heater451 said:

Generally, you should connect the two contact points. In some cases, you can aim directly (CB center) to the contact point (assuming farthest spot from pocket, opposite side on target ball), but not always. The contact-point-to-contact-point is the geometrically desired, "center-pocket" aim, but there is also 'throw' to contend with. However, if you have a fairly consistent, baseline result in your shots, then you can learn to compensate for speed/spin differences.

The point-to-point aiming is to offset for the curvature of the balls, which is not considered when aiming center-CB to OB-contact point. The offset is compensated for in other aiming systems, such as using the "side of the cue (ferrule)" type of alignment, which moves the centerline of the cuestick over for the necessary offset. For Ghostball, the offset is achieved by aiming at where the centerline of the ghostball touches the cloth. For fractional aiming, there isn't really a calculation for offset, as the specific cut-angles are "burnt in" by practice, and more/less cut angle is determined by experience.

I learned to offset by aiming (CB) centerball (to *assumed aimpoint to make the ball*), seeing that I missed, and then began to move my aimpoint to compensate *to the pocket*. I have other ways to determine cut angles now, but that was how I began to focus on *making the cue ball hit the "outside" of the target/object ball*.

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Thanks for your reply. All the replies have helped in understanding what I need to do. Of course, that means more time on the table but now, with more information.

JABSolstice said:

Man I miss the days of dragging my knees around corners. Those days are behind me now, though. I'll take sitting straight up on a bike and not having to ice my back after every ride.

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Agreed. The R6 was hella fun, esp on the track, but I'm old now, and the FLHX just suits me better.

FYI, kanzzo just posted an 75 on the draw drill. His video and current standings are on the Challenge page.

Here's the latest:

AZB Users Who Have Taken the BU Playing-Ability Exams (with top scores to date):

BU Exam Scores (I + II), III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII - User - Table Size, corner pocket mouth, throat, shelf - Video Links

186 (92 + D:94), , , 100, , 75, 96 - kanzzo - 9', 4 1/4", 3 5/8'', 1'' - Exam I, Exam II, Exam V, Exam VII, Exam VIII
182 (91 + D:91) - Side Pocket - 10', 4 7/8", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
181 (93 + D:88), 52, 93, 100, , 65, 84 - dr_dave - 9', 5", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II, Exam III, Exam IV, Exam V, Exam VII, Exam VIII
178 (91 + D:87) - Ken Cileli - 9', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
170 (83 + D:87) - Marc Vidal Claramunt - 9', 4 1/8", 3 5/16", 1" - Exam I, Exam II
168 (80 + D:88) - Gerry Williams - 9', 4 1/2", 4", 1 7/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
164 (84 + D:80) - theUBC - 9', 4 1/2", 4 1/8", 1 3/4" - Exam I, Exam II
164 (79 + D:85) - Mark Gray (1st attempt) - 9', 4 1/2", 4 1/2", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
161 (84 + D:77) - Shane Van Boening (1st attempt) - 9', 5", 3 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
161* (88 + M:73) - dr_dave - 8', 4 3/4", 4 1/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
160 (79 + D:81) - scottjen26 - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
157* (88 + M:69) - Neil - 7', 4 1/8", 2 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2)
153 (82 + D:71), 45 - peppersauce - 9', 4 1/4", 3 7/8", 1 1/4" - Exam I, Exam II, Exam III
148 (75 + D:73) - JeremiahGage - 9', 5", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
146 (74 + D:72), 49, 89, 94 - td873 - 9', 4.5", 3.75", 1.625" - Exam I, Exam II, Exam III, Exam IV, Exam V
146 (72 + D:74) - djkx1 - 9', 4 3/4" , 3 5/8" , 1 1/2"
144* (82 + M:62) - bowiebill - 7', 4 1/2", 4", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
144 (69 + M:75) - kanzzo - 9', 4 1/4", 3 5/8", 1" - Exam I, Exam II
141 (70 + D:71) - 12squared - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2"
135* (71 + M:64) - Mooneye - 7', 4 7/8", 4 1/8", 1 5/8" - Exam I, Exam II
132* (76 + M:56) - BRussell - 8', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II
130 (64 + M:66) - sjharr - 9'
130 (63 + M:67) - StraightPoolIU - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4"
129 (69 + M:60) - Spimp13 - 9'
128 (64 + M:64) - PocketPooler - 9', 4 3/8", 3 5/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I (part 1, part 2), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4)
127 (67 + M:60) - Okie - 9', 4 3/4", 4", 1 1/2"
124 (71 + M:53) - StraightPoolIU - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4"
124 (64 + M:60) - JC - 9', 4 7/16", 3 7/8", 1 3/8" - Exam I, Exam II
121* (63 + M:58) - TheOneGnat - 8', 4 1/2", 4", 1 5/8"
117 (53 + M:58) - RobMan - 9', 5", 4 1/4", 1 1/5"
114 (55 + M:59) - cleary - 9', 4 1/2", 3 7/8", 2" - Exam I, Exam II
113 (? + M:?) - Eagleshot - 9', 4 1/2, 4", 1 1/4" - PM
112* (61 + M:51) - gregcantrall - 8', 4 3/8", 4 1/8", 1"
111 (63 + M:48) - denwhit - 9', 4 5/8", 4 3/8", 1 1/4" - PM
111* (63+ M:48) - kling&allen - 7', 5", 4 1/2", 1 5/8" - Exam I, Exam II
110* (62 + M:48) - caff3in3 - 8'
108 (59 + M:49) - row21097 - 9', 4 1/2”, 4”, 1 1/2” - Exam I (part 1, part 2, part 3), Exam II (part 1, part 2, part 3)
108* (61 + M:47) - JFire - 7', 5", 4 1/8", 1 5/8"
106 (53 + M:53) - StraightPoolIU - 9', 4 7/8", 4 1/8, 1 1/4"
101 (49 + B:52) - kanzzo - 9', 4 1/4", 3 5/8", 1" - Exam I, Exam II
101* (59 + M:42) - 67tbird - 8', 4 1/4", 4", 1 1/2"
94 (57 + M:37) - BeiberLvr - 9'
92* (59 + M:33) - JFire - 7', 5", 4 1/8", 1 5/8"
91* (62 + M:29) - SeanChamp - 8', 4 1/2", 1 1/2"
90 (? + M:?) - EagleEye - 9', 5", 3 7/8", 1 3/8"
89 (56 + M:33) - mamics - 9', 4 5/8", 3 13/16", 1 1/4"
88 (? + B:?) - DrGonzo - 9', 4.5", 4", 1.5"
87 (49 + B:38), 30 - iusedtoberich - 9', 5 1/8", 4 1/8", 1 1/2" - Exam I, Exam II, Exam III
82 (57 + B:25) - krupa - 9', 4 3/4", 3 5/8", 1 1/4"
68 (35 + B:33) - icucybe - 9', 4 1/2", 3 /1/2", 1 3/4"
68 (44 + B:24) - pleforowicz - 9', 11.7cm, 9.2cm, 3.8cm
63 (41 + B:22) - SamLambert - 9' - Exams I and II

*: not on a 9' or larger table

NOTE - Other scores and videos can be found on the BU Alumni page (official BU graduates) and the BU Exam Challenge pages.

kanzzo said:

The Draw Matrix Drill Challenge doesn't look right without my name on it . And Eric Simpson needs some motivation to improve his score and reclaim the top spot on the leaderboard.

View attachment 907407

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Good job. I've added you to the Challenge page.

straightline said:

If you do it right, you will have the stick line. Period. This will be the default of the shot. Backhand english will suffice on the majority of shots to the degree you may have to go looking for instances of fronthand and other applications of english.
Important to note is BHE should be pivot only. You just have to trust that you are no longer aiming.

The execution part; at some point you just have to get in the car and develop a feel for parking and unparking and generally staying oriented and centered in traffic. Lotta ands...

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Thanks for your reply. Now I have a better idea of what I need to do. With more practice I may develop the "feel" you mentioned. I can relate to what you pointed out.

Bob Jewett said:

Cue ball center towards the contact point hits the object ball twice as full as needed. I hope this is obvious to all.

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Thanks for your reply Mr. Jewett. It makes sense, particularly when it is stated by a respected authority. I knew the CB replaces the ghost ball but I have difficulty aiming at an empty space. Sorry for my simple question.