Favorite/easiest diamond banking systems.

straightline said:
Most bank methods give you a method to find an angle and target which you must then learn to cinch. A more thorough way is to shoot at specific targets on the rail ( just like pocketing balls - go figure) and learning your ranges and margins.
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This is what I do. I set up a wide variety of bank shots, sticker them, then shoot at different speeds, different spots on the cue ball, and with different spins. Thats how you figure out and remember the various effects.
 
Hey black balled, the corner 5 system on a 3 cushion heated table is about 2.8 diamonds off (on the first rail) from the same system on a 9' red label diamond. hahaha
 
iusedtoberich said:
Asking for a friend.... what do you system boys do on a red label diamond? Cry? hahahahaha
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Banking is art and science. It doesn’t just have to be systems or feel. It’s both.

The ‘system’ I learned from Tor Lowry also taught me the principles or science of banking. DrDave is also very helpful in the regard.

Going this route speeds up the learning process. Learning just by feel takes a lot longer and you have to figure the principles out on your own.

Obviously, systems can break down on bigger cut angles, or at different speeds, or on different tables. It helps to know why so one can adjust.

Sometimes the system doesn’t seem to give me the right spot to hit. It doesn’t feel right. So I adjust. Sometimes I use a system to check a bank I am about to shoot by feel. I see many pros do it from time to time too.

As for your question, tables tend to be consistent whether they are accurate or not. I just take into account how much a table is off and hit shorter or longer.
 
Someone should start a list....

2:1 rolling ball diamond ratio
sliding ball system, 70% of the mirror distance
Corner-5
Plus system (AKA plus-2)
constructing a mirror target
"Opposite-3" kicking (magic spot on a pool table)
Max side spin systems
Graduated side spin system (1 tip = 1 diamond, sort of)
short, soft kick, ball close to cushion, shallow into cushion
short, stun kick, ball close to cushion, shallow into cushion
System Sid (end rail first to hit on side rail)
Mosconi's crossing line intersection construction (not very good)
Specific reference lines for special shots, such as two rails (long, head) banking from the foot spot at one pocket
 
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As for books, I think Robert Byrne gives the widest coverage and best explanations. You have to read the carom parts for some of the kicking systems.
 
bbb said:
the one rail 2:1 i think is the simplest since most people can count to at least 8 or into the teens if necessary and can divide by 2
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Yeah, that plus 5 stuff always messed with my 8th grade edjumicayshun.
Whew. Big word.
I kept coming up with 5 plus 5 equals 8 or some shit.🤷🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️
 
boogieman said:
While not banks, Deadaim's kicking academy has a plethora of systems and tracks. If you study and practice that, much of it can be used for banks with a little adaptation. Basically the routes are the same but you might have to adjust for the fact that the OB doesn't carry spin like the CB which you hit directly. You also have to account for CIT and such.

Honestly I find banking so speed and table dependent that most of it is just eyeballing for me. A shot either feels on of off. Even things like Z banks are pretty much just figuring out the 1 rail bank and dividing the table up to account for the extra rail and how it effects the CB.

The trick where you lay a table matrix out and aim for a pocket (which may be 2 or 3 imaginary tables away works pretty well. It's a lot about the angles and if you can kind of imagine the angles it works, kind of like fly on the wall. It's very difficult to describe because it's really just getting a feel for the angles and imaginary pockets.

Banking with the Beard books are very good. While I can't really think of anything off the top of my head, I will be watching the thread because there are a lot of systems out there.

EDIT: In case you've not checked it out: https://drdavepoolinfo.com/faq/bank-kick/ and here's the Deadaim Kicking Academy: https://drdavepoolinfo.com/resource_files/dead_aim_kicking_academy.pdf
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Good stuff!!
 
Frosty said:
As was mentioned in an earlier post, systems are table dependent and that changes on the same table at times due to “conditions” I.E. dry/ “wet” table, as well as numerous other variables like spin you may be imparting with your stroke without really knowing you’re doing it, as well as speed of stroke, how clean or dirty the balls are, etc.

I’m fortunate in that I just kinda “see it” so it came relatively easy to me. Your best bet is spending a portion of your table time playing short rack banks when you play. I think it’s something you develop a feel for by just doing it. It’s also a great game for your stroke. Wish I could give you something better, but that’s all I’ve got 🤷🏻‍♂️
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Close enuf for Gov work.👍🏻
 
boogieman said:
The trick where you lay a table matrix out and aim for a pocket (which may be 2 or 3 imaginary tables away works pretty well. It's a lot about the angles and if you can kind of imagine the angles it works, kind of like fly on the wall. It's very difficult to describe because it's really just getting a feel for the angles and imaginary pockets.
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I think the operative condition here is you set a major variable by having a specific shot to consider. Without that, all the variables float. Observe the hit or miss nature of pro short rack for reference. They do set variables like hit 'em hard, or hit 'em with follow, or hit 'em with draw; not the best pivot points IMO.
 
jbart65 said:
....snip.... Going this route speeds up the learning process. Learning just by feel takes a lot longer and you have to figure the principles out on your own.

....snip....
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I disagree. I tried learning some of the math based systems and they were a pain in the butt to remember. On the other hand, visually seeing where the balls will go is as natural as looking straight ahead. Zero numbers to add, zero "is this system thru the diamond or across from it?",etc etc.
 
My thanks for all the information. I'm not a terribly bad banker for such a lousy player.
😉
I have on occasion used english to change the angle on a bank, so I am not unfamiliar with the "art" aspect of the bank shot. What I was looking for was a simple diamond system to use during my limited practice time, in an attempt to reinforce what I'm visualizing...if that makes any sense.
Again, my thanks to everyone for their input.
j2
 
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iusedtoberich said:
I disagree. I tried learning some of the math based systems and they were a pain in the butt to remember. On the other hand, visually seeing where the balls will go is as natural as looking straight ahead.
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Visualisation is also affected by table condition as other systems are.🖖
 
iusedtoberich said:
I disagree. I tried learning some of the math based systems and they were a pain in the butt to remember. On the other hand, visually seeing where the balls will go is as natural as looking straight ahead. Zero numbers to add, zero "is this system thru the diamond or across from it?",etc etc.
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If your approach works for you, great. Different folks ...

For my part, I benefited from learning the principles of banking and learning a numbering system. It was pretty easy. Now I am at the point where I instinctively know by feel how the numbers add up.

The real question is what approach would benefit most people more. The answer to me is obvious.
 
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j2pac said:
I have on occasion used english to change the angle on a bank,
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Grady Mathews exhibition included a way to practice single rail kicks. He would place the cueball in the Jaws of the corner and kick it one rail into the side. Starting with a point near the opposite corner and then going up the rail and approaching the opposite side pocket. Kind like the limbo. An interesting study in changing the exit angle by changing the speed and spin.
Often in competition the cueball only has a small area of the opposite rail available to escape a well laid safety or a self created boo boo.
 
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