More aiming fodder for the cannons.

[Mensabum]

I'm posting 2 photos of the aiming system I've used the entire time I've played this game. I hope they're self-explanatory.
What I know about other systems is mostly hearsay and if put in a gnats ass would rattle like a BB in a boxcar!!
This is the only one I've ever used.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
I like to keep things simple.
KISS.
I won't respond to comments in this thread. If for some reason you simply can't fathom this, pm me and I'll be happy to respond to legit questions.
This is intended for those players having trouble understanding other aiming systems and new or newer players to the game. It will give you a solid system to take with you.
It works. Don't believe anything to the contrary.
Get on a table and try it.
The pro that passed this on to me got it from an older pro, so it's been around a long time.
I don't have any interest in this other than to help players aim better. I don't make any money nor would I take any. It was given to me freely and I pass it on to you.
This system allowed me to become the shotmaker I am.
Or was anyway.

And there you have it.
Enjoy.

 

[straightline]

That's what you see maybe. If the ball goes as intended, the correct contact point (not indicated) on the CB made the contact.

 

[Rusty in Montana]

Playing pool and catching coyotes or problem critters have some similar features , in the form of there's always something new to learn to obtain a positive end result . Granted I know many of you aren't trappers but the same could be said about fishing as well as one lure or bait is right for every fish in the water ha ha !
It's the same bottom line or a means to a end !

 

[tim913]

Didn’t Willie teach a similar system called the track or railroad track? The contact point on the OB was the same but the contact point on the CB was determined by using a parallel line to that of OB not line to pocket

 

[Paul_#_]

Mensabum’s cue-ball-to-pocket contact-point aiming method was argued over 150 posts here in late June 2024. Some explained how Mensabum's method was inaccurate and inferior to a parallel-shift aiming method. The two methods determined the same object-ball contact point but differed on the cue-ball contact point.

YouTuber and peace maker, @Ringo_6, advocates both aiming methods. He describes Mensabum’s method as the the most practical aiming method, See the Dot, Pot the Ball, and the parallel method as the most reliable aiming method, Master the Parallel Point Aiming.

__

 

[lakeman77]

I've used this method off and on for years, it's simple and works. thanks for sharing.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Didn’t Willie teach a similar system called the track or railroad track? The contact point on the OB was the same but the contact point on the CB was determined by using a parallel line to that of OB not line to pocket

That’s the correct method - It’s called “parallel lines” aiming for a reason. Mensabum’s inaccurate interpretation of the well known aiming method has been corrected here before.

The different CB contact points defined by the slightly different methods are often close enough together (especially on nearly straight alignments) that a small subconscious adjustment works, but...

...here’s how to know Mensabum’s non-parallel method is at least a little inaccurate: When the CB and OB are touching and aligned correctly toward the pocket, they’re both on the same CB->OB->pocket line - which, of course, is parallel with itself (see @Ringo_6’s bottom pic). How do the lines change from not-parallel when apart to parallel when together? Obviously they don’t unless “adjusted”.

pj
chgo

 

[fastone371]

Mensabum’s cue-ball-to-pocket contact-point aiming method was argued over 150 posts here in late June 2024. Some explained how Mensabum's method was inaccurate and inferior to a parallel-shift aiming method. The two methods determined the same object-ball contact point but differed on the cue-ball contact point.

YouTuber and peace maker, @Ringo_6, advocates both aiming methods. He describes Mensabum’s method as the the most practical aiming method, See the Dot, Pot the Ball, and the parallel method as the most reliable aiming method, Master the Parallel Point Aiming.


View attachment 893882__View attachment 893883

The bottom photo I believe is correct but I dont think its even possible to make the contact points touch in the top photo. When 2 balls collide they will always be on equal parts of each ball. If you were to move the yellow ball further from the pocket in the first photo to where it is almost a 90 degree cut the contact point will be almost in the same spot (it will be the farthest point on the ball from the pocket) but the contact point on the QB would stay the same, see the problem??

 

[Patrick Johnson]

I dont think it’s even possible to make the contact points touch in the top photo.

That’s correct - they may be close enough on some straighter shots to subconsciously adjust for, but it’s not the way “parallel lines” aiming really works.

pj
chgo