hope had a clean shot at a couple of shooters shielding behind their pontiac and it occurred to him that such battles bore similarities with a game of billiards : playing the most exposed balls first and going for progressively tighter shots , anticipating the opponents likely move and endeavouring to block the shot , and , most importantly , striking the right balance between boldness and caution - added to that , in the case of dr. cyanides ranch , the lush green grass was of a similar texture to the luxurious velvet of the finest billiard tables .