Player: Billy Thorpe
Event: U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship
Location: Frisco, Texas
Date: August 28, 20265



One of the best American professional players of the past decade, Billy Thorpe brings power and personality to the table. And while his specialty — with the help of some alliteration — earned him the nickname of Billy the Banker, the 30-year-old isn't limited to only sending balls into the cushion to pocket them.

In the round of 16 at August's U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship, Thorpe faced Robbie Capito on the main table. In the 14th rack, trailing 7-6, the American faced a tricky table, shown in the diagram. Only able to see a sliver of the 5 ball, Thorpe didn't have many options. DuPlaying safe didn't seem too promising, considering the angle into the 5 and that all the other object balls were sitting below the side pockets. But one aggressive approach? The tricky kick shot at a tight angle off the long rail.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, he powered up and popped the cue ball off the cushion and into the 5, which went speeding for the top left corner. The cue ball, after spinning in place for a quick beat after hitting the object ball, then pulled back downtable, gently rolling into the footrail and into the position shown in the diagram.

While this daunting kick is this month's Stroke of Genius, his next shot also warrants mention. Thorpe then went back to what he does best and banked the 6, sending it off the right long rail and straight into the left side pocket, with the cue ball stopping in perfect position for the 7.

While Thorpe evened the set, 7-7, Capito would take the next three for the 10-7 win, eventually falling in the final in the case game against champion Francisco Sanchez Ruiz.

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