Hi Everyone,
I’ve been working on my banking lately and I’m interested in some of your strategies when you approach a bank shot. I would like to start a conversation on banking which is far beyond the beginner and intermediate levels of banking. I want to hear from the people who are top bankers or play bank pool regularly. For the sake of this discussion, let’s talk about one rail banks where cue ball control is not an issue.
Banks are fascinating because you can shoot the same bank an infinite amount of different ways and still make the shot. For example, if a bank goes at medium speed it will also go at high speed when shot at a contact point further down the rail and if you add english to the shot you will have to aim at a different spot on the rail. Depending on which speed/spin combination you choose, the shot angle changes. As the shot angle changes, the amount of cut induced spin on the object ball also changes and needs to be accounted for.
With that being said, what’s your approach to choosing the best speed/spin/angle combination??
My approach is to limit the amount of variables. I like to shoot most banks with a medium-hard speed to straighten out the return angle creating a wider pocket. I’ve noticed that the banking return angle is usually pretty consistent at higher speeds which I prefer and creates one less variable to adjust.
The next variable which I find to be very consistent is the amount of cut induced spin applied to the object ball. This can straighten or widen a bank significantly depending on the how thin of a cut. On cross banks which are usually thin cuts, the cut induced spin is the biggest factor and usually accounts for about 90% of my aiming point selection.
I try not to add any side spin to my banks unless I have to since a little bit of spin goes a long way and it’s difficult to predict. Before adding side spin I like to make minor adjustments with top and bottom spin if possible, which I find easier to control.
There are two situations where I like to use outside english. The first is if I have a back cut bank in which case the cut induced spin is usually too powerful and needs to be counteracted with outside english. The second is when the object ball is within an inch or two of the rail. The close proximity of the rail really amplifies the cut induced spin since it doesn’t have time to wear off while rolling.
Inside english I use on occasion if I really need to straighten out a bank and it’s the last resort. For me, inside english is easier to predict than outside english.
So as you can see, I have my own guidelines I use for determining which bank shot gives me the best chance of making the shot. It's far from perfect but it's my mine which I use. Whether you realize it or not, I'm sure you have you own equally complicated guidelines which you use, subconsciously or consciously.
So let's hear it, what's your technique? How do you simplify something with so many variables?
P.S., before you ask:
1. Yes, I’ve read Banking with the Beard
2. Yes, I’ve seen Dr. Dave’s information
Cheers :wink:
I’ve been working on my banking lately and I’m interested in some of your strategies when you approach a bank shot. I would like to start a conversation on banking which is far beyond the beginner and intermediate levels of banking. I want to hear from the people who are top bankers or play bank pool regularly. For the sake of this discussion, let’s talk about one rail banks where cue ball control is not an issue.
Banks are fascinating because you can shoot the same bank an infinite amount of different ways and still make the shot. For example, if a bank goes at medium speed it will also go at high speed when shot at a contact point further down the rail and if you add english to the shot you will have to aim at a different spot on the rail. Depending on which speed/spin combination you choose, the shot angle changes. As the shot angle changes, the amount of cut induced spin on the object ball also changes and needs to be accounted for.
With that being said, what’s your approach to choosing the best speed/spin/angle combination??
My approach is to limit the amount of variables. I like to shoot most banks with a medium-hard speed to straighten out the return angle creating a wider pocket. I’ve noticed that the banking return angle is usually pretty consistent at higher speeds which I prefer and creates one less variable to adjust.
The next variable which I find to be very consistent is the amount of cut induced spin applied to the object ball. This can straighten or widen a bank significantly depending on the how thin of a cut. On cross banks which are usually thin cuts, the cut induced spin is the biggest factor and usually accounts for about 90% of my aiming point selection.
I try not to add any side spin to my banks unless I have to since a little bit of spin goes a long way and it’s difficult to predict. Before adding side spin I like to make minor adjustments with top and bottom spin if possible, which I find easier to control.
There are two situations where I like to use outside english. The first is if I have a back cut bank in which case the cut induced spin is usually too powerful and needs to be counteracted with outside english. The second is when the object ball is within an inch or two of the rail. The close proximity of the rail really amplifies the cut induced spin since it doesn’t have time to wear off while rolling.
Inside english I use on occasion if I really need to straighten out a bank and it’s the last resort. For me, inside english is easier to predict than outside english.
So as you can see, I have my own guidelines I use for determining which bank shot gives me the best chance of making the shot. It's far from perfect but it's my mine which I use. Whether you realize it or not, I'm sure you have you own equally complicated guidelines which you use, subconsciously or consciously.
So let's hear it, what's your technique? How do you simplify something with so many variables?
P.S., before you ask:
1. Yes, I’ve read Banking with the Beard
2. Yes, I’ve seen Dr. Dave’s information
Cheers :wink:
