Reading the numbers
Start On the near long rail, 1 a diamond: 8 at one corner down to 0 at the other. This branch covers starts 2 to 5.
Aim On the first cushion, the short rail: 5 at the middle diamond down to 1 in the corner, 1 every half diamond.
Arrival Back on the near long rail, on the start's scale: where the ball must return to.
Step by step
- Read the start on the near long rail, along the line the cue ball leaves the red on.
- Choose the arrival on the same rail.
- Aim = Arrival − Start: 6 − 3 = 3.
- Add the table correction. The short-rail scale is tight — a tenth of a number matters.
The stroke
Running side (about two tips), centre height, medium speed. The side is what carries the ball round from the short rail onto the far long rail and back.