Multi-Rail Bank Shot with Magic Spot
I was at the middle school when I first shot the cue ball in a billiards coffee. It was amazing. Then I played many times till today. It has been years. I played 8 balls, cushion, snooker(less), etc. Last week, while I was searching for some videos through YouTube, I realized that in fact, I know nothing related to the geometry, the diamonds on the table. Be sure, I am able to do a 5 rail kick and get the shot, but just by feelings not by knowing exact point to shot.
Now I am on a journey to understand and show you everything I learn about the geometry and diamonds and approaches and whatever on billiards. I hope you will enjoy.
Multi-Rail Bank Shot Case
You need to do a very easy shot to the corner pocket, but there is a problem; your opponent’s ball is between the cue ball and yours. If there is another shot you can make, it is great. But what if there is no other ball? This is just a simple reason for a multi-rail bank shot.
If you are not very new to playing pool billiards, you will guess to do a 3 (multi) rail shot, but to exactly which point? 2nd diamond after the side pocket? 3rd diamond? somewhere between? Close to 2nd or close to 3rd? Using Magic Spot or Distant Point for such a shot is a simple solution. Let’s see how…
Step-1 Find the Magic Spot (Right Angle)
The heart of the approach is to find the right angle, and of course the right point at the very first bank. To do this you can use Magic Spot or Distant Point method.
What is Magic Spot and what will it help for? Let’s divide the table into two with a mirror on the long side. Magic Spot is the point that, if you pass the cue ball through, the cue ball destination point will be a reflection in the mirror. It may differ a little in every table (dimension), on different temperature, speed or spin of the ball. For this reason, you should do a few shots to understand the exact place for that table.
Magic Spot is 1 1/2 (One and a half) ball away from the first diamond next to side pocket. If you place the cue ball near the corner and make a shot over that magic spot, it should pass through the other side of the table; just like you see it in the mirror.
What is Distant Point and what will it help for? Just like Magic Spot, Distant Point helps you to keep the angle. If you keep the angle, the cue ball will follow the similar path. For details please review the video of Andy, magic man Segal.
In Figure 1 and figure 2, the cue ball is at different start points. If you send the cue ball through the magic spot, the cue ball will pass on its reflection.
Step-2 Predict Cue Ball Start Position
What if the cue ball is not at the right place we want for the reflection like in Figure 3? The trick is to extend the line back and make a prediction for the start point. And then proceed for its reflection.
Step-3 Adjust Cue Ball Destination Position
What if the cue ball’s reflection (mirror image) falls apart from your desired destination as in Figure 5? The trick is to shift the magic spot with the same distance and keep the angle.
In Figure 5, as the cueball mirror image is not in the desired place.
In Figure 6 we found the desired place and showed it as a phantom ball. And find the reflection of the phantom ball. We targeted the magic spot with the reflection of the phantom ball. So if the ball was at this point we would do the shot through our magic spot.
The last thing to do is doing the shot with the same angle (or to the same distant point) just like in Figure 7… And that’s it.
Pros & Cons
- Easy to remember and apply
- does not provide the exact 2nd and 3rd bank points that cue ball touches.
- does not give a %100 accuracy of the reflection; but very close.
Things to Consider
- Table dimensions, temperature, moisture, the heat of the table, the speed of the ball, the spin of the ball are important factors that effect this approach. So you should do a few shots before the game,
- You should also test your end prediction with the angle test approach before your shot. This may help you for fine tunings.
Watch Related videos
Leave a Reply
Room Size for Table Tennis
Table tennis is one of the best sports you can play at home. 2.74m x 1.525m are the table dimensions. 6.74m x 3.525m (22′ x 11.6′) is the required minimum room size for playing table tennis.
How to serve in table tennis
How to serve in table tennis? The Server must rise the ball up 16 cm with the palm of the free hand near vertically upwards, without any spin. Then the server strikes the ball while the ball is falling so that it touches first his/her court and then touches directly the receiver’s court.
Can you touch the table in table tennis?
Your free hand, that does not hold the racket, can not touch the playing surface of the table. However, If your hand that holds the racket or racket itself or your clothes or your leg, touches the table, the rally continues unless you move the table.
Can you strike the ball before it bounces in table tennis?
You can not hit the ball until it has bounced on your side of the table. In other words, volley is not allowed. You should wait for the ball to continue its path.
Where to play table tennis in İstanbul
Professional Table Tennis Clubs, city halls, AVMs, cafes, bars, entertainment clubs. Here are top 34 places to play table tennis in İstanbul.
How to Choose Table Tennis Ball
While considering to buy a table tennis ball, you should consider the dimensions(40mm, 2.7gr), the stars on it, the material it’s made of, the color and the price of course.
IPong Table Tennis Robot Review
IPong table tennis robot, fulfill a great place in table tennis in a cheap way. IPong Expert, IPong Topspin, IPong V300, IPong PRO, etc.
Which sport is best for you and your child? – Table Tennis?
What are the benefits of table tennis for you and your children? Benefits of table tennis are Reflexe, Balance, Hand-Eye Coordination Improvement, Keeping Brain Sharp and Preventing from Dementia/Alzheimer, Ease of Continuity, Burning Calorie, Low Risk of Getting Injured, Core Muscle strength and Quality Exercise for the Joints
Daily calorie need and calorie burn of your body
Calorie. A keyword on daily calorie need and daily exercise calculation and BMR. How many calories do our body need for one day?
Best Places to Play Sports in New York City
I listed 115 best playing areas of 5 boroughs one by one. Football, basketball, baseball, billiards, tennis, darts, bowling, canoe and more.
The Best Table Tennis Brands
Butterfly, Stiga, DHS, Joola, Donic, Killerspin are some of the best table tennis brands. Top 15 best table tennis brands continues with Nittaku, Cornilleau, Yasaka, Victas, TSP, Xiom, Asics, Tibhar, Andro, etc.
What makes table tennis racket different?
Speed, spin and control are the most important factors. The blade, grip, rubber and sponge are the parts of table tennis racket. Find parts & How to use.
Multi-Rail Bank Shot with Magic Spot
I was at the middle school when I first shot the cue ball in a billiards coffee. It was amazing. Then I played many times till today. It has been years. I played 8 balls, cushion, snooker(less), etc. Last week, while I was searching for some videos through YouTube, I realized that in fact, I know nothing related to the geometry, the diamonds on the table. Be sure, I am able to do a 5 rail kick and get the shot, but just by feelings not by knowing exact point to shot.Now I am on a journey to understand and show you everything I learn about the geometry and diamonds and approaches and whatever on billiards. I hope you will enjoy. Multi-Rail Bank Shot Case You need to do a very easy shot to the corner pocket, but there is a problem; your opponent’s ball is between the cue ball and yours. If there is another shot you can make, it is great. But what if there is no other ball? This is just a simple reason for a multi-rail bank shot.If you are not very new to playing pool billiards, you will guess to do a 3 (multi) rail […]
Football Rules and Positions
What is the most popular sport in the world? Even a newborn also answer this question. Yes. It is football. Although it is the most popular sport, most of us do not know about how the things happen in the middle.
Interesting world records related with football
Every week, footballers do incredible things, and then we say exaggerated things like, “I’ve never seen anything like it! Let’s face it: it’s fun to talk about football and have more fun to exaggerate football, records, things that have never really happened and are just as fun.
Unstoppable Rise of Football
Did you know that nowadays favourite game Football struggled with too many opponents including courts, military, Kings, etc. Why? Why did Football banned?
History of Football – The Origin
How far does the history of football go? Balls made of linen have been discovered by Ancient Egypt in to 2,500 BC, by Ancient Greeks in 400-375 BC, by China in 400-200 BC, etc.