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Aim the centre of the cue ball at the edge of the object ball.
Why it matters
It is hard to picture every cut angle. One is easy: if you aim the centre of the cue ball at the edge of the object ball, half of the cue ball covers the object ball at contact. That cuts the object ball about 30°. Once you know this picture, you can judge fuller and thinner cuts from it.
How to do it
- 1
Find a cut that looks like about 30°.
- 2
Get down and aim the centre of the cue ball at the edge of the object ball.
- 3
Check the picture: half of the cue ball should cover half of the object ball.
- 4
For a fuller cut, aim inside the edge. For a thinner cut, aim outside it.
Common mistake
Using it for every cut
The half-ball hit is a check, not a system for every shot. On a 15° or 45° cut you still have to adjust, so check each shot with the ghost ball.
Try it tonight
Exercise · Intermediate
Pot five half-ball cuts
Object ball one diamond out from the end cushion and one diamond out from the long cushion, near a foot corner pocket. Cue ball level with the first diamond past the side pocket, about 1½ diamonds out from that same long cushion (about a 30° cut). Aim the centre of the cue ball at the edge of the object ball. Every attempt counts.
- Pass: 4 of your last 5
- Then: 15° and 45° cuts