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If you are new to the game of pool, you have probably noticed those tiny white dots or little diamonds at the side of the table rails. To a beginner, this may not mean much but as you get to know the game you realize that they are there for an important purpose.
Newbies often ask ‘how to use the white dots on a pool table’. Well, these dots or diamonds are used as position markers to divide the table geometrically and help players improve accuracy when taking a shot. You can find dots in snooker while diamonds are typically used in the pool.
Use Of Dots/ Diamonds On A Pool Table
Besides adding to the overall aesthetics of the pool table, these diamond markings on a pool table also serve as a useful calculation tool. Referred to as the diamond system, the dot markings also help in improving a player’s focus and accuracy in taking the shot when used correctly.
The dots help in dividing the entire pool table in a geometric shape to assist players in identifying the most accurate angles for taking the bank shots and bank shots (described below) to improve aiming. When lined up, the diamonds help to form invisible lines that a player uses for his advantage.
As you probably know pool involves a bit of physics, and the angle at which the ball rebounds is the same in which angle it was shot. While the markings are there to guide beginners, pro players can use the diamond system even when there are no markings mentioned.
Sometimes you may not find the little white dots in a pool table in the bar or club, so you will need to use your ability and judgment to take shots correctly. For a beginner, it might appear complicated but as you practice more and implement the diamond system in your gameplay, it gets easier.
The ball’s behavior may differ each time as you need to get used to with the various speeds in which it travels. The intensity with which the ball impacts the cushion will result in a difference in the rebounds; hence you need to practice more to master the right speed.
Bank Shots
Ever wondered how a diamond system helps you get better in the game? To bank shots, you need to find that perfect dot or diamond that will result in a rebound angle, leading the target ball directly into the pocket. So, bank shots occur when you hit the cue ball deliberately to hit the target ball.
When you number the dots accurately, you can easily tell which diamond number you need to shoot to get the right shot. Don’t forget that the angle at which you hit the cue ball is the one that it will reflect in the final shot.
Keeping this in mind, you need to determine the number of segments present between the position of your cue ball and pocket. After you have decided on how many segments are there, divide it by two. Whatever result you get, target the same numbered dot on the opposite rail.
So, if there are four segments between the cue ball and intended pocket (dots 1 and 5), this implies you must aim for dot 3 as it will have 2 segments on each side. The bank shots prove to be extremely useful to help the players hit the cue ball correctly. With more practice, you will be able to perfect your angles.
Kick Shots
The white dot markings also prove to be highly effective in improving the accuracy of your kick shots. In this scenario too, the same principle of halving the distance between your cue ball and target ball stands tall. So, you need to determine the distance between the two balls and divide the number in half.
Both beginners and pros need to aim for this halfway point when hitting the cue ball. The kick shots tend to be useful when your opponents’ balls stand in the way the object ball that you wish to hit. We suggest that you implement the diamond strategy every time you practice the game for a better understanding of angles, power, and distance.
By mastering the dot marking system, you can easily optimize your chances of success. You may use the dots to line up the shots and quickly get out of any tight situation. It allows you to show off your skills in front of casual pool playing friends.
Tips To Help You Master The Diamond System
While we strongly believe that practice is better than theory and the performance gets better as you practice, here are a few tips that can improve your understanding of the white dots:
Tip #1: Master the basic
Just like any skills. You need to learn the basics of the game from the beginning and also make sure that you get rid of any bad habits acquired due to ignorance. It’s easy to get into bad mechanics and techniques, but it can impact your use of diamond system adversely so master the first level before you proceed to the next.
Tip #2: Using the diamond system makes you more accurate
There are experts who say that having a feel of the ball is more important than any physics or geometric of dots applied. These professionals may be capable of taking shots with any calculation, based on their intuition and feel. However, when one has a bad day or the intuition doesn’t fall right, the player has nothing to fall on.
While this doesn’t mean that intuition (sixth sense) and feel has no part in the game, billiards follows the laws of physics to simplify things for the player. Terms like soft, fast, and slow may imply different things for different people.
Tip #3: Spend extra 5 minutes to know the table
While the diamond system helps you get a nearly accurate calculation, please remember that it depends on the type of table. Having a perfect table is not possible in every situation and there may be some peculiarities that you need to consider when taking the shot.
This is again related to the theory of feel and intuition. You may have a feel for a certain table, but when the table changes and you need to play in a different setting, the feel might not deliver expected results. As a result, we encourage you to spend some time getting to know the table, test the rubber, identify bad spots and other aspects that can impact your game.
Tip #4: Master the right speed to use with diamond systems.
In theory, the angle at which light strikes a plane mirror will be reflected in the same angle. In the pool game, the rebounding ball follows almost the same principle, however, in the former case light does not impact the mirror but the ball compresses the table cushion that should be considered.
Related Questions
What’s the difference between snooker and pool table
It’s easy to tell the difference by simply looking at the surface as the snooker tables are larger with the baulk line, pre-marked dots, and D. The pool tables are comparatively smaller and they don’t have any pre-marked markings. If you have a pool table, create markings using chalk to improve your game.
See Also: Snooker VS Pool: Which is Harder
How many diamonds are there on a pool table
There are about nine diamonds and eight segments length-wise, and five diamonds and four segments width-wise. When these dots or diamonds are joined using imagination, it creates a geometrical pattern that helps to improve the game.
See Also:
Blue Diamond Chalk Vs Predator Chalk
Can You Have 2 Shots On The Black Ball In Pool
