Diamond Systems

The diamonds (or spots) on the rails divide each long rail into eight equal segments and each short rail into four. They aren't decoration — they're a coordinate system for calculating multi-rail kicks and banks without measuring angles.

The classic three-rail kick system. Each diamond is assigned a numeric value; the equation is:

Cue ball position − Target = Contact point on the first rail.

For a corner-to-corner run, cue ball at 5, target at 2, contact at 3 diamonds. It works because rubber cushions reflect predictably at typical speeds — with a small correction for spin and tempo that you develop by feel.

For one-rail banks. Add the cue-ball diamond to the object-ball diamond, divide by two, and the result is the target diamond on the far rail. Accurate for center-ball hits at medium speed; adjust for cut angle by feel.