Sometimes the position player finds both cue and object ball in play and in line across the table a little below a top or middle pocket at quarter-ball angle. The quarter-ball stroke would almost certainly land the object ball under the cushion but gentle play with the same amount of fulness brings it out nicely for a succeeding shot from baulk into the same pocket. On the other hand the two balls might be so placed across the table, not quite in line, that a very fine shot, at strengths varied according to the particular requirement, might in the case of the top pocket cut the object ball down the table, towards the middle pocket and a foot or so from the side cushion leaving a drop cannon on to the red on the spot; in the case of the middle pocket it might scarcely disturb the object ball, leaving another in-off from baulk into the same pocket; and in the case of a bottom pocket it might clear the object ball out of baulk, and, by an oblique angling with the side cushion leave it well placed for middle-pocket-scoring.
With regard to cannon play the caution may be given that a cannon should not be attempted when more certain position can be maintained by pocket play, even although the cannon may be the more appealing shot. The first thing that the aspiring sequence player has to learn in billiards is to take no unnecessary risks, but this does not mean that he is to lack courage. He has to realize, once for all, that cannon play varies the courses of three balls, whereas pocket play only leaves one to be considered, and, realizing this, he will not hesitate to go for a somewhat difficult pocket, in preference to a perfectly simple cannon, if he cannot see what the latter would leave him. When watching professional players spectators sometimes almost gasp with astonishment when they find the experienced cueist totally ignoring some simple cannon position and executing a distant in-off or fairly long pot instead. Two examples may be given. The object and cannon balls are in half-ball relation to each other near the centre of the table above the middle spot. The professional ignores the cannon possibility and makes losing hazards off one or other of the balls until, by some slight miscalculation of angle or strength they leave the in-off scoring area, at which point a drop cannon or pot is probably negotiable. Or the red may be on the spot and the white close to it. A cannon is easy but would carry the white away. Consequently the pot is chosen and it is found that the ensuing cannon can be safely and easily made.
Very often it is much better to cannon by way of a cushion rather than from ball to ball and in the same way a two cushion cannon is frequently preferable to one made from a single cushion. Exactly what is here meant can easily be ascertained by practical experiment. Place the red ball on the billiard spot and the white ball a little above the middle pocket and nicely away from the cushion so as to form an easy direct half-ball cannon stroke from baulk. Played with a strength which just allows the white ball to drop upon the red (which is the meaning of the term "drop cannon ") the three balls will come nicely together in the neighbourhood of the billiard spot. But if the white ball were rather nearer the side cushion the direct cannon could only be made by the use of force, which would render subsequent position entirely a matter of chance. If, however, the stroke be played half-ball on to the top cushion, the cue ball will, if the placing in baulk and the stroke be accurate, drop gently on to the red and be followed there or thereabouts by the white. On the other hand if the white ball should chance to be still nearer the side cushion it might be better to play rather fine upon it on its cushion side, and again drop gently on to the red by way of both side and top cushions. Taking the ball fine for this stroke not only drives the white ball nicely across the table but obviates the likelihood of its kissing the cue ball when coming down from the top cushion.