Systematic Billiards - Gilbert

[bud green]

I was looking through Allen G.'s book and was wondering if anyone has spent some time on the book and has some suggestions.

I like the short angle system in his book; it has helped me concentrate on my second rail hit points better. I don't think I'll end up using his dead ball system in the front of the book.

My main question was, does anyone like his 3-4 system better than the regular diamond system (corner 5) ?

I don't want to spend a lot of time trying to learn it if others say its less accurate, needs too many adjustments,etc...


If anyone has Walt Harris's Billiard Atlas III or IV, I'd be interested in your opinions on those books also. I have the first two and like them, but I only use a few things from them. I've heard others think the info in the books is too incomplete.

[Bob Jewett]

... My main question was, does anyone like his 3-4 system better than the regular diamond system (corner 5) ?
...
It's been quite a while since I looked at it, but as I recall, it required increasing amounts of side spin depending on the origin of the cue ball. I would prefer a system in which I can hit the ball more or less the same way for all tracks.

[Deno J. Andrews]

I am not a big fan of the book. It is very "old school" American billiard philosophy, which will get you to about the level of a good international referee today :) Back in the old days it might have been really good info. The game has progressed a lot since then, especially position play which isn't really addressed or covered in the book. Basically, if you are not considering position play on 100% of the short angle shots you shoot, you are not really playing them correctly.

Deno