AimRight - What's that cut angle? P3: Table Geometry I video

This advanced AimRight video series shows the value of using AimRight angles for regular pool (pocket billiards) play (which is optional) and shows methods to determine the cut angle of a shot. Part 3 is an introduction to using Table Geometry to compute the angle by independently getting the object ball angle and the cue ball angle and subtracting or adding them to get the cut angle. Two types of shots are subject to in-depth analysis: shots close to the rail; and balls on the foot spot. This special method is for the right type of person and takes a commitment. This video provides enough detail to experiment with the method and for you to see if you want more.

If you want to know the angles for your favorite table, I can provide a custom report. Inquire via email.

The AimRight won an Editor's Choice award at Billiard Product Reviews! Read the review at

If you are new to the AimRight, you should watch more introductory videos, starting with the Overview and also the one demonstrating shooting the 16 basic cut angles. And to learn how you might aim the shots, check the Aiming video.

AimRight training is based on specific angles which you learn how to aim/shoot to develop consistent and solid fundamentals. Plus learn where the cue ball goes after the shot (for position) at each cut angle. If one also learns to estimate cut angles, the AimRight training angles can be used in general play.

The AimRight itself is a simple pool-shooting practice aid that can deliver amazing results.

Made in the U.S.A.

Errata:
Once or twice, I incorrectly referred to angles as referenced to the 'side rail', when I should have referenced to the 'short rail' (SR).

For the 34.3° cut to the side pocket, I showed the wrong cue ball data
At 22:22, I incorrectly show 1.9D; it should be 0.85D.
At 22:26, it should then be 11°

0:00 Introduction
1:30 It's Challenging
2:49 Object Ball Angles
3:42 Cue Ball Angles
4:21 Shot Introduction
4:48 Near Rail 61°
6:16 Near Rail 39°
7:14 Near Rail 22°
8:16 Near Rail 11°
9:15 Near Rail 11° Back cut
10:03 Short Rail Corner P:61°
11:04 Side P: 61°
12:10 Corner P: 22°
13:06 Side P: 22°
13:51 Corner P: 18° Back cut
14:35 Side P: 18° Back cut
15:21 Side P: 39° Back cut
16:04 Near Rail Wrapup
16:15 Drill
16:29 Foot Spot Shots
16:44 Spot Shot: 30°
17:35 Spot Shot: 43°
18:20 Spot Shot: 49°
19:06 Spot Shot: 61°
19:52 Corner P: 22°
20:41 Side P: 22°
21:23 Corner P: 34°
22:08 Side P: 34°
22:53 Corner P: 54°
23:36 Side P: 54°
24:27 Foot Spot Shot Wrapup
24:45 Drill
25:46 45° OB Line
27:04 1/4 Ball hit shots
28:20 Angle Advisory
29:43 Future Topics
30:44 Up to YOU

[mikestima]

Great video Ray, well worth the effort to study. Practiced using some of the examples you demonstrate. I used the spot shot examples as a starting point; very instructive. I recommend the AimRight tool to everyone. Bought mine from Seybert's, great service. Used it with your first AimRight demo cut angle video. Everyone: you won't be disappointed, amazing what I learned in less than 30 min.

[aimprobilliards]

Didn't I say, in the video, that this is advanced and NOT FOR MOST PEOPLE?! I warned you. Why did you watch it anyways -- and then blame me?

I have a product called an AimRight. It is for pool shooting practice. You use it to develop a solid, repeatable stroke and to learn to aim (and there are aiming choices) and learn position play basics. The practice angles correspond to ball hit fractions, but I tend to refer to them by their cut angle. Some of us want to benefit from that shooting/aiming practice not only with an improved stroke, but to also use the aims learned in that practice. To do that, I have to be able to estimate the cut angle (or ball hit fraction) of the shot in front of me in a game. This series of videos presents many methods to do that as interim methods while trying to develop intuition about the angle.

Besides aiming, there's another set of reasons to know the approximate cut angle of a shot in front of you. There is much pool science (see Dr Dave, for example) that discusses pool physics and gives charts and graphs about results as a function of the cut angle. That data cannot be applied with any accuracy in game situations if you don't know how to estimate the cut angle of a shot in degrees.

[gregbailer]

Nice images and explanation of the Geometry. Very logical approach to the table angles shown. Please consider additional videos. Much appreciated.

[stefe]

This type of learning appealed to my thought process, although I would think most people will just try instinctive shooting after a bit. Without question, the geometry shown works well if you put the time into it. after reviewing this (several times), then actually taping numbers to my diamonds, I tried this over a few practice sessions. "Clicked" in my brain and my accuracy improved tremendously. Instead of "it looks like 60 degrees" I find myself thinking" this is a 56 degree shot". With a good stroke, and eye for the shot line, those backward cuts are a breeze now.
Can't wait for league to start again. Safe days to all.

[tomibarkidjija]

Thank you from Italy. Great explanation!

[jodycompton]

Hey Ray
Do you have the table reference lines, i. e. LR diamond to LR diamond in degrees posted/ writing anywhere?
Better yet, how do I learn your table angles to calculate the cut angle?
Thanks
Awesome explanation..
Jody

[marianomartinez]

Where could we get the angle aid?
Thanks

[iliakislinskii]

can you please give more explanation how to calculate the angle LD-SD and SD-LD? for example the angle is between 3D on the LR and 2D on the SR?

[leanm]

I hope there is a table geometry for 1, 2, and 3 rail kick shots that shoot the ball in the pocket..

[gianpaolonapolitano]

Please Sir do another video shortly than 4 months

[josheisert]

Very informative but I don't understand why you need to know the opposite angle. Why not just know the pocket angle? Meaning from the center of the pocket to the center of the object ball to the center of the cueball. That angle.

[allgood]

And what if you are using a pool table with no diamonds? 🤔

[georgedardonis]

Don't waste your time learning this system, 2 systems you should practice, 1 is center to edge, the other is the gost ball system, in my opinion is the best and easiest system to learn. Example looking at the qb straight on the center is always b. the qb has 5 deferent point of impacts. 0-25-50-75 -100. if you shooting on the left pocket, split the differences between 50 to 100. if you are shooting to your rt, impact point is between 0-25- 50. Very simple. other system s used is the same, 15 degrees 30 degrees 45 degrees and so on. The one that i use is 0-25-50-75 and 100 which I make 95% of my shots, give it a try.

[rampagemototv]

that is why most tournaments are now using timer.

[grovermarks]

so I get this no ads deal from YT, fake

[whitigir]

This is too complicated and dont leave much rooms for throws or english and cb controls if 60 seconds are the frame limit

[mubarikidrees]

how does knowing angles in degrees help in aiming ?? you have to ultimately aim the shot properly, no offence but i found this video as waste of time!