Hal Houle

Houle

Great post Champ. That's about as definitive an explanation as you can get. It's exactly the way that Hal explained it to me. I went out and learned it because there are a few 'older' guys in my area that I was playing that had learned it from him back in the day and these guys could make shots effortlessly. Whether you use his system or not, it's definitely worth checking out and giving a try. You may be suprised.
 
Center of bump to edge of pickle

branpureza said:
I'm interested in the aiming system I've heard this guy speak of...

Anyone familiar with it?

Comments/Feedback would be appreciated... I see on his profile that he lives in Pa, I wonder if he'll be in Valley Forge.

Speaking of Valley Forge, who's going?
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All you do is aim center to edge , edge to edge, 1/4 ball to 1/8 ball, right edge to center, the balls will go in like magic. It is also a global conspiracy among top pros that Hal's systems are all you need to be a top player. Center of shaft to right edge of object ball, left edge to right edge of cue ball using soft,medium,hard speed and the balls just go in. But once you practice this and become pro, remember you can't tell anybody. The best systems he has are the ones that use legs from other tables or pillars in the room that you can use as guides for making the balls just melt into the pockets. Pretty much all the top pros were at one time students of the guru of sytems. Bigfoot,O.J.Simpson,Scott Peterson,Tonya Harding,and Bryce Avilla have all been Hal's students. Good luck.
Bumpy out!
 
It's a call you won't regret. Arrange some time.. have an hour to spend... and be where you can try the techniques he teaches you.
 
Aiming

Hal system is the shit. Get on the phone and call Tom Simpson Hal has gave him rights to teach his system. Making balls will never be so easy. I hope none of you call because this system gives me the edge. I love all the people that discredit this system please keep discrediting. Sorry about spelling. :) Now lets get Hal in the Hall of Fame.
 
Hal's system changed my life. That fractional system is hogwash - Hal said me "made that up" to get someone off his back who was making constant calls to him. There's only one system, the single aim system, as far as I'm concerned. If someone doesn't believe it or want to find it.... HAHAHAHAHAHA good. All I know is I haven't aimed at anything but the edge of the OB for every shot for nearly a year and balls just go from everywhere. Thanks, Hal. His info is so profound, they should def put him in the hall of fame. He basically reinvented the game.
 
ginsu said:
Champs explanation is pretty good but I would call the man and get it first hand.
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Ginsu,
I'm going to have to disagree with Champs. The system that Hal showed to me is not only different than that posted above; Hal was adamant in disagreeing with several things contained in that post.

I know Hal has many systems, and maybe what is posted is one person's attempt to describe one of them. I will agree with SpiderWebComm that the system is hard to describe, easy to use, worth a visit to see Hal himself.
 
I'm going to have to disagree with Champs. The system that Hal showed to me is not only different than that posted above; Hal was adamant in disagreeing with several things contained in that post.
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Whoever wrote that (I believe it was Hal several years ago in an email to somebody I know), if it doesn't sound like numerological nonsense to you I have a bridge for sale cheap.

This happens every time Hal's name comes up: his most zealous apostles do their best to make him look like a snakeoil salesman with Alzheimer's.

pj
chgo
 
Hal's own words

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 ? 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 workbench
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

Date: Fri, 12 Sep 1997 09:57:54 -0400 (EDT)
From: POOLHAL@aol.com
Message-ID: <970912095641_501884199@emout18.mail.aol.com>
To: [name deleted]
Subject: AIMING SYSTEMS
MIME-Version: 1.0

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

CUE BALL EDGE SYSTEM:

First, this system costs you nothing.

My name is Hal Houle. Started playing in 1934. Began instructing pool in
1945. Still doing it. Teach professionals, very advanced players, and
road money players.

3 angles for all shots, on any size pool table, including snooker & bar
tables. Includes; pocketing, caroms, single rail banks, double rail
banks, 2, 3, and 4 rail banks, and double kiss banks.

All tables have a 2 to 1 ratio; 3 1/2 x 7, 4 x 8, 4 ? x 9, 5 x 10, 6 x
12. Always twice as long as it is wide. Table corners are 90 degree
angles. Laying a cue from side pocket to corner pocket forms a 45
degree angle. Laying a cue from side pocket to middle diamond on same
end rail, forms a 30 degree angle. Laying a cue from side pocket to
first diamond on the same end rail forms a 15- degree angle. 3 angles
total 90 degrees, the same angles formed by table corners.

CB relation, to OB relation, to POCKET relation is always 15, 30, or 45
degrees. Simple solution. 2 places on CB to aim with; always in same
places. 3 places on OB to aim at, always in same places. 2 places on
CB, 3 places on OB; 2 x 3 = 6 pockets. Depending upon how CB and OB and pocket lie in relation to one another, can pocket OB directly into
pocket or bank into any one of remaining 5 pockets. Reverse is true. If
relationship of CB to OB to POCKET can only be a bank, so be it.

No need to look at pocket or cushion while lining up place on CB at
place on OB. 3 angles. Only requirement is to recognize shot is 15, 30,
or 45 degree angle. Recognizing 3 angles can be done instantly by
aiming one of 2 CB places at one of 3 OB places. Will be obvious which
OB place is correct. Any time one of 2 places on CB is aimed at one of
3 places on OB, OB must go to pocket. Choose correctly and OB will go
to chosen pocket. Professionals know this aiming system, but are a
closed fraternity; you are the enemy. Interested in where those places
are?

CB 2 places ; left edge, right edge.

OB 3 places ; center of left half, center of 0B, center of right half.
Halves and center face straight at edges of CB, not facing toward
pocket. If working on a workbench at home, there wouldn't be a pocket.
You'd line up edge of CB at target on OB without pocket influence.

Cutting left 15 degrees, aim CB left edge at center of OB left half.
Cutting left 30 degrees, aim CB left edge at OB center. Cutting left 45
degrees, aim CB left edge at center of OB right half.

Cutting right 15 degrees, aim CB right edge at center of OB right half.
Cutting right 30 degrees, aim CB right edge at OB center. Cutting right
45 degrees, aim CB right edge at center of OB left half.

Get down and aim your old way, you will be close to where you should be
aiming. Look to see (without changing your head or eye position) where
CB edge is aiming at OB. On every shot, the CB edge is always aiming at
those OB places.

System is for any shot; pocketing, single banks, double banks, double
kiss banks, multiple banks, caroms, and combinations. The shot remaining is
extreme cut for any shots over 45 degrees. Aim CB edge at center of
half of the half of 0B (?). Don't let pocket influence you. Have a
friend hold ball tray between OB and pocket, so you can't see pocket.
You would've chosen 15, 30, or 45-degree angle before friend put ball
tray in place. Have fun; don't tell friend how you pocket OB without
seeing pocket.

Any questions, call me.

Regards, Hal Houle
 
I think it i sincredible that he will just allow people to call and ask about his systems! Will he describe the system to anyone who calls and asks?
 
depends on the mood he is in

mantis99 said:
I think it i sincredible that he will just allow people to call and ask about his systems! Will he describe the system to anyone who calls and asks?
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Seems to depend on the mood he is in. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It doesn't cost much to call and ask and his stories are well worth the price of a call anyway.

Hu
 
Hal and his wife are nice and hospitable people. I called Hal to inquire about his aiming system, and without a pool table nearby his system was difficult to grasp. He offered to teach me in person, if I could make it down to PA, and he told me he would put me up at his house. I had a delightful time, and his aiming system is ingenious and simple to learn.
 
I Have A Sure Fire System For Eating Hooter Wings (but don't call me for it)

Hal spent time showing me his '3 angle system'. He folded his arms and covered the pockets and told me to shoot. I missed over and over again.

Finally exasperated, Hal threw his arms in the air and screamed that I was HOPELESS and waste of his time. I decided that what I needed was a 'three angels system' and that I would just shoot and then pray to heaven to make a ball (my system always works,sometimes).

Then, Hal and I sat down and ate some giant cheeseburgers with fries and talked about online personalities. We had a GREAT time. I Like Hal.

Doug
( the secret to pool, is not taking anything TOO seriously........imo ) :)
 
Is it me or Hal's 3 angle system doesn't sound like it will work. I mean I had plenty of shots that isnt 15 30 or 45 degree angle. Is he implying you hit them at those 3 angles and let the ball bounce around the tables until it goes into a pocket?
 
housecue said:
Is it me or Hal's 3 angle system doesn't sound like it will work. I mean I had plenty of shots that isnt 15 30 or 45 degree angle. Is he implying you hit them at those 3 angles and let the ball bounce around the tables until it goes into a pocket?
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That is the source of all the debate and consternation.

The systems don't sound like they will work at all. Especially for those of us who grew up on Bob Byrne's Standard Book of Pool and it's Ghost Ball aiming.

But the systems, methods, techniques, whatever you want to call them do work. Like magic.

The hard part is retraining your brain and body to use them until they become second nature and you are always lining up correctly.

When I was a springboard diver I was self taught until I got into a formal program. I complained to my coach once that what he was telling me to do didn't feel right. He said when you are used to doing it the wrong way then the right way isn't going to feel right. It took me a long time to break the bad habits and start diving the right way. Same thing in pool.

Before I met Hal I wouldn't have believed that there were other ways to aim. Better ways.

And after meeting him I found other players who opened up about the various aiming systems. At the Valley Forge show in 2001/2002 I was showing off a few of Hal's systems and was approached by an older man who started to show off several similar ones that he said he learned as a young man in the New York area.

If anyone can document and diagram Hal's systems - with his permisison, then pool would have a treasure chest full of one man's lifetime quest to improve this vital part of the game.
 
It's a secret.

housecue said:
Is it me or Hal's 3 angle system doesn't sound like it will work. I mean I had plenty of shots that isnt 15 30 or 45 degree angle. Is he implying you hit them at those 3 angles and let the ball bounce around the tables until it goes into a pocket?
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Just remember that if you figure out how to use these systems and never miss again you can never discuss it like all the other top pros. Just ask Efren,Busta,Corey,Shane,Mika,etc. and they will tell you what systems they use. I think they use the one called muscle memory and massive amounts of repetition.
 
housecue said:
Is it me or Hal's 3 angle system doesn't sound like it will work. I mean I had plenty of shots that isnt 15 30 or 45 degree angle. Is he implying you hit them at those 3 angles and let the ball bounce around the tables until it goes into a pocket?
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Hal doesn't say much of anything. His apostles (the Houligans) usually get dreamy-eyed and start speaking in tongues when such questions come up, mumbling about "margins of error", "migrating centers" and "the Force". I believe their essential argument is that it's a faith-based aiming system and therefore immune to logic (and, of course, taxes).

pj
chgo
 
Patrick Johnson said:
Hal doesn't say much of anything. His apostles (the Houligans) usually get dreamy-eyed and start speaking in tongues when such questions come up, mumbling about "margins of error", "migrating centers" and "the Force". I believe their essential argument is that it's a faith-based aiming system and therefore immune to logic (and, of course, taxes).

pj
chgo
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The 3-angle system isn't even Hal's system. It's not the system he teaches. He laughs when he reads that people think that's his system. He told that to someone as a way to get rid of them and he published it.

I haven't aimed at the center of an OB for almost a year now and run out pretty well. Faith-based is spending your life playing with the ghost-ball and never achieving any kind of level, praying someday you'll get there.
 
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