Pool School Archives
Pool School
By: Jim Fernella-the pool table fella
Bank Shots
This month we are going to discuss the basic geometry of bank shots. Most beginners are a bit intimidated while attempting a bank shot, although we would all like to have straight in shots but that is hardly the case. The sights (marks on top of each rail) are instrumental in the execution of bank shots.
The first rule to remember is, the angle you hit a ball into a rail, is equal to the angle out of that rail. The easiest example to prove this rule is as follows. Place the cue ball in front of the left corner pocket at the head of the table. Now you are going to hit the cue ball (with no English), into the middle sight on the side rail directly opposite of you. If hit properly and on target, the cue ball will drop into the side pocket every time. Now place the cue ball back in front of the same corner pocket and aim at the middle sight on the opposite end rail (the foot). Again, if executed properly the cue ball will go into the corner pocket right next to you.
To prove this rule in even a simpler way, try the following. Take a cue stick and lay it on the table with the butt of the stick in the corner pocket, now point the tip at the middle sight of the opposite side rail, do the same thing with the butt of another stick in the side pocket on the same side of the table, now, point the tip towards the middle sight of the opposite side rail. Stand back and look at how the angles mirror each other. You can set up the same example on the long bank shot also.
To help you visualize this rule with a different angle, place the cue ball on the middle sight on a side rail. Now I want you to aim the cue ball at either sight to the left or right of the middle sight on the opposite rail. When aiming to the left it will go directly into the pocket to your left, when hitting the sight to the right, it drops into the pocket to your right.
This is as simple as it gets, and these examples will only get you started. For more detailed info you can contact Jim Fernella at House of Billiards or Bocca Billiards.
