How to Shoot Bank Shots

Let's talk about Bank Shots. They're not so hard once you understand the fundamentals. First, understand that with bank shots, everybody is trying to find the half-way distance between the ball and the rail and the pocket. So, here's a technique for how to figure that out with far greater accuracy than just eyeballing it.

To successfully make bank shots, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the diamonds on your table. You'll need to use the diamonds for all your measuring. It's important to remember that even though they aren't labeled, each pocket is a diamond. Remember this!

So, imagine you've got your ball stuck on one end of the table, between 2nd and 3rd diamonds on the long rail. The pocket to the center diamond will go to the pocket. It's not the diamond itself that you're going to actually end up aiming at (we'll make that correction at the end) but they'll work for the initial figuring out we need to do.

I need to figure out which line, which diamond, i'll be using to make my ball. I'll always start with the pocket near me since that's the easiest to visualize because pockets always go to the middle diamonds. Using my cue as a visual reference, I'll place the butt end of the my cue in the side pocket near me. I'll put the tip of my cue on the diamond that that pocket would go toward. Next, I'll move from the side pocket near me all the way to the next diamond. While doing this, I'm careful to maintain the angle that I've created with the cue.

I'll then want to move the butt of my cue over to next diamond nearest to me, this is the diamond that's in front of the ball I want to strike. I don't use the diamonds on the other side of the table because they're too far away. You want to use they're too far away. I want to use the closest diamond so I can be accurate.

Next I'll find the halfway point. For the purposes of illustration, I'll be using two cues for this next portion. Using that second cue, make a parallel line over the object ball. Now I just need to split the difference between the two cues. This is going to give me my point. Again, you'll eventually be able to do this in your head.

Now you have your point to aim at. Take your cue and move it straight out on the rail, retaining that point you set. Pull your cue in toward you a little bit and note there the tip of your cue hits the rail. That is where you want to aim. Take your shot and watch the ball hit your pocket.

[jerronburrow]

Great video. I’ve looked at multiple videos before that have confusing ways of remembering the angles. This one definitely helped. Thank you!

[TruthBySearching]

There are lots of points on the rail you can aim to bank a ball, depending on the speed you hit it, type of stroke you hit it with, left/right English, follow or draw, how far the cue ball is from the object ball, and how far the object ball is from the rail. But this is a great starting point to get a reference angle and something worth practicing to get the feel for banks. There is a lot of physics at play and nothing is as easy as it sounds.

[Treatsandthreadscom]

You are on fire dude. Make my search perfect. One stop shop for POOL KNOWLEDGE!

[rainbowdann]

I just found your site and subscribed becasue I find your videos to be very helpful. I am just so confused by the different ways I am shown bank shots. My husband it teaching me "Take one stick and line it up with the closest pocket, then line another stick to the taget pocket, then take the spot where they join and then line that up to the spot on the rail and then that is the spot on the rail I am at" Yours is way less complicated, I hope it works. I 'm a 3 in APA & to Vegas this summer!

[NMBlueskygirl]

Love it...thanks! Cant wait to try it. I also saw where speed plays a part in this too.

[YanetteA]

Great work. Helped me out a lot. However, putting English on the cue ball does have an effect on the bank shot. Could you do a video to guide us?

[stephenmarian]

Here’s a question, how come some people will parallel shift the cue stick over the object ball and that’s where they shoot the shot. There’s no split the difference. Thank you

[mrnathanmist]

I have a question about... when hitting the rail first with the cue ball then the object ball, where should I hit the cue ball? right high english or center high? cause I notice it varies big time and I just end up missing the object ball completely, I also notice if I hit it with very light speed it swings way off and missing the ball, and also if I hit it a little harder it will hit the object ball

[MrOriuk]

Hi brandon nice vid!
Question
Parallel and split the difference?
So the object ball has to hit right in between the natural line and the parallel shift on top of OB...

[james]

I’m just trying to understand. I’m getting the concept, but from the side pocket, near you, the first diamond on the opposite side of the table looks short of the “halfway” point. The halfway point from side pocket to corner, visually, looks like it’s in between the two diamonds on the other side of the table. Just curious. I’m not trying to contradict you😉

[Conquistador]

Great video! This will definetly improve my game.

[TravisClark]

Great channel all around. Thank you kind sir.

[gspfan]

Do you think it would be possible to explain the masse shot more in depth it would really help?

[masangbj]

how many cues do you have there? im just curious..

[mrnathanmist]

Yeah thanks a lot, I didn't know there was a difference between a kick and bank. the whole time i'd just shoot and eyeball my angles, it usually works but not every time. good Vid!

[Wongfeihong]

very well explained! ive learned so much from you. thanks so much

[patrickbreach]

What are you doing with the cue ball? I notice that I make the shot much more often if I stun the cue ball with this system but it could be because I'm shooting a bit more firm.

[stevemarion]

Brandon! Answer this for me, how come some teachers find the bank line like you do but then parallel shift the cue over the object ball and shoot. There not splitting the difference with the imaginary cue stick.

[allgood]

Nice!.. what about using a table with no diamonds? 🤔

[bobschmidt]

like your videos because there short and to the point!!