Escape Masse

The cue ball is on the 3rd diamond from the corner pocket, frozen to the rail. An object ball is frozen to the cue ball, directly out from the rail. I put a coin on it to prove it doesn't move (Figure 1). The blocker balls are 1-1/2 diamonds away. The novelty 8 ball is about two ball widths wide, but you can start with one ball and work your way up.

With only one blocker ball, you can easily do this with your regular cue and 45 degrees of elevation. However, if you're going to go for a full masse, you'll need to find the right aim point. I aim parallel to the long rail and hit at about 7:30 o'clock (if 9 o'clock is the point where the cue ball touches the rail) and try to judge my elevation to adjust the curve of the cue ball. This really depends on the rail though and how far it kicks the cue ball out. On some tables, I have to aim in to the cushion a little bit.

Video: Escape Masse

Figure 1