Long Bank vs. Long Rail Bank...

rayshooter22

rayshooter22

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've been having an ongoing Discussion with a friend of mine, about the proper terminology used to classify a bank. I say that when banking a ball 9 feet the long way down table, that it's a short rail bank. My reasoning being that when banking off the head rail, you are banking off of a short rail. Therefore it should be classified as a "short rail bank". I also said that when shooting a short bank, to the side pockets for example, that it's a long rail bank, seeing that the side rails are the longer of the rails.

He says the opposite, that a "long rail bank", is a bank the long way across the table, and a "short rail bank" is a bank across the short side of the table. If there are any bank pool players who see this, I'd be interested in hearing your opinion. I think it'd be nice to get an official classification on the matter.

I think the terminology I used is technically correct but may not be the most popular response. If you guys have an opinion on the matter please post here and help the rest of those out there with the same question get a clear answer. I'd also like to hear from the older players as well to maybe get information on the origins of bank pool and the names of banks. Thanks a lot for your input. :grin:
 
In Chicago we refer to length of table banks as "strait back" banks... ex."9 ball strait back under me"or "9 ball strait back on the left/right". We refer to the 1/2 table banks as "cross" banks..ex. "9 ball cross side/cross corner".

Hope that helps.
 
rayshooter22 said:
I've been having an ongoing Discussion with a friend of mine, about the proper terminology used to classify a bank. I say that when banking a ball 9 feet the long way down table, that it's a short rail bank. My reasoning being that when banking off the head rail, you are banking off of a short rail. Therefore it should be classified as a "short rail bank". I also said that when shooting a short bank, to the side pockets for example, that it's a long rail bank, seeing that the side rails are the longer of the rails.

He says the opposite, that a "long rail bank", is a bank the long way across the table, and a "short rail bank" is a bank across the short side of the table. If there are any bank pool players who see this, I'd be interested in hearing your opinion. I think it'd be nice to get an official classification on the matter.

I think the terminology I used is technically correct but may not be the most popular response. If you guys have an opinion on the matter please post here and help the rest of those out there with the same question get a clear answer. I'd also like to hear from the older players as well to maybe get information on the origins of bank pool and the names of banks. Thanks a lot for your input. :grin:
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Your friend is correct. Off the end rails is a "long rail" bank. Bank pool players have been calling it that way for years and years. It's a long bank shot, consequently we call it a long rail bank. The "short rails" are cross side or cross corner banks.
 
Jay is right. It is confusing. it is not the rail but how the object ball travels...example long down the length of table{long rail} or short off the side rails{short rail}. Anytime your cue ball crosses the path of the object ball its a cross bank. If your banking or cross banking off the side rails it cross side or cross corner. If you are banking or cross banking long rail just designate the pocket. Hope this helps:thumbup:
 
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I figured

I figured that would be the case. Thanks alot for the information guys. I appreciate the input.
 
YOu are right. Tell him to betmor and win his shoes. Then give his shoes back and make fun of him.

Then tell him that thousands have chuckled at his ignorance, let him stew on that.
 
I agree with Jay on this one, that's how I've always called them too...I guess the OP makes sense logically, I think he forgot pool is an illogical game!
 
Im the one who Ray is debating this with.

I told him next thing your gonna say is that Nit is the incorrect terminology because in actuality its a parasitic insect and not a person who doesnt gamble.

I should have made you post up outback Ray.
 
Joey A's commentary in Galveston

jay helfert said:
Your friend is correct. Off the end rails is a "long rail" bank. Bank pool players have been calling it that way for years and years. It's a long bank shot, consequently we call it a long rail bank. The "short rails" are cross side or cross corner banks.
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I learned bank pool at 12/20 Bowl, a predominately black bowling alley in what was then called East Gary, Indiana. I quickly learned that you had to call shots correctly to get the ball. Calling a straight back a cross side wasn't getting you the ball. During the Galveston tournament, Joey A continued to call long straight backs cross banks. I attempted in the chat to correct this to no avail. Jay, keep this in mind, if you ever plays banks with him. :grin:
 
jay helfert said:
Your friend is correct. Off the end rails is a "long rail" bank. Bank pool players have been calling it that way for years and years. It's a long bank shot, consequently we call it a long rail bank. The "short rails" are cross side or cross corner banks.
Click to expand...

This was the way I learned and how I have presented it in descriptive stories and appears to be the most logical definition,but it seems to me there have been some significant threads I've read that contradict this.

I would like to here more opinions and support for either definition.
 
rayshooter22 said:
I've been having an ongoing Discussion with a friend of mine, about the proper terminology used to classify a bank. I say that when banking a ball 9 feet the long way down table, that it's a short rail bank. My reasoning being that when banking off the head rail, you are banking off of a short rail. Therefore it should be classified as a "short rail bank". I also said that when shooting a short bank, to the side pockets for example, that it's a long rail bank, seeing that the side rails are the longer of the rails.

He says the opposite, that a "long rail bank", is a bank the long way across the table, and a "short rail bank" is a bank across the short side of the table. If there are any bank pool players who see this, I'd be interested in hearing your opinion. I think it'd be nice to get an official classification on the matter.

I think the terminology I used is technically correct but may not be the most popular response. If you guys have an opinion on the matter please post here and help the rest of those out there with the same question get a clear answer. I'd also like to hear from the older players as well to maybe get information on the origins of bank pool and the names of banks. Thanks a lot for your input. :grin:
Click to expand...

It's all just slang.Doesn't matter what you call It or how you call them as long as you point or say which pocket your going In.You might have your hands full If your going to try to change the way people have been calling bank shots for what 100 years.

Round here where I'm from we call the long railers " straight backs" But like I said It's all just slang.There Is no clear answer that I know of.Cross side,cross corner,straight backs.I think that pretty much covers It IMO.

My wish would be that all and everyone would just call the shot.I think the next person that shoots a bank on me while playing bankpool,
and doesn't call the shot or point to the pocket,I'm jumping up and calling a foul.I don't understand why It's so hard for some people to call their shot.It Is the rule.Sorry to get off track.John B.
 
I like long banks and short banks...I think these terms are clear.

And I hate 'cross side' or 'cross corner' being called when it is not a
cross bank....to me, there are - cross banks- back banks- straight banks.

..although I have never had a problem with player's calls...they're usually
easily interpreted.
I think proper terminology should concern commentators though.

regards
pt..<..who thinks 'full rack' banks may be the most skillful game
 
pt109 said:
I like long banks and short banks...I think these terms are clear.

And I hate 'cross side' or 'cross corner' being called when it is not a
cross bank....to me, there are - cross banks- back banks- straight banks.

..although I have never had a problem with player's calls...they're usually
easily interpreted.
I think proper terminology should concern commentators though.

regards
pt..<..who thinks 'full rack' banks may be the most skillful game
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I think this was a country thing that grew. I don't believe it started as a "cross corner" meaning you cross the line. I think it started as "across to the corner" and then, me like others being from Kentucky, people got lazy with the word and just dropped it to 'cross corner.

That's my theory anyway. It makes sense since banks is a country game (we get to claim it here, lol).
 
chicagomike said:
In Chicago we refer to length of table banks as "strait back" banks... ex."9 ball strait back under me"or "9 ball strait back on the left/right". We refer to the 1/2 table banks as "cross" banks..ex. "9 ball cross side/cross corner".

Hope that helps.
Click to expand...

I do agree with this use of terminology. Not just because I'm a member of the Chicago coalition, but because it does an adequate job of describing the circumstances of the bank. And these terms should be in everyone's repertoire. The changing "short rail-long rail" terms between banks and everything else just seem confusing. A straight back is a straight back is a straight back.
 
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