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Find the ghost ball for the shot.
Why it matters
If the cue ball is sliding, with no spin, when it hits the object ball, the two balls split at a right angle. The object ball goes towards the pocket, and the cue ball goes along the tangent line. Seeing this line before you shoot tells you where the cue ball will go, and whether it will hit another ball or scratch.
How to do it
- 1
Find the ghost ball for the shot.
- 2
Picture a line through the ghost ball at 90° to the object ball’s path. That is the tangent line.
- 3
Hit firmly enough, and a little below centre on the cue ball, so it is sliding at contact.
- 4
The cue ball leaves along that line. Hit higher to bend it forward, or lower to bend it back.
Common mistake
Expecting 90° from a rolling ball
A cue ball that is rolling when it hits the object ball curves forward, away from the tangent line. On slow shots from far away, the 90° rule only works if you hit lower.
Try it tonight
Exercise · Intermediate
Follow the tangent line
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). Put a coin on the tangent line, one diamond past the ghost ball. Pot the object ball with stun and send the cue ball over the coin. Every attempt counts.
- Pass: 4 of your last 5
- Then: Try it at 45°