The Diamond System

(Refer to Figures 1 - 4, while reading these instructions.)

The inlaid objects along the rails on a pool table are not for decoration. They can be round pearl colored objects, diamond shaped, or in the case of some custom made pool tables I’ve seen in Texas, they can be shaped like a set of cattle horns, or the outline of the state of Texas. No matter what shape or color they are, the “diamonds” are on a pool table to aid you in making multiple rail shots using geometry.

Pool tables are twice as long as they are wide, and there are twice as many diamonds on the combined side rail as on the end rail. This leads to a predetermined geometry situation … if a cue ball is hit into a certain part of the rail (the diamond), it will rebound into the next series of rails at predetermined points. All you have to do is hit the right spot on the rail at the right angle. For the purpose of determining the aiming point on a rail, the pockets should be considered as being diamonds - they also have location numbers (Figure 1), just like the diamonds. If your aiming point ends up being a pocket, just aim short (up the rail - before the pocket, a little), and use a little more english than you normally would.

For the examples covered here, you have to use “running english” when you hit the cue ball. If the cue ball is going to be traveling in a left hand direction around the table, use left english. If right hand direction, use right english.

When shooting from a short (end) rail into a long (side) rail, always aim through the rail to the center of the diamond (or spot you are aiming at). On the other hand, when shooting from a long (side) rail into a short (end) rail, always aim in front of the diamond (or spot you are aiming at). It’s more difficult to aim in front of the diamond because it’s illegal to mark the rail or place an object (piece of chalk) on the cushion to use as an aiming point. This takes practice, and if you are off just a little, it will greatly affect where the cue ball rebounds on the next rail.

Okay, the last item I have is the cloth on the table. Everything you do on a pool table is affected by the condition or brand of the cloth.  New or slick (fast) cloth will require less running english. Older cloth, or cloth that has a “nap” (furry) starting to develop, will be slow, and will require more running english and a harder hit.

Starting at the cue ball, go to the first diamond towards the object ball, and start counting the diamonds all the way to the corner pocket (in this case, the number is “5“). Now, at the end rail opposite from the object ball, count 5 numbers out from the corner pocket diagonally across from the object ball. Starting at the corner pocket with number one, and then half spaces for each of the other 4 numbers, count out to 5 (which in this case is the center diamond). Aim in front of the center diamond, and shoot the ball with running english.

NOTE 1: A similar shot, with the object ball up the rail (towards the cue ball) to the next diamond, or another ball kissed-up against the object ball on the same diamond up from the pocket can be made. All you have to do is adjust the counting of the diamonds on the side rail like before, and then do the same on the end rail.

NOTE 2: The success of the shot will depend on the right amount of running english. With practice, you’ll remember how to hit the ball. In a game of 8-Ball or 9-Ball, the idea is to pocket the object ball, but more important, you have to atleast hit the object ball and a rail, to keep your opponent from having “ball in hand.”

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Determine the object ball’s position number, starting at the first diamond at the opposite end of the side rail, and count to the corner pocket the object ball is in front of (in this case, the number is “8”). Now, find the cue ball’s position number, starting at the opposite end of the side rail the cue ball is on, and count starting at the first diamond, which is “1 ½.” The next diamond is “2,” then “2 ½,” “3,” “3 ½,,” “4,” “4 ½,” and the last diamond (corner pocket) which is “5” (in this case, the number is “5”). In Figure 2, find the connecting diamond for the object ball (“2,” in this case). Diamond number 1 connects with diamond number 7; diamond number 2 connects with diamond number 8; diamond number 3 connects with diamond number 3; etc. Subtract the connecting diamond number (2) from the cue ball position number (5), and you have 5-2=3. Starting at the first diamond, count 3 diamonds from the far end of the side rail that the object ball is on. Aim through the diamond, and hit the cue ball with running english.

Notes 1 and 2 (above) apply to this shot, just as in the 2-rail kick shot.

Well, you now have the ammunition to help defeat any opponent you may come across … but, you will have to practice using the running english. Determining the ball position numbers, and connecting diamonds will become second nature to you while setting up your shot.

When my instructor, and former assistant to the real Fast Eddie (Edward Parker), Eddie Loest, showed me this system, I thought I was going to suffer a major headache. There were too many numbers for me to remember, along with all the geometry. With practice, it all worked out just fine. But only with practice, will you be able to determine how much running english to use … I use a lot (you can see the end of my cuestick quiver when I shoot. In real estate, it’s Location, Location, Location. In pool, it’s Practice, Practice, Practice. Go practice. 

I wish you the very best, and good luck with your pool playing.