In previous articles the main principles that are associated with the accurate guiding of the object ball in desired directions have been dealt with, and they may be briefly recapitulated here. An imaginary line is drawn with the eye from the most open part of the pocket or from the other position to which it is hoped to direct the ball, and this line is produced through the ball to its near side. If it comes out midway between the centre of the ball and its edge it is a half-ball contact that is required, and if it comes out nearer to the centre or farther from it the aim has to be taken as much wide of this point, whatever it may be, as the point itself is distant from the centre of the ball. The point at which the imaginary line comes out is best fixed by looking first through the centre of the ball and then noting the contact point in its relation to the centre.
Some players get their line by an inverse process, and, instead of looking from the pocket or other portion of the table towards the ball, they judge the extent to which the angle beyond the ball towards the objective varies from the direct line. Thus, if the line is almost direct they aim the least shade off the centre, and as the angle diverges they aim more towards and beyond the edge. Eventually they "get the potting angle in the eye," as the saying goes.
They do not know what part of the ball they strike, and will frankly say so, but they "get their pots," and that is enough for them.
It is all a question of practice and the amount of time that one is prepared, or able, to devote to the mastery of a given stroke. But to the beginner we would say:" There is a rule for every stroke in billiards, and if you are prepared to acquaint yourself with such rule at the outset and to follow its guidance you will reach the goal of perfection in that stroke in less time that you could do by practice alone."
There are, indeed, many players who, after long practice, nearly always get their strokes, although frequently in the wrong way. If, for example, they are not standing in the exact line of aim they can only get the stroke by aiming wide, on one side or other, of the real line.
It may be a half-ball pot, but they are not standing for a half-ball pot. They are standing for a finer or a fuller than a half-ball pot, and they have always played it finer or fuller and have got it.
Accuracy in potting means accuracy in the run of both the object and the cue ball, and that is why, in previous articles, the value of what was termed the magic spot (23 inches above the centre spot of the D) for practice in accurate aim and striking was insisted upon.
If the stroke towards the middle pocket from the end of the D be properly made the object ball will keep to the central line of the table and the cue ball will find the middle of the pocket. Either of these two things can be accomplished by inaccurate striking, but when both are simultaneously effected, the aim and stroke—we are saying nothing of strength just now—are correct.
When the beginner or the student has learned where to aim to drive an object ball in a given direction with a plain stroke he has next to acquire confidence in leaving his own ball where he desires it to be, and this frequently involves the use of side. The control and placing of the cue ball can also be effected by reduced or increased strength or top, by gentle screw, by stun (heavier handling), or by stab (stopping the cue upon contact).
Here are two useful hints as to potting with side, and it should first be noted, and never forgotten, that in potting with side the feet must be moved, either to right or left, by a slight sliding movement, the same distance that the cue point is moved from the centre of the cue ball. Aim is then taken through the part of the cue ball at which the cue is addressed to a point exactly so much fuller or finer on the object ball as is represented by the cue displacement from the centre of the cue ball.
Let this be tested as follows:—Place the cue ball on the centre spot of the D and the object ball a foot up the table. Align the cue midway between the centre and edge of the cue ball; get the feet into proper position, and aim midway between the centre and edge of the object ball. The object ball should go straight up and down the middle of the table, and the cue ball be carried slightly out of the central line by the little side that is left on it after the full contact. For another test put both balls a foot apart close to the top rail. Use pocket side, aim as previously directed, and one of two things should happen. Either both balls will enter the pocket or the object ball, engaging the two shoulders, will allow the cue ball to pass it—a very pretty stroke and one which again proves accurate aim.