How to Use Geometry in Billiards

Geometry and physics are essential parts of the game of billiards. Every shot in a pool game is based on forming perfect angles. If you are a parent of a high school student having trouble with a geometry or physics class, take them to a pool hall. As crazy as it sounds, teaching a student how to play billiards will have a substantial effect on learning geometry.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pool or billiard table
• Pool cue
• Pool balls

Build a Protractor Out of a Pool Cue To Hit an Object Ball

1. Decide the direction of the kick shot to be taken. In other words, what bumper or rail will the cue ball kick off of to hit the hidden object ball. We've all had the cue ball completely hidden behind an opponent's ball, and had to aim at the rail first to get a good hit. This does not have to be a guess, building a protractor will give a pool player an exact spot to aim at on the rail.

2. Go to the side of the pool table that will be aimed at and hold the cue stick with the tip pointed at the center of the object ball. Point straight at the center of the ball from straight across the rail to be hit.

3. Mark the exact spot of the billiard cue where it intersects the rail with your thumb and finger. Stand directly over the intersection, making sure the cue is perpendicular to the rail, look straight down and mark the spot.

4. Continue to hold the marked spot on the pool cue, and back the cue straight back keeping it perpendicular to the rail. Back the cue straight back until the tip is at the edge of the rail. The tip should be resting now in the spot where the cue originally intersected it.

5. Look straight down to the floor from the spot on the pool cue marked by your thumb and finger, keep the cue perpendicular to the billiard table and the tip on the edge of the rail. Mark the spot on the floor with the toe of your inside foot.

6. Lift the pool cue and place the butt end directly on the spot marked by your toe on the floor.

7. Look past or through the pool cue (like a golfer holding a putter up to check the shot) back at the center of the cue ball. Note where the line of the billiard cue crosses the rail when looking at the cue ball in this manner. This is the aiming point to get a good hit on the object ball.

Tips & Warnings

• Using spin on the cue ball will affect the angle and the aiming point. This is where teaching physics comes into play, ball speed will also affect the angle of the kick shot.

Resources

• EasyPoolTutor.com