More aiming fodder for the cannons.

Mensabum

Mensabum

AzB Gold Member
Gold Member
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.
 

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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 !
 
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
 
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.


Aiming method_Mensabum 1 cropped.jpg
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Aiming method_parallel point 1 best.jpg
 
tim913 said:
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
Click to expand...
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
 
Last edited:
Paul_#_ said:
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
Click to expand...
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??
 
straightline said:
That's what you see maybe. If the ball goes as intended, the correct contact point (not indicated) on the CB made the contact.
Click to expand...
Not sure what you're referring to. If you blow up the pics, you'll see the red contact point on the CB.
Bear in mind that the line to the pocket center is determined in many cases by the angle the OB must take to fall in the pocket. That's your center line. That should clear the muddy the waters a bit.
I have learned over time that as long as I hit the OB contact point with the CB contact point, I can't miss. Even with max spin.
This becomes so easy to use. And after all these years, I still find myself checking the contact point now and then on diff cuts, reverse and thin, to ensure I pocket the OB.
 
Rusty in Montana said:
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 !
Click to expand...
Use whatever helps you get better!!!
 
Patrick Johnson said:
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
Click to expand...
I knew you couldn't resist this!!!
I was low on my abuse quota for the month.
That's why I called it cannon fodder. 😉
 
Paul_#_ said:
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
Click to expand...
The top photo is the best representation of this system I've ever seen on paper.
Thank you for that.
I don't like adding additional lines when they aren't necessary, imo. I've never needed any other way to aim.
Thank you for posting that!!
Thank you very much.👊🏻
Looks like I should start reading all these books and mags I have on pool. Could have saved myself a lot of time trying to get the sharpie off my hands.😂😂
 
Mensabum said:
I knew you couldn't resist this!!!
I was low on my abuse quota for the month.
That's why I called it cannon fodder. 😉
Click to expand...
My corrections are for readers who may not know yet how parallel aiming really works - to help them recognize misinformation. Your lack of knowledge makes it necessary (again), but it’s not aimed at you.

pj
chgo
 
Patrick Johnson said:
My corrections are for readers who may not know yet how parallel aiming really works - to help them recognize misinformation. Your lack of knowledge makes it necessary (again), but it’s not aimed at you.

pj
chgo
Click to expand...
I appreciate that, but I'm not talking about parallel aiming.
That's not what I use. It just muddies the water when other things are thrown in the mix.
 
fastone371 said:
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??
Click to expand...
I used a side pocket this time In hopes it would be easier to see. It's obvious my photo skills are lacking.
I posted this bcuz it's simple and easy for players to use. If they choose to add to it as they progress, more power to them, but I believe they'll find no reason to.
It doesn't need correction or is inaccurate in any way. I've yet to have anyone show me on a table that it doesn't work although I have shown many how it does.
It's just a simple tool for players to use.
That's all I intended with this post.
 
Mensabum said:
I appreciate that, but I'm not talking about parallel aiming.
That's not what I use. It just muddies the water when other things are thrown in the mix.
Click to expand...
Then it just needs to be pointed out (and has been a couple times) that the CB “contact point” defined by your method can’t possibly be the actual contact point - parallel aiming illustrates why.

pj
chgo
 
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