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Why not try three-cushion billiards for awhile? It is such a different game with an entirely different focus that its novelty may spark the interest that's lacking in pool for you right now. Robert

I assume by "pocket weight" you mean where the OB just falls into the pocket. Interestingly, the physics says you can't get down table more than a diamond with max follow if you do this with a full hit. That's because there's about a 1:6 ratio between the rolling distances for the CB and OB when...

That's the idea. Both of them are comparing the full range of follow and draw carom angles. When you compare NR and RNR caroms for extremely full hits, they are similarly sensitive. For example, a 7 degree cut has a 16 degree NR carom and a 17 degree RNR carom (where 0 is straight back for...

All things being equal, follow caroms are inherently more forgiving than other types. However, all things aren't equal in this position, and I don't think follow is necessarily the answer with the highest percentage when all factors are considered, at least on tight equipment. A proper analysis...

No, he said they stay close to the vertical center. With fuller hits, even small offsets from center produce lots of sidespin. Because the cue ball is slowed down significantly, the spin/speed ratio is increased. Watch the big runs and you'll see they avoid playing thinner than 1/2-ball whenever...

Here are the youtube links: Part 1 and Part 2 Robert

Don't forget to allow for deflection :) Robert

Rather than just trying random stuff like this, I suggest making time to understand the rack so you know exactly what you're trying to accomplish when breaking. The best info on 9-ball breaking out there is on Joe Tucker's Racking Secrets DVD, and studying that material is the fastest way to...

Thanks for the tips on removing those ugly black spots! I just want to add that I did a little testing to see if the smudges significantly affected the friction between the balls (which could decrease shotmaking consistency.) I setup frozen ball combination shots with and without the black...

I hear this a lot from players and students, and I've often found that when put under the microscope, they really didn't "know what they were supposed to do" as well as they thought they did. :) More often than not, missing was actually a reflection of lack of detailed knowledge about a shot...

"I've got too much stroke for this game." -- favorite 3-cushion excuse of a friend from Chicago

I can't see the streaming either, btw. So does anyone know what the device in the lower right of this picture from the tournament site is? Can anyone read Korean well enough to translate it? Robert

Too bad there seems to be an auto-focus problem on his table. It's starting now and way out of focus :( Regardless, thanks for the link, Juan Antonio! And for the video of the amazing Sanchez-Legazpi match as well on your blog :) Robert

That's a nice video, Dave! (one of many :)) I'd hate to be the ref calling that hit on the last shot, though... Robert

Actually, it looks like it would be possible for the jump shot since the rail isn't contacted until after the ball. Of course, the angles would be limited as far as keeping the CB on the table. Robert

What do you think about a 4th way being a jump shot, Bob? I can imagine getting the CB to land on top of the OB before touching the cushion with a straight enough angle to stay on the table but cutting the OB away from the cushion, but I've never tried it. This sounds like the tricky kind of...

This is definitely possible. For example, with a 2-3/8"D big cue ball and 2-1/4"D object ball, the centers are aligned ~1.6 degrees into the rail when both are frozen to the cushion and to each other. You can easily hit the ball before the rail and throw it the 2-3 degrees or so needed to send...

Max CIT is much less than where you can cut the ball compressing the cushion. Also, the higher speed reduces the throw. Robert

This is a common misconception for how to make a rail shot that has been mentioned a few times in this thread already but wasn't directly addressed by the "science guys" yet. I think it's adding to the confusion for some so I'd like to briefly address it. Making contact with the ball and the...

Thanks for the awesome streaming, guys! And thanks to the Seminole Tribe for supporting pool with such a great tour! Robert