There are only 3 angles for any shot, on any size table. This includes;
caroms, single rail banks, double rail banks, 1, 2, 3, and 4 rail
banks, and double kiss banks. Any table has a 2 to 1 ratio; 3 1/2 x 7,
4 x 8, 4 ½ x 9, 5 x 10, 6 x 12. It is always twice as long as it is
wide. The table corners are 90 degree angles. When you lay a cue from
the side pocket to the corner pocket, you are forming an angle of 45
degrees. When you lay a cue from the side pocket to the middle diamond
on the same end rail, you are forming an angle of 30 degrees. When you
lay a cue from the side pocket to the first diamond on the same end
rail, you are forming an angle of 15 degrees. When you add up these 3
angles, they total 90 degrees, which is the same angle formed by the
table corners. The cue ball relation to object ball relation shot angle
is always 15, 30, or 45 degrees. The solution is very simple.
There are only 2 edges on the cue ball to aim with, and they are always
exactly in the same place on the cue ball. There are only 3 exact spots
on the object ball to aim to, and they are always exactly in the same
place on the object ball. So, 2 edges on the cue ball, and 3 spots on
the object ball; 2 x 3 = 6 which is the total number of table pockets.
This means that, depending upon how the cue ball and object ball lie in
relation to one another, you may either pocket the object ball directly
into a pocket or bank it into any one of the remaining 5 pockets. Of
course, the reverse is true. If the relationship of cue ball to object
ball can only be a bank, so be it. There is never a need to look at a
pocket or cushion while lining up the edge on the cue ball to the spot
on the object ball. You have only those 3 angles Your only requirement
is to recognize whether your shot is a 15, 30, or 45 degree angle.
Recognizing those 3 angles can be accomplished in an instant by aiming
the edge of the cue ball to one of the spots on the object ball. It
will be obvious which object ball spot is correct. There will be no
doubt. Any time either one of the 2 edges on the cue ball is aimed at
any one of the 3 spots on the object ball, that object ball must go to
a pocket. Choose the correct spot and the object ball will most
certainly go to the chosen pocket. The top professional players in the
game have always known about this professional aiming system, but they
are a closed fraternity, and you are the enemy. Interested in where
those spots are located?
The 2 places on the cue ball are the left edge of the cue ball when you
are cutting the object ball to the left; and the right edge of the cue
ball when you are cutting the object ball to the right. The 3 spots on
the object ball are the quarters, and the center. The quarters and
center of the object ball face straight at the edges of your cue ball,
not facing toward the pocket. In other words, if you were on a work-
bench at home, there would be no pocket, so you would just line up the
edge of the cue ball straight to your target on the object ball. When
you cut to the left for 15 degrees, aim the left cue ball edge at the
object ball left quarter. When you cut to the left for 30 degrees, aim
the cue ball left edge at the object ball center. When you cut to the
left for 45 degrees, aim the cue ball left edge at the object ball
right quarter. When you cut to the right for 15 degrees, you aim the
cue ball right edge at the object ball right quarter. When you cut to
the right for 30 degrees, you aim the cue ball right edge at the object
center. When you cut to the right for 45 degrees, you aim the right cue
ball edge to the object ball left quarter. If you'll just get down and
aim your old way, you'll be close to where you should be aiming. Look
to see (without changing your head or eye position) just where the cue
ball edge is aiming at the object ball. You'll see that on every shot
that the cue ball edge is always aiming at the same targets on the
object ball. Remember, this system is for any shot on the table; banks,
caroms, combinations, and so forth. The only shot remaining is the
extreme cut for any shot over 45 degrees. Aim the cue ball edge to the
eighth of the object ball (which is half of the quarter). Don't let the
pocket influence you. Have a friend hold the ball tray between the
object ball and the pocket, so you cannot see the pocket, and you'll
see that those 3 angles will handle just about anything. Of course, you
would have chosen the 15, 30, or 45 degree angle before your friend put
the ball tray in place. It also makes it much more interesting if you
don't tell your friend how you are pocketing the ball without seeing
the pocket. Have some fun. For any questions, call me.
Regards, POOL HAL