How to use the diamonds on a pool table?

Question

In math we watched a movie on pool and how you can use the diamonds to help you shoot the ball into the pocket. It was like if you put your cue stick at diamond 1, and hit the ball and diamond 2, then 1 + 2 = 3 and the ball should hit the third diamond or something, can someone explain this because I don't remember it all or even if that's completely right, or give me a link where it explains it? And how do I number my diamonds? On my pool table is is 3 white diamonds then a pocket, do I number the diamonds left to right as 1 2 3, or what? Thanks!

Answer 1

The diamond system is a little too much to explain in one answer but here is a quick tutorial that might help you out.

http://www.easypooltutor.com/article32.h...

It's just 2 pages but it gives you the main idea.

Answer 2

There is an excellent book that has been around for some time now that will explain the fundamentals of the diamond system to you and is written in easy to understand language and has plenty of illustrations.

The book is entitled Standard Book of Pool and Billiards by Robert Byrne. You'll never grow tired of reading it as long as you're playing pool!

Answer 3

There are many different diamond systems depending on how many rails you need to hit, etc. I think you want the 3 rail diamond system which is described in eightbraker's link. It's a pretty standard system and is usually the first one taught since the counting and math are easy. Things get a little more difficult when the balls don't lie exactly on any of the lines. If you need to know other systems or what adjustments to make, email me and I can try to explain them to you.

Answer 4

The diamonds are number 1-5 as such 1,2,3,3.5,4,4.5,5. Include the pockets as diamonds the side pocket being 3 and the corner being 5. If you are shooting from the corner pocket and wanted to hit the third diamond (which would scratch in the opposite corner) you would aim (with no english) at the number 2 diamond on the opposite rail. 3+2=5

More examples are:

If you want to hit a ball sitting on the fourth diamond on the same side of the table. Hit the first diamond 1+4=5

Hit the ball sitting in the side pocket. Hit the number 2 diamond 2+3=5.

There are short cuts that will help to this if you are not sitting in the corner pocket. For example, lets say you are in the center of the table at the first diamond. You can stand at the corner pocket and aim your cue at where you wou would if you were shooting from there and then carry that same angle to the cue ball and shoot at that same angle.

This is probably very confusing to you without being shown, but print this out and take it to an experienced shooter and they can help you. Good luck.

Answer 5

No, if the cueball is in the corner pocket and you shoot at 2 the cuball should scratch in the side pocket.  to make a 3 cushion bank shot, oput the cueball in the same corner, then shoot past the side pocket to the 5th diamond.  the ball will then hit the end rail in the middle, the other side rail on the 2nd and head to the corner pocket.