Every impact is a chance to blow it. The fewer contacts between your cue ball, and the object ball, and the pocket, the better. But, if you’ve taken more than a handful of shots in your entire billiards career, you’ll know that oftentimes (very often) you will need to use the rail. Here’s how to up your bank shot game and make best use of the rail in your next pool game.
Understand the basics. 8-ball is a game played with a cue ball and 15 'object balls,' numbered 1 through 15. One player must pocket balls of the group numbered 1 through 7 (solid colors), while the other player has 9 through 15 (stripes). To win, you must be the player to pocket either group first, and then legally pocket the 8-ball. When shooting at the 8-ball, a scratch or foul is not loss of game if the 8-ball is not pocketed or jumped from the billiard table. Incoming player has cue ball in hand. Note: A combination shot can never be used to legally pocket the 8-ball.
So, how do you make more bank shots? A bank shot is any shot where the rail is used to help pocket your object ball. Let’s look at the steps of the Cross-Pocket Line Method:
- Plot your Cross-Pocket line
- Plot your Cross-Ball line
- Find your Bank Point using the information you got from steps 1 and 2
- Visualize your bank plot line
In this example, we’ll consider a common scenario in which the pool player must make a bank shot off the rail, into the corner pocket to sink the 8 ball for the win. See diagrams.
Plot Your Cross-Pocket Line
On the rail you want to bank off of, visualize a point directly across from your object ball. Now, in your mind’s eye, draw a line from this point to the center of your target pocket. This line is your Cross-Pocket Line.
Plot Your Cross-Ball Line
Visualize a line that runs from the center of the object ball, to the center of the corner pocket that lies on the other end of the rail from your target pocket. This line is your Cross-Ball Line. This line will always cross the Cross-Pocket Line.
Make note of the X that is formed by the intersection of these two lines.
Plot Your Bank Point Line to Find Your Bank Point
From the intersection of your Cross-Pocket and Cross-Ball Lines (the X you noted in the previous step), extend an imaginary line that contacts the bank rail at a ninety degree angle. This is your Bank Point.
Visualize Your Bank Plot Line
Finally, visualize a line that extends from your object ball, to the bank point, and from your bank point to the center of the target pocket. This is your Bank Plot Line.
A properly hit shot on the object ball will send it along the bank plot line, off the bank rail, and into the bottom of the target pocket.
More Thoughts on Bank Shots
Though there are many other systems for setting up bank shots in the billiards world, the system described above is common due to its ease of use and effectiveness. But, as in all things pool, there are other factors the advanced player must consider.
Every bank shot is an interplay of geometry and physics. The geometry is easy to describe (thanks Euclid). The physics is another matter (thanks Newton).
For example, when you send an object ball to the rail with a dead center cue ball strike, you might assume that the return angle will be equal to the angle at which your object ball struck the rail. This is not the case. Forward roll imparted to the object ball by its friction with the tablecloth will cause the object ball to roll off the predicted, geometric line. This effect can be overcome with speed (see Tips for Better Bank Shots at the end of this article).
Things like this are amplified by side spin/english. Accounting for such factors at the level of the conscious mind is an invitation to madness. Take heart. You will soon compute all these factors, and more, without conscious effort. And, it is this very behavior that allows for the creativity, and brilliance (dare I say, magic) you sometimes witness from pool’s greatest masters.
Related Questions
When do I go for the bank shot?
Sometimes a bank shot is the only one you can make. When the straight-on angles get too thin, or other balls are in the way, you better have a good bank shot in your billiards tool box if you want to win games.
Having said that, better position play will leave you in fewer situations where bank shots will be necessary. If a cut shot will do; take it.
How hard do I hit a bank shot in pool?
Medium force is suggested for most bank shots. The harder you strike the cue ball, the sharper the bank angle will be. Hit too soft and the bank angle will open up, sending the object ball wide of the target pocket. English, table conditions, and rail stiffness (among many other factors) will affect the bank angle, and will vary from table to table. Play. Learn. Repeat.
What is the difference between a bank shot and a kick shot?
In a bank shot, the player will address the object ball directly with the cue ball in hopes of banking the object ball off of the rail and into the target pocket. Sequence: Cue Ball > Object Ball > Rail > Pocket.
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A kick shot will attempt to send the cue ball off of the bank rail before, hopefully, striking the object ball and sending it to the bottom of the pocket. Sequence: Cue Ball > Rail > Object Ball > Pocket.
How does side spin and english affect a bank shot?
In a word: Dramatically. It is useful for mitigating inaccuracy, or less than ideal cut angles to ensure the object ball approaches the pocket from the right direction. See my post on side spin for more information.
What other methods are available for making bank shots?
You might also try the Table Diamonds Method, or the Added English Method. Tutorials coming soon.
What drill should I use to improve my bank shooting? How should I practice?
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Frequent, quality practice is the key to mastering any life skill (make no mistake, and do not doubt me, billiard shooting is a life skill). This is my favorite drill for bank shot practice.
- Choose one half of the pool table in the beginning.
- Place 4 or 5 balls in an arc before you, before or near the centerline of the table.
- Place the current ball between yourself and the object balls.
- Begin shooting bank shots off of the opposite rail, targeting the corner pocket on your side of the table.
- Begin with straight, dead on shots on the cue ball-object ball pair
- Once you have mastered these shots, experiment with side spin/english.
- Do this a lot. Whenever you get table time, carve some portion out for bank shot practice.
Tips & Techniques for Better Bank Shots
- The usual rules of good form apply for bank shots. Check your stance, aim, stroke, bridge, and pre-shot ritual as you would for any other pool shot.
- Use speed. Many of the best bank shot makers prefer faster bank shots because the many variables that affect success are diminished. Beware: faster shot speed reduces the effective size of the pocket (especially at the corners) and requires greater accuracy. The advantages of speed significantly outweigh this potential drawback.
- Don’t bank when a cut shot will do. Unless there are girls watching. Then, always use bank shots.
- Perfect your position play. If you can leave the cue ball where you want to every time, you won’t have to rely on your bank shot.
- Speed, English, and angle. In your bank shot practice, focus on these factors first.
- However, all great pool players are also great bankers.