How do you aim fast-speed or sliding-ball bank shots?
The most accurate system for aiming fast-speed or siding-ball bank shots, where the OB has little or no top or bottom spin at the cushion, is the twice-plus-tenths bank shot aiming system. It is based on rail-groove measurements across from the diamonds. An alternative through-diamond system is the 1-more-than-twice system. Both are demonstrated in detail in the following videos:
Other useful systems for aiming sliding banks, including the Schofield 8-10-12 system and the Briesath diamond-connect system, are demonstrated in these videos:
For more information, see “Large-Angle Banks” (BD, December, 2023).
Other alternative through-diamond systems for fast-speed banks that use a different numbering system for the diamonds are demonstrated in these video: first, second. The first uses 4, 8, 12, etc. on the origination rail, and 10, 20, 30, etc. on the target rail. It can be referred to the 4d-to-10d system, where d is the diamond number (1, 2, 3, etc.). An alternative version of this system, with corrections is described in the quote below. The second version uses 2-4-6-8 reference points and 11-15 diamond numbers.
In addition to being able to use the aiming systems above, there are advantages to using fast speed with bank shots. For more info, see: advantages of fast speed.
from Ron McClain (via e-mail, relating to the 4d-to-10d through-diamond system above):
I have a difficult time sighting to the rail groove with the twice-plus-tenths system. But this formula for sliding ball banks, sighting THROUGH the diamonds using the departure long rail point, once you’re a bit familiar with the angles, seems to work pretty good for me.
.4 times the departure #, minus 1. Then, after making the corner to the short rail, .4 times the #, plus 1.
Examples:
40 X .4 – 1 =15
60 X .4 – 1 = 23
80 X .4 – 1 = 31
100 X .4 + 1 = 41
120 X .4 + 1 = 49, etc.It seems to work with the lower and in between numbers also, and with .4 as the multiplier, it’s relatively easy to calculate quickly.
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