What's the math involved in banking shots in pool?

Question

I know the pool table have small dots representing numbers that are added or substracted in order to bank a shot. I remember seeing a TV special explaining the math behind the shots, but can't racall the formula. Any takers?

Answer 1

The simipliest tip I have every seen for banking is to imagine like the is another table "flush" with the table you are playing on....or like a "mirror"....you see the pocket on the mirror that you want to shot to and then shoot it.....there is a tape from "Bert Kinister" on banking that uses the 1/2 tip to full tip theory....not that complicated but too complicated to explain here....you need to see it....it really does help.....not really a great banker....actually do better on the long one versurs the short ones......practice...practice.....practi... can I say......good luck!

Answer 2

I remember in geometry we learned you reflected the hole over the side. Imagined a line leading to it (the imaginary line off the table) aimed for it and it would bounce off to the actual hole.

Answer 3

There are some good answers in here.  I just need to add that there is an inherent problem with the diamond system as an aiming guide.  When you aim for a diamond, you aren't hitting the diamond, you are hitting the cushion several inches or more in front of the diamond.  The diamonds can be helpful and deceptive at the same time.  I'll give you an example of the way I use the diamonds.  Let's say that your cue ball is directly in front of the side pocket and the object ball that you want to pocket is directly in front of the adjacent corner pocket, with an interfering ball in between, preventing a direct shot.  First, count up the distance between the cue ball and object ball.  In this case, 3 diamonds apart.  Secondly, divide that number by 2.  This gives you 1 1/2 diamonds.  Third, you look directly across the table from your cue ball, in this case at the opposite side pocket.  Then you count over 1 1/2 diamonds in the direction of your object ball.  This is roughly where you need to be aiming to kick at your object ball.  Notice, I say "roughly".  So, the diamonds are a decent guideline of where to aim, but there are many other factors in how you cue ball will rebound off the cushion.  Using the diamonds can be a good starting point, but you really need to be able to visualize the shot.  When you do this, you begin to "feel" the shot and you bring it down into the subconscious level.  If you get overly caught up in systems and formulas, you are likely complicating the matter more than necessary.  Pool is definitely part art and part science, and this is a good example of that.  M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee

Answer 4

The angles, math, geometry, and small dots on the pool table is known as the "Diamond System." It is extremely hard to learn and master.

Diamond system

Any system for banking or kicking balls multiple rails which uses table diamonds as aiming references.

Answer 5

Ok first of all its trigonometry. Say you are wanting to bank a ball to your side side pocket .First you draw an imaginary line through the abject ball to the other side pocket and also a line from the object ball to the rail you are banking off of at 90 degrees. Now standing on the side of the table you are banking off you draw a line from the 90 degree point to the pocket you wish to put the cue ball in. where that line bisects the line from the object ball to the opposite pocket . from the point where the line is bisected you draw a line to the banking rail(the shortest distance to the rail) and thats your aiming point for the bank. I learned this from the "99 shots all pool players should know" book. Hope it helps and you aren't confused. Its easey to do if you are actually looking at the shot.

Answer 6

I prefer the mirror image system mentioned by Mickey Mantle.  It's easy to learn and I've become a better banker than most of my opponents.  After learning the basics of whichever system you choose you can then work on fine tuning your banking by hitting the cue ball at different speeds and using a little english.

Sorry, I never learned the formula to use the diamonds.

Answer 7

you have to useangles. i have a pool table and i suck at bank shots. probly cuz i dont aim right. cuz i never paid attention in math class. lol. oh well your answer is angles.

Answer 8

Geometry, the science of angles. A matter of degrees, what two angles will get the ball into the pocket. The angle of the cue hitting the ball at the correct angle to make the ball go at a different angle (or two or three) to get into the pocket.

Dollar a ball. My break.

Answer 9

Geometry