Center of Table

[mr clean]

Would someone clarify for me just exactly what the center of table means.?
I have yet to get a definitive answer on this! When told to put the cue ball in the center of the table, I'm sure they don't mean between the center pockets as this wouldn't work for some shots. Pleas help a diagram would be awesome.

 

[crawdaddio]

How 'bout this.............


START(
%AB7C0%BB7\1%CB9\8%DB6[9%EB8\5%FB1\4%GB2B6%HB4\5%IB5B7%JB5A6
%KB4[7%LB9B7%MB3\3%NB4[9%OB7B8%P[4O5
)END

Note the position of the white.

~DC

 

[mr clean]

How 'bout this.............


START(
%AB7C0%BB7\1%CB9\8%DB6[9%EB8\5%FB1\4%GB2B6%HB4\5%IB5B7%JB5A6
%KB4[7%LB9B7%MB3\3%NB4[9%OB7B8%P[4O5
)END

Note the position of the white.

~DC

I'm sorry, let me clarify further, when shooting for shape, people say to bring the cue ball to the center of the table. If I have a ball on the end rail,one diamond over, I certainly don't want to be there, so the center of the table has to be somewhere along the length of the table in the middle, hope this makes sense

 

[crawdaddio]

I'm sorry, let me clarify further, when shooting for shape, people say to bring the cue ball to the center of the table.

What they mean by this is what I diagrammed. It is good to know the speed and angles to bring the white to the center merely for percentages. Especially in 9 ball, most good players have a better chance of making "many" shots from this position. The intended meaning (I think) is not necessarily the "exact" center, rather, relative to your next shot. Center is almost always better than stuck to the rail (almost).

http://onepocket.org/table/pooltable2.html

For example:

All of these shots can be made (except the 9) from the center of the table...

START(
%AH3V5%BM0J2%CB2B8%DB9B4%Eg2X4%Fe9G2%GB4C2%Hc3Q8%Ir8N7%JA9B3
%KA9B4%LB4B6%M[3\7%NB5\3%OB7B5%PW6O4%QY1_0
)END

Consider the table cut in half for center positional shots on one end........

START(
%AF7Y4%BF9J1%CR3T5%DH8Q5%Eg2X4%Fe9G2%GC0C0%H_9J8%Ir8N7%JA1B7
%KC5C1%LB2B7%M[3\7%NB5\3%OA2A6%PN4P5%QY1_0%UL8P0%VC1K6%WG9X8
%XM9Q1%YG9[0%ZG7Y7%[M1P3%\H7Z8%]D0K4%^G1K1%_J9N2%`Q6S9%aO0Q1
)END

The arrows indicate the travel of the white only and probably look a little confusing in my diagram.......sorry.

HIH
~DC

 

[Blackjack]

I'm sorry, let me clarify further, when shooting for shape, people say to bring the cue ball to the center of the table. If I have a ball on the end rail,one diamond over, I certainly don't want to be there, so the center of the table has to be somewhere along the length of the table in the middle, hope this makes sense

I covered this subject in detail in my book Lessons in 9 Ball. If you have to leave the center of the table, by all means do so. Try to get back there as soon as possible. The reason for being in the center of the table is because you generally can count on keeping an angle from there, therefore your chances of getting "too straight" on a shot diminish. Also, there aren't any pockets in the center of the table. At the following link, I talk about reading the rack. One of the things I do is see which balls can or cannot be made from the center of the table.

Reading Racks

There are factors that will dictate where you get on an object ball, such as pocket availability options, clusters, and sequence. Playing the center of the table also simplifies things. The term refers to a general area in the center of the table, but by no means says "exact" center. There are two sides of the center, high and low center table. Many players also use the term "mid-table" which I believe is a better term although I use it infrequently.

 

[mr clean]

So if I cut the table in half a good place to be would be the foot spot or the head spot depending on which half of the table my balls are?

 

[TheBook]

So if I cut the table in half a good place to be would be the foot spot or the head spot depending on which half of the table my balls are?

If you can't figure out the center of the table you are in trouble.

It is in the middle between the two side pockets. If you still are confused draw a diagonal line from each corner pocket (cross corner) You now have a X now draw a line from each side pocket. You have 3 lines intersecting. That is the center. If you cannot figure this out from here you are in deep trouble . Hope this helps.

 

[drivermaker]

If you can't figure out the center of the table you are in trouble.

It is in the middle between the two side pockets. If you still are confused draw a diagonal line from each corner pocket (cross corner) You now have a X now draw a line from each side pocket. You have 3 lines intersecting. That is the center. If you cannot figure this out from here you are in deep trouble . Hope this helps.

What the Books says is what it is. If you have a ball on either end rail, center of the table is more than likely not the place to be to cut it in. You also have to be able to learn to move the ball to either end rail or there abouts when that shot arises too. I haven't read Blackjack's material yet, but I sure will and I'm certain it's excellent. If you're more of a visual person in learning, get The Pro Book on CD - #1, or Bert Kinister's tapes or CD. They'll show you exactly how to do it from just about anywhere. Otherewise hit 10,000,000 balls on your own and learn how to do it, it'll make 9-ball and life at the pool table a lot easier and profitable. It's a MUST!

 

[vapoolplayer]

this is a little off subject, but it seems to me that most shots can be made and postion attained from 5 spots on the table depending on where the object ball is and where you want to get position to next.

the head spot, the foot spot, the center, and on or near the the two short rails in the center of the rail.

when i practice shooting shots, i practice getting to all of these spots.

makes things alot easier.

any comments on this?

thanks

VAP