Does the size of the contact patch between the CB and OB vary with cut angle and speed, and does this affect how I should aim shots?

The CB and OB do compress a small amount during the extremely brief contact time, and this does create a “contact patch” that varies in shape and size with cut angle and speed, but the effect of this compression is very small. The compression does increase the cut angle slightly due to the contact patch compressing past the initial point of contact between the balls (when contact is first initiated), and this does tend to counteract the effect of cut-induced throw (CIT) a small amount, but the ball-compression effect is very small and can be neglected for all practical purposes.

Sometimes you can see the contact patches on the balls. Here is an example after many power breaks:

ball contact patches due to ball compression

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