Testing Kicks and Banks on Diamond Brand Tables, and How to Adjust Aiming

[dr_dave]

Again, slight differences in tip placement, stroke speed, and aim can explain what you are seeing.

I disagree. Any decent shooter following the procedures in my videos (using the golf tee and making sure the cue is over the rail diamond to help with tip position and aiming, observing CB motion, and taking lots of shots) can get repeatable and reliable comparisons among different tables. I certainly knew when shots were bad or not, especially with the banks. If I did not get a stop shot, I knew the aim or tip height was off slightly. And if the CB turned in place at all, I knew I had unintentional sidespin. If a player cannot get relatively consistent results, they probably should not be shooting kicks or banks in games. Did you see how consistent the shots were in the video? They weren’t all perfect, but the comparisons among the tables were certainly clear and reliable.

 

[jbart65]

First thing to check, is an AC/Heater register blowing on the table? Doors nearby? Unusual amount of foot traffic passing by or finding yourself next to a league table with people hanging over it and talking before and after every shot? Lots of hand powder or just a dirty table. Humidity can make a big difference particularly on a table with little care.

There are big heaters in the room, but I've played on this table a number of times and it wasn't so off. A week after the table went crazy, it played somewhat closer to normal.

I had stopped testing the table every time I played for a while. Now I test it every time since I now know it can play quite differently.

 

[maha]

there is no normal for an individual table as they change based on many factors in its environment. but you can figure out those quickly with a couple shots.

but there is a normal with all tables and that normal is for the table to roll properly according to its diamond system. that is why there has been a standard to tables to play with the diamond system.

if you just got one practice shot before you play, make it a cross rail bank two diamonds to one at medium speed. that will tell you most of what you are facing that day and table.

 

[Fore Rail]

The way a Diamond pocket plays would you rather err on the side of...

Having a successful bank or kick be a little on the short side or the long side?

 

[maha]

the center side .

of course as you then have a bigger target.