Billiard AtlasON

Systems & Techniques

Volume 1Book A

Walter Harris‘The Billiard Atlas”

P.O. Box 321426Cocoa Beach, Florida 32932-1 426

http://www.billiardsatlas.come-mail: wharris@billiardsatlas.com

Copyright 1991 by Walt Harris

Printed in the United States

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, storedin a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or any means,recording, electronic photocopying, mechanical of otherwise, withoutthe prior written permission of the author.

This sets forth U. S. copyright relations with other independentnations of the world. Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil,Czechoslovakia, Chile, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Croatia,Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Greece,Guatemala, Holland, Honduras, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Nicaragua,Peru, Portugal, Philippines, Poland, Spain, Soviet Union, Thailand,Turkey, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Yugoslavia.

Published May 1991.

A-Il

Preface

The Pool Player can now learnThree Cushion Billiards

easier from thisPrimer

An Arsenal of NewWeapons for the

Three Cushion Player

A-Ill

A-IV

Table of Contents

Preface Preface, etc A-i

Chapter One bead Ball System A-i

Chapter Two Tickles A-23

Chapter Three Long and Short Angle Systems A-35

Chapter Four Plus Systems A-67

Chapter Five biamond and Track Systems A-85

Chapter Six End Rail systems A-119

Chapter Seven Across The Table A-139

• Chapter Eight Rail First System A-149

Chapter Nine Kisses, Position & Etc A-i65

Glossary & Index A-192 & 193

A-VI

Acknowledgment

My thanks to the many billiard players that helped create this book.Not only those mentioned within these pages, but also to thehundreds I’ve bored to obtain, or validate information.

The United States Billiard Association’s archives and the BilliardDigest’s excerpts were important.

George Ashby Past U.S. 3-Cushion ChampionSid Banner Veteran Tournament PlayerRichard Bitalis Top World Class 3-Cushion Player &

Past French ChampionWelker Cochran Billiard LegendChris Chrisman Noted Billiard Room ProprietorMike Donnelly Veteran Tournament PlayerDon Feeney U.S. Snooker RepresentativeGeorge Fels Celebrated Pool and Billiard WriteCarlos Hallon Past U.S. Champion - 3-CushionDick LaGongle Top Chicago Billiard PlayerSang Lee U.S. Champion - 3-Cushion

World Class ChampionBill Maloney Top U.S. Billiard PlayerRay Martin Past world Pool ChampionThomas Shaw Noted Pool WriterBilly Smith Top U.S. Billiard PlayerMerle Smith Veteran Tournament PlayerCarl Strassburger U.S.B.A. SecretaryDallas West Past U.S. Open ChampionBernie Wishengrad Veteran Tournament PlayerJoe Ventrelli Veteran Billiard Player

Dennis Harris Top Encourager

A-VII

A-VIII

Introduction

When I started being interested in systems in 1988, becoming a“systems” gatherer was the farthest thing from my mind. It was noteasy to find good players who had systems to pass on, and manysystems had little or no value.

The old diamond and plus systems soured me on the use of systemsduring the past twenty years. . . there were so many good roomplayers with forty to fifty years experience that could not explain whatthey were doing, since they had their own version of these systems.Even the best players shied away from bank shots, since they wereconsidered low percentage shots. Maybe there was no easy solution,only complicated variations.

Adjusting cue ball spin and speed to accommodate paths seemedinsane for the novice to absorb.

Why not try the experiment of standardizing speed and cue ball spin,see what paths they produced and use these?

This study took a few of years, trying many tables and other players’strokes. Top players were quizzed on anything they could offer, andeventually the “Basic Track” System was born. Rail points wereutilized and formed the “values” to take a new table. Most often, thesevalues changed slightly, depending on whether it was a long or shorttable.

Originally I stumbled into some short angle and long angle path data,which made my humble game much better Then I studied the deadball systems, and this increased my accuracy.

A-IX

A-X

This really got me started in being interested in systems. Many othersystems and techniques were gathered during the past few years, andeach seem to have it own numbers peculiar to that system. Differentcue all spin, bridges and strokes were also employed, so be preparedto be illuminated in these areas.

“Robert Byrne’s contributions to cue sports are unequaled, and hiswritings cover so much material that is difficult to find a billiard subjecthe has not covered as described in Byrne’s StandardBook of Pooland Billiards.”

I took the liberty of re-showing Byrne’s short-angle tracks because ofit’s importance.

In some parts of the country, billiards players conversed aboutsystems, ideas, and techniques. In other parts of the USA, there waslittle or no interest. Sometimes I wonder if this kind of apathy keepstop players from passing their knowledge onto lesser players.

It appears the lesser player is more interested in instructing thanabsorbing. . or does not want to exert the effort to embrace newinformation unless it can be done by osmosis.

A lot of good information is not passed on for other reasons. . . is itposssibly to protect the status of the better player? Is not the studentof the game entitled to a loftier position? Why pass on digestedinformation to the apathetic person and make life easier? What’s togain if the game is upgraded?

All of the above has some merit, but what about the player that doeswant information? How and where does he find it?

He finds this book, of course!

.A-XI

Table l.D.

The table has been given numbers and direction as shown. Thesenumbers have NO relation to any other system. Your cue balloriginates in the corner of 80 or 40*. Many other systems shown inthis book have different table numbers.

A-XII

0* 10* 20* 37 40*

\~ i t i t i I0 .~..~iiiiIiiii111ItIIIII iiiiiilii 1111 III1!.~.. ~

10 -°-: :° 10

20 ° o 20

:~

30 -°: -~°- 30

:~

40 -°-: H> 40

50 ~ o 50

:

60 -~- ~o 60

70 70

80 ~°~~~iiiiiiii iii iiii iiii iiii 80/y I ~ ~ ~

0* 10* 20* 33* 40*

A-XIII

A-XIV

Cue Ball Notations

Shown below are approximate cue tip locations.

The most important factor is to be consistent in stroking the ball, and• to arrive at the same point several cushions later.

Stroking the ball, not just hitting the ball, is required. Excessive wristaction is undesirable.

Regarding the amount of cue ball english applied, the margin of erroris probably a half-cue tip of english (cue ball spin.) The path error islarge if the cueball is not correctly stroked, or if too much wrist actionwas employed.

Note: This volume will often use the word “track” instead of “path”.The word “english” is used instead of “cue ball spin”, or “cueball effect.”

f ~ 3 cue—--—4-.-— 34

4

A-XV

A-XVI

GeorgeThe late Luther Lassier one of the best money pool players whoever lived, was quoted in the last year or so of his life as saying, “Fiftyyears around this game, and I finally learned how to break the balls.”

“So what’s the secret?” he was eagerly asked.“I can’t tell you that.”

The point is that most pool and billiards experts would rather surrenderthe secrets of their sex lives than share a useful tip or system. This isthe book that coaxes many such tips and systems out of them, andeven though it advertises itself as a complication of billiards systems,much of what you’ll learn here is immediately translatable to pool.

For instance, Lassiter’s best game, 9-Ball, frequently requires you topocket a ball frozen to a long rail and send your cueball across thetable someplace (and almost as often, back and forth across thetable). The mere pocketing of the object ball isn’t that hard; in fact, it’srelatively simple. What drives many, many players to distraction is theunpredictability of the cue ball’s path of travel. This book will help yousolve that puzzle for good, whatever your cue ball’s point of origin.

The other pool games most commonly played seriously is One-Pocket. Correctly played, One-Pocket is largely a matter of parking thecue ball someplace safe (since open shots at one’s pocket will comeup no more often than one inning in three, when good players engagein combat.) Ever see a safe spot for the cue ball but find yourselfstymied as to how you get it there? Then this is the book you want toread.

Quite simply, the game of billiards requires you to drive a ballsomeplace; pool, in any form, mostly asks you to stoø a ballsomeplace. In either case, you’ll fare much belier when youunderstand the how and why of a ball’s getting from one place toanother Read Walt Harris’s ambitious book and prosper mightily.

A-XVII

A-XVIII

Balls & Rails

Small changes in the condition of the balls and rails change the pathof the cue ball. Hit points change with:

Siliconed ballsWaxed balls (not buffed properly)New ballsDirty ballsNew rail clothWorn rail clothRails not properly seated, especially the cornersAn uneven slateHumidityTemperature

If somebody challenges you to a game for a peso or two and theybring out a new set of German Balls and you’re used to playing withyour usual well-worn balls, forget it 50 innings later you might getadjusted to the difference.

The name brand of ball caroms off the first ball differently, draw andfollow especially.

I have seen a champion wipe the silicone off the ball before his matchstarted. On the other hand I have seen a different champion apply alight coat of silicone every 60 points to get more use out of olderballs. My point is that this makes a difference.

A-XIX

Measuring Table Slide

Balls carom differently when the table has new cloth. New balls makea difference also. In order to use systems or techniques properly,certain equipment information is required, such as table slide andtable speed.

The drawing shows the cue ball path when the cue all is aimed fromthe middle of the short rail to the middle of the opposite short rail.Maximum cue ball side spin (often called english) is used along with afull follow stroke and a level cue stick.

Using the nose of the cushion, measure the distance to the cue balltravels on both short rails. This example uses 2 diamonds on rail “0”and 1.6 diamonds on rail “P”, making a total “slide” measurement of3.6. Find the slide number for your table.

World-class table playing conditions have a table slide that variesfrom 2.7 to 3.1. It’s obvious that this makes a difference in estimatingeverything. Extra table slide and a faster table are desirable features.

It is possible to increase slide on your table. Keep the balls very cleanwith coat of recommended ball polish and also change the rail clothoften. Heat the table too.

You will not regret doing the above because having extra table slidewill open scoring possibilities and retain cue ball spin longer. Thisalong with the faster table elevates the game to a higher level.

A-XX

2.0 diamonds

Nfl0

1H IIIIIIIIITIIII~IIIITIIIIIIII/IIL?O—-

I,I, 6

1/

//

- // •.0.-0- //

— I,— ~1

— //— I,

.-- I,— ‘1

//

-0-- — /

/ I —Old cloth // —

oldbalts — :track—,,

New cloth “ 0

new ballstrack _ - _

\ \ —

— A—

\ \——

~ \ I :~I —

N 0 -0-

— ~I \ I

— \ \ I

— — I • —.-, 4\ - \La 4 -

—— —— I_ — \ \— \ \ I

- i -o\ \ I

___ I -~/7/I ‘ ‘I I

-- 41

— I i~Ii II j~I I i~I I jill l~I I l~I07 1111 II _____________________1 ________

1.1 diamonds 1~1.6dia _Jr.

monds

A-XXI

A-XXII

Chapter I

Dead Ball System

Shown here are a few examples of dead ball systems that reallywork.

The fun begins when the mechanics of stroking the ball isaccomplished.

The most popular system of “angle in - angle out” is not shown herebecause it’s so obvious.

Don “Preacher Feeney” reviewed this chapter and pointed out it’svalue to Pocket Billiards.

A-i

Dead Ball Tickie

A system has been devised to find the first rail hit point to score thisbilliard.

• The side of the cue ball needs to strike the second rail edge at point30.

South Florida’s Sid Banner donated this jewel for the world to enjoy.

A-2

N~ i T t I t I ~/.c,..cIllIlHH lIilliIlIIiIlitiIII 11111111 ~I

E°- 10

--0. 20

:.

/ -o. 50

// H~,. 60

.4—Cueball 70

C 2 111111111 111 11111111111 11111111111 111111 0 807? 1 1 L

A-3

System “Sid”

A system is designed to find the first rail hit spot to make this billiard.

NEW NUMBERS ARE GIVEN FOR THE 2nd RAIL (RAIL “N”). Newhit spot becomes 2.5 on the 2nd rail, not 30 as previously mentioned.

End rail diamonds, below the cue ball (rail “0”), are used to calculatethe first rail hit spot and cue ball origin.

Each diamond on rail “0”, away from point “X”, has a value of 2.5(second rail hit spot value).

Therefore the cue ball origin of point “A”, point “B” and point “C”determines the first rail hit spot as follows: point “A” is 2.5, point “B” is5.0 and point “C” is 7.5.

The aim spot on the first rail, for this example on page 5, nowbecomes 7.5.

If the cue ball origin is at point “A”, then the first rail hit spot would be2.5.

Stroke is very important, so allow no side spin on the cue ball. ROLLthe CUE BALL SOFTLY, much like the lag for the break shot cuestick hits up.

Don “Preacher” Feeney says the cue tip should hit about 12 mmabove cue ball center.

Check each table to see if a small adjustment is required. (4)

A-4

Co

240* 37 20* 10*4/0* E

\~ 1 9 T 9 1

• - •~_••_~a_•~ ,/ \, 1 .0

— I/i//I / -.

/ -o. 2.0

— ~• /1~ ~- —0: / ):~° 2.5

/ OH

3.0

.— ;// :o. &5

.— //-0- / .o- 4.0

- ,‘ rafl “N” —

/ P.-0- o4.5

/ rail “0” : —

~l 111111 It 111111 Hf ~/I~1 Ill I III? 5.0

A-5

Sid Variation

A variation of this system is to have the second rail hit point be anend rail, so that the cue ball is going from end rail to end rail.

The cue ball originates at point “D”. To have the cue ball first hit anend rail, then the opposite end rail, a point beyond 5.0 must becalculated.

Utilizing the point of 5.5 (which is beyond 5.00) might make thisbilliard.

Point “D” is four diamonds away from point “X’. therefore 4 x 5.5 is22, making the first rail hit spot 22.

A-6

5.5 times four diamonds equals 22

40* 33* \,2o* 10* 0*

\ó ~ 9 1 ~t 1 9 1 ~/.O..;IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII,IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII..O.

•~ // ~

I 1. : 2.0

/ ~0 2.5

// o

4

° 3.50 / /:0 4.0

—~ / /.o- / \ j 0 4.5

:1— ~.Q ~I

:~~~‘lIII lilt till liii 11111111 liii 11t1

0 5.0/w ~ ~ j ~

D C B A

A-7

Sid Variation II

This variation should also make a few more billiards.

The cue ball origin is in a line through “B” and the second rail hit pointis guessed at 4.0.

Point “B” is 2 diamonds away from corner “X”, so 2 x 4.0 = 8, makingthe first rail hit spot 8.

This full ball hit should deflect the cue ball at an angle of about 45degrees. A thinner hit is about 30 degrees.

This is mentioned to better approximate what kind of hit is desired;thereby adjusting the scond rail hit spot.

Note: Pocket billiard examples shown at back of book.

A-8

40* 33* ~* 10~I 8

11111 I itt1 till Ill It1 lit IIH It~l 11111 i?

-~

~XH4T /__ :01.0

—~ /-~ / o 2.0

-C-- /

/I :.

/ \:~ as

4 ‘o 4.0

Q/

/ : :/O~

-0- 11111111 II I Ill I II Ii 11111 I Ill ill 11111111 0 5.0I I 4 L + 1

D C B A X

A-9

Chicago End Rail System

This is exactly the same system as the SD SYSTEM, except that it isalong the end rail instead of the long rail but using the samenumbers.

It takes a bit of concentration to think in terms of half diamonds, butwith a little practice, this system will help you score.

Picture the end rail “0” as being the same as the long rail “N” in the“Sid” system.

In this example the cue ball is at “C”. The desired second rail “0” hitspot is 3.0, therefore point “C” is three HALF DIAMONDS away frompoint “X”, thus 3 x 3.0 = 9.

Please note again that the first rail “N” is in half diamonds, making 9the aim spot, or a shade below a half diamond.

A-b

40 30 20 10 0

l~ // —9III tIll 1111 ~i ii // rail ‘0”Irail “N” /I’

/ \/ I

f I/ I

/ ‘ •-o—ao/ I/ I

/ I/ \4

I /

OH

0 -o —4.0/ 0:

II I ~ t It liii I~1,l 111111 I I~fl II I tI~II lJ~i III jilil ° — 5.0—

DC B A X

c/I

A-li

Chicago Example

If the cue ball were point “G”, then 7 x 3 = 21 and the first rail-hit spotwould 21.

The actual numbers would be a bit harder to remember, so forsimplification, these are employed.

NOTE: Pool examples shown at back of book.

A-12

40 30 20 10 0211

IltIllIllIltIlilIFI 1111 /‘1/ / —Ill

/1 \ ——1.0/

/ \/ -e/

/ ‘I

——as/

/

/ OH/

/ I

O I• o/

/-.-—4.5

1111 ‘ —5.0IlI4~l ltl4

VllI4

,ilIIjilll4

Ilfijiiil~Itlij I

—

‘I I‘I I I

G DC B A x

7)7~1

A-13

Bernie’s Dead Ball Tracks

Bernie Wishen grad has donated this gem, using no side spin on thecue ball and a soft rolling ball. Notice that the table numbers havechanged.

With a few minutes of practice, the numbers will become easy toremember.

The cue ball origin is estimated to be at 70. The third rail hit spot isestimated at 40.

In this example, to find the first rail hit point, subtract the desired thirdrail hit spot of 40 from the cue ball origin number of 70, making thefirst rail hit spot 30.

NOTE: Pool examples shown at back of book.

A-b4

0 30/ 60

\~ 1 9 T 9 1 /t 1..0

_~lltlItlIllIlllllIllllllIllli,iIltlllIliI~.0

..

— /— /— /

/ ‘I

— / ‘I

//

/ •0

-i~_— . / :~ 3) ~ /

/ / -

.-_ / / ...

-0-- /— / /— / /— / /— /

/ /

40 -o- / / 0

— / I —— / I— / I —

/ /— / I —— I I —

50 —0— // — ~0~

60 -0/ /

70 1~-: 00 /1

// — \ /80 ~

I I 4 ~0 20 40 60 80

B-IS

LaGongle’s Short Bridge

Dick L.aGongle donated this technique on very shallow short angleshots.

Shorten the bridge so that your bridge hand is four or five inchesaway from the cue ball. This short cue movement helps for accuracyand controls cue ball english (cue ball spin.)

This technique is used on long angle “drop-in shots” where very littleenglish is required, and a thin hit is critical.

Mike Donnelly uses this method on all dead ball systems.

A-16

\ó 1 9 T I I~..~tllllllll1hlhllhlH 111111111 llllllIll~.o

- .

:4•~~ ___

-

- -

-.

oH H- -

H.- . .

Ho

Ho-

0 ill 111111111111111111111111111111111111 0

I I 4, 4, 1

A-i7

Words From Above

“The Billiard Atlas is a clear and concise explanation of shotsoffered by the masters of the carom games.”

“Effectively dissects the diamond system, providing valuableknowledge of kick shots and safety play.”

Filled with precise diagrams illustrating techniques crucial toany players advancement

The Billiard Library

A-18

Preacher On Pool

Don “Preacher Feeney’s” knowledge of the various billiard gamescertainly makes him an authority. After inspecting the first chapter, hewrites:

“In the pocket games a player is less confronted with the needto control the cue ball ‘accurately’ through three or more rails and haslimited knowledge and experience to fall on when the need arises.This is where a few memorized systems can be DEVASTATING.”

“I have worked only with the SID SYSTEMand the BERNIESYSTEMand find them to be AMAZINGLYACCURATEon mytable.”

“A few minutes spent with just these two systems alone willprovide an EDGE over the competition that could mean theDIFFERENCE between winning and losing.”

“As Walt Harrisknows, in the past I have never been a greatfan of systems as applied to carom billiards but I enjoyed studying theaiming systems found in Chapter I and these dead ball systems havea great application for the pocket games.”

“In respect to three cushion billiards, a player should build arepertoire of knowledge sufficient to solve most of the problems hefaces through play and practice.”

Don Feeney

A-19

A-20

Technique(tek-’neek) n.

A method of accomplishing adesired aim.

A-21

A-22

Chapter II

Cocoa Beach Tickie Tracks

A tickie is able have a “natural angle” so it can be calculated. Thespeed, stroke and object ball hit are key items that must be studied.

These “natural tracks” are shown for both a long table and a shorttable.

You will be pleasantly surprised on how often a long tickie can bemade.

Bill Maloney’s technique creates tickies that are wide of thesenatural tracks.

A-23

Tickie Tracks

My game has this billiard missed for 30 years. It appears as if my cueball should come into the corner and score this billiard.

Knowing the tickie tracks not only makes more billiards, but it lets youknow if you are going to miss the shot. You can then adjust the hitand cue ball english, accordingly.

A-24

\ó I 9 i t I b-”

.~..IlIllllllllllIlllll 111111111 tIll iIlI~.~

— :

/— /— /— /

. : // —— /— /— /— /

0 :0

H H

H 4N o~~

.4 ~.

-0- - ‘N d—

long table 00-~iiii liii liii lIllItlllIlllIIllIIIlIll~0

/~ + ~ 4, 1

A-25

Basic Tickie Tracks

Four separate tickie patterns are shown on this illustration. Both along and short table are used.

Shot “A” has the first object ball near the corner.

Shot “B” has the first object ball at 20.

Shot “C” has the first object ball at 40.

Shot “D” has the first object ball at 60.

A fifteen-degree cue ball angle or less is desirable.

For simplification, just the “A” and “0” tracks are shown for the fifth

rail hit points. Note how the Sogard differs.

The Sogard’s foutth rail hit points are a shade shorter.

This is one of my table test shots.

Note: The tracks will be longer on a table with extra slide.

A-26

N’ T 9 T I0 ._c,..~llllllllIIIlllllIl 1t11111 ~

a ~-

10 o~

20 ~O ~:/// 0 ~:~ 20

— ~ •,// ~

/ ! ,/ ,‘ // //

30 4j ~/ / %~r- // 0

$ // //

/ •~ // //I // //

40 .~:,‘ ~ 0 H> 40

/// : .1 4:

// — / /

50 -°-E / 0 E°/

r.~ ~- 0— /_ —.

- N 1--7-oH ‘~-v

‘V \,~y

~ .— - ~ P “ :-1-’ ‘~ ‘~ *

1 l~lIlIjIl llji Ilij III l~

A-27

Maloney’s Spread Tickie

As shown in the drawing, sometimes the second object ball is wide ofthe basic tickie tracks, but Bill Maloney has a way of making thisbilliard look easy.

He hits the cue ball softly with dead center cue ball english, and ashort quick stroke he also elevates the rear of his cue.

This resembles a “bump shot’.

A-28

\ñ ~ 9 1 9 J 1 1 IS~/

0 ..o.,~IlIl11ll1hlhllllthllhluI 1111 jIll1111~c

—~

10 0- .7

20 -o-

30 .~.: / / :.~.

/ / :~

40 o/ /o H

50 -oH Ho

60 o

70 ~

80 o;lllllllllllllllllllltllllllllllllllllll¼0

I 4, 1 + + 1

A-29

Bitalis’s Follow Tickie

This approach comes in handy when the first object ball is nearthe rail and a tickie looks impossible.

The cue ball is “followed” through the first object ball, with a full hit.

Use either left hand cue ball english, or no english, with a followed

cue ball.

See also page 143, Byrne’s Advanced Technique in Pool and Billiards.

A-30

\~ T 9 1 9 T 9 1—0— iiiiiiiiiliiitliiiilii’iliiiiliiiiliiit ~0~

- A-0

Ho-.

no

_0_211t1 ill Ilti lilt III liii Itil

~ 1 ~ I ~ I ~ I ~\

A-31

A-32

Systems(‘sys-tems) n.

An organized set of ideasTo form a plan.

A-33

A-34

Chapter III

Long And Short Angle Systems

Knowing the third rail hit points will make a big difference in scoringmore billiards. You can now aim for an exact point.

I stumbled upon this long angle system when I was exploring thediamond system. Not many players knew the hit points on thesecond rail (short rail).

Also shown in this chapter, are Bernie’s umbrella tracks, Ashby’sand Bitalis’s reverse-the-rail methods, and Sang Lee’s unique dead-ball-draw shot, which seems to turn 3-cushion into “balkline”.

NOTE: A short book could be written just on pages46 thru 49.. . there’s lots of information packed in here.

A-35

Walt’s Long Angle Tracks

One of my favorite systems uses the third rail for an AIM SPOT. Thismakes sense as you are “behind the shot’.

This is far superior to aiming at a first, or second, hit rail point.

Finding the aim spot on rail “0” is easy.

A-36

\~ 9 i 9 1I I I I I I A I 11111 1111111111 11111 ! ~

/raiI”O”

—— :

0:

— : —/

//

/

// :0//

• //

— — / . —.- /— /

/— /

/ 4 . -0~

/cuebafl-4 Q /

0: / /•_~ 0 // //

//~t

/ /

,~ ,I

/

0-0-;III 1111 1111 till lilt 11111111 IlIl~

0.

~ I ~ I ~ I ~ I ~

A-37

Walt’s Long Angle Track Example

When a cue ball originates from corner “Z”, using known basic tracks,as shown, numbers are assigned to end rail “0.”

These end rail numbers are in increments of SEVEN, so there’s notmuch to memorize.

Since rolling cue ball english is applicable here, it’s better to use thethree rail speed tracks.

Even diamond system paths are workable.

The actual numbers would be a bit harder to remember, so for

simplification, these are employed.

A-38

28 21 14 7rail “0”

‘INN40* 3~*J \\40’~ \110~/~ 0*

lii i I iôI1111,10 ~ 11111 till III II’flIIl1,IllI~

00

// // $/ \ / \ / /// / \/ \

V— . / /\ A

/ / / /// / \ / \ /

/ / \/// / .~ /

10 -~ : / / ‘\ \ -6 i~/ / / \ / \// \ // ~

/ / //\ \~ \/ // // / ‘ ~/

— / / / ‘.\ /

/ / / ‘-- / / / 4

/ \ ,.‘ /20 o_;4j( \ / \ -$ 20‘ /

// // /

/ / //\ / :-1/ / 7:/ //- /

/30 o~ / A /\~ ó 30/ /

— / /— / / /\\- / / /

— / / / —— / / \/ —, / V

I / / / —I / / /

/ / / \:~ 40400: / / // / /— / / /- / / /- / / / // ~/ /

/ / // :c- ~4’/ / /

/ / / /- / / /

// / / // /50-0-- ‘4’ // / -o50

/ / / //- / / / /— / / / //— / / / /

/ /- / / //- I / / ,/

/ / / 7/ / /

/ / / /60 0 // /

- I / ~‘ * ~0 60— / / / /- / / / /

— - /1 // // ~ :- // / /

// / /- // / /

/ / /70 0- ‘// ////// •o 70

• -

-

• _~/// corner

8080 ~ 111111111,1~ ~ 4,lllIItIII4,ltlIIillI~,IlIII ~

0* 10* 20* at 40*

A-39

Long Angle Example

This example is designed to aim for an end rail hit spot.

This problem is approached by asking; “What would be a basic trackfrom corner Z to score a three rail cushion billiard, if the fourth-rail hitspot is 40?”

The approximate path is 80 to 10 (first rail), then on to 7 (end rail),then on to 40 (third rail).

After the cue ball hits the first object ball, the first rail hit spot is point“M”, which is close enough to “Z” to use the approximate track above.

Now, “feel” your aim for 7 on the end rail, (third rail).

After you employ this aiming method, you will find it’s many

advantages.

A-40

40* at

\A ~ 9 i 9 1 t~1 A/

0 .0..~iiiiIiIiiIiiiIIiiiiIiIitIiiiIitillIiii~..0.0

:....

10 -°-~ ~-o 10

— - .

20 -0-- o20

// / ..— / /— / /— / I —

// ,/ : 0 30- // /— / /— / /

40 ~ H- -

50

9 Li/.: / /

• / I’:10 ~~point”M”

0~iiiiliti 1111 1111 till liii liii

Vy ~ I ~ I ~ I ~corner “1’

A-41

Walt’s Long Angle Track Shift

The path of the cue ball, off the first object ball, is away from thebasic track, so an allowance is added to the basic track value to findthe new third rail hit point.

Track “A” is the normal track from corner “Z”.

In this example, the first rail hit is at mid-point of end rail “0,” so a

new third rail hit point must be found since the angles have changed.

The Seattle Kid type of allowance method is used; here’s how itworks. Notice that the first rail hit point is 50% away from corner Z(along the short rail). An adjustment for the third rail hit point isneeded.

We adjust by using the 50% times 7, or 3.5. This 3.5 added to the 7,which now becomes 10.5.

The new third rail “feel”, or “aim” point, is 10.5.

A-42

~E~~I___50% of 7

\ó T 9 i 9 T 1’~ ..o..~illlIllIIlIIlIIlilIIIl1lIIlll~lhI.IullhI~.o. 0‘J — /~.t —

— / \. ~ -— // •t

10 / 10

20 -0- // 20

30 o 4 / ~o 30

/

40 $~ A- / H>/

C /• C’ /50 -o- /

— ..._ / — —.

H Q,fl H—~ .7 / //~

/ / 0- :. - ~

~ _~_ ~1 it 11111 14)11111111 14,111111 1114,1111111! ~

/ ~ 50%ofrail \ail”0”corner “Z’

A-43

Long Angle Example Ill

This system is also helpful on five or six rail shots.

Please note that the path from the fourth to fifth rail always shortens abit.

A case can be made for “Why are aim spots so specific andconfining?’

If my calculated third rail hit spot is precise, it is more accurate than ageneral direction.

A-44

21

10~ \ar ~* 40*

~ I t I ~ I I I

° 1.!hhllhil Ill llllU,.iI Ill! 1111 ~ ~

10 -°H 10

///

- //

/

20 -o-/fr -0 20

———

30 o ~o 30

// :/

o

• : // :___ H/1771, -0- ~ 111111111111111111111111 I IllIllillIl III ~ 0

/y I 4, 1 + I

A-45

Joey’s Short Angles

Joe Ventrelli donated this jewel.

Two examples are shown.

A cue ball location of “A”, or 10, aimed at “0”, returns to 22.5 and hasa spread of 12.5.

A cue ball location of “B”, or 35, aimed at “0”, returns to 35 and has aspread of 0.

Each half diamond has 2.5 tenths of a diamond difference in thespreads.

EXAMPLE: A cue ball origin of 15, aimed at “0”, spreads 10 andproceeds to 25 on the third rail.

EXAMPLE: A cue ball origin of 30, aimed at “0”, spreads 2.5 andproceeds to 32.5 on the third rail.

TABLE CHECK: Sometimes a table will not return to 35, from 35.Test your table and find the “zero” spread origin point. Use theprinciples above.

POCKET BILLIARDS: Since the pocket is in the way, the first rail aimpoint must be moved to 2.5 (a quarter ofa diamond away from “0”).Now find the zero spread origin: maybe 30 will return to 30.

A-46

\~ i 9 i 9 1 T ‘1.”...~lllullIltIlltllllllIIlitlthlI llI!lIlIl’~

-

‘N ~N d4”.~

N N “‘A.N 10

Ia.. :- N “N- N -

.0.:

-

-0- 0 30

- .~. °40

:

Ho

0: e’

:

0~lllt till tIll 11111111 lIIIIII!lIlIlI~0

~ 1 4, 1 4) 1 ~

A-47

Short Angle Tracks

When the cue ball path to the first rail is a short angle, for example,above line “N” - “N,” the third to fourth rail return, is shorter.

Shown is a guide where a cue ball, striking at lOon the third rail,returns to 30 on the fourth rail.

A cue ball striking 15 at the third rail, returns to 20 on the fourth rail.

A cue ball striking at 20 returns to 10.

A cue ball striking at 25 goes to the corner.

An important path for me is also the return from 30, which takes meabout a half diamond from the corner on the short rail.

Interpolate between these tracks and basic tracks (from corner “Z”)when a longer angle presents itself.

Byrne’s Standard Book of Pool and Billiards mentioned this as a Frank Torres donation

A-48

\A ~ 9 1 9 1 9 1 ~“..~_~llllIllilIlIlillillIIlll1llilhltl~lh1!.o.

H

0-- A.. 2:. 10- // ““a

— E N~ ~ “>(‘ // • 15

° ~:~ -0 :~ 20

,// // /// • 25~ // // //

/ ~‘

- // ~ / /‘)<~/ // // ~ // :—

- // / / // r~ - —.—0-- / // // / // r --o

— // / / / / I —- / / / / /— / / / / / /- / / / / /

/ / / / /—- / / / / / /- / / t / /

/ / // / ~‘ /

/ / ‘b /30 •_ // // // ~ ~0/ / /

// // //

•_ // / // QJ4&~’S’

/ /

// // I20 • / /

/ /- / /

- // / ~ .

/1

— / / ‘~~-.•~‘ —

10 / ~_ ~ ~_ 0

—V / / ‘// /

1~llll I llIIIlltIIlllIlIIlIllllItllI~°I 4, ~ 4, 1

corner 2”

A-49

Bernie’s Umbrella Tracks

The cue ball origin, or “cue ball numbers” as they are called, arenormal diamond system numbers.

The “base of Bernie Wishengrad’s system has a cue ball number of40.

When the third rail hit points of 10, 20 and 30 are hit from the cue ballorigination number of 40, these tracks are complete and form the“BASE” of this system.

Whenthe above takes place, the second rail (end rail) numbers of 4,12 and 21 are implemented and complete the track to the third rail.

When the cue ball number is 45, then a pIus 1 must be added to thesecond rail numbers and they become 5, 13 and 22.

When the cue ball number is 60, then a + 7 must be added to thesecond rail numbers, and they become 11, 19 and 28. These connectwith 10, 20 and 30 on the third rail.

For me, umbrella shots are never easy.

A-SO

4 12 210* io*/ 20*/ at 40*

~ ‘F f&j ~ I I ~0 :1111 rkti 1:11 JIll iili liii it’’ ‘‘‘‘ ¶ : 0

1 0 Ni ~ I0

20 ‘N : 20

30 0~ -e 30

40 0: ‘N :040

— —

- N

50 ~,:60 ~ :~kO

700 ~ ~J1 +1:045

+9 ÷~ ~ :80 -0• ~ tIll Jill liii IllIllIllIllI. ,o 50

/Y 4, 1 4, 1 4) 1

70 60

A-SI

Ashby’s Reverse The Rail

George Ashby donated this “Birdsell” system using different tips ofcue ball english for each cue ball location.

A level cue and enough speed to make the shot are the tworequirements.

Whenthe cue ball is at point “A”, it’s aimed at approximately 7 on rail

“M”. Use ONE TIP OF ENGLISH to arrive at corner “X”.

When cue ball is at “C”, then THREE TIPS OF ENGLISH are used.

NOTE: The cue ball can arrive at “B”, from “A” with three tips of cueball english. This is a “long” reverse-the-rail.

NOTE: When this method is used for a “reverse-the-rail,” the shortway, calculations are measured in half diamonds. The cue ball spin isa bit different, so practice the above in order to accommodate thissystem.

A-52

\~_____________

~ HI liii 11111111111111111111111111111 III 0

0 0- I’’ -—

—-

rail “M’~ -a—— 0

‘\ \I \

\ \ : 0.1 I

I \

\ \ 0

——

\ \~- -

- _.a~ “

~ -.-. 0- 0 — -ô -

- a. -U)

- 0- -A-.

o.0_I 0) 0 --0-S

•1

:‘

°~IllI 11111111 Illl\Illl iiiI~iitiiiui’°

~ 1 4, 1 ~ 1 4,~ I ~\

X A B C

A-53

Richard’s Reverse The Rail

Richard Bitalis’s approach to this shot is to hit the cue ball softly,and AIM IT NEARTHE CORNER.

“Roll” the ball with reverse cue ball english, since it hugs the long railbetter.

This technique has much better control of the cue ball.

A-54

\~ t 9 i 911111111111111111111111111111111111! III —

0:4-

-

-oH!

0 :0

H>

‘H:~

:.

HOoH4

:0

0~oo ç3 H021111 liii 1111 lIlt lllIIIlHIIlllIllll~°

/y I 4) 1 4, i +

A-55

Sang Lee’s Manufactured Short Angle

Our champion makes this shot look easy. He keeps a level cue andhits the cue ball low without drawing it. The goal of this attempt is tomake the cue ball hit the first two rails with reverse english.

Diagram A has the cue ball with a shade of reverse, with a thin hit onthe first object ball.

Diagram B has the cue ball with more low reverse, and the first objectball is hit fuller.

Diagram C has the cue ball with much more low reverse, and the firstobject ball hit yet more fully. The cue ball angle, off the first objectball, is at least thirty degrees.

Hit this with authority don’t baby it.

This technique requires practice. Think nothing of hitting this shot 50

times.

Ira Sullivan likes to raise the cue butt a bit.

A-56

! ~ r r ~

oa---1.a.

0~

DIAGRAM A

\ r * it r I

ii,,ti,i,l,,IIIIiiiliiiiliiiiIIIIIIttII

-

DIAGRAM B

r t r +o ,,.,i,,,,J~~t~i,,,,l,i,ilii,iliiiiIiiii~0.

-.

DIAGRAM C

To better find the first rail aim point,refer to Billiard Atlas II, pages 40 to 47

A-57

Dead Draw Shot

Sang Lee has a variety of shots where dead draw is employed.

This example turns a difficult stroke shot into a soft, easy billiard. Justlearn the mechanics, and practice, practice, practice.

The first object ball is hit very thin. The cue ball english is a low deaddraw. It’s stroked with a short follow-through stroke.

A-58

V I I I I I I ~1111 liii 11H 1111 liii liii liii liii

// : 0/

/

~. ‘.S.

S.

5’

S.

•0—— S.- \

— — .

— 5’—

— - :

-oH

:~

— - :

0: V :

7//f,, 0 :~

liii 1111 liii till liii liii lIll~’~

/~ 1 4) 1 4, 1 4) 1

A-59

More Dead Draws

Sang Lee makes this dead draw look easy, but it’s not.

Sometimes a shade of side english is used to obtain some runningenglish. The first object ball is hit thin and driven into the corner. Hitthe cue ball with low dead draw and employ a quick stroke.

When the cue ball is at the far end of the table, he will still shoot thisshot, but with a different set of mechanics. It seems he has an infinitearray of shots using dead draw.

A-60

N’ 1 9 1 9 1 9 1-0- iiiililiiliiiili III 111111 IIHIIIHII ~ 0

—— “S. — ——

- 5’— S.— S.

0 — ‘ — C’- /- /- /- /

///

//

0 ~0~

H 00

A:

:~

H 6— - -

- -

— - . -4

°jiillIllIIllIIlllIllIIllljIlIlIIllilllll~°

I 4, 1 4, 1 4, 1

A-61

Note:

A book could be written just on Chapters IV, V & VI. There’s muchinformation stored here.

A-62

Dallas On Numbers

In the history of U.S. Opens, Dallas West, who is an “OpenChampion” is the only player to be in all thirteen events. Hiscomments on Chapter III are as follows:

“The ‘Joey’s & short angle tracks’, stroked properly with maximumenglish, will give the player an accurate set of short angle tracks touse. Care must be taken not to stroke too hard since cue ball englishneeds to work.

The technique of Sang Lee’s dead ball draw shots controls the cueball magnificently, thus avoiding scratches and providing betterposition information. For the billiard player, these shots open up anew world of ‘control’.

So often in 3-cushion, the tough question is of which shot to select;the ‘right shot’, or the more ‘comfortable shot’? To maintaincomposure and management, track information is helpful.

Ashby’s technique is helpful in ‘kicks’ since this type of shot appearsoften

Walt Harris’s book will allow the pool player to make the transitioninto 3-cushion billiards faster, better and easier. The player will havemore enjoyment using numbers (systems) and, coupled with ‘feel’,can improve rapidly.”

#63

A-64

The Billiard Atlas(‘bil-yerd ‘at-les) n.

A bound collection of billiard maps, orcharts, showing systems and techniques.

These work together, with natural abilityto fine tune a billiard shot.

A-65

A-66

Chapter IV

Walt’s Basic Plus System

This is an incredible system that will have you making many billiardsonce you get accustomed to its back-ups.

This shot is ignored by most billiard players because of it’s unfamiliartracks.

This method was stumbled upon while working on the basic tracksystem and its end rail allowance.

I felt like Edison or Columbus when this was discovered.

The end rail diamonds WERENOTUSEDin my calculations. Insteadthe imaginary long rail was employed, and the plus system becameusable.

Please note that the first part of this plus system is to memorize the

basic spreads.

The second part is to memorize the backups to the basic system.

The third part is to be able to calculate the desired aim spot on the

first rail when the cue ball is located badly.

A-67

Plus Return Examples

Two examples are shown, and should be easy to understand.

A cue ball origin from 10, aimed at X, returns to 35 and has a spreadof 25.

A cue ball origin of 60, aimed at “X”, returns to 60, and has a spreadof 0. This is shown as path F.

Aim point “X” was selected to keep the cue ball away from a tightcorner hit. Whencue originations are from 80, 70, 60, and 50, thetight corner is hit is tricky. Speed and cue ball english are extremelyimportant from these locations, especially on a Sogard table.

TABLE CHECK: Sometimes a table will not behave like this.The cue ball track of “A” might have a spread of 27. If so,shift the system a quarter-diamond, or so.

POCKET BILLIARDS: The “X” aim point must be movedan extra ½-diamond away from the table, then use theabove procedures.

Note: Pocket Billiard examples shown at back of book.

A-68

A x

\ó ~ 9 i 9 i t---C A//0 .0.~llllllllIlllIlllllllllllJJJ—1-1llIlllllI,L)a.0. o__,f._

2 : /0. — / / —

Co — — _—L.>~ / /_ — —.— 3-—— / //

: // ~// //+ i__1__Q__ea :~ 10

20 -~- ~ // 0 20a) - // / //

a : // //Cl) -, /— — ,/ ,/~ ‘—4

U, - /N : —

/I 30 ~: ~ //‘ :~ 30I — //

//I, -- //

I —~: ~// — ~1

/ _ //

40 ~: ‘2 :o 40//

——

4— — /,/ . —//

////50 : L~~’ 50

60 -Ø~ -o. 60

/ .

~70

80 0 1111 1111 III! 1111 liii JIll lilt till ~-o~ 80/‘-? 1 4) 1 4) 1 4) 1 ~

Two Basic Return Examples

A-69

Walt’s Basic Plus System Returns

All cue ball origins from 10 to 80 are now shown.

The spread for each cue ball origin is shown in the left hand columnand must be memorized.

Please note the simplicity of memorizing the returns. Each diamondhas 5/10 OF A DIAMOND difference in the spreads.

“Golden Plus Rule”: The cue ball, when aimed at point “X,” will returnto the third rail halfway between the cue ball’s origin point and thezero spread diamond point (path F).

EXAMPLE: A cue ball origin of 20, aimed at “X”, proceeds to 40 onthe third rail and has a spread of 20.

EXAMPLE: A cue ball origin of 30, aimed at “X”, proceeds to45 on the third rail and has a spread of 15.

EXAMPLE: A cue ball origin of 60, aimed at “X”, has no spread, andreturns to 60. Refer to this path as the “base line”.

Another way of remembering the spreads, or returns, is to use 50% ofthe distance between the cue ball origin on rail “M” and the base line.

A-70

x

/N I ~ M~r~0~1~0. - — /2 0 ~ ——Co - ~ ////

Q——— —— / , /— //// .-4// / /1

19__ ~ ___t~i_~’,,/,/çç,/// / ///~— / ////

*, / / / I,/ / / /2.6 - ,- , / / ,~/ / /

—- —— / / / ,//// :_.

/ / / /1/: 7 ~/ ,‘ / / / —/ , , / / /

/ / ‘‘ -o2020’o~- /Q / / // / / / // , 4 / / /// / / / /

, / / / /

2.0 : I , / / /4-. / / / / //~1 / Q ~// 4 ~

/ // / / // :03030 4 / / / // / / 1( 1I / /

/ - /- /

// // —.- /

4—- //

:‘ ,~ / / 4/ / j/ /

40 -6 // ( // :o 40/

/ - / /, - / // — / I’ / ‘ —

— / / / // / / /

4~~/ /- / d /1

50 ~ / // / .o50/ . / / // / /

/ . / // . / /

/4_~/ /

. / /,— / /

4, 60 o~ / /

/ : ,‘ // 0 60/ /

/ — —/

— /‘— /

/_ / (~‘~‘N.\)~- 0 70/

— /— /

/ _// —

/ 4—

//

/

/80 4~_________________________1111 ~o 80/ .~llI1~11tt) ‘,/t 14,11111111 14,1 t lI111l14,1l1l1

//

,~ Basic Plus Tracks and ReturnsS

A-71

Plus Back-Ups

The spreads, coupled with back-up tracks, are a terrific combination.

Shown here are six helpful back-ups. It’s important to check back-upswhen examining a table. Worn rail cloth, dirty balls, etc., make a bigdifference. Some Sogards, or short tables, have different back-uppaths.

The back-up paths from the third rail to the fourth rail path should bememorized.

EXAMPLES: Track “A” has a cue ball origin of 10, and whenaimed at “X”, returns to 35. (It has a spread of 25.)Notice the back-up path.

Track “B” has a cue ball origin of 20, and whenaimed at point “X”, returns to 40. (It has a spread of20.) Notice the change in the back-up path

Note: The dashed lines indicate back-up paths.

Note: The backup tracks will be longer on a table that has extra slide

A-72

0 ..&~lllIllll lilt 11111111 III! 1111 llll?.,~~.- I.

I--1k!’

// /

/

- C10 -O - ~/~//,/// : 0-

- ~— ‘///0”: 2- /

— - .0 •/// ////7/ - 4

— a> /— /

— a / - ////// —20 -a- I 1~S////,/// 0/ /

— I / /

~ // //

: 5 // //// ///~// :1’ ‘It / / // /

— et- ,‘ , ////30 -So— // ~//~//// -0-

- / / // / / // / /

/t /‘‘//i

~ // // /,j~

40 cs ;<.~ ~‘./ ~

/ / ~~//‘// ~/

/ “‘-./ / “-.,~ / /

‘“.‘ /:‘~. J / t. /

/ /

50 ~ : ~ / // ~ ~ : 0

~ / // //1— / ~. /

— / #~“:/‘ .-... ....-

~ /‘..

60 ~ ~ N. ~ :0

H.

80 i~.zIlllrl4,l

Plus System Back-up Tracks

A-73

Plus Problem Example

How do you solve this “Plus” problem when the cue ball is away fromthe basic track?

Note that the desired third rail hit point is aimed at 50.

A-74

\~ 1 9 1 9 T 9 10 ..

0..SIltI1IllIll1IIlltllI1Ill11ltilhllllu~.

0.

.- - --4

- I- / -

10 0 - ,~‘ /1~ - 0- / /

.Q/

/ -— .

20 -o-

— - ‘-4

30 -°-:

-.— /- /

/- /

40 -0- •0-

S/ H.—

V60 0- -0

4-- ‘-4

70 0. -0

~ ~ ~ 111111114)1 ill1 114,11111111 14)11111111 t~

A-75

Plus Shift

To solve this problem, imagine a cue ball location that would be aperfect basic track and when aimed at “X’, would arrive at 50 (on thethird rail).

The basic track of 40 to “X”, would return to 50.

Sight from 40 through “X” to a “spot on the wall” about ten feet beyondtable.

Aim cue ball at this “spot on the wall.

NOTE: When desired hit point is between 60 & 80, then the “desired basic track” is beyond thetable, such as 90 or 100, thus the spread will be minus.

A-76

spot on the wall ~/

//

/

//

~?‘

x

/ #

A ,,,L,,t,,,,1,,,t,,,,l, ~1 t / /I_‘r, _________0 •°~ ‘ / / *0 -1-’

/ //1 -qq( ,//

// /

/ / /

1 0 °‘ ,M. /

Q // // // / /

/ /

20 ° ,// ~p/ ‘S.

// <P// 3.

/

30° 1/

401 / C

//

/

05010/

600 C

70 ° C ~ -

l,,l,,l,l,,,t ‘C’80 .0.~_~:_ ~hhh14hhh1~1hI~,t,,~, ~

A-77

N~ I t I t 1 9 1 ~/0 ..o..~IIIlIIIllIlllIlll1I1Il1I1IlllllllllIlhI~.o,O

—~ :.J..

o10ii,’,

--4

20-o- 0 L020

— . ,/ .

30 •1~P 30

40 :1 /1 1 : 40

50 -o- // HO 50

—.

60 —o- ~ ~o- 60

70-o- -o-70

----.-~-.-------.. 0

80 ~ ? lilt till lilt 11111111 1111 1111 tIll -O 80/~, 1 4) 1 4) 1 4) 1

Maximum Plus Angle

- A-78

\~ T 9 1 9 i 9lllllliillliillllllltlllllttllltlllllll $

- /- /

0~~: $/0

//

4— - . —4—

—

~ //\\\\\\\\\\~\\\ Q’\

.— —S

)__

~at 1111111 14,11111111 14,11111111 14,11111111 I: ~

Hallon’s Isolated Track

A-79

A-80 -

Words From Above

At long last the age olddreaded “plus” system is tamed.

Why this information was notavailable 50 years ago, Will

remain a mystery.~

Joe Ventrelli

A-81

- - A-82

Words From Above

“Knowing the tracks is required,

but if you can’t hit the cue ball

consistently to arrive at a specific

point, then you’re in trouble.”

A-83

A-84

Chapter IV

Diamond and Track Systems

I hated the old “Diamond System”. Someexperienced players do wellwith it, but to attempt to teach it to a novice is ridiculous.

I know many players with forty to fifty years of experience that stillstruggle with it.

This chapter reveals a different way of making a bank. It’s quiteaccurate with many numbers to remember. Please note that all basicdiamond systems are complicated.

With this innovation, you can go from table to table and makeadjustments quicker and easier.

The tournament tables at the championship level are quite differentand seldom seen by the average player. The balls are new, and ofcourse, the tables are heated, as well as covered with new cloth.

The cue ball paths are somewhat different since the amount of tableslide is unfamiliar to most players.

A-85

Diamond System Tracks

Shown here are the famous old Diamond System paths.

I first tried this system of tracks in 1947, and suffered for years tryingto make them work.

Notice the “spreads” for the third rail and fourth rail hit points.

The top players DO NOT use these tracks and if some do, the cueball english and speed are manipulated.

A U.S.A. champion once said his personal system of tracks wereprivate property and not available to anyone.

The average billiard player can’t comprehend why somebody likeHoppe,along with the books afterward, would lead them astray! Afterall, we assumed cue ball english would be standard.

There are zillions of players that still believe in this system and DONOTuse allowances or manipulate the cue ball.

A-86

i I i I A,,

0 ~ ~ IIIIIIIIIIIIII 1111 III! lIlt 1111 I- LongTable li~!J.0.0,~— /

/ . -A— / ‘—.

/N

/ ~.— /

\ / /10 // // :‘° 10\_ \ / / . A

///

..—_ / / . -4/— / / N -N

— / // /

20~o- / / ‘HO20 k— / / // / /— / / / —

- / / / - A IP / / /‘ ——‘ / // // ~

N — / / / ‘~N, — N / / /— N / / /

30 ~o-— “ // // / /— (P/ / /:~30 ~

/ / / - NA 0/ // / / - 0)

/ / aP -\4——’ $1- ,/ / / —

N - N c:, / / -— tO- “ / / / -/ /

N - ‘ / / / /- 040~o-- / / /

/ / // / :0~ 40 °/ /

/ / / / . 4/ / * // / :

/ / 0 / /P — - ‘ / /N / / / / N -4/ ‘N /

N-N . / // / /

/ / / / /./ / / / __/ / / / / H<t.SO

/ / / -A. / /N/ / /

“N / ,/‘ // 0 / . ‘4,.‘. /•_./ N / / / ~ / :

/ / // / / / A.

/ / / / 0/ / / /

60 -e~ / / / / / :60/ / /. )~ / / /

/ / / // / / / /

/ / / I/ / / /

/~ / / / // / / // / //70 °:/ // / / v~”S~* -0- 70\— /— /

- / ,•• ~‘• ~ NN’—- / / // /— / /

/ / / / -‘- S— / / / / N

/ / // /

80 0~ltll til(IlllllIltlYillltllIllllt1llll;~ 80~ 1 4, 4 1 4

10* 3)4 40*

spread is 22 - 4

A-87

Diamond System, Problem A

Another error in the original Diamond System is the corner cue ballorigin.

The cue baIl is usually shown as coming out of the corner, when thecorrect place should be from diamond 80.

When the cue ball is away from the corner, the player calculates theproper path in terms of even “diamonds”.

As you can see from this drawing, coming out of the corner andaiming for the opposite corner has a cue ball origin of 80 plus 4/10 ofa diamond.

The difference between the corner-to-corner track, and the corner-to -

50 track, is 3/10 of a diamond.

WHYAREALL CALCULATIONSIN EVENDIAMONDSEXCEPTTHECORNER?

Note: The same principle applies when aiming into the corner. Caremust be taken with the extra distance beyond the imaginary cornerdiamond.

A-88

I/

//

//70 -~: I

/1 —V/a

— I’?

/ ‘9I -/

— //

/— I —

/ ——— / —

/ ———

1—80 o,-,_________—______ I lijill ‘c!~’ ii

/

‘0 —

-I-I ,. —

1~30*

—/

—

—

-0—

A-89

Two Diamond Tracks

Try to have your cue ball follow these two common tracks from theexisting old Diamond System.

This will reveal how cue ball english and speed have to beMANIPULATED to have the cue ball follow these paths.

One good player once said “Whavs wrong with manipulating cue ball

english and speed?”

Why not simplify this system for the new players in his way:

1. Standardize speed

2. Standardize cue ball english

3. Then establish a set of paths based on this.

4. These values can be taken to any table and the

deviation can be adjusted.

Note: The tracks will be longer on a table with extra cloth slide.

A-90

9 1 9 T 9 T ó/0 .~~llll)1tIllll111llllIlll ll~~o— 0

N

4- .NN . —.

N

10 : E. 0N~ 10

20-o-: N

4

30~ct s, -o30N

—N N —- N NN -

- N N -- N N -- N N

40 -o- N NNNNNNNNNN : 40

50-0-~ Htz:5O

5-- ._S4

60-o- /0 -c-60/ ‘S.

•_ // ~NN

70 -o~- // / N\ .o~ 70/ / N” :

/ I N~— / /— /

4— — / — -S

— / /

-IL /: /

80_O_illllIlJIIllllIlllll)(llIIlllltItlIItlll~0 80/‘~~ I I I I

0* 10* ~J* uiTwo Diamond Tracks

A-91

80-to-30 Basic Track

Let’s establish a standard for the cue ball english and cue ball speed,then memorize the hit points on the various rails.

This particular shot was tried on all four corners on many tables.

Sometimes a particular corner was different, and sometimes a tablewas different.

My search was to establish an AVERAGE SET OF NUMBERS forthis path as shown on the drawing.

This should be a player’s test shot when examining a table. Usuallythe fourth rail hit point is the variable.

Much cue ball side english is required, so you can strike the cue ballsofter and know more about the destination of the object ball.

This is very important for position play and avoiding kisses.

NOTE: On a table with extra slide, these tracks will be 2/10, to 4/10of a diamond longer.

A-92

\~ 1 9 1 9 1 9 10 ..

0..~llllIllt1I1itIIItllllJ_llIItIlhIhuuhhlll~o.O

Long Table N

—— N —

10 N 10

20 ~: ‘~N:.O~ 20pNN :~ —

NNN E- / .4

30 // o30//

/—- N /— N / —

NN

40 -o- “N // .o 40

4-- --4

50 -ci- ~o50

5-’ ‘-4

60 ~: :eop

4- — E N -4// NNNNNN ~ 70

__ /— // NNN -

80 _______________________7~ •1 4i I I I

Ut’ \ 10* r 40*

A-93

80 To 30

English and speed were only vague concepts when the old diamondsystem was discussed.

This drawing shows five tracks on the 80-to-30 basic track.

Track “A” is the old diamond system path and the third rail hit point is

20.

Track “B” is the modified version of the diamond system and has the

ball edge touching the cushion at 20 (not through the diamond of 20.)

Track “C” is Walt’s Basic Track for a THREE RAIL SPEED and 2 tips

of english. The hit point is through point 23.

Track “D” is the same as track “C” except it’s FIVE RAIL SPEED and

the hit point is through 25.

Track “E” is the same as track “C” except it’s SEVEN RAIL SPEEDand the hit point is through 27.

Memorize the five rail speed hit points and subtract 2/10 for three railspeed and add 2/10 for the seven rail speed. This method probablycould use some refining, but it’s fairly accurate.

I have often tried different english and speed on the “A” track so Icould go from the corner to 30 and then to 20. My experience showedthe cue ball had to be hit high, with not much english and slowly.

NOTE: The tracks will be 2, to 4 tenths of a diamond longer, on a table with extra slide.

A-94

‘N 4N,,. ~*.

N

420

0

025

0

00

30

1— 3~rail

A-95

80-to-30 Returns

Using the same description as indicated on the previous page, noticethe fourth rail hit points.

These cue ball paths, from the third to fourth rail, are shown for a longtable, such as an old Brunswick or a well kept Wilhelmina.

The Sogard is shown here at five rail speed.

Sogard tables may have hit points like “C” and “D” (they vary a bit)

This is also one of my test shots.

NOTE: The cue ball paths will be 2/10 to 4/10 of a diamond longer

on a table with extra cloth slide.

A-96

7~*~ _

“I,.--

— ~ k4b

* p end rail (4

th)

~ ,‘)‘11’I)’A’IIIIIIlllllIllIIIIII4 1 4 410* 20* 3Q*

Basic Track 80 to 30

A-97

80-to-0 Returns

Another cue ball path that is examined, is the 80-to-O path. Notice thefourh rail hit spots using the variations noted on page 98.

The Sogard track is shown at five rail speed.

I have often attempted various cue ball speeds and cue ball englishfor the “A” path (the old Diamond System) in an effort to connect thecorner-to-corner, to 20*. My cue ball english bordered on a masse.

A siliconed ball, or new cloth slide could connect these tracks.

Cue ball english and speed couldn’t possibly be standard on the oldDiamond System. The examples of corner-to-corner, and corner-to-30 revealed this. In order to have the cue ball follow the tracks, cueball english and speed has to be a variable.

NOTE: The tracks will be 2/10, to 4/10 of a diamond longer, on atable with extra slide.

A-98

/////00 L~

end rail (4th)~ / /

II lilA Al0 0 0

II

10* 15* 20*

A-99

Basic Tracks For Four Rails

More paths, or also called tracks, were established in my search for a“list’ of basic values (rail hit points).

These numbers will be shown on a separate schedule so they will be

easier to remember.

Please note these tracks are for five rail speeds and a long table.

Notice the spreads on the third and fourth rail hit points, between the80-to-30 and the 80-to-0 tracks

The spreads on the old Diamond System are at LEAST 50%LARGER. The only way you would know this is to learn the oldDiamond System.

The third rail hit point numbers and the fourth rail hit point numbers,formed the values I was looking for.

Any table that would tested in the future should be adjusted usingthese values.

A-i 00

0

\\~ I ~ A/~ ‘‘‘N’ N N N 111111 ?.,,~ 0Ø~ N N N N N >N!

- N N N N N /- N N N N N / -

N N N N N / —- N N N N /N N N N N 4”- N N N N N

/ .4/

~ / ~.010N / N

N /p . // /

N / / :~N —. / /N .\ / /N , N / / ‘ S

— N / / -/ /

N” / / \:02o./ / N/ /

/ /p -~ / / // / /

N / / / .. -‘I—NN : N // // /N

/ NN — N / / / N_

/ / / I’

N- / / / ,--o 30 ~N / // / / / _NS

/ / / / — 0)

N/ / / / a.

/ / // / / / N —.N : N / / / / N

N — N / / // / / / ~ N)

/ “~t40 °40 ‘-oz, / / / /— / / /— / / /— / / / / /N../ /

— - / / /

/ / c 4~j,tN 4-- N / // / / / /0 N~ / / / / / /N / / / / / / :-t

N ,~, / / / / /N / / / / // / / : *

/ / / /50~o~ / / / / / :oso/ / / /- // / / /

/ / / / // / (~I // /

- N / /—- N/ / / / -—4

— / / / / //— / / /

— / / / / o // / / / N /

/ / / / / :.o.6o

5’ / / / / /:‘ / / / / // / / / /

I / / / /: / / / /

~ / / / / //— / / / / //— / / / / /

/ / / // / / / PNNN~N\ :.~ ~II /170 ‘-o--/ / / / /

— / / / // / / / /

yNN’ \ -$ /_ / / / / NNNN\/ / // / / / “N”~ “:...

— / / / / N— / / / / N

/ / / /

/ .. / / / / Longlable___________________________________________ ç~kD. 80/ / /iii i/I lit/Ill~ ~y(i~i’itt~iiiijitii~ii

20* 3)*~ .~ spreadis 12 for a long table

— _________________ spread is 13 br a short table

A-i 01

More Basic Rail Tracks

Three more cue ball origins are added to the previously-shown basictracks.

The third and fourth rail hit points must be remembered. This is atfive rail speeds. Three rail speed and seven rail speed must beadjusted as shown on the previous pages.

A worthwhile test shot is from an origin of 10*, with a seven rail cueball speed, to find the sixth rail hit point.

A-i02

‘ ____________________________________________________________________________________________~ 9 i 9 T 9 1 ~c/

0 ~. iii,l,,,ili,,il,,,tl,,,iht,,l,lliIllii ~

LongTable

10 -a. Ho. 10

5- . . -.4

20 -a- ~o- 20

4_~ . -4

30 o: :~ 30N

NN

--4N ‘N

N N

40: N~ 40

50 0: \:0 50-- N •N

— N —‘— N— N— N— N

60 0: N:* 60

G F E ~5-- •

4 4~( /1 :070

.~-- — O //Q,/ ,/\~__,j,_~,/ \i~~ ~//

~ ~ ,,,, iiti\iiii iiii\9iii 4tiP~ till liii ~ 80/~ I 4, 1 4 4 1 ~0* 1&

A-103

Seven Rail Speed Track

This drawing indicates the fifth and sixth rail hit points.

Starting from 80 and going to 30, the fifth rail hit spot is 75 with thesixth rail hit spot at ii. This is for a long table. For a well-keptWilhelmina, the sixth rail-hit spot is shorter, and may hit between 16to 18.

On a Sogard, the sixth rail hit spot is 20. This is another test shot.

Again, this all must be memorized.

A-104

\~ 9 i 9 1 9 T A,,

0 _~~iiiiIiiitltiiiliitiliiiiliiiiIiitilitii~0. 04

/ :. ~— / II /

/10 -0-- // 10

5- ~/ //f

20 -°- / 020- N -

- N

P -.--N - - N

N - -

30 N 30,4

40 : N 40

K::IIII::~ 50 : ~N 50‘I-If

60 : /// N 60

// // N 70

75~ ‘N /80 -0-; iiilliiiiliiillliillltlllltiiliililliil sH~80

I I 4, 1 4, 1

0* 10* 20* 3)* 40*

A-105

5th-to-6th Rail Tracks

Seven tracks are shown which include the fifth and sixth rail hitpoints. They range between 80-to-30, and 1 0*~to~0.

“A” is 80 to 30, with a fifth rail hit point of 75 on rail “N” and a sixth hit

point of ii on rail “M”.

“B” is 80 to 20, with hit points to 70 (fifth rail) and 7 (sixth rail)

“C” and “D” are as shown.

“E” is 3Q* to 0, “F” is from 20* to 0, etc.

See the following table for a summary of hit points.

The long rail fifth rail hit points are in increments of 5/10 of a diamond(except for “G”).

The long rail sixth rail hit points are in increments of 4/10 of a-diamond.

The short rail sixth rail hit points are in increments of 3/10.

Sogard’s sixth rail hit spots are shorter.

A-106

raiV0”~\S”- 4 4 ~

~ i,,tI,,ltI,lt,I,,,IIl,l,ItIt,Ilf,ihtAI YU / / /

LongTable / / / : • 4/ / / /./

I— ~/ ~/ ,,/ ~/ ~/4/ / / /

10 ° : (~~ ~ / : ~ 10/

/.,~ __ . /rai, -

0/ V

20 -o- t/~o 20

~30 -o-~ -o-30

.- . .

~‘N ~o 40

N - -N —-

N — —N - -

N

N5 50

N _NQ

N ~ NN -

N -

N _ N \ N N -0- 60

N NN~

~\ N~.\ ~) -~ cc’ NN0 H.

\ vN: 70

F Ii t~i It Ijil t¼i 1,11,1 I~I till t U l~ 80

A-I 07

Walt’s Basic Track System

Remembering the basic tracks:

5 RAIL SPEED 7 RAIL SPEED

3rd 4th 5th 6th

Rail Rail Rail Rail

80to50 5 68

80to40 15 75

8Oto3OA 25 3* 75 ii

8Oto2OB 33 7* 70 7

8OtolOC 40 11* 65 3

8OtoO D 45 15* 60 C

30*too E 50 19* 55 1*

20*too F 55 24* 50 3*

i0*toOG 65 29* 47 7*

The 3rd rail sequence is easy, since it’s in a 5 series except for 33.

The end rail is simple since its in increments of 4, thus 3, 7, ii, 15& 19. Most of the 5th rail numbers are in sequence of S’s.

Memorizing these track locations will enable you to find where youneed the ball to arrive.

Note: The tracks will be longer on a table with extra slide.

A-lOB

Words From Above

Check each table to see how itvaries from your known values, or

hit points. If it varies, move your hit

points to accommodate the table.

A-109

80-to-lO, Sight Line

As shown from the drawing on basic tracks, the track hit point on thethird rail is 40, and the track hit point on the fourth rail, is 11*.

The sight line from the third to the fourth rail is not 40 to 11*. It isabout 8/10 of a diamond BEHIND 40, or 32 to 11*.

Please note the sight line from second rail. It’s important in umbrellasshots.

A-lb

-4r44

0*1 110* 20* 3(7 43*

\~¶J~/ I t I I A,,~ illi ilii 1111 0

10 :~ ::

20-0-- \ :020N- N

N/ N4... N N

N NNNNN /30 o--

N N $N Q

40o /~4o~

/50 -o- o50

- - -S

60 /0 60

- N~— ‘-

4.— — — .4

70 / N ~— ~/7 - ~N ~_

o,Oec~ ~/~ I I 4, 1 4, 1

0* /0* 20 33* 43*

A-Ill

Sighting

This drawing indicates how to sight from the third rail to the fourth rail.

The basic tracks are shown giving the sight line for each from thethird rail. Please note that adjustments are needed as shown.

Since most of the adjustments are between 7/10 and 9/10 of adiamond, try to memorize, and use 8/10 of a diamond, except for thelong angles.

A-112

“~~0, ______-

\A 9 T 9 1 ‘r~’ ‘~“,10~II,,l,,,IIttltl,tiilitiiIiitilIi,~o*~~0o 1’

- N N4

%Ø

- 00- ~0 __

:‘~- 4 -

:P0” A~

N- Q

4-- F---

N ‘N4 -PN ~o2O

- LYQ N

5-: N :~ 4“~0

- 4) N

-0-- -.

5-: ~ o,~ ANz;~

NN 0,~ e~ ~/~ ~. ~‘t 40-4

%~ -—~ ~a

N c. N.

4~so-~ —

‘4\ ‘:t~~-0-60

ojlltilltitlllitllitilliitlliilliliililri-0•8

O

I I ~, ~ + ~

A-ll3

Connecting Paths, Allowance, and Shift

This page is quite important. When the cue ball is away from thecorner, and a new path is desired, here’s the procedure. Shown aretwo cue ball positions, “5” and “1”.

Assume you want to hit point 25 on the third rail and have decidedthe basic track of 80-to-30 will do it. You are away from the cornerand need an adjustment. The new alignment uses two diamonds onrail “M”, for every one diamond on rail “N” to find my new aim spot. Inposition “5”, aim at point 20. For position “T”, aim at point 10 (forthird rail hit points only)

From the third rail to fourth rail, the track changes and SHORTENS.When this occurs, an allowance must be used to arrive at desiredfourth rail hit. The “Seattle Kids” allowance is employed and easy tounderstand. Whatever percentage the cue ball location is on rail “M”,is the percentage of a diamond adjustment on rail “N”.

For example, a cue ball position “T” (on rail “M”) is away from corner“P”, as shown. This cue ball is half way from the corner or uses 50 %of the long rail. Then 50% of a diamond must be added to 10 on rail“N”. This is the new aim spot for the cue ball so as to anive at 3* onthe fourth rail. Position “5” has a 25% adjustment.

In the case of position “1”, a 1/2 diamond difference on the first railcreates a half-diamond difference on the third rail, so the track shiftson the third rail to the desired hit point on the fourth rail. Thus a newtrack of 30 to 3* is created.

The new path is important, so go over the entire shot and recalculate.Once you get the hang of it, it’s simple.

Bryne’sStandard Bookof Pool and Billiard wrote about this allowance also.

A-114

0* 10* 20* 43*

\~ T 9 T 9 1 9 T0 _0_~tlitliitliililiiiililiilIiitlitiIliiti~.0.0

— r __rail’N” rail”M”

10-0- •010N

- N- N

N— - N ‘•.- N 4/ -

N

N

20-a-.. N •o20

“N — N’. ‘~h, • -25N NN ~ N —N N -

3Q~: “N% N” :~ 30

- N’.t 1’ N• -

— : N .. N~ : —N N’,

N - ‘. N’ —N N’

• N N’.

400: N’ :b40N N’

- N N’~ -N N’ -

N N’. -N N’~

5- N N’N N’, -

0 N’.

50 ~ : N. -o 50N.

N, -

- N’ -— . I_, t_, --4

A--(p- 0

60 : ‘N

70-c-- /

— / U -4/ cornerP’ N~

$80_o_ilIfr’ltiiiIiiitlitiIlitiiliiiiIiiiuIiIit~~80

7,dI + 1 4, 1 4, 1 y\NN

10~ 33* 33* 43*

A-I 15

Short Cut

For a three-rail billiard, there is an easy way to find where to aim nomatter where the cue ball is. Again, this is only for a third rail hit point.

Sight along the needed basic track to hit into point 25 on the third rail,and that would be a 80-to-30 path. Then find a point along this 80-to-30 line to a point about ten feet beyond the table. We call this point a“spot on the wall.”

Aim the cue ball at this “spot.”

Note: The fourth rail spot is calculated as shown on the previous

page.

A-il 6

Words From Above

Robert Bryne says Hoppe’s

Diamond System has confused

hordes of students and has driven

them into bowling. See page 330of Byrne’s Standard Book of Pool

and Billiards.

Robert Byrne

A-1b7

A-1b8

Chapter VI

Walt’s New End Rail Alignment And

AllowancesHere is a new way to align and employ allowances when the cue ballis away from the corner and along the short rail.

This seems too easy not to be known by tons of players, but in myfifty years of playing, I have never seen it.

The numbers used here are difficult to remember, especially theallowance numbers. But thats life.

Ah, the end rail calculations! Located on the following pages is anarduous analysis of how to find the exact cue ball path when the cueball origin is from a short rail.

A-i 19

Existing Diamond System End RailAllowances

When the cue ball is away from the corner and along the end rail, asimilar principle is applied to determine the new aim spot, except onediamond on rail “0” for every diamond on rail “N” is the newalignment. Note that this alignment is “long” when trying to hit fourthrail hit spots.

When allowances for the fourth rail hit spots (rail “0”) werediscussed, or printed, I found many theories on this subject. A few ofthem are:

1. Use” Seattle Kids Allowance”.

2. No allowance.

3. The European six ball allowance.

4. Zones of no allowance and zones of increasing allowance asa cue ball is further away from the corner.

5. Hoppe never mentioned allowances, and this was a set backbilliards. Since there were few places to find study material, thestudent soon found great problems as the reward for his efforts.

It’s possible that many very high level players do not have good dataregarding fourth rail-hit points.

A-120

\~ 1 9 1 9 1 10 _0.~rtiiIiiitItiiiIitiltiitlIliii tiiitiiit2-_,3_

radUN : —:—

10 0 0

20 -o-- -o

‘N

30~:

N -— N- N- N

40 N 0

— N NNNNN

N

70 —0- N NNN— N N N —— N N N —

N N N NNNNN

80 0 ~ t Ii till till ill I’hNi liii! lit it ~ * 80/~,‘ I ‘4 I ‘4~

rail “0”

A-i 21

Walt’s Basic Track End Rail System

It was 1988, and I was in Cocoa Beach, Florida without a billiard table,and I decided to read everything I could on this subject. I was trying tomake some sense out of the diamond system.

This was when I stumbled on a different approach to the end raildiamonds. I knew a cue ball located away from the corner and on THELONG RAIL made the diamond system okay if the Seattle Kids’allowance was used.

What if these principles were applied to an imaginary table below andbeyond the existing table, and the imaginary long rail was used forcalculations?

This was the birth of my end-rail system. There are many numbers toremember, more time is required to calculate a billiard, but the resultsare MOREACCURATE.

For example, this drawing reveals the basic track of 80-to-i 0 and thefirst alignment is 8 (on rail “0”) to 20 (on rail “M”). This alignmentuses 2 diamonds on rail “N” to one Diamond on rail “M”.

The large number is used for three rail shots. The small number, nextto the large number, is the allowance needed for the fourth rail hit spot.

The Seattle Kids’ Allowance is used, except the originating allowancepoint is NOT the short rail, but the imaginary long rail.

So point “F” is 25% away from point “X” (on the imaginary long rail,)then 25% of a diamond is added to rail “M”. Thus the new aim spot isfrom point “F” to 22.5. This crossed rail “0” at 8, thus no allowance isused.

A-122

1,1,,?,,,, 1,1, ,tl ,F,,, ,t, , ,~1

’1

‘~‘~ 0N — For a three rail shot:

- UneAgoes from 8”to 20‘I’ io -~ UneBgoes from 16’ (0’ plus8’) toSOS I Une C goes from 24 (8’ plus 8’ plus 8’) to 40E I - - Une D goes from 29’ (8’ plus 8’ plus 8’ plus 5’) to 50

-Ut— 20 020

NN

- .. -—raHN’N \

30~ \ N 030

N \N

N

ra,l M— -

40-c \ ‘% 040\ \ \~ -6- N -

N ~

50-c ‘ N 3 050

- N • 0 -_9,0

60 ~ N “ i N 060- N S N N

0’,• N C - N -t~ N

70-0 ‘; c- ~ “ N •io~ ~N N

A ‘ ‘ N “

— N N‘ N N N

so ; ~ -~ ‘I,rail”O”— 8 I’\NN;~ 4, ~ - ~

0 “~,\ ~20

N point ‘F”‘N

0 ‘N G3QN

— ,-‘ ~N —

The cue bell will be long for a 4 rail shot “\ 40so an allowance must be added:Une A add .25 of a diamond (.25% of the imaginary rail) ...alm at 22.5Une B add .50 of a diamond (.50% ot the ImagInary rail) aim at 35Uno C add .75 of a diamond (.75% of the Imaginary rail) ---aim at 47.5 50Une 0 add 1.0 of a diamond (100% of the imaginary rail) aim at 60NOTE: An error occurs here. an additional allowance Is needed on rail ~P’

whenyou sight from point Z’, notice that this line does not crossrail ‘P at 29, but at 32.. estimate this by sighting from point 1’ 60to 60 to a spot on the wall about 12 feet beyond the ta~e.

I_________ 7°~point Z’i.. ltIl1

tIIl~,IllI1

lIIl4

,IIII(lIII1

IIIt1

III 80

NOTE: Memorizing 8, 8, 8 & 5, is done right to left

A-123

End Rail System Example

The basic track of 80-to-0 has certain hit points on the third rail asdescribed in the BASIC SYSTEM (page 101). When the cue ball islocated elsewhere, you must realign to reach the desired third rail hitpoint.

When the cue ball is away from the corner and along the short rail,the first alignment is from 7 (the cue ball origin) to 10 (the first railaimed at). The second alignment is from 14 (7+7) to 20.

The next alignment is from 21(7+7+7) to 30.

The next alignment is from 27 (7+7+7+6) to 40.

These numbers are for THREERAIL SHOTSONLY, and strike the

third rail as shown in the basic track system.

To strike an exact fourth rail hit spot an allowance must be added.

The first alignment is from 7 with no allowance, so aim at 12.5 on the1st rail. Why? Line A uses ¼ of the imaginary long rail, thus a ¼diamond adjustment is needed. First rail point is 10. Add 2.5=12.5

The second alignment is from 14 (line B) to 20 with an allowance of ½diamond, so aim from 15(7+7+1) to 25. Thus 20 + 5 (half diamond) =

25 etc.

Everything is detailed clearly in the diagram.

Think of it this way: its just a long phone number to remember.

A-124

•~:— i’,, ~,, ~ ,t, , ,It,, ,1~. ,

For a three rail shot:— UneAgoesfrom 7’ to 10

- Une B goes from 14’ (7’ plus 7’) to2O

10 N,, UneCgoesfrom2l’ (7’ plus 7’ plus 7’) toSON UneOgoesfrom27’ (7’ plus 7’ plus 7’ plus 6’) to4O

NN

N N20 ~ \ \ °20

N NN N

N NN N

30~- N N 030—~ N NNN %. —

N NN N

40 t N N N 040N N N N

N 9.

- \\ \ %, ~50 ~ \ \ C ~‘ a 050

N NN G, N

N ‘ ~ N N

60 ° N N NN N • 60

— 4 N N NN— . ~‘ . N N N —‘o N N N NN N N

70 0 • “ \ \ \ N 0 70\ N N N N

N N N - —N N N N\ N N N

~ I’ I ~fl ‘I’ ‘‘II’ lit U’’’ 1W’ I’’’’ ~ 80

— I ,~ ~ ~ +V “.

rarP’~” 67,f.7j,7 :10

C “. N,,,,,, O 20

-0 ° 30

The cue ball wf II be long for a 4 rail shot -

so an allowance must be added:Une A add .25 of a dIamond (.25% of the Imaginary rail) aim at 12.5 -0Une B add .50 of a diamond (.50% of the Imaginary rail) aim at 25Une C add .75 of a dIamond (.75% of the imaginary rail) aim at 37.5Une 0 add 1.0 of a diamond (100% of the imaginary rail) aim at 50NOTE: An error occurs hare...an additional allowance Is needed on rail ‘V

0when you sight from point ‘K’. notice that this line does not crossrail ‘Vat 27, but at 29....estlmate this by sighting from pointK’

to 50.

1I \[70

‘1 ft- 1point”z”

(Ill ‘~‘ ‘ ‘~‘ ‘~L’’’ i,,,~fl~so

A-125

0 , 111,1 1t~,,,i,,, ,t, 1,11 I t~ii,, ,~T0

For a three rail shot:10 ° Une Agoes from I& to 60

Une B goes from 32’ (18’ plus 14’) to 70

200 °20

300 030

40° 040

TN - -N

N

50’° 050N

N- N —

NN

60 ~ N.4

- N -N 0/

70 * o,~ 70

7. N N- N N —- N

0 N80 ~° 1’~lT~‘“I’ lhhhhthhlhl!111 ~ i c 80

/ ,,.‘4 ~ ~ t i N,

rail ‘P’-’ -:

- — ~~point”X’

• •40The cue bell will be long for a 4 rail shotso an allowance must be added:Une A add .25 of a diamond (.25% of the Imaginary rail) ---aim at 62.5Une B add .50 of a diamond (.50% of the imaginary rail) aim at 75NOTE: An error occurs here,.,an additional allowance Is needed on rail ‘V

when you sight from point ‘K’, notice that this tine does not crossrail ‘Vat 32, but at 36,.,estimate this by sighting from point ‘K’to 60 to a spot on the wall about 12 feel beyond the table-

70

0 j’~~I~~’‘~‘ ‘ L’ ‘~‘ ‘I’ ‘~‘ ~ 80

A-126

0 F ~ 1t,~i,,Ut,1,, I, lilt, 1~h,,‘~

10 ~ For a three rail shot:N UneAgoesfromlo’toSO

N — Une B goes from 20’ (10 plus 10’) to 40N Une C goes from 28’ (10’ plus IC’ plus 8’) 1o50

20 ~ Une 0 goes from 34’ (10’ plus 10’ plus 8’ plus 6’) to 60

N

30 NNN 30

40-~ \ ~ 040

N- N

- NN N 4

50k \ NcN 3

N • -

N N60 p ‘~ c- N 060

N NN 3 N N~ N N -

C- N3 \ N N70* ~ N N N 070

N N N

— S N N N —

80 ~ 1.~11y411I11ç111L1’~1ç111I11n~ 80

ralt’P”’ ‘ ~4\I I I NN 8 10 10 010

:20

0 ~ 030

The cue ball will be long tor a 4 rail shotso an allowance must be added:Line A add .25 of a dIamond (.25% of the Imaginary rail) aim et 32.5Line B add .50 of a diamond (.50% of the ImagInary rail) aim at 45Line C add .75 of a dIamond (.75% of the Imaginary rail) aim at 57.5Line D add 1.0 of a diamond (100% of the Imaginary rail) aim at 70NOTE: An error occurs here. an additional allowance is needed on rail ‘P’

when you sight from point X’, notice that this line does not crossrail P’ at 34, but at 37....estimate this by sighting from point K’

to 70.

0 60

I —o 70-1

point’X’IlIjIli 14,1111(1114,111111111 80

A-i 27

0 r ,,,,l,i, ,~1’’’ 1111 t1’ ~ t~~ : ~

10 N IC

— N For a three rail shot:\ UneAgoesfroml6’tolO

20 -, N N Uneegoesfrom22’(lO’ plus6’ pius6’)to2O\ Line C goes from 26’ (IC’ plus 6 plus 6’ pius 4’) to- \ \ 30 —

\ \ 030\ N

N N— ‘

N ~

40 o. \ NN ~

N N NNN —

N N N

so \ \ \ j 50NNN N ,,

N N NN N 0

N N80 0 N N 9.- •60

5-

C. -p-

700 ~ N 07Q

- 9 \ \ \ -N N N

80 2 11fl1

11 UhIINIQI\~IcINI~IIINl4

UI,rIIl 80

ra~’P” E 6 6 ,]~\io : 10

o

0 030

0 a40

o °so

C •°60

0 07C

- - onint 2’The cue ball will b-a long for a 4 rail shotso an allowance must be added:Line A add .25 of a diamond (.25% of the Imaginary rail) aim at 12.5Line B add .50 of a diamond (.50% of the imaginary rail) aim at 25Line C add .75 of a diamond (75% of the imaginary rail) aim at 37.5

A-i 28

\s i t r t r

0 0 ,,.,lI,itIllllIIllIlIIlIIIllIlIIIllliiI 00

10 10

For a three rail shot:20 0 UneAgoes from 12’ to 40

Line B goes from 22’ (12 pIus 10’) to 50- Line C goes from 30’ (12’ pius 10’ pIus B’) to

N 6030~ 030

—N

NN 040

N N~ -

N 50

- N -N C-

N 0

60 ~ NN 0 N 0 60

— S~ N NNN —N 4 N N

70 o- , N~ NN 0 70N N N

~ N N N

N N N —~ N N N

80 -°— t~~i I ~‘, ~~‘‘ N II 1111 1111 0 80/_t ~, l~ ‘ti I ~,

I I NrailP- N.k~ ‘c 10 12 -

0 N

N

o N 040N

N —N

0 N 050

— ,,.point’X’o S60

The cue ball will be long for a 4 rail shotso an allowance must be added:Line A add .25 of a dIamond (.25% of the Imaginary rail) aim at 42.5Line B add .50 of a diamond (.50% of the imaginary rail) aim at 55Line C add .75 of a dIamond (.75% of the Imaginary rail) aim at 67.5Nolt: An error occurs hera..en additional allowance is needed on rail ‘V

when you sight from point ‘K’, notice that this line does not crossrail ‘V at 30, but at 34...estimate this by sighting from point K’to 67.5 to a spot on the wall about 12 feet beyond the lable.

A-129

More End Rail

I found the allowance numbers difficult to remember so I developed atechnique to find this cue ball path.

1. My cue stick is marked with four diamond distances sothat I can measure one to four diamonds on the imaginarytable.

2. In the case of the 80-to-40 path, when the secondalignment is 26 (14+12) to 60, I put a piece of chalk onthe end rail at 26.

3. With my cue stick as a ruler, I move to point “A” and sightto 65, then move this piece of chalk to this new a point onthe end rail. By sighting, the line has been changed toreach a fourth rail-hit point.

1. The Seattle Kids allowance method was used for thefourth rail-hit spot.

Note: Allowances are not used for calculating a thirdrail-hit point.

Note: Once the track is found, and the “allowances”employed, then sight along this line to a “spot onthe wall” about 10 feet beyond the table. If thecue ball is between tracks use two tracks and brtwo “spots on the wall”, and interpolate.

A-130 ~ :

N rtrtitr 70 • ,,,,l,,,.Ii,,,l,,,,lii.,l.,,,l,,,il,i,, • 0

10 0 0 10

20° °20

30 -° Forathreerallshot

Line A goes from 14’ to 50— Line B goes from 26’ (14’ plus 12’) to 60

N

40 °40N

- NN

N

50 * N 050

• NNN -

60 N 0 60

‘V\ <~%, -

70 ‘~Nç N N 70

80 o 1IIII1II 111)1 111111111 ~‘i ir~i~i~~ ‘? 80

— ‘ ~“t”~ + + ‘ ____• — U.N

ral,r Io •,12 14 010

1 N -“N -

“N a0 ‘N 020

“N 0,‘-‘N CO

- ‘N

0 “N °30

— \,~I -

o Q40

point’A””

0 050

0 060

The cue ball will be long for a 4 rail shot - —‘

so an allowance must be added:Line A add .2501 a dIamond (.25% of the imaginary rail) -..aim at 52.5Line B add .50 of a dIamond (.50% of the imaginary raIl) ...aim at 65NOTE: An error occurs hore...an addilional allowance is needed on rail ‘P’

when you sight from point ‘A’, notice that this line does not crossrail ‘V at 26, but at 28.

A-131

A ~ ,~,,r~1t,,,,i,,, t1 ‘~

For a three rail shot:0 1 Line A goes from 24’ (20’ pius 4’) to 10

— \ Une B goes from 28’ (20’ plus 4’ plus 4’) to 20Line C goes from 32’ (20’ plus 4’ plus 4’ pius 3’) to 30

201 \ °20

•‘ N

N’

30 \ \ 030N N

• N NNt NN N N

40 -~ 040

N N N NN N N —

N N NNt N

So-° \ \ ~ 050

C,- N t -

600 N °60

, C’)

ON 0

C- ‘N70° ~ \ °70

C’

— N 2O~ —

80 IllI[lliQ~i~ttI~ctIvv(IIII/ItrI1lIir~ 80

• j,3j,4j..4J)\ io

o k 030

0 04~

9-o

05Q

0 0~Q

o 07Q

The cue bail will be long for a 4 raIl shotso an allowance must be added:Line A add .25 of a dIamond (.25% of the imaginary rail) aim at 12.5Line B add .50 of a diamond (.50% of the imaginary rail) aim at 25Une C add .75 of a diamond (.75% of the imaginary rail) aim at 37.5

A-i32

End Rail Track Numbers & Allowances

Basic Tracks

1st alignment 2nd alignment next alignment next alignment

80to50 18 1480to40 14 12 980to30 12 10 880to20 10 10 8 6SOtolO 8 8 8 58Oto 0 7 7 7 6BOto 0 6 6 48Oto 0 4 4 3

There are many numbers to memorize above. More time is needed infinding the correct path, but this method is certainly more accurate.

A-133

Words From Above

Spend some time with each

system. Get to know it and

evaluate your stroke against it.

When you’re comfortable with one

system, move on to the next. If

you have trouble with one, let it

rest awhile and concentrate on

another before going back and

looking at it a second time.

Tom Shaw

A-i 34

Proprietor’s View

Chris Crisman is a veteran billiard room operator in Chicago. Hisyears of watching world class players, champions, top players, tophustlers and play in general gives him a unique insight into the billiardworld. He writes:

“I have witnessed over 2000 pool and 3-cushion tournamentsduring my 40 years of billiard participation and room ownership.During pool tournaments it’s obvious who has carom billiardknowledge and who doesn’t and many very good players cannotcontrol the cue ball or solve simple carom problems. This lack ofknowledge separates them from the top players, many who play 3-cushion well.

There has never been anything written like this. These systemsand techniques open the door of possibilities for the pool or 3-cushionplayer like never before. The serious player, seeking information, nowcan proceed beyond his current level of play.

A player knowing rail hit point systems can make multi-rail banks or‘kick’ shots and can snooker with more confidence and aplomb.

Strategy is very important in all pocket games so if a player knowshis ‘inning average’ of pocketed balls, then he can better plan hisproper percentage toward safety play.

Having carom knowledge builds confidence and makes a bigdifference when a pressure situation arises. Lacking this knowledgecan be devastating when a crucial situation arises.”

Chris Crisman

A-i 35

A-i36

Words From Above

The desired cue ball location is not

so easy to find. The desired cue

ball path must be mapped out in

advance.

A-i 37

A-i 38

Chapter VII

Across The Table

Most across-he-able shots are played with a certain technique.

Richard Bitalis, Billy Smith and Carl Strassburger contributed tothis section.

Bitalis’s video film on the subject has the first object ball driven to theshort rail, parallel to the long rail, which provides position or safety.

Strassburger says if you wish to avoid a cue ball arc, “don’t followthroughh your stroke. This creates a hard to control arc. As youimprove, you can master the arc.

Billy Smith says the cue tip hits the cue ball in a clock-like fashionwith the cue tip aimed at the edge of the first object ball.

When all of the above is considerd, the “variable” is where the cue tiphits the cue ball, thus the player has less to remember.

A-i39

More Billy

Billy Smith has a complete system for across-the-table shots, and itworks.

I swore an oath not to reveal it since he gives lessons, but since Ipaid for the lesson, I feel it can be passed on.

A “BASE TRIANGLE” is used and the end rail is numbered tocoincide with the cue-tip-hit clock numbers.

If your angle is on the basic triangle, then two o’clock cue ball englishwill hit point two on the end rail as shown in the drawing.

With three o’clock cue ball english, the cue ball will hit point three onthe end rail.

This will give you an idea of how to stroke the cue ball and a basis todetermine narrower or wider angles.

If you wish more precise information, phone Billy.

A-140

12 1 2 3 4

\~ I t T I t IIll 11111 ii 111111111 1111111111111111111 —0~

- .

:~

.-- I

— —— base triangle :

:- .‘% ‘

-0- 4-”~ ..~.

:~ B- ~.., . 0- .- .“ . a.

Cl)

- a

0:

- -

12 oclock/

2 o’clock

4 o’clock -S

llllIlliljlllIllIlljllIllllllltllllllllI I 4, 1 4, I

A-141.

Hallon’s Across The Table

Carlos Hallonhits the cue ball low and elevates the rear of his cue.He raises his bridge a bit and drives the ball (this is not a draw shot.)

His hit point on the first rail is about one ball width below the firstobject ball, as shown on the drawing.

The VARIABLE IN THIS SHOTis the amount of right-hand english.

The further the object balls are apart, the more right hand english isrequired (two tips maximum).

The two examples demonstrate 1/2 tip to 2 tips of right-hand cue ballenglish.

A maximum of one diamond spread between the object balls isdesired.

The angles are so shallow that a three rail, or a four rail billiard isavailable at the five rail speed.

Learn to hit your cue ball low without drawing it.

A-i42

I

// : °

2 ._ - Maximum of .

H ~ onediamond

:çj ~--~ :‘

0~lIll~lllljIluIJllll~llll~ltltjllllpluS0

I 4, 4, 1 4, 1

A-143

Words From Above

“The first obligation is to

make the billiard.”

Richard Bitalis

A-146

George Fels

Our Poet Laureate - his humor and wit add so much to our BilliardWorld. His Damon Runyon characters give our game the romance itneeds.

George also gathers information that can help your game. His “101Tips” in the Billiard Digest magazine was first-class.

Here are several tips that really apply to 3-cushion:

The only other sport that demands pool’s and billiards’ level ofconcentration is golf - because, once again, you’re attacking aninert ball and have no opponent to interfere with except the gameitself. Bear down.

Always come to a complete stop after the last practice stroke andcheck you aim. If it looks and feels perfect, pull the trigger. If not,stand erect and adjust. Helps establish a consistent stroke andplaying rhythm.

Do not adjust your aim while still in your shooting stance. You’reodds on to miss.

Most good players begin sighting the shot while still erect, ratherthan waiting until they’re in their stance.

Three to five practice strokes are plenty. More than that and youforce your self out of rhythm, and begin to put unnecessarypressure on yourself.

Forget the old saw about “no more than a cue-tip’s worth ofenglish.” With today’s equipment, you’ll never get the cue-ballcontrol or position you want that way. Use no english wheneverpossible - but that will be possible less than you think - and learn toapply all the english you can control.”

A-147

A-148

Chapter VIII

Chicago First Rail Tracks

This rail first billiard pattern has natural angles and paths.

Cue ball speed, english, and stroke are all standard. A cue ball pathis established for each cue ball origin.

This method will help in removing the mystery that surrounds thistype of billiard pattern.

A-149

Rail First Track

Is there a way of calculating this rail-first billiard so the cue ball cancome out of corner “P” and reach the third rail near point 48.5?

The answer is yes. Please note that cue ball english and cue ballspeed are fixed. The object ball hit is also.

When the cue ball is along line “A”, the first object ball should belocated at 32.5 for the cue ball to come out of the corner with spinningenglish and hit the fourth rail approximately 16/10 of a diamond awayfrom 32.5 to 48.5.

This is the cue ball path when the cue ball origin is from the firstdiamond on the short rail.

This is to be memorized along with the approximate backup asshown.

The first object ball MUST BE HIT RATHER FULL with cue ballenglish as shown.

A-iSO

corner “P’1 9 T 9 1 9 T ““

III 1111111111111111111111111111! iii 1111 ~0 0

- -

::.~. 10

---

-I—- _\

0 .. -o. 20

:,,,. 30: ‘ cJ.

Co- 1~-

- I ‘_ _•

/ :~ ___- i . C!’

-0-- / •0- 0~)

/ ~4/ H

/ -o 60

a/ 4 o70

.4

0 211111111 l~l I lIJI II l~I IlIj Ill l~I IlIjI illS * 80

A-151

Six Rail First Tracks

Six specific cue ball locations are shown here, “A” thru “F”.

Six object ball locations are set up for each cue ball location. Wewant to have cue ball come out of corner “P” with ample cue ball spin.

Memorizing these tracks is easy. The first object ball locations are

between 32.5 and 7.5.

Please note that these locations are a half a diamond apart.

Remember “A” at 32.5... .“B” at 27.5... .“C” at 22.5... .etc.

The “E” and “F” tracks become a bit tricky, since a full object ball hit

is not desired. Employ a thinner hit, especially in the “F” track.

A-152

corner “V

\“ i 9 i 9 i 9 t ~/..0..~!IlllllIllllllIllllIulIlIlIlllllllllIla.0. 0

- 75S.- - - —S — -

-7N ~~-~-O! - ___

N 7 :0- lOu’

‘4 //O!.— - / . -. 01

7/ — ____7 :~.

— ____— . ,/ V . -~ 01

~‘ —

0: ~ :° 3O~

. .F ‘0:�“ / : “~32.5—

fl-o- 40

// E/ E-

-

: /E I’ L° 50

/ —

/

D ,1 I: / / / /~ Yl 111111 I U1 11111111/11111111 11111111 ~ -o 80

/y 1 4, 1 4, 1 4, 1

First object ball locations

A-153

Rail First 3rd Rail Returns

The third rail returns to the fourth rail have an easy pattern tomemorize.

Previously, the “A” track was shown with a third-to-fourth rail return of1.6 diamonds, This 16, when added to 32.5, has a fourth rail spot of48.5.

The “B” track is 27.5 to the corner, then to 45.5, and has a spread of18.

The spreads change basically by 2/10 of a diamond for each cue balllocation. Memorize “A” as 16/10 and “B” as 18/10, and “C” as 20/10,with each new position changing by 2/10 of diamond.

It’s like remembering two phone numbers.

Since hit, cue ball spin, and speed are a bit tricky, the returns can

vary somewhat. However, this but can be used a general guide.

A-154

\A 1 9 1 9 T 9 T ~/__~ IlIlllIIlIlllIlllIIllllllIIlltlllllllll ?.€,~. o

y.- - ‘ ~,-._ . -S

0 : “~ : 0 ~O

1i°L.- 4-c~i E~fll

1w a

:030

:1

- .!Q~~l N - FaN- rf

AS. - . -S

-

5—— / Qj.- / t

//

// // -o 70

.— /

°~1lll 1111 11111111 1111 1111 1111 1111j0 80/~ I I 1 4, 1

A-155

Rail First Track Shift

Unfortunately, the cue ball is seldom where you wish it to be. Whenthis happens, a parallel method is to be used.

If the cue ball a cue ball is lying at an “A” origin, but the first objectball is at 22.5... .how do you find this new cue ball path?

Find the normal basic track for cue ball location “A”, which is 32.5 tocorner, then to 48.5.

Now parallel a line thru 22.5 to track “A”, and estimate the distancebetween tracks.

Parallel a line to track “A” from the corner to the fourth rail using thedistance estimated. This is the new cue ball path.

A-156

\A 9 9 9 i ~/0 .0~1lllhllllllllllllllIldllll?.0..

/ // // :/ / / -

- / / / —/ / /

10 0 : ~o/// / :

— - %&/ // // // - -S

çt/ / / / -

- #/‘ // / /// // /P..

200: // // �“A/’ :°

225- : Q// /? ~ /// $ / :

4f

30 -p- 7 /7- / /

/

/32.5 k: 1 -S

40 ~: :p

48.5~ 5-:\kh PS

50tY~\

5-- -.4

60-o- :~\ \ normal track for

is to 32.5 -

147 -~

S°2111111111\JlllllIllllIlIlllllllllIllllIlS°I 1 4, 1 4, 1

0* to* 2cr 33*

A-157

Rail First Hit Method

A “rail first” thin hit on the object ball is sometimes required. I’ve usedthis method of finding a first rail aim point many times around Chris’sBilliards in Chicago.

Distance “X” is the space from the outside edge of the first object ballto the rail (perhaps a millimeter less).

Draw a line perpendicular to the rail and through the center of the firstobject ball. Along this line, use distance “X” from the rail edge andaway from the table (point “A”).

This is the aim point for the cue ball.

NOTE: Tickies are also measured like this, except “X” is the distancebetween the rail and the inside edge of the first object ball.

A-158

first object ball —

~

—

— /Ic. ‘<—

cue ball /

—

S —

—-0-

A-159

Donnelly’s Kiss Back

Mike Donnelly offered this old balkline technique for the “kiss back”shot.

Draw an imaginary line from the center of the cue ball into the centerof the first object ball.

Next, draw a line thru the center of the first object ball to the desiredcue ball path (to the first-rail hit point).

Mark both of these center lines on the “outside” of the first object ball(points A & B).

Find the halfway point between A & B on the outside of the objectball. This is the aim point for the cue ball (point C).

A-160

\~ T 9 1 9 T 9llllIlIlltllllIllllIIlllIlIIlIIIllIIlIl

— - __5

/7

///

- //- /- /

//

N,

cue ball 0

first object ball ~ i” 0

— -

- /-0-- // --0

- /- /- /

//

5- - / \- / \- /- ,/

- /

/ :- /

- / S.

0

°~lJll 11111111 1111 lIlt 1111 1111 IlIl~<>/y 1 4, 1 4, 1 4, I yN

A-161

Words From Above

“Your theory of tracks must be

accurate and you must be able to

calculate the new adjustments

correctly. Technique enters as a

most important factor.”

R. Ceulemans

A-162

Ray On Rail First

Ray Martin, a three-time world champion straight pool player,examined this rail first system.

His stroke fit this system perfectly and his cue ball paths wereidentical to the text. Ray stated:

“Many useful variations can be employed by paralleling this railfirst method. A ball in hand situation is now made easier.”

Ray also checked out the SID AND BERNIE SYSTEM in Chapter Iand commented:

“These will be put to use immediately.”

A-163

A-i 64

Chapter IX

Kisses and Position

Top players get fewer kisses and better position. World class playershardly ever get a kiss. This makes a tremendous difference in billiardproduction. The best players obtain position also.

We monitored the kisses, miscues, whiffs and fouls on four players inthe Eastern Classic in May 1991. Raymond Ceulemans takes greatcare of his cue tip before each inning and seldom miscues.

Based on 100 point games, these good players would have raisedtheir average about 20 points, if the above errors were eliminated.

This chapter is brief, since position information is available in otherwritings.

Cochran’s article on kisses is short and sweet. Together with thebump shot, Merle Smith’s follow technique and Sang Lee’scontributions, the player will now have more tools to use.

A-165

Avoiding Kisses

There is nothing more exasperating in three-cushion billiards than tosee a well-executed shot, on the verge of completion, spoiled byaccidental contact with one of the object balls rolling around the table.In billiard parlance, this is a “kiss”. This costs the average player manya point.

No set routine can be mapped out to eliminate kisses in three cushionplay, but certain procedures may be outlined which will help you.

One of the most common causes of kisses is the cue ball’s striking thefirst object ball exactly half full. Both object ball and cue ball then willtravel at the same speed in opposite directions, and after striking thevarious cushions are likely to meet again in the center of the table. Idon’t mean that you are never to hit the object ball half full, becausethere are many shots where this must be done. But I mention this togive you some idea of how to make your calculations.

Kisses can sometimes be avoided by adding a little additional speedto the shot, also by striking the cue ball low and getting a draw actionoff the first cushion.

When playing ordinary ‘naturals,’ where the kiss is so common, youshould make up your mind in advance whether you will try to makeyour cue ball go ahead of the object ball or will instead drive the objectball ahead and make the cue ball come after it.

In the first case, it is necessary to strike the first ball thin; in the other,more than half full. If there is doubt in your mind as to whether thekiss can be avoided, go off the other edge of the first object ball to theend rail, instead of to the side rail, as is usually done.

A-166

Also remember that there are several ways of making the same shot.Avoid the one where the kiss is likely, even though another choicemay be slightly more difficult to execute.

Another thought that is not amiss here is that, all things being equal, itis usually good policy to shoot at the ball nearest you. You will bemore accurate in your aim and more effective in your stroke.

Billiard fans marvel at the way experts avoid kisses. You may restassured that these players make up their minds thoroughly just whatthey want to do to avoid the kiss. In this respect they differ greatlyfrom the average player.

If you are constantly getting kissed off on the same type of shots, trystriking the object ball fuller, driving it ahead of the cue ball. In theevent this fails, try striking the object ball thinner. If both fail, I shouldcertainly look for an entirely different method of playing the shot.

Our thanks to the ABA for the above: Taken from Welker Cochran’s“Scientific Billiards”; Copy donated by R. L. Sutton

A-167

The Champ’s Unique Variation

This diagram has Sang Lee using a thin object ball hit with very littlecue ball spin. The third rail aim point is generous, and the target isenormous.

This is a terrific example of finding another way to play a shot to avoida kiss.

A-i 65

\~ 1 9 1 9 1 9 1~ lIllIlIllItlI II 11111111111 III 11111 liii I 7

/ -S0~ \ *—----~% /

// II

5- :

05-- -.4

4°;llll 1111 1111 111111 IlII~’0’

~ I 4, I 4, ~ I y\

A-169

Five-Rail Kiss

Sang Lee reveals the path of the first object ball to minimize getting akiss.

Cue ball english and hit vary to accomplish this.

A-170

“~ I t I I I I I ~

00~ IIlljllllIllllIllllIilllIllllllllllIllI ~0

/y I I 4, 4, 1

A- 171

Merle Smith’s Follow System

This is a unique system that gives you a good idea where the cue ballis going on many follow shots.

Rail “M” is given numbers as shown, and the cue ball is givennumbers much like a clock.

If diamond 2 is a desired hit point on rail “M”, then 2 o’clock (or 10o’clock) is struck on the cue ball and the “cue tip” is aimed THROUGHTHE CENTER of the first object ball.

When the cue ball and first object ball are close to rail “0”, then thecue stick rear needs to be raised.

This system can have the cue ball and first object ball almost anyplace on the table but a decent follow shot must be available.

Full ball hits, to miss a kiss, are used often and this system is quiteworkable -

A-172

\A 9 1 9 1 9 1 ó/rafl”M’ -o—~llIlIlIllIIlllIllllIlllIIllllillIllllll

//

- //- / /— — // / / — .4- / / -- S / / -/- /

- / / /

3— : / / : 0- / / /

/ / /- / / /

/ / -— - / / - -5

- / /— / /- / /

2— © ~ // E

/

0 Ho.4

/ :- I

-~ 0’•~ . -.

1°5-: ~

-0-:34c_

rail “0”

1111 IlilNil 1111 1111 1111 Illl~0

~ 1 4, I’~4, 1 4, 1 yN

A-173

Bump Shot

This diagram examines the use of a “Jab Shot”, or “Stun Shot’ Thistechnique usually hits the first object ball in the following manner.

Use slight 9 or 3 o’clock cue ball english, or slightly below.

Raise the butt of cue a little.

Employ a jab stroke, which means strike the cue ball without a followthrough stroke. (a quick short stroke.)

This billiard pattern emerges often. I prefer this method over a deepdraw, as it works miracles in avoiding kisses.

When watching billiard videos, it apears that Sang Lee, along withother world-class players, use this stroke constantly. Yet the averageroom player has not discovered this technique.

A-i74

lii Ill 1t1 111111,1111111111 ItI It ill II It1

1111111 It~ liii Ill Itt 1111111 Ifl 1111 till -c

o_— NN

Na -a

5.

N NN /

- I /

-0 -o

-/

//

-0 ‘~lIjIItI4

II11J’’’’4’’ ~ 14111 ~III4II ‘Ii’’’ 411 IJIl II

4IIIIJIIII

4I Ill~IIII

//

II flit1 Illilt t ItII tiltl I ItIII lull ItII~ 1111! It1

1111111 ItI 1111111 ItI 1111 1111lIlt

0~— N/ N V

N // N /

/ N // N /

N /N —N /N

— N —N N

NNNo N 0

NN

No ‘, _V 4

N /

4— /

//

0~_ l~~4’Ii~ltt 41111J11

11411’ljII 1411111411 flJIt 114

11111

111t4

1 ‘‘JIll1

A-175

Words From Above

“Between a choice of shots, the draw is more difficult”.

R. Bitalls

A-176

Concentration, Care and Execution

Bob Daniels, an observer of the billiard scene, has an interestinginsight into the difference between “A” players and “B” players.

In a 25 point game, the “B” player:

1. Makes more miscues and fouls.2. Gets about a half-dozen more kisses.3. Selects six less position-shots.4. Hastily shoots ten shots without proper thought and

concentration.5. Is unable to shoot left-handed.6. Shoots too hard. Loses control of the balls, which offers

too many easy shots for his opponent.

This scenario is theoretical, but it points out what the “B” player isdoing differently. Much care is required; so don’t let opponents goadyou into shooting hastily. Once you employ new information, yourgame will speed up.

Carlos Hallonconnects all his hit points, determines his cue ballpaths, looks for position, safety, and takes a kiss into consideration.He does all of this quickly, almost like he is shooting from the seat ofhis pants.

A-177

Diamonds Are A BilliardPlayers Best Friend

A-178

The Dallas West Hand Release

When confronted with a power shot, which includes a power-draw orpower-follow, to obtain maximum results, the bridge fingers and somebutt-hand fingers should release the cue.

When the cue tip is in the follow-through stage, this release takesplace. Miscues and skipping are minimized and maximum cue ballaction takes place.

Practice releasing the fingers on your bridge hand when the cue shaftstarts binding. Then release all but the little fingers (and palm) on thecue butt hand. This creates a shift to the back of the hand for strokefreedom in the follow-through.

A-179

Words From Above

“Every moment I hold a cue in my

hand I consider golden.”

W C. Fields

A-180

Ray’s Unique Dead Stop

The eight ball has to be driven ten to twelve feet, while the cue ballstops immediately behind the nine ball. Ray Martin executes this withease.

This technique creates a possible game-winning situation, especially ifthe cue ball freezes behind the nine ball.

Hit the cue ball with a center-ball hit and the cue slightly downstroked.The eight ball is hit full with a quick stroke.

The technique hits the first object ball firmly with little cue ballmovement.

- -

fIB —mu iii —

—— 77. 7

~ ~ — Eight Ball

c3-_.... nine bait

- N

Finat position of the eight ba N

A-181

Words From Above

“Billiards experts claim that

systems are available for a much

large percentage of shots than you

think. Find yourself a qualified

teacher and explore this.”

George Fels

A-i 52

The Florida Fan Shot

This common shot appears often and is not attempted by most roomplayers. This technique does wonders for EXTENDING ANGLES andavoiding kisses.

Carlos Hallonand Bill Maloney explain the details of this wonderfultechnique; as described below.

i. The first object ball is fanned.

2. Use a very quick stroke.

3. considerable wrist movement is required.

4. Warm-up practice strokes are rapid machine-gun-likemovements.

5. The cue stick is slightly down stroked.

6. Maximum 4-o’clock cue ball spin is used, possibly withmore side spin.

7. The cue ball is not drawn, but driven.

8. This shot is a mini-masse, curving ever so slightly arounda fan hit.

9. The cue ball is hit soft for maximum spin.

10. A Low bridge is used.

Ii. Stand sideways to obtain the fewest obstructions.

12. Practice this method to get the feel for this all-important“stroke.”

A-i83

A-i54

Shaw On Three Cushion & Pool

Tom Shaw, writer and senior associate editor of Pool and Billiardmagazine is also a profound collector of pool and billiard books andvideos. He “globe trots” in this pursuit. He has an intense interest inour sport,and this quality makes him billiard’s “great friend.”

He writes:

“In America, pool has always been the accessible sport and 3-cushion billiards has been the imposing sport.

There are a number of reasons for those images. Pool can bescaled down and played on a game-size table of 8 ft. or less. Poolhas enough variations to appeal to every personality: for actionplayers, there’s 9-ball; for purists, we have 14.1; for strategist,there’s one-pocket; for tyros, there’s 9-ball; and for a little hocus-pocus, we have bank pool.

Pool also has a visual ending. When the balls are gone, the gameis over.

The number of reasons could be easily expanded, but most of themwhittle down to the fact that 3-cushion is more formidable than pool.Geometry was never as popular as gym.

Yet the sports are closer than cousins- A knowledge of 3-cushionhas pulled the fat out of the fire for many a pool player. It’s just thatfar fewer people have the knowledge.

One reason is the immediate discouragement they feel when theyattempt to learn 3-cushion. The core of the game--hilling threecushion-- would seem to be a simple combination of geometry andphysics. But the geometry doesn’t work.

A-I 85

The beginning player, of course, thinks he’s doing something wrongand that somehow the game is just too hard. The real problem is thesystem.

A pool player of any serviceable level looks askance at 3-cushionplayers. He knows enough about angles to know that systems are toounreliable and assumes that 3-cushion players are “adjusting” forexperience, that is, that they’re really shooting by instinct; an instinctgained by repeatedly moving the balls around. “The” diamondsystem, they know, is a rough guide at best.

What the experienced pool player knew turned out to be true. Thestandard Hoppe diamond system was unreliable and players wereadjusting from experience and “feel’.

If the system were accurate, then any competent 3-cushion playerwould have been making virtually every point.

Walt Harris has tried to make that a reality. With a workable,reliable basic set of systems, the only variable remaining is the skill ofthe player.

A workable system has myriad uses in pool, too, especially at theprofessional level.

When the top players on the Pro Tour congregate, there’s nothought of missing a shot. But there is the possibility of not having ashot and having to play a safety. Safety play, at this level of the game,has become increasingly important. No longer does a player try toleave this opponent with a one-rail kick, or even a two rail kick. Therequirement now is to tie him up so firmly that it will take three or morecushions to hit the object ball. A reliable system would be very usefuland it wouldn’t be surprising to see it being put to use as the key shotin a televised match.

A-i 86

The system would find application in amateur play when balls aremore likely to get tied up and in one-pocket where balls are oftendriven three cushions toward the player’s pocket.

Best of all, a reliable diamond system would open the sport of 3-cushion to all those players who find it too quirky or too erratic. Assoon as a pro player faces a national television camera and explainsthat they used a reliable diamond system to get out of a safety andthat their knowledge of “billiards” enabled them to do it, a whole raft of9-ball players will be investigating 3-cushion.

Just as seasoned pros have advised would-be 9-ball stars to get abroad background by playing 14.1 and the other pocket sports, so dothey advise them to develop a firm base in 3-cushion.

The problem was always the old diamond system. It looked like thekey and turned out to be a wall.

Now that you’ve read and presumably studied the systems in thisbook you’ve got to try them on a table. Spend some time with eachsystem. Get to know it and evaluate your stroke against it. Whenyou’re comfortable with one system, move on to the next. If you havetrouble with one, let it rest a while and concentrate on another beforegoing back and looking at it a second time.

If you play the pocket games, you may find that the systems in thisbook not only help you gain an edge, but that they make 3-cushionitself more attractive.

In years gone by, all systems, real or imagined, were closelyguarded secrets . . - and a book like this would never have beenpublished.

Thomas Shaw

A-i87

A-i85

Author’s Note

I’m not sure which of these systems will improve your game morequickly, but the short-and long-angle tracks produce immediateresults.

The plus system ranks right along with the above, not so much onbank shots, but when calculating plus angles.

Safety play requires a player being accurate on bank shots. Thismakes the “basic track” system mandatory.

Embracing this entire work will take time, but once it’s accomplished,your accuracy will delight you.

A-189

“Your first book has been of great help to my three-cushion game. I have evenadapted some of the carom techniques to pool, with striking effect at my localroom”

Michael lam Shamos Ph. D., J. D., curator of the Billliard Archive

“We frequently receive very positive comments about the quality of the contentin your book congratulations on a job well done.”

na Baskin The Billiard Library.

“Interesting Book” Richard Bitalis, Champion de France aux 3 Bandes.

“If 3—cushion billiards survives in this country. it will be largely due to your

efforts. Every player that I know who wants to improve their game, owes you a

debt of gratitude don’t ever stop”Joe Dymit Glen Ellyn, Illinois

“If you wish to learn more about 3—cushion billiards, study Walt Harris’s books.”George Ashby Eight times National Three Cushion Champion

“I used two Ideas, from the Atlas II, in a USBA tournament, and came in firstagainst a field of 16, which included several top players from Northern Californiaand the Pacific Northwest.”

Darrell Stutesman Tacoma, Washington.

“Books like yours are what give me the most enjoyment from billiards .,..,sure, It’snice to win games and all that, but what I really enjoy Is learning how the gameworks this is where you have helped me.Time for a little bragging after getting your book, my persona; high run wentfrom an 8 to a 12 I don’t credit you with all of this improvment, but you suredid help”

Ron Seitz West Point, Cornwall, N. V.

“It offers really valuable information I have applied what I have learned topocket billiards, instead of 3—cushion.”

John G. Bills Jr San Diego, California

“I appreciate what you are doing for billiards”Darrell Martineau Elk Grove, California.

“Both of these Billiard Books are great”Carlos Hallon Three times USA 3—cushion Champion.

“I have been a billiards and pool player for some 30 odd years, and have readall of the books, old, antique, you name it the “Atlas” is by far the mostexciting I only wish it were ten times the size.”

Leathian Prince Sheridan, Oregon

“The book really has a ton of useful stuff in it, and I can’t wait for “Atlas III”.Frank Lipniski D.O.S., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A-i 90

Author’s Request

This effort represents only a small portion of the amount of systeminformation used in the billiard world.

My concentration was on rail systems rather than ball systems, as they

appeared to be more attractive to the non-system player.

I invite suggestions, corrections, and comments for future writings.

Please write to me in care of “The Billiard Atlas,” P0. Box 321426,

Cocoa Beach, Florida 32932-1 426.

A-I 91

GlossaryAverage: Number of points per inning, achieved by a player.

Cushion: The border surrounding the playing surface of the table, from which balls

rebound, and also known as the rail.

English: The spin applied to a cue ball by striking it off center.

Draw: Spin applied by striking the cue ball below center.

Follow: Cue ball english that causes the cue ball to roll forward after contact with the

object ball.

Kiss: An accidental contact between two balls that causes the shot to fail or score.

Masse: A shot in which the butt of the cue is raised at a high angle and strikes the cueball from above.

Miss: Failure to score a billiard.

Position: A placement of the cue ball and object balls allowing the next shot to beuncomplicated.

Reverse English: Cue ball spin that is contrary to its natural motion after striking a cushion.

Reverse-the-raIl: A shot in which a cue ball makes contact with a rail, then a second rail, then thefirst rail again, to score a three rail billiard.

Running English: Cue ball spin that favors a balls progress after it strikes a rail.

Safety: When a player misses scoring and leaves his opponent a difficult shot pattern.

Short Rail: An end rail, so called because it is half the length of a side, or long rail.

Shot: An attempt at scoring a billiard

Skid: Low cue ball spin which stops a rolling motion for a designed distance.

SlIde: Where balls rebound at a widerangle due to new cloth or new balls.

Ticky: A shot that where the cue ball strikes the same rail twice, then a third rail ormore, to score a billiard.

Track: A predictable cue ball path.

Umbrella: A shot where the cue ball strikes two or more cushions before hitting the first

object ball.

The illustratedEncyclopediaof Billiards has been the source of much of the above information. Mike

Shamos is the author of this wonderful reference book. This is a must for your library.

A-i 92

Index . volume I

Accoss the Table 139 thru 145 LaGongle, Dick VII, 16, 17, 145Allowance 42, 114,115, 120 thru 133 Lee, Sang see Sang LeeAshby, George VII , 35, 52, 53, 63 Long Angle System 35 thru 45

Backups 72, 73, 78 Maloney, Bill VII, 23, 28, 29, 183Ball ID XV Martin, Ray VII, 163, 181Banner, Sid VII, 2 thru 11, 19, 163Basic Tracks 92 thru 111, 114,115,120, Nine Ball XVII, 185, 186, 187,

185 197,199,201,203Bernie’s See WishengradBitalis, Richard VII, 30, 31, 35, 54, 55, One Pocket XVII

139, 146, 176Bump Shot 28, 174, 175 PIus System 67 thru 78, 81Byrne, Robert 117, 193 Position 165, 166, 167, 177

Power Shots 179Chicago End Rail Systems 10 thru 13Chicago Rail First Systems 149 thru 159, Rail First System 149 thru 159, 163

163 Reverse the Rail 52 thru 55Chris Crisman VII, 135 Robin, Eddie 165Chris’s Billiards 158Cocoa Beach Tickie Tracks (See Tickies) Sang Lee VII, 35,56 thru 61, 165,Cochran, Welker VII, 165, 166, 167 168 thru 171, 174

Seattle Kid 42, 114, 115, 120 thru 133Dallas West See West Shaw, Thomas VII, 134, 185,186, 187Daniels, Bob VII, 177 Short Angle Systems 35,46 thru 49, 56,Diamond System IX, 85 thru 133 57, 60, 61, 63Dead Ball Systems I thru 15, 19 Sid Systems See BannerDead Draw Shots 58 thru 61,63,79 Sighting 110 thru 113Donnelly, Mike VII, 16, 160, 161 Slide XX, XXIDraw Shots 179 Smith, Billy VII, 139, 140, 141

Smith, Merle VII, 165, 172, 173End Rail Diamond System 119, 120 Strassburger, Carl VII, 139End Rail Track System 119 thru 133 Sullivan, Ira VII, 56

Feeney, Don VII, 1, 19 Table I. D. XII, XIIIFels, George VII, XVII, 147, 182 Tickies 2 thru 5, 10 thru 13, 23Florida Fan Shot 183 thru 31, 156Follow Shots 172, 173, 179

Umbrella System 50, 51HaIlon, Carlos VII, 79, 142, 143, 177, 183Harris End Rail System 121 thru 133 Ventrelli, Joe VII, 46,47,63,81Hoppe 86 thru 94, 117, 120, 186

Walt’s Basic Tracks 92 thru 108, 114,Joey’s Short Angle ,....See Ventrelli 115, 116, 120, 185

Walt’s Plus System 67 thru 78, 81Kiss Back 160, 161 Walt’s Long Angle Track 35 thru 45Kisses 165 thru 178 West, Dallas VII, 63, 179

Wishengrad, Bernie VII, 14, 15, 18,19, 35, 50, 51

A-193

Notes

A-194

Reporter Sid’s Systemz~t losely guarded secrets are

Q, now being revealed and here’sanother gem for winning nine

ball. These were pried from some of s 9.3thetopplayersinthecountry. 40* 3Q* 20* 10 / o

In this example let’s assume the zball you must hit is difficult to getto andishunginthesidepocket...ifyou . ‘.4miss a ball-in-hand situation arises. ~, ..v. Z

Thissimple system solves the prob- RAIL “0” •::•:em and learning this pays oft in many ~‘

ways to numerous to list. V:

FIRST STEP: Imagine the cue ball ,path if you bank to sink the ball in the :yside pocket.

SECONDSTEP:Usethisline(track) I

andmarkthepointsonraivQ”andrail a: ‘ . 2.0~ where this line crosses. ‘

THIRD STEP: From rail “0” (ap-prox. 10”) sight where the SIDE ofthe cue must hit rail “N” to sink thisball. Here it looks like it’s somewhere .t. ‘ ~ 25between 3.0 and 3.3 and I used 3.1.Notice the unusual numbers for rail“N. This 3.1 is now used in the ‘X V

calculations.FOURTHSTEP:The cue ball track- :•.. 3 1

line crosses rail “P0 at point C (es-timate). Each diamond awayfrom pointX (on rail “P’) is worth 3.1.

FIFTH STEP: Point C is 3 diamonds !.‘ ,,. 35away from X so. . - 3 tImes 3.1 9.3.

ANSWER: Now aim for 9.3 on the ~‘first rail (rail “0”). Notice that this rail I

has numbers from 0’ to 40”. -.-‘

* * * :o I RAIL”N”. .j 42NOTE: If cue ball line originated

through point B then the side of the :::::: Icue ball hit point on rail “N” would :-:;have been estimated at about 3.5.Point B is two diamonds away from X -:t-: / :~~

so first rail hit point is 2 times 3.5 or7.O. 0Now aim for 7.0 on rail “0’. Q RAIL “I”

Stroke is very important ... ab- ::Y __________________________________solute dead ball english and ROLL ______________________________________ 50BALL’ softly, much like a lag .. . short .‘:.‘.‘:.‘.‘::.~‘.:~:.t:.’.’.’:.’..’.’~.’.’.’.’.’.’:.’.’.::.’.’

4..’:::.’.

bridge, cue stick hits up.0 c B A X

Don Feeney says this iswhere a few memorized sys-tems can be devastatlngl 3

Sn page 1 of “Wall Harris, BiUiarti Adaj’ —. I — —

A-i95

The Systems Reporter Walt’s Basic Plus

x —~ another pro players secret sys- PAD ~ - - ‘Ithese and memorize them ... \ — - - -, - I E

you will have taken a step towards . ..:~.:.:.:.:.:.:.:..\*:.:.:.;.:.:.;.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.w ~ i. ~toplevelplay. 0 N ,_- — V - . : ‘12

— I ~A cue ball aimed at “X’ from dia- ~ .-~ - ‘, C :!-~

mond 10 (on rail M”) will spread 35 - - *9’ -, ,/~ . ‘

andreturnto45(onrail M) 10 - - ‘ Q ,/~ ‘,‘,‘ .• to

Acue baD aimed at “X”from dia- — j••~ ~

mond4o(onraiVM’)willspread2oand - - ,~t ~ / /returnto6O(onrafliK). :; — , /

20 •‘: ,‘ Q// # 20Guess at point’)C unless you wish - — •‘~ . / /

to memorize 5 (rail “0’) for 40 to X” - - ‘ Qand 10 (rail “0’) for 20 to X. J7

,“ /EXAMPLE:lfyouwishtogofromlo 30 ~ /

(rail “N”) to 60 (rail “M’), you know — - ‘ ,~‘ ,‘ /that 40 to “X” will give you this return / 1f ~

IF your cue ball is near to 10 (rail 40 ,~? /

“M’) then a spot on the wall system is ‘.,

introduced ... Sight a lIne from 40 to“X’ and find a spot on a wall, chair /

etc., that is about 10 feet away from :~.the table .. . this is the new aim point 50 ~ /

forthecueballfrorn 10(onrail”M”). RAIL”N”

RobertByrnelikedthissystem ::;::; /and made it part of his game. 60 ~ S

“Page 78 Billiard Digest Book Revi.w —1w,. 1992” /

70 SRAIL’”M” I

80 :‘--

A-197

r,j.~i The Systems Reporter Chicago End Rail Systemby Walt Harris

40 30 2 10 0ei’%4t ost pool and billiardsexperts

k114 would rather surrender the I 21 1’ 9’?m.tuJA) I secrets of their sex fives thanshare a use~IUp or system. This is •t1,,.t,,,,t.... T, T~li lit!1another jewel for winning at nine ball.

RaiL “0”

These were pried from some of the 4topplayers in the country. — 1.0

oZOIn this example lets assume you’redown to the last 3 bails but you have a /slim chance to sink the9 balI. However,the bail you must hit is awkward to get

toarid ~youmiss a bail-in-handsituadon 2.5/ cP? 0 3.0

This simple system solves the prob- A

ways to numerous to list.Iemandlearningthispaysofflnmany I ~~ 40

FIRST STEP: Imagine the cue balI <1 Qpathifyoubanksotheaiebaflcaroms -- . 45offyourlstobjectball&headsforthe /nine ball.

SEC0NDSThP:Usethisllne(~) £ ll~IIIjiIIl~liIl/IIiI~I

‘III”

andmailcthepolntsonrall”NThndraJI IM”where this line crosses. t. RMLM” I !

I i ITHIRD STEP: From rail “N” (ap- 0 0 C B A X

thecuemusthaiI~.Hereftlooke -prox. 10) sIght where the SIDE oflike its somewhere about 3.0. Notice ANSWER: Now aim for 9.0 on the dead ball en9llsh and “ROLL BALLthe unusual numbers for the rails. This first rail (rail “N’). Not~that this rail softly, much like a fag. . . short bridge.3.0 is now used In the calculations, has numbers from 0” to 40”. aie stldc hits up.

FOURTH STEP: The we ball tracãc- NOTE: If the cue ball was at point George Fele says, “Whatline crosses rail “Nt” at point C (as- “0’ then 7 (half diamonds) x 3 Is 21 drIves many, many players totimate). Each half diamond away from and the first rail hIt spot would be 21 dIstraction Is the unpredictabilitypoint X (on rail “M’) is worth 3.0. It takes a bit of concentration to think of the cuebafls path of travel.

In terms of hail diamonds, bot with a This will help you solve thatFIFTH STEP: Point C Is 3 half dia- little practice, this system Is a winner. punle.”

monds away from X so. . . 3 tImes 3.0 Seepage.10.11. 12 & 13 of

-9.0. Stroke is very Important absolute Wail Hanid”BhhIani Silos’

A-199

Notes

A-200

Reporter Bernie’s System$ ystem secrets are closely

guarded by an inner circle of RAIL’O”\ 0 30~ 60top players and each of them ~ ‘.‘.v..v....v.”.”.

probably has 25 to 30 systems . S Smemorized .. ::.

This information makes for winningnine-ball,one-pocket,etc.,etc andof course carom billiards.

If you begin by making this “Bernie .. -

System part of your game and later v.add a few more it will make the differ- ~‘

ence between winning and losing.In this example let’s assume the ball

you must hit is difficult to get to and is !.frozen to the nine ball. . .if you miss, aball in hand situation arises.

This simple system solves theproblem. After a few minutes spent a / 4:trying this, the numbers become easyto remember. •:-:~:

In this example, to find the first rail.hit spot (rail “0’), subtract the desired ~‘• .C3_ cuethirdhitspotof3o(rail”P’)fromthecue 40 0ball origin number of 60 (rail ‘M’). 1:. /

The cue ball origin is found by put- ::~: /ting your finger on 70 (rail “M’), sub- ::: Itracting 30 which makes 40 and then 50 4: /sight from 70 to 40 (rail “0’) and see if /the cue baIl is near this line, if not. . .tiy YY’ /your finger on 60 and repeat this pro-cedure untIl theexact cueball origin isfound. 60 ~

Stroke is very important ... abso-lute dead ball english and “ROLL BALLSOFTLY,’much like a lag. . .cue stick :::hits up with a short bridge. 70 •NOTE: The corner which the cue baIl .

is coming out of, is always 80andO. C p,~n~”p” ______

“AMAZINGLY ACCURATE” is NDon Feeney’s description of this ,littlegem. 0 20 30 40 60 60

See page 14, 15 of‘W0

11 Hwn.’. BiUiwd Silas’

A-201