

I was lucky -Efren “bata” Reyes lol😂😂😂

[@ronnie14715]

We wonder, why didn't Raga hit the 2 ball in the hill 24th ?

[@vienjericohmanlangit9522]

Safety a 6 ball lesson learned to raga!

[@concerncitizen8988]

I think Reyes, Aranas and Chua have different opinions under the circumstances, but we don't know unless they'll be asked.

[@yuchub7389]

Please do a review on rack 24. Blue is open pls

[@dynamiteappleton]

Will be on tmrw :-)

[@yuchub7389]

@@dynamiteappleton thanks darren! This is the more important rack for me than the last rack.. the 2 blue open is open but he choose a tough safety.. should be finish already if execute correctly.

[@doraemon402]

I honestly found his shot choices during that rack a bit odd. Not the shot on the 6 but the one on the 4 and subsequent 5.

[@lukewalker1051]

Darren, you are assuming that Raga knew the shot. He may not have. You knew to hit the six with more speed such that it wouldn't follow the 7 but Raga misjudged the carom. Raga was clearly more focused on the position of the 7 after the carom. There is still risk with playing it like you propose but agree he should have been more focused on pocketing the 6. Yes there was the pressure of the match, but also an element he didn't as a young player understand the carom relative to speed. The shot was risk/reward. Raga just couldn't get ideal position on the six because of the way the previous balls were laying which he made great shots on. Bottom line is both players in the match missed two shots they shouldn't have missed. The rub of the cloth went Alcaide's way. Agree that Raga is a hellova talented player.

[@fugglesme4186]

Raga is an 830 Fargo. You don't get that good without knowing how to play carom shots. And as Darren said, those are 4" pockets. None of the internet cowboys play on pockets that tight.

[@lukewalker1051]

@@fugglesme4186 Maybe. I am probably considered an elite level amateur and played 9 ball for 40 years including with pro players. Even though I can beat probably 95% of the public that plays pool and that likely includes you, I never played Darren' or Raga's speed admittedly. I didn't understand the carom relative to speed as Darren explained...how the 6 ball 'stuns' more off the 7 when more speed aka force of carom is applied. Darren schooled me and I could have easily fallen into the trap that Raga did in the heat of the battle. There was no getting better position on the 6 ball because of the way the 5 laid and cue ball far away on foot short rail and Raga could only roll the cue ball and the best he could do for positon on the 6 ball. All said, me personally? Because I didn't see the carom as clearly as Darren did and know to hit as hard as Darren, I only saw 'the defensive play' which was a safety. Darren was confident in making the 6 but 'at risk of making the 7 ball fly' and if out of position on the 7 which occurred in the demonstration, Darren would have had to play safe on the 7 or risk selling out anyway. Darren liked the odds of letting the 7 ball fly but the odds of a good shot on the 7 weren't better than 50/50. To me, the play on the 6 was 'a safety' and not the carom because the safety was pretty lock tight and Raga would have either gotten ball back in hand or possibly an easy shot out of it. This was an interesting presentation that Darren provided and glad he addressed it because it spelled the difference between winning and losing. Aside from execution aka mechanics, 'knowledge' is what largely separates players at both amateur and pro level. When I was hustling pool years ago working my way through college, I always felt I beat people because I understood the game better....had great teachers...hung out with top players, and worked very hard at it. To your last point, this match being played on 4 inch pockets 'had nothing to do with the outcome'. If you understand pool and where the size of the pockets matter, Size of the pockets has little to do with when the angle approach of the object ball is perpendicular to the pocket opening at its widest. Pocket size becomes more critical at more acute angle of approach to the pocket i.e. object ball closer to the rail. Also, pocket size isn't everything. Shelf depth is as important if not more important. These tables even at 4" pockets played 'fairly', unlike previous tournaments played on 4 inch pockets with deeper shelves on the same Simonis 860 cloth. The 6 ball carom was perpendicular to the side pocket making it a full 4 inches wide aka a 'large' pocket. That wasn't why he missed the shot. He misjudged the speed as perhaps the majority of amateurs would and even a handful of pros. Raga will never miss that shot again.

[@fugglesme4186]

@@lukewalker1051 I too have played for several decades. I am surprised you didn't see the carom. These shots are in many books on pool I read 20 years ago. Martin, Burns, Capelle etc. I play a lot of 14.1 so carom shots are a regular part of the game. And of course Darren is one of the top straight pool players in the world. Darren covered why the safety was not good, nor cutting the 6. Nothing to add there. "To your last point, this match being played on 4 inch pockets 'had nothing to do with the outcome'. If you understand pool and where the size of the pockets matter, Size of the pockets has little to do with when the angle approach of the object ball is perpendicular to the pocket opening at its widest." Um. Wow. It should be obvious that shooting in a 4" pocket is much more difficult than shoot to a 4.5" pocket. So players will change their shot selection based on pocket size. Darren even said so in the video above.

[@lukewalker1051]

@@fugglesme4186 No need to debate further. You missed both points which is ok. I learned a long time ago, its hard to get agreement on anything...from jump cues to break restrictions. I went into detail when a 4" pocket didn't matter on the carom....angle of attack was orthogonal to the pocket center. Elementary. Also, I saw the carom. Even if 'you' were to make to attempt and make it as Darren explained, both you and Darrent would have been even money to sell out leaving the 7 poorly. That happened twice in Darren's demostration and why Raga went for the soft hit trying to control the path of the 7 for his next shot up table. In pool, the objective is to control your destiny. Safety was the shot because of how hard one had to hit the 6 which would then send the 7 flying and leaving its position to chance. The ojective is to control your destiny when you can. Good luck with your pool.

[@400fps]

I'll say it here also. The fact that a bunch of amateurs are questioning a verified monster for years now, a person who has shown his strength throughout the event and is here HILL HILL vs another verified monster and world title holder is just sad. To all the actual players out there (not bangers) that are acting like they've never miss judge a hit before is even more sad. No one would like to play this kid for the cheese

[@charlesc4925]

No matter the sport or situation there’s ALWAYS going to be someone who will have something to say about how THEY would have done it. 😂 Never played football in their life & saying: I can’t BELIEVE that QB threw that interception! Pool players are the worst! 💯

[@reymarkcabangan-cl5hd]

why anton miss that shot because he knows that six is surely shoot to the side and his mind is in the seven ball to control it to the side for good preparation

[@KK-sg5gl]

What got him was he expected it to be stickier and the 6 to not roll forward as much. It’s rare to carom balls off another, maybe 1/30 games? So he probably didn’t have that ball action ingrained in his mind yet. In the Philippines the 6 probably would’ve gone in the way he shot it.

[@onesimovilla986]

Good video i have a custion could be good for others too how u practice or what u do before a tornoment

[@motosandmore]

Nice, I have the same opinion. Sucks he had this lay out. Even slow rolling the 4 ball was sketchy, the shot previous to this. I think some of the other young players would have played safe. I don’t mind him going for it, knowing if you miss you lose.

[@reminiscene9379]

can you also give an explanation why he didnt pocket the 2 ball before this rack?

[@bastymanguy]

So Anton is Filipino and wanted to make the shot with style and pizzazz to finish the final run of the balls and because of that cultural characteristic of his ended up costing him.

[@ogezpb3927]

Pool Gods gave it to David Anton made no mistakes that weren't divinely intended😂 true breakdown here tho😊

[@johnmackay3136]

Was absolutely brutal for Raga to lose like that,like you said though ,he'll go on to do very well. What would I have done🤔 I'd have never got near in the first place lol You guys are a different breed. Cheers Dynamite ✌️

[@selasor-vs5uc]

i will hide the object ball on the one in front of it

[@lidro4230]

Can you make a demo of rack 24?

[@rayliao905]

Based on the shots you have made, it seems like it’s a 50/50 shot. More likely the safety would be a 70/30 to me but it all just a choice to be made under huge pressure. Both good players and performed their best!

[@Drewdownkali]

So what size are the side pockets in the matchroom events? I know the corners are 4".

[@TheJohnCooperShow]

niceone dazzler

[@geowallace9758]

Efren will show you how to play this.

[@jasonnetherton2878]

never had an issue with the shot. It was a previous shot on a wide open shot that cost him IMO.

[@ayunaputseg9074]

Huge mistake for idol Raga charge to experience he needs more experience to be come a World pool champion 🏆

[@rydmerlin]

Can you try the cross cut into the corner ?

[@rampagemototv2023]

he did the right thing at the wrong time. if that shot went in it will be the shot of the year.

[@williamsheppard8738]

What you said

[@callumaustin9567]

Middle pocket for me, automatic position. I play on tight Matchroom pockets, I know how tight they are.

[@tmangan327]

What tip are you currently using on your playing cue?