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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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
The hal houle point and pivot system article was posted on 10/2/2006 12:40:36 PM and updated on 10/2/2006 12:40:36 PM. The hal houle point and pivot system article was edited by Billiards Forum Webmaster.
The information for the hal houle point and pivot system article was sourced from Hal Houle.
Hal Houle Point and Pivot System pool playing tip belongs to the aiming and execution tutorials for billiards category. Billiard and pool playing tips around shot making, aiming, and execution.
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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 an aiming system where a line from the designated pocket through the object ball is (looking at the face of a clock) is from 12 o'clock to 6o'clock. The object ball then is the center of the clock where the hands come together. A line exactly perpendicular to that line (the tangent line) is 3 o'clock to 9o'clock. Any shot from 12 to 3 and 9 to 12 is not possible. A shot from 4o'clock would be 60 degrees. A shot from 5 o'clock would be 30 degrees. From 6 o'clock is zero degrees or straight in. From 7 o'clock is 30 degrees, etc. The way you know that is that 1 minute on a clock is equal to 6 degrees on a compass. (360 degrees in a circle divided by 60 minutes on a clock is 6 degrees per minute.)
Now, what I have had trouble doing (especially on long shots) is to figure out what time it it because the hands are so far from the center of the clock (the object ball).
Hey John, I find your clock theory interesting, maybe it's only me, but I am having a tough time visualizing your clock theory. Is there anyway you could explain with visuals on this same thread.
Hey, I scanned documents and tried to cut and paste stuff, but was not able to, sorry. Let me try again. Imagine/draw a circle. A circle is 360 degrees. It is made up of (4) 90 degree segments. Draw a line from the top of the circle to the bottom of the circle. Next draw a line from the left of the circle to the right side of the circle. Now draw a big dot in the middle of the circle where the two lines cross. Imagine if you will that this circle is the face of a watch.
Your line at the top of the circle is 12, and as you move around the circle, you have 3, 6, 9, and back to 12. On the clock you have (3) 5 minute increments of time from 12 to 3, from 3 to 6, from 6 to 9, and from 9 to 12. Go ahead and mark a 1, 2 between the 12 and 3. Mark a 4 and 5 between 3 and 6. Mark a 7 and 9 between 6 and 9, and mark a 10 and 11 between 9 and 12. That finishes the clock. As you look beneath your clock you see that the 5 minutes between 3 and 4 o'clock is really 30 degrees on the compass. (circle = 360 degrees/ 60 minutes, = 6 degrees per minute. 5 minutes multiply by 6 degrees is 30 degrees. Now imagine a pool table. Lay the clock you just drew down on the table so that the line from 12 to 6 runs straight into the pocket you are aiming for.
Okay that sets you up to now find the cue ball. Plot the cue ball on the table onto of the clock. If the cue ball falls between 9 to 12 to 3 o'clock, the shot is not possible, unless you do a bank or cut shot. If the cue ball falls on the 4 o'clock line then you have a 60 degree shot, on the 5 o'clock line you have a 30 degree shot. Remember that from 6 back to 5 is five minutes or 30 degrees. From 6 back to 4 is 10 minutes or 60 degrees. For every minute that the cue balls is between one of the lines you add or subtract 6 degrees from your cut angle. Lets say the cue ball is 1/2 way between the 5 and 6 lines. That means that you are 2 1/2 minutes from 6. So you start at zero degrees because 6 is the 0 degree line. You would add 2.5 minutes times 6 or 15 degrees plus 0. So you have a 15 degree shot or 3/4 ball hit on the object ball. As you move away from the 6 you add degrees. As you move down from the 3 (15 minutes past the our or 90 degrees) you subtract your result. If the cue ball was on the 4 o'clock line you would subtract 30 degrees from 90 to get 60 or if you start at the 6 o'clock line you would add 10 minutes times 6 degrees = 60 degrees. So it works either way. The trick is to imagine the hands on the clock.
The Object ball is the center of the clock. From the center of the clock up to 12 (or into the pocket) is the path the object ball follows to the pocket. From 3 to 9o'clock is the tangent line. It also sets up the 90 degree limits for the shot. I hope this helps. If you draw it out I think you can follow, or send me your email address and I'll send you my .pdf file that I copied off cuetable.com. By the way, if you haven't found that site, go there. It is fantastic. Good Shootin, John
I DO find it absurd that anyone would believe that all shots 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. If you would like, we could always put your theory to the test for, let's say, $100,000.00 under 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 people aren't as dumb as you may think. I am insulted that you would think you would post such nonsense.
And the theories on banking? Sorry, cannot condone this ambiguous article.
This is an amazing system but i am still having trouble understanding the pivot part of the system.
So whats the pivot point is for???
I do not get what you mean by pivot. can you explain to me
Well, Hal I will give you credit for the pivot point. Because 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. Yes for a fact 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 thats 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 theres 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..............
One that does not to belive that Hal is correct, you have to analyze a little more. First thing, how many right angles are there in a 90 degree angle, and second thing if you line the balls up straight to go into the center of a corner pocket what angle is that, you probally say 0 degree angle right? Well you are wrong it is a 45 degree angel, start to look in that direction for the answer to the rest of the puzzel.Is there a such thing as a left angle? NO. Think of how you actually on papper draw an angle. You have two rays or lines from a vertice (one end) point, and between those two points there is an angle where if you look in a geometry book or at blue prints, you will see that it is drawn in arc form. No arc = no angle, you have to rotate in an arc motion to see the angle, looking straight at the shot you really cant see the angle but only guess where the angle is. there is a piont where you start your rotation, again hal says you have to be an anilitical person to understand what he is trying to say, I am that type of person he is correct in all that he says, but he doesent tell you every thing, thoroughly analyse from every perspective as I have you will see he is correct.
One incorrect statement, both balls lined up in front of the pocket center to the pocket, center to the pocket,is a 15 degree angel. Not a 45 degree angle. Sorry about the mistake.
Still incorrect, sorry again that would be a 30 degree angle, positive on that!
OK, this is really getting stupid. Tony, Hal, and all you "believers" out there, do this ONE THING for me, ok? Put an object ball in the exact center of the table. Then, place the cueball directly in front of a corner pocket opposite 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, through the center of the cue ball. What angle do you have? It's 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: Put the object ball on the foot-spot, and the cue-ball in either of the corner pockets at the foot of the 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 Pythagoren's Theorem, 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 Tony before you try to BS your way through an explanation using the term "Geometry" as your defense. Nice try, but "No dice" big guy.....
Have you ever thought about the entry angle to the pocket and not the actuall angle formed as you are saying, What is pool based on? if you think that geomotry has nothing to do with it YOU ARE THE STUPID ONE. NOT the rest of usWhat is a pool table? can you answre that correctly? I am sure you can because you seem to know EVERYTHING and nobody else could ever be possibly right unless it made sence to you. You get what I am saying? Take the cue bal out of the equation, now look at the angle to the pocket.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 your are wrong in what your explaining, but you have no concept ofwhat I or the believers are talking about.
You all may be interested in the forum discussion about the billiard point and pivot system by Hal Houle that is taking place in the forum on this site...
Well Allen ,does that make any sense to you??????? One other thing common sense goes along way. You aim a riffle correct? When you AIM 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 riffle with no sight then you are using judgement to make the shot.But you could chooes to use to sights on the pool table to LINE THE SHOT UP!!!!!!!
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, 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 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 so 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 judgements, 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 all........
Wow..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. I mean it's just a game. LOL.
POINT taken,NOW l will ROTATE back to my original reason of why I started this debate and joined the forum. I know none of you know what the reason is. Mission complete! Thanks to all who have participated. OK no more postings. Tony Sanders (Line Up)
Well said Halifax, 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.
I have personally been introduced to 3 different aiming systems of Hal's. One works perfectly for me. If my preshot set up is not lazy, I cannot 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 is a very simple method though. I just want to give Hal the credit he deserves because his systems are teachable and they do work!
Herb,I am not allowed to post about this but you are who I have bean looking for,and you are right about your comment,(A BELIEVER) ,Would you mind if I contacted you?
Tony, Do you already have access to my e-mail address? (Not sure how these posts work or what they reveal...) 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!Don't believe me??? The pros do. {ADMIN COMMENT - WE PROTECT EMAIL ADDRESSES...IF YOU EXPLICITLY APPROVE, I'LL EMAIL YOU BOTH WITH THE APPLICABLE CONTACT INFO. THANKS, GARY}
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. NOW STOP SENDING ME REPLIES!
Hi, my name is Butch Crossland I dont know if it is possible, but if you could either give my e-mail to #21 Herb from Ohio, or if I could get his. I want to learn the Hal Houle system. Can you let me know? Thank You, Butch
Butch, I sent your email to Herb. Thanks.
I don't know if this system works or not but someone said they couldn't miss if they tried???? Isn't the angle from the side pocket to the middle diamond 26 degrees
Herb, I'd like to learn the system and would be happy to exchange emails with you. I've taught a dozen different aim methods and spoken with Hal on the phone also but... you know what I mean? Thanks very much.
Hey, my name is Will most call me onepocket willie, give my e-mail to #21 Herb from Ohio too. I have been reading voraciously everything I can about Hal's system...and I believe works...its just that I need exact knowledge, exact examples to be able to define, clarify, and perfect what tidbits I have been able to pick up from the net.
Hi, it's 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 aiming techniques without improving consistancy.
Remember to pivot your whole body and not your stick only with your back hand.
a roung object has no edges,only one center,an angle has three sides,wich forma a TRIANGLE,a square is 2, 45 degree triangles split in half diagonaly or corner to corner ,wich is the X axis,plit verticle which is the Y axis,center to corner=45 degrees. Make any sence to you yet? Have the editor give you my Email and I will contact you with what i know and am still refining. NOTE:ONLY THE TABLE HAS EDGES AND SIDES AND THE OBJECT BALL ONLY HAS POINTS.
Re:Hi, it's Zanke from Winnipeg. Have the editor send you my E-Mail,WE can go from there
Hi, its Jim from Williamsburg. I have been trying the system and am impressed. Please give my name to #21 Herb. I would appreciate Herb sharing with me his technique of Hal's work.
Hi, Jim5RCT would like to learn Herb's technique if possible.lease give him my web address. I'm just going back to pool and need a good aiming system. Thanks for your help.
I apologize for not responding sooner #29 and #30. I have said it before. I don't believe you can learn the aiming system through posts. Anyone who teaches it will tell you that the system is flawless. Each player is unique. This is where the problem lies. Someone teaching this system first attacks natural abilities ensuring they are correct. Stance, line of sight, stroke, etc. When those are firing properly, the system will also. 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 alot. Try it and tell me what you get. 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
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 the results tell me Hal is right on.
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