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Hal Houle Point and Pivot System

The Hal Houle Point and Pivot system is a billiard aiming system that uses the geometry, layout, and design of a pool table, as well as some common assumptions to help you determine the appropriate spot on the object ball to strike with the cue ball. This method may not be for everyone, as it takes an analytical mind to wrap your head around some of the theories.

Hal Houle Point and Pivot System

Hal Houle Point and Pivot System

To begin, lets examine some of the assumptions that are made about the pool table, the cue stick, the cue ball, and the object ball:

  • You must know where your pivot point is. (Cue)
  • All proper billiard tables have a 2:1 ratio, meaning that they are exactly twice as long as they are wide.
  • The corners of the table are always 90 degree angles.
  • A 45 degree angle is formed when a cue is placed from the side pocket to the corner pocket.
  • A 30 degree angle is formed when a cue is placed from the side pocket to the middle diamond on the same end rail.
  • A 15 degree angle is formed when a cue is placed from the side pocket to the first diamond on the same end rail.
  • When you add up these 3 angles, they total 90 degrees, which is the same angle formed by the table corners.
  • The cue ball relation to object ball relation shot angle is always either 15 degrees, 30 degrees, or 45 degrees.
  • There are only three angles for any type shot, on any table, no matter where the balls are placed. (I know this sounds absurd, but reserve this judgment until you read more.)

The Hal Houle Point and Pivot system uses these assumptions to deduce the proper angle you should take when shooting, but before we can complete the equation, there are a few more points to keep in mind here:

  • There are exactly two edges on the cue ball to aim with, and they are always located in exactly the same place on the cue ball.
  • There are exactly three spots on the object ball to set your aim toward, and they are always in exactly the same place on the object ball.

These two assumptions can lead us to calculate that two points on the cue ball multiplied by three points on the object ball totals six, which coincidentally is the same number of pockets on the table. From this we can reason that depending upon how the cue ball and object ball lie on the table in relation to each other, you can either pocket the object ball directly into a pocket or calculate a bank shot and sink it in any one of the remaining 5 pockets. The exact opposite is also true.

The balls may lie on the table in such a way that blocks certain shots, making a bank your only option. The Hal Houle point and pivot system takes this in to consideration. In fact, it provides that you will never have to look at any pocket or cushion while lining up the edge on the cue ball to the exact point on the object ball that needs to be struck. How can this be you ask? Well, you have only the three angles and so your only requirement at this point is to recognize whether your shot is a 15, 30, or 45 degree angle shot. This can be determined quickly and easily by aiming the edge of the cue ball to one of the three spots on the object ball. It will be obvious which object ball spot is correct, and there should be no doubt. You can be confident that any time one of the two edges on the cue ball is aimed toward any one of the three spots on the object ball, the object ball will surely be driven to a pocket.

Finding the Hal Houle Spots

At this point you are probably asking where these points are located, and how the heck you can find them. Good question.

On the cue ball you will find the spots on the left edge, and on the right edge. Which one you use will depend on whether you are cutting the object ball to the left or to the right.

On the object ball the three spots are the two quarters, and the center. Each of these spots face straight toward the edges of the cue ball, not facing toward the pocket.

Here is where it gets tricky so read this five or ten times so that you completely understand what is being said. When cutting to the left for 15 degrees, aim the cue ball's left edge at the object ball's left quarter. When cutting to the left for 30 degrees, aim the cue ball's left edge at the object ball's center. When you cut to the left for 45 degrees, aim the cue ball's left edge at the object ball's right quarter. When you cut to the right for 15 degrees, you aim the cue ball right edge at the object ball's right quarter. When you cut to the right for 30 degrees, you aim the cue ball's right edge at the object ball's center spot. When you cut to the right for 45 degrees, you aim the cue ball's right edge to the object ball's left quarter. Alright, now read this paragraph again.

When you aim the usual way, you will generally be coming close to these angles, but will usually be slightly off. Sometimes you'll be off enough for you to miss the shot. With this technique, you should be able to pocket any ball without looking at the pocket, or actually seeing it at all.

Hal Houle Point and Pivot System

  • Title: Hal Houle Point and Pivot System
  • Author: (Billiards Forum)
  • Published: 10/2/2006 12:40:36 PM
  • Source: Hal Houle

Hal Houle Point and Pivot System

The Hal Houle Point and Pivot System article belongs to the Aiming and Execution Tutorials for Billiards category. Billiard and pool playing tips around shot making, aiming, and execution.

Hal Houle Point and Pivot System Comments

  1. PTA JohnPTA John from Philadelphia, PA on 4/6/2008 6:13:39 PM

    Interesting concept and it works fairly well as long as you are on the 0 to 45 degree angle. The article leaves off the rail points where one can line up to know the 15, 30, and 45 degree angle if you are on the other side of the 45 degree angle. In other words, there are two 45 degree segments. If you are shooting into the the left hand corner pocket. 45 degrees to the center, 30 degrees to the middle diamond on that same long rail, and 15 degrees at the first diamond.

    What about shots where the object ball is to the left of the 45 degree line approaching 60, 75, and 90 degrees? The left rail, like the right one, would be 0 degrees, 15 degrees would be the first diamond on the short rail at the far end of the table, 30 degrees would be the far end corner pocket, and 45 degrees would be the same line as before, corner pocket to middle pocket on the opposite long rail.

    What about balls lined up in front of the middle pockets? How would you calculate a shot where the cue ball is on the foot spot and the object ball is on the head spot?

    Have you considered a billiard clock aiming system like the one I described in the linked article? It works well for me by I have had trouble doing (especially on long shots) is to figure out what time it is because the hands are so far from the center of the clock (the object ball).

  2. ZankeZanke from Winnipeg, MB on 4/19/2008 5:59:03 PM

    John, I find your clock aiming theory interesting, but I am having a tough time visualizing it. Is there anyway you could explain with visuals?

  3. PTA JohnPTA John from Philadelphia, PA on 4/21/2008 9:00:01 PM

    Hey, I added more detail to the article in my comment above. Also, if you draw it out I think you can follow it alot better. Or you can reply here with your email address and I'll send you my pdf file that I copied off cuetable.com.

    Good Shootin, John

  4. Allen MillimanAllen Milliman from Fayetteville, NC on 6/24/2008 11:45:23 AM

    I find it absurd that anyone would believe that all shots at the pool table are one of three angles. The only way that could be true is if you purposely "cheated the pocket" in order to keep your perfect aiming angle to fit your scenario.

    In addition, it would only work if you always had 6 pockets to choose from to make your shot, and as anyone who has played the game more than once knows, that is NOT the case on MOST shots.

    If you choose to believe there are only 3 angles to shoot in pool, then you are either a moron or a fool. It is always best to aim center pocket if the shot allows. If you always aim at the center of the pocket (when the shot allows) then you will NOT "always" have a 15, 30, or 45 degree angle to shoot.

    We could always put your theory to the test for, let's say, $100,000. We'll use a high-speed movie camera and have the angles calculated accurately from the center of the pocket to the object ball, and I think you will see clearly that there are MANY different degrees-angled shots (50, 64, 39, 22, etc) that come up in a game.

    Before you tell people there are ONLY 3 ANGLES in pool to be shot, you might want to reconsider that people aren't as dumb as you may think. I am insulted that you would think you would post such nonsense.

  5. MrPhilHarmonicMrPhilHarmonic from Freehold, NJ on 7/13/2008 9:45:01 AM

    And what about the theories on banking? I am sorry but I cannot condone this ambiguous article.

  6. Jonathan SpencerJonathan Spencer from Phoenixville, PA on 9/4/2008 9:31:50 PM

    This Hal Houle system is an amazing system but I am still having trouble understanding the "pivot" part of his "point and pivot" system.

  7. gmoneygmoney from Savannah, GA on 10/4/2008 3:47:35 PM

    I also don't get the pivot part.

    What is the pivot point for?

  8. JT RunnerJT Runner from Corpus Christi, TX on 10/9/2008 2:38:23 PM

    I do not get what you mean by "pivot". Can you explain that part in more detail to me?

  9. Brandon Killer B SwanBrandon Killer B Swan from Birmingham, AL on 10/31/2008 9:54:44 AM

    Well, I will give Hal Houle credit for the pivot point. He is correct about that. When you aim through the center of the cue ball to get the true angle of the shot, if you pivot around with your back hand only and never move the bridge hand, it will have you lined up on the perfect angle to pocket the ball using English. That way you don't have to compensate. It does it for you.

    But as far as the three angles 15, 30, 45 that is just not true. I play on the pro tour so I know for a fact that you can pocket balls anywhere from 0 to 89 degrees without banking or kicking. The angles might be 13, 33, 41, 66, 74 so on and so on. So there is no way that you can run racks out only using 15, 30, and 45 because you wont hardly ever see the same angle twice in the same game.

    But anyway thank you guys for listening to me throw my two cents in.

    Send those GAMBLERS to Birmingham and ask for KILLER B.

  10. Line UpLine Up from Aberdeen, MD on 2/14/2009 10:39:50 PM

    For those who do not believe that Hal Houle is correct, you have to analyze it a little more. Think about these points:

    1. How many right angles are there in a 90 degree angle?
    2. If you line the balls up straight to go into the center of a corner pocket, what angle is that?

    You probably say that it is a 0 degree angle right? Well you are wrong. It is a 30 degree angle. So start to look in that direction for the answer to the rest of the puzzle.

    Is there a such thing as a left angle? No.

    Think of how you actually draw an angle paper. You have two rays or lines from a vertex point, and between those two points there is an angle. If you look in a geometry book or at blue prints, you will see that it is drawn in arc form. No arc means no angle. You have to rotate in an arc motion to see the angle, but looking straight at the shot you really cant see the angle but only guess where the angle is. There is a point where you start your rotation.

    And again, Hal said that you have to be an analytical person to understand what he is trying to say. I am that type of persona and he is correct in all that he says, but he doesn't tell you everything.

    If you thoroughly analyze the Hal Houle point and pivot system from every perspective, as I have done, you will see that he is correct.

  11. Allen MillimanAllen Milliman from Fayetteville, NC on 2/17/2009 12:31:42 PM

    OK, this is really getting stupid.

    To Hal Houle, Tony Sanders, and all you "believers" out there - set up this ONE SHOT for me, ok?

    1. Put an object ball in the exact center of the pool table.
    2. Then, place the cue ball directly in front of a corner pocket, opposite to the pocket you want to make the object ball into, on an imaginary line running from the center of any corner pocket through the center of the object ball, and then through the center of the cue ball.

    What angle do you have? It is either 0 degrees or 180 degrees as we are dealing with a straight-in shot.

    NOW move the cue ball ONE INCH to the left of that straight line. NOW what angle do you have? It is NOT 15, 30, or 45 degrees!

    Point made.

    If you still feel like arguing, try another one:

    1. Put the object ball on the foot-spot
    2. Put the cue-ball in either of the corner pockets at the foot of the pool table

    You CAN pocket the object ball in the same-side (as the cue ball) corner pocket at the head of the table with a razor-thin cut. I can tell you it is more than a 45 degree angle for sure, but to make the point clearer still, let's just SAY it WAS EXACTLY 45 degrees. If you move the object ball 1 inch closer to the intended pocket, it changes that angle so it is NO LONGER 45 degrees.

    Tony Sanders can quote Pythagorean's Theorem, and all the theorems and postulates that go along with Geometry all day long, but it will NOT change the basic laws of physics that dictate how vectors of force act on objects when moved.

    Do some REAL research before you try to BS your way through an explanation using the term "Geometry" as your defense.

    Nice try, but "No dice" big guy.

  12. Line UpLine Up from Aberdeen, MD on 2/28/2009 9:16:18 AM

    Have you ever thought about the entry angle to the pocket and not the actual angle formed as you are saying? I think we're talking apples and oranges here. Take the cue ball out of the equation, now look at the object ball's angle to the pocket.

    What is pool based on? If you think that geometry has nothing to do with it, then YOU ARE THE STUPID ONE. NOT the rest of us.

    What is a pool table? Can you answer that correctly? I am sure you can because you seem to know EVERYTHING and nobody else could ever be possibly right unless it made sense to you. You get what I am saying?

    Instead of acting like a liberal, try acting the opposite for once maybe you will see the other side of the story! Sure would hate to be your wife or girlfriend.

    Give me a little time and I personally will prove you wrong. I am NOT saying that you are wrong in what YOU are explaining, but you have no concept of what I or the other "believers" are talking about. Again, you and I are talking about two different things.

  13. billiardsforumbilliardsforum from Halifax, NS on 2/28/2009 9:18:24 AM

    You all may be interested in the forum discussion about the billiard point and pivot aiming system by Hal Houle that is taking place in the forum on this site...

  14. Line UpLine Up from Aberdeen, MD on 2/28/2009 2:12:32 PM

    Well Allen, does that make any sense to you?

    One other thing is that common sense goes along way. Hear me out.

    You aim a riffle correct? And when you AIM a rifle, you use what? SIGHTS. No sight, no aim.

    So where are the sights on your cue located? I cant find them on mine. So I choose to use the sights on the pool table. I know where they are, do you? If you use your cue as a rifle with no sight then you are using judgement to make the shot.

    But you could choose to use to sights on the pool table to LINE UP THE SHOT!

  15. Allen MillimanAllen Milliman from Fayetteville, NC on 2/28/2009 9:07:21 PM

    LOL! Tony, you are SUCH a character, would you PLEASE gamble with me?

    I tried to use "common sense" with you, but it went in one side of your brain and out the other. WAIT! THAT can NOT be correct, because you OBVIOUSLY do not HAVE a brain if you cannot see the ERROR of saying "all shots are one of 3 angles (to the pocket)", because as I tried to say before:

    If you place an object ball on a line (as YOU SAY, running from the center of the pocket (your 15 DEGREE angle), and THEN you MOVE it ONE LITTLE INCH to the left or right, you CHANGE THE ANGLE to the object ball from the pocket as well EINSTEIN.

    If you want to aim on your "15 degree angle aiming point" then HAVE AT IT, because you will be "cheating the pocket" (Do YOU KNOW what that term means?) and NOT aiming to the CENTER of the pocket, which you SHOULD do, unless you just like taking unnecessary risks on your aiming!

    If that is what you like to do, then I REALLY want you to gamble with me, and MAYBE after you LOSE a few thousand, you MIGHT just learn there IS a WHOLE LOT MORE to the game than 3 angles.

    I am done with you Tony, as you try to label me with a political tag and you know nothing of my political background or beliefs. I have a feeling, however, based on your quick judgments, lack of common sense, ill-supported claims, and TOTAL lack of knowledge of our subject that you MUST have voted for OBAMA.

    So go ahead and make all the additional attacks on me or my personality (that you know nothing about) and I will not respond, as you are obviously beyond comprehending this concept. Go gamble with someone who KNOWS the game, and get an education on pool. I'm DONE with you.

  16. billiardsforumbilliardsforum from Halifax, NS on 2/28/2009 11:21:15 PM

    This is getting seriously out of hand.

    As the owner of this site I challenge you both. Go out and prove, using video, how your methods work. Send me the files, and I'll post them here.

    Let's try to keep this respectful and debate based on facts. Please don't attack the other members on a personal level. Its just a game.

  17. ZankeZanke from Winnipeg, MB on 3/1/2009 9:20:55 AM

    Well said @billiardsforum, I read this forum all the time, and look for advice and help. I'm the type who requires constructive commentary and visuals and not "sniping commentary". I look forward to the videos.

  18. Herb298Herb298 from OH, United States on 3/7/2009 9:56:19 PM

    I have personally been introduced to 3 different aiming systems by Hal Houle.

    One works perfectly for me. If my pre-shot set up is not lazy, I couldn't miss if I tried.

    There is no use in explaining in a post and I don't think a video would do the system justice. It has to be taught in person by someone who knows it. It is a very simple method though.

    I just want to give Hal Houle the credit he deserves because his systems are teachable and they do work!

  19. Line UpLine Up from Aberdeen, MD on 3/8/2009 4:53:43 PM

    Herb,

    You are who I have bean looking for, and you are right about your comment. You are a Hal Houle BELIEVER!

    Would you mind if I contacted you?

  20. Herb298Herb298 from OH, United States on 3/8/2009 5:43:28 PM

    Tony,

    Sure, you can contact me.

    Just to drive everyone on this post crazy... I don't discuss this system with everyone because it really makes the game just about position and defense after all the balls are dropping. Not sure I want everyone to have the same advantage as I do.

    Don't believe me? The pros do.

  21. MrPhilHarmonicMrPhilHarmonic from Freehold, NJ on 3/8/2009 7:46:39 PM

    Is there going to be ANY end to this ongoing saga?

    I mean, if a system is accurate and reliable, there really shouldn't be any need for discussion or interpretation should there, let alone DOUBT with it?

    I'm going to stick my neck out and say, FORGET this system and learn the proper diamond banking systems etc.

    I have tried so many combinations of the aforementioned 'pivot' systems and though some get very close to what I want, some are hopelessly inaccurate. Not much good when the pressure is on and your stroke is at its most vulnerable anyway.

    No. This system is not reliable enough.

    That's my final opinion.

  22. Butch CrosslandButch Crossland from Mount Pleasant, PA on 4/19/2009 7:02:35 AM

    I don't know if it is possible, but if you could either give my e-mail to Herb from Ohio, or could I get his? I want to learn the Hal Houle system.

    Can you let me know?

  23. billiardsforumbilliardsforum from Halifax, NS on 4/19/2009 8:23:50 AM

    Butch, I sent your email to Herb.

  24. winnetka48winnetka48 from North Hollywood, CA on 6/1/2009 7:50:27 AM

    I don't know if this system works or not but someone said they couldn't miss if they tried? Seriously?

    Isn't the angle from the side pocket to the middle diamond 26 degrees?

  25. Billiards.GuideBilliards.Guide from Gainesville, FL on 7/31/2009 12:35:58 PM

    Herb, I'd like to learn the point and pivot system by Hal Houle and would be happy to exchange emails with you.

    I've taught a dozen different aiming methods and have spoken with Hal Houle on the phone in the past also, but... you know what I mean?

  26. One Pocket WillieOne Pocket Willie from Moreno Valley, CA on 10/8/2009 4:28:35 AM

    My name is Will but most people call me One Pocket Willie.

    Please give my e-mail to Herb from Ohio as well.

    I have been reading voraciously everything I can about Hal's system, and I believe works. It is just that I need exact knowledge and exact examples to be able to define, clarify, and perfect what tidbits I have been able to pick up from the net.

  27. David LyonDavid Lyon from East Greenwich, RI on 11/12/2009 2:11:00 PM

    To whom it may concern,

    I extracted the following from the the forum on Hal Houle's Center to Edge Aiming system. It was apparently resourced directly from Hal on 12/2/06 and edited by the Billiards Forum Webmaster on the same date (see below). This is the part that I am having trouble with:

    Much of the remainder of the article above seems to be correct and makes sense but the critical paragraph below seems to be reversed intuitively and seems contrary to two videos on the subject (see below).

    Here is where it gets tricky so read this five or ten times so that you completely understand what is being said. When cutting to the left for 15 degrees, aim the cue ball's left edge at the object ball's left quarter.

    When cutting to the left for 30 degrees, aim the cue ball's left edge at the object ball's center. When you cut to the left for 45 degrees, aim the cue ball's left edge at the object ball's right quarter. When you cut to the right for 15 degrees, you aim the cue ball right edge at the object ball's right quarter. When you cut to the right for 30 degrees, you aim the cue ball's right edge at the object ball's center spot. When you cut to the right for 45 degrees, you aim the cue ball's right edge to the object ball's left quarter. Alright, now read this paragraph again.

    When you aim the usual way, you will generally be coming close to these angles, but will usually be slightly off. Sometimes you'll be off enough for you to miss the shot. With this technique, you should be able to pocket any ball without looking at the pocket, or actually seeing it at all.

    I'm very interested in learning the technique but would appreciate some feedback and assurance that the procedure description is correct as described in the following paragraph. And further, there is no reference to the pivot process in the paragraphs description.

    Thanks, David

  28. ZankeZanke from Winnipeg, MB on 11/14/2009 9:56:37 AM

    I'm Zanke from Winnipeg.

    I too, would like to learn Herb's technique if he is willing to share his expertise once again. Please pass on my e-mail address if he would not mind.

    I need help as, I have tried many billiard aiming techniques without improving consistency.

  29. Billiards.GuideBilliards.Guide from Gainesville, FL on 11/14/2009 6:26:49 PM

    Remember to pivot your whole body and not your stick only with your back hand.

  30. Line UpLine Up from Aberdeen, MD on 11/15/2009 4:24:18 AM
    • A round object has no edges. It only has one center.
    • An angle has three points, which forma a TRIANGLE when connected with lines.
    • A square is 2, 45 degree triangles split in half diagonally (corner to corner), which is the X-axis, split vertically which is the Y axis, center to corner = 45 degrees.

    Make any sense to you yet?

    Have the editor give you my Email and I will contact you with what I know and what I am still refining.

    NOTE: Only the pool table has edges and sides, and the object ball only has center points.

    Also, admin, can you send my contact info to Zanke from Winnipeg? Zanke, when you get it, email me and we can go from there.

  31. Jim5RCTJim5RCT from Williamsburg, VA on 12/3/2009 3:23:41 AM

    Hi, its Jim Evans from Williamsburg, VA and I am just getting back into cue sports after a long break, and would love to try Herb's take on the Hal Houle Point and Pivot technique.

    I have been trying the point and pivot system and am impressed.

    Please give my name to Herb as well. I would appreciate Herb sharing with me his technique of Hal Houle's work.

  32. Herb298Herb298 from OH, United States on 12/13/2009 6:51:09 AM

    I apologize for not responding sooner.

    I have said it before. I don't believe you can learn the aiming system through reading about it.

    Anyone who teaches it will tell you that the system is flawless. Each player is unique and this is where the problem lies.

    Someone teaching this system to someone must first attacks the student's natural abilities ensuring they are correct. Stance, line of sight, stroke, etc. When, and only if, those are firing properly, will the system work.

    I know of three systems. Two are very teachable and one picks you according to how you play.

    One is to take the acute angle of any shot. Make a straight line from the inside of the acute angled shot from the inside edge of the object ball and cue ball. Address the shot this way. Now pivot your cue tip to the center of the cue ball WITHOUT PICKING UP YOUR BRIDGE HAND. This is the famous point and pivot method you hear about a lot. Try it and tell me what you get. By the way this describes the "pivot" everyone couldn't understand earlier in the comments.

    And yes, I know you are hitting everything center ball so position play becomes a little more trying. I taught this to a guy who used extreme english all the time. Now he doesn't miss using it and just plays ball speed and makes hard shots look easy.

    Good Luck.

    For the love of the game,
    Herb

  33. SchafmysterSchafmyster from Dayton, OH on 1/6/2010 8:48:28 AM

    I have to agree with Herb.

    I learned the system a couple years ago and I have to say it has made a big difference in my game. Although it took me a while to trust what was happening. Once I believed I began to focus on cue ball position and forgot about making the balls because that is secondary.

    I think a big advantage to using the system is that it gives you very defined starting point for every shot and by repeatedly shooting the same shots over and over using from the same approach and seeing the same results builds a confidence that allows you to trust that you will make the ball.

    If the discussion of the math keeps a person from trying this I think they are foolish. The proof are in the results, and my results tell me Hal Houle is right on.

  34. Big LBig L from Belmont, CA on 4/13/2010 2:52:42 PM

    Hal Houle's point and pivot system works, even without looking at the pocket, but you need to be open minded about it.

    If you only look for reasons why "anything" doesn't work, then you get exactly what you are looking for, "it wont work".

  35. Jonathan BufeteJonathan Bufete from Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 4/30/2010 5:58:08 AM

    I also want to learn the Hal Houle Point and Pivot system. I believe it can really work.

    Is there somebody who can help?

  36. Captain DonCaptain Don from La Porte, IN on 10/5/2010 4:13:46 PM

    @Hal289,

    I feel I need to learn more about this. I am a master ranked player in all the leagues I play and "think" I know what I am doing with this system, but I am looking to move to the next level.

    If you could, please contact me.

  37. John BartonJohn Barton from Midwest City, OK on 10/22/2010 5:23:53 AM

    My only comments are that the article doesn't discuss any "point and pivot" method. What is described is Hal's system which I call the quarters. I have been using that system for ten years successfully. Currently the big debate on other forums is about Hal's Center-to-Edge system which he says that a player can use the center of the cue ball and the edge of the object ball and pivot to center cue ball to be in line for any shot. This is a pivot-based system and is the source of a lot of debate.

    Personally I think that the KEY to all this is perception. Most of us PERCEIVE the cue ball's aiming line close to where it should be naturally after we reach a certain level. But we are never 100 sure if we are really perfect or not.

    For whatever reason Hal's systems bring the shooter to the perfect aiming line. To the point where using Hal's systems is counter-intuitive and feels wrong. And this is where the trust and belief comes in. It takes a lot to pull the trigger and not try to steer the ball in from what feels like the wrong aiming line.

    But after ten years I am still amazed at the shots I can make using Hal's systems. I constantly get applause for making tough shots and honestly it feels like cheating to me because I have a way to aim that makes the shots all the same. I don't look at any particular shot as tougher than another one anymore, with the exception that I have to remember that on the "tough" ones I have to just do the same thing as on the easy ones.

    John Barton, JB Cases

  38. hicreekhicreek from Hickory, NC on 12/26/2010 3:24:49 AM

    If you have talked to Hal Houle, then please describe what you can and email it to me.

    I will work with it and try to post a sample for everyone to understand... or are you lying about really talking to him?

    My research says he been out of circulation for many years.

  39. Frank RomanFrank Roman from Fort Mill, SC on 1/1/2012 2:02:23 PM

    I have been using 12:30 for 15 degrees, and 5 after or 5 before the hour for 30 degrees and 7.5 minutes before and after for 45 degrees.

    I am known as a shot maker, however my positioning is not enough to move me up in standings, currently 7th.

    I dropped from 4th when I started using this system. Any advice is appreciated.

  40. hudsonhudson from Lebanon, MO on 2/9/2012 1:26:15 PM

    Don Feeney showed me this aiming system again a few years ago. I tried it and I do not know why but it worked.

    I know a lot of older players used the system, they called it three quarter ball, half ball and one quarter ball.

    You have to trust it... maybe your mind makes the necessary minute changes to allow for the slight angle differences.

    Anyway, if it works it has achieved the goal.

  41. Sneaking UpSneaking Up from Tacoma, WA on 3/16/2012 1:19:38 AM

    I have been working diligently with several billiard shot aiming systems and theories e.g. the "shaft edge aiming system" etc.

    I would love the opportunity to critically discus some theories and thoughts with someone who also has studied them. Anyone interested?

  42. OldDogNewTricksOldDogNewTricks from LA, United States on 7/24/2012 12:58:11 PM

    This is my first time reading this site.

    I became interested in CTE aiming system due to an astigmatism which causes me to miss occasionally, I think. It has been too inconclusive as of yet to even think about playing with it.

    But I think the 15, 30, 45 is actually meant to be 0 to 15, 15 to 30, and 30 to 45. The part I'm having trouble with, as I think many do, is the pivot. Can someone carefully explain how that is supposed to work.

  43. GaryFL49SingGaryFL49Sing from Jacksonville, FL on 12/7/2012 10:05:00 AM

    I am trying to find graphics for this Hal Houle Point & Pivot System...

    I know these posts are very dated but I can't seem to get the concept without the pictures or drawings. I do understand the clock concept with the object ball. I just get lost with the cue ball explanation.

    Can someone send me the graphics or direct me to an up to date site that has them on there?

    I need help with this.

  44. DilucciaDiluccia from Pittsburgh, PA on 6/23/2013 5:25:32 PM

    Does Hal Houle have a video on the CTE aiming system?

  45. daniel sheetsdaniel sheets from CA, United States on 9/30/2014 11:05:04 PM

    I would just like to thank Mr. Hal Houle. He turned a 43 year effort into a great experience. Thank you very much Hal. Point and pivot!

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