How does one use the inlay dots around a pool table?

Question

Around every pool table I've played on there are marble dots inlaid into the wood. Do these serve more than a cosmetic purpose? Is there any way to use these to line up a shot or an angle?

Answer 1

The dots or diamonds are geometric.  Without english, a ball will leave the rail at the same angle as it impacts the rail.  Try it a few times.  They don't help with a single rail bank shot, but are perfect for 2-3 rail shots.

Answer 2

The dots you are referring to are usually called diamonds and are there for a reason. There is a strategy used by some pool players called the diamond system which incorporates these diamonds. The diamond system is far too complicated to explain on yahoo answers but there are several books and videos that explain it in detail. You can find them in pro shops , book stores or on the internet.Just do a yahoo or google search for the diamond system. Good luck to ya!

Answer 3

For banking a shot.

Answer 4

The strategy and knowing how to use these "dots" or "diamonds" is known as the Diamond System.