I am somewhat of an aiming system geek, 90-90, center to edge, poolology, shishkabob, all produce a consistent angle when executed correctly, shadows and lights can produce good results provided the table is lit correctly, many bar tables are not. I did find an aiming system that finally checks many boxes for me and when executed correctly it is very accurate and produces reliable repeatable results. Where you ask did I find this marvelous system, on a snooker channel on you tube, thought the balls are a different size they are still balls, The gentleman on this site has some great ideas that can carry over to pool, I have included a link to his aiming system ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5b34KXNzNg it's titled what is the trick to snooker aiming he has many other great videos on aiming as well.
Check this one out
- Thread starter Threlgar
- Start date
Member for almost 6 years, first post - welcome!
That's what I call Ghost Ball aiming, and what I do, except maybe for his Step 3 where he then picks a point on the object ball where the GB center was (or uses edge-to-edge overlap for thinner cuts).
Here's the video embedded (you were missing an "h" on the front of your link):
What he shows is ghost ball aiming and then essentially inch-and-an-eighth for fullish shots. He also shows aiming with the edge but leaves out important details. He also says throw is not worth worrying about. I think his presentation could be a lot clearer.
I made a similar video like this a couple of years ago, showing how effective it is to visualize an aim line referencing the ob itself, rather than an imaginary ghostball...
Last edited:
I didn't post a video, but I used to shoot at ghosts,,,,,
"Inch-and-an-eighth" is the resting point of the ghost ball. It's what Cranfield's Arrow shows. If one knows the diameter of pool balls, the name is pretty obvious.
Right, ghost ball center on the cloth - obvious even though I only know the radius.
Thanks.
pj
chgo
Ghost Ball, in the aiming video I posted earlier the gentleman uses the Ghost Ball to define the object ball contact point, that contact point is where you are aiming the tip of your cue thru the center of the cue ball, in essence you are not aiming the cue ball at the object ball contact point, but the tip of the cue to strike the contact point on the object ball thru the center of the cue ball , aiming the edge of the cue ball at the object ball contact point works well on angles greater than a half ball hit
Threlgar
Threlgar
In the snooker video you posted, the guy is not aiming for the ob contact point, not at all. He is aiming for a point on the ob or just outside the ob. He finds this aim point by using the ghostball line (the centerline between cb and gb, where it lands in reference to the ob).
If you actually aim like that you'll miss every shot - you must be making unconscious adjustments. The OB contact point must be midway between the centers and edges of the balls for any shot. For example, here are the overlaps and contact points for 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 ball fractions. The grey circle is where the CB's center (and the cue, for a center ball hit) should be pointed.
pj
chgo
Last edited:
irspow
Member
Couldn’t that graphic also be looked at as the ‘double the distance’ method?’ I love the concept, but I am horrid at using visualization.
That is not what the video shows and it would be a horrible and broken way to try to learn aiming. On any cut shot it is wrong by roughly a factor of two on fullness.
As for that YouTube channel, I have watched maybe ten of his videos. They are OK for the most part, but I think his explanations are not always clear and sometimes in error.
Yes, that's one name for it (also "double offset", etc.).Couldn’t that graphic also be looked at as the ‘double the distance’ method?’ I love the concept, but I am horrid at using visualization.
pj
chgo
I have tried to describe it in post before.....(much easier to show in person) ...His video is pretty much exactly how I aim especially for all shot where the aim point is "on the ball" or shaft edge is "on the ball".....I do a variation of what he shows at 2:37.......As I am standing up I do a version of the Dr Dave "air aim"....my tip while standing gets aligned (over the CB) to the aim point on the OB....(not the actual contact point) this uses the CB as a axis point to make sure my cue is straight down the line as I drop onto the shot....You likely would not even know I do it if I did not tell you.
A little side note that (may) make you go "well now".......If you look at Patrick's post #11 on the far right ball......it actually shows what I am seeing using as my aim point for down the rail fairly straight shots...(anything that has a small angle)
If you drop down the CB center line to where it meets the cloth....You may notice that the point on the OB is right about where the OB edge meets the cloth....basically you (almost) don't even need to do all the pre-aim or even need to know where the pocket is.......just point your tip over the CB through to the point where the OB meets the cloth drop down on the line and you will make the shot....I feel like I am giving a secret away for those "long" down the rail shots where the pocket is far away.
I know that this is just a variation of GB aiming...and not as sexy as the CTE and other elaborate aiming methods.....What I like most about this method is every shot is with cue through center CB not a edge and pivot back to center.....
For whatever reason...I can pivot "from" center to apply BHE...but I have a hard time setting up "off center" and pivoting back....probably my bass ackwards brain in effect.
A little side note that (may) make you go "well now".......If you look at Patrick's post #11 on the far right ball......it actually shows what I am seeing using as my aim point for down the rail fairly straight shots...(anything that has a small angle)
If you drop down the CB center line to where it meets the cloth....You may notice that the point on the OB is right about where the OB edge meets the cloth....basically you (almost) don't even need to do all the pre-aim or even need to know where the pocket is.......just point your tip over the CB through to the point where the OB meets the cloth drop down on the line and you will make the shot....I feel like I am giving a secret away for those "long" down the rail shots where the pocket is far away.
I know that this is just a variation of GB aiming...and not as sexy as the CTE and other elaborate aiming methods.....What I like most about this method is every shot is with cue through center CB not a edge and pivot back to center.....
For whatever reason...I can pivot "from" center to apply BHE...but I have a hard time setting up "off center" and pivoting back....probably my bass ackwards brain in effect.
Because your visual alignment is actually on your aim line. If your vision is offset somewhat you could place your bridge on that offset and then pivot to center without it looking "off". Not telling you which may be better for you, just responding to your "For whatever reason".