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Joe Tucker's Parallel Aiming System: Diagram 2

1) The document describes Joe Tucker's new "Aiming by the Numbers Method" system which builds upon previous parallel aiming systems described by Willie Mosconi and Bob Byrne. 2) The system uses special cue balls and object balls marked with numbers 0-9 to indicate angles, allowing players to simply align the matching numbers to line up parallel aiming lines for shots. 3) By aligning the number on the object ball furthest from the pocket with the matching number on the cue ball, players can easily identify the correct angle of the shot without visualizing parallel lines. Extensive drills are included to practice all major angles.

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826 views

Joe Tucker's Parallel Aiming System: Diagram 2

1) The document describes Joe Tucker's new "Aiming by the Numbers Method" system which builds upon previous parallel aiming systems described by Willie Mosconi and Bob Byrne. 2) The system uses special cue balls and object balls marked with numbers 0-9 to indicate angles, allowing players to simply align the matching numbers to line up parallel aiming lines for shots. 3) By aligning the number on the object ball furthest from the pocket with the matching number on the cue ball, players can easily identify the correct angle of the shot without visualizing parallel lines. Extensive drills are included to practice all major angles.

Uploaded by

SolomanTrismosin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Joe Tuckers Parallel Aiming the diagram, and too thin a hit will put the cue

balls ring beyond the ring on the object ball.


System
In Diagram 2 is Bob Byrnes take on this system
By Bob Jewett (originally published in Billiards from his 1978 Standard Book of Pool and Bil-
Digest, June 2005) liards. He recommends this system especially for
thin hits where it allows you to easily pick out how
No matter how many times I protest that in the much of the cue ball needs to overlap with the
long run you will have to depend on your pool object ball. (For fuller hits, Byrne recommends the
sense for aiming, people continue to seek out new ghost ball method.) Notice the two parallel lines,
systems. If youre still developing a feel for how again, A and B.
much of the ball to hit on various shot, maybe the
new system described below will help you.

The first aiming system I was exposed to was in


Willie Mosconis 1965 book Winning Pocket Bil-
liards, which is still in print 40 years later. In
Diagram 1 is the main idea. You start with the line
from the pocket to the object ball, and imagine

Diagram 2

When Mosconi first showed me the system in


1965, I didnt really try to work with it. The
explanation seemed reasonable enough, and I had
already developed a little feel for angles, and I was
more interested in making the masse shot from the
Hustler, which is shown in the back of Willies
book.

Joe Tuckers new take on this old method is


Diagram 1 designed to get you involved and keep you
that line going through the object ball. That line is involved. For full immersion, you will need to get
white in the picture and a ring has been drawn a special cue and object ball set thats made by
around the object ball to aid your imagination. Aramith, as shown in Diagram 3. You also get a
booklet of instructions and drills and two disks,
A line parallel to that white line is drawn through shown n Diagram 4, to help illustrate shots. The
the cue ball, and a similar ring has been drawn disks are marked like the balls, with angles
around the cue ball. To make the shot, all you marked from 0 to 9 to the left and right for cut
have to do is drive the cue ball forward so the two angles from 0 to 90 degrees. Its called the Aim-
rings touch so that they are both pointing towards ing by the Numbers Method and should be avail-
the pocket. If you hit the object ball too full, its able at better billiard retailers everywhere. Its
ring will line up on the left of where it should be in strongly endorsed by newest Hall of Fame mem-
ber Mike Massey.
How does the system work? First consider a cor- the 3 in this example. Draw another line from the
ner pocket shot with the object ball and cue ball in center of the cue ball through its corresponding 3.
any position. You rotate the object ball to make Because the balls are numbered the way they are,
these two lines are guaranteed to be parallel.

Note that the numbers (0-9) dont tell you the


angle of the cut -- they just tell you the angle of
the parallel lines in the Mosconi and Byrne dia-
grams. You can actually calculate the cut angle by
subtracting the normal number and the 0-9 num-
ber that your stick is aligned with on the cue ball.

The booklet that comes with the balls also


includes extensive drills to work on each of the
major angles. Note that the object ball aiming
number is determined by its position alone and not
at all by the cue ball. This is very different from
fractional ball aiming. This means that you can
figure out the object ball number from the dia-
mond on the opposite side cushion from the
intended pocket, using the straight line from
pocket to object ball to diamond. The booklet
gives the diamond locations that correspond to the
object ball numbers, and if you invest a little time
in memorizing these, you can pick out the object
ball number very quickly. Or, you can just just the
two pop-out diagrams in the booklet which illus-
trate all the diamond intersections.
Diagram 3
For side pocket shots, the system is modified
the 0-9 numbers aligned so the 9s are nearest the some, but works much the same way. I think the
side cushions, and facing away from the pocket. whole package is the clearest, most complete
The cue ball is rotated so its 9s are also towards explanation of any system aiming available. Joe
the side rails, and the numbers face the end with Tucker is also developing a more extensive work-
the corner pocket youre going for. It took me a out book as well as a training DVD. Look for
little while to convince myself that this always them soon. Bank shots are included.
works out. Now for the amazing part. Look on
the object ball for which number is farthest from
the pocket. Suppose thats the 3 (which means 30
degrees -- the angle of the shot relative to the long
cushion). All you have to do is make the 3 on the
cue ball contact the 3 on the object ball.

Where did the parallel lines go? They are actually


still there, but with the numbers on the balls, you
dont have to visualize them. If you must, draw a
line from the object ball to the pocket, and through Diagram 4

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