Mike Massey Two Rail Diamond System - Master This Excellent Billiards Technique!

[@Zombies8MyPizza]

I learned this system a while back, but it took me a while to learn it. I'd have learned it much quicker if you'd had a video out before, you just have a knack for explaining things in the most simple and easy to understand way. A natural at teaching people!

[@MrWARGODS]

Zombies Ate My Pizza! How do you count the diamonds on the long rail

[@ericsalles1424]

Hands down one of the BEST instructional videos I have ever seen posted on KZbin. THANK YOU.....THANK YOU......THANK YOU

[@davidpena6211]

Have Used his System about three months, now. Am Very Excited About the Results. Opponents Are Amazed at my Game/Shots Selection. Many Are Impressed, am even able to hit a shot, not always pocket one, just hitting one. Has Sharpened my Game, my Passion of Billiards. Thank Y’all...

[@egroegartfart]

It's great to see Mike again. I saw him in a tournament last week in a youtube video from just recently. Glad he's still in the game. I always enjoyed watching him play. Thanks for posting. This is what I always use. A great system. Very reliable if you use it right. Thanks Mike.

[@mike_williams]

I've been messing around with pool for 50 years, and never learned this. Thanks for the great lesson! I'll try this today.

[@ImmortalAK]

Dr. Cue has also got a good video on this very system. It helped me a lot.

[@KyleNotAKyle]

Simple and effective. I'll have to practice this for use in my next match. Thank you.

[@MrJdsenior]

I've looked at a lot of pool video channels over the years. Most are junk, and I've found you actually need very few that are excellent. One is THIS CHANNEL. Another is Dr. Dave of Colorado State, a physics instructor and avid pool player, he has practice setups, really comprehensive learning and evaluation drills and "exams" that evaluate almost every aspect of general play. Also great high speed video of what is actually going on in different shots and conditions, shots you must know and how to play them, and much more. Make sure you look at his videos on tangent lines, 30 degree rule, and triple angle cue ball travel for the cue ball out of differently hit shots (rolling, sliding, english thrown, etc.), IMMENSELY powerful and simple knowledge for position play. Torr, on this site, is one of the most straightforward, easy to follow and understand instructors I have seen on the web, his series on bringing players from mediocre (and less than mediocre) to MUCH more serious players in a week (including the guarantee of many, many, hours of practice required each day of the student) have to be seen to be believed. He starts from the absolute beginning with each one, working and perfecting fundamentals including stroke mechanics, which IS A REQUIREMENT! Every time I get playing really badly, I think "mechanics" and things improve, usually "stay the hell down and motionless post shot" in my case. I've been told on a few occasions that I was up and halfway to the next shot before contact was made, a VERY bad "technique" learned as a kid playing at home without all the available web instruction available now. SOOOO much easier to get right when first learning, developing good pre-shot, including aiming, and finally stroking correctly is a MUST. Not hard, just something you need to get right. Many players in his week long super intense free won "class" go from being virtually helpless (a ball or two or three) to solid C and even a few B level players in a WEEK. My guess is he could get many many of these to A players given a bit more time. That takes the casual league player many years, usually, from my experience, and they most NEVER get to A level (I'm still trying, but NOWHERE near there yet) which is a player that is a decent bet to run the table, or leave you nothing to shoot at, quite frequently, well over half the time. We have a few A players at the hall, and they are fun to watch, especially when they walk up and three and out the eight ball match. Still not close to pro level, but VERY good. The position play instruction on some of those videos are some of his best, simple "obvious" correct ways to approach a table layout, (obvious once you know the material ;-) ) ways to move around the pattern and insure path(s) to the next few balls, and how and when to fix problems along the way. A TREMENDOUS tool for your toolbox. Another I have found some interesting info on how to judge cue ball travel, especially length, and how cue hits, cushions, and other things effect roll is one you can find searching OYSTER and pool, but kind of more advanced after you get the above learned, IMO, super precision cue ball placement techniques, not always necessary with each shot, but priceless when the shot requires it.

[@ZeroXBilliards]

Thanks John!

[@andykurka312]

Simple but deadly accurate. Perfect. Thanks

[@budgoble4602]

This is the worst part of my game, I can see that this will HELP! Thanks so much!!!

[@MrRex1949]

Bud Goble : You need to learn English to play great pool. As English gets you positional shots. And helps you with bank shooting. Using center will not help you make shot after shots in pool. As either you will most likely Get out of position where you can’t make your next shot. And chances are if you run across someone who knows how to use English in pool. He will wait until you miss and run the table. Unless he breaks first. Also you need English in order to use that for bank shots. Without using English. Your practically less then a below average player. Or a average player. In using English. You are thinking ahead of the shots your shooting. And trying to figure out where your Cue Ball will be on the table. That is called the Zone. Another thing is making sure your Cue Ball will be in the Tangent Zone. That where the Cue Ball will be like the Zone. But being sure your in the right spot for your position for the Object Ball. And yet being sure your able to shoot the ball. But not being in the wrong spot to shoot your ball in. As you could be too far to the right or left. Maybe being blocked from your shot. And making bank shots require using English. There are many things if I was where your at. I could teach you how to become a better pool player. But I am not near you. What I could tell you is go here to KZbin.com. Type in search engine. Learn how to use English in pool. Or look up on your regular search engine called. ... billiards. Colostate.edu . This is a site which shows videos in how to shoot pool. Shows you everything you need to know about playing pool. Good luck! 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🎱

[@michaellavery4899]

The best explanation of angles I have ever seen. Thank you. Can't wait for covid restrictions to be lifted then I can practice this.

[@juanball5480]

Thank you Tor, this ia best best tutorial fo this diamond system

[@ZeroXBilliards]

Thanks Juan!

[@rustic1757]

In your examples, if you swap positions between the cue ball and object ball do you get the same result/aim point...following the reverse track??? In otherwords, you are shooting to the long rail first.

[@patriciajrs46]

I like the idea of your system. As you explain it, it works. However, I have watched several demonstrations on bank shots, and using a diamond technique. Dr. Dave shows one that seemed to make more sense, at least to me, and seemed less complicated. His technique explained that wherever you start from is your zero. The diamonds go out in graduations of 10. I'm not saying yours is wrong, or that his is right. I'm just trying to learn angles better for my bank shots. I spot bowl, rather than pin bowl in bowling. I always hope to associate the pool table the same way. Thanks for this video.

[@That_chintu]

This was the thing I needed

[@axeaclick]

on the length side i have to divide it?

[@Iamdonney1800]

Looks simple, can’t wait to try it out.

[@capoman1]

Great system. Thanks Mike Massey!

[@waves6102]

5:45 How did you come up with that spot as the starting point? You are also about to explain 3 and 4 rail kick systems at the end of this video but it is cut short... Where can I find the end of this video? Finally, is there a system for 3 or 4 rail banking systems? Please get back and great videos by the way.

[@patrickbreach5094]

The tricky part with this system is hitting a ball in the middle of the table. I know which diamond on the third rail that the cue ball will head towards, but it can be hard to judge where the cue ball will hit the second rail. This means that if you make a bad guess for where the cue ball will hit the second rail, it will miss even though it is travelling to the correct diamond on the third rail. Do you have any recommendations for dealing with this issue?

[@brett6314]

Use the technique of splitting the balls, parallel shift from the line to the pocket. Very very effective for me. Really deadly when the balls are say 4 diamonds or less apart. I'd really like to use this video system for one's near the rail

[@SuperGouache]

Wow this is amazing. Can wait to try it

[@donspohr5523]

The rail is roughly 2 inches in front of the diamonds.So when aiming on an angle are you aiming at the diamond or the rail in front of the diamond?

[@ZeroXBilliards]

Hi, aiming toward the diamonds.

[@donspohr5523]

Thanks Mr.Lowry.

[@TonyB4679]

Your videos are awesome man !

[@ZeroXBilliards]

I appreciate that!

[@iwanwibisono9072]

Excellent. What if we have to use a bit of English if there is ball(s) blocking the way?

[@simmerke1111]

I'd go 3/4 rails instead of using english if it is possible. At 2:42 you'd have to hit the rail closest to the 8 ball at around the 3 spot in the system explained. What you can do is imagine a few extra diamonds. It would come out at around 4,5 diamonds away from the object ball. So from there use the system and you'll get a decent chance.

[@reggiehuddleston5764]

Does it work on bar table 3.5/7

[@karim7328]

5:44 why did he choose that diamand for the black any explanation please

[@Bryan-hv8td]

If you look at 6:33 when the dotted line is there you can see the rectangle needed to strike the ball. I'm not an expert just what I see, all these 2 rail kicks are a big rectangles pool is rectangles triangles and squares the diamonds help you see them better. I'm not quite sure why he chose that diamond but I see the rectangle when he did...

[@phil36310]

Thanks for sharing ! This opens a whole new view on playing more efficient ! Cheers, Filip

[@McBmxican]

Intermediate to the game, but I noticed, on some of the shots, instead of a 2 rail kick, why couldn’t I just try a one rail kick? At the 5:45 mark, kicking at the 🎱, couldn’t I have a better chance kicking off one rail for the upper corner pocket, compared to two rails for the lower??

[@ZeroXBilliards]

Hi Shawn, yes, but these are just sample layouts to demonstrate the system.

[@ginomalgas4247]

Wow...you make it look so easy...is there a system for a table without diamonds?...

[@simmerke1111]

I always explained it as twice the distance with diamonds. Using the distance between the balls /2 if they were both on the rail. This is by far an easier way of explaining it, but it'll take longer to fully understand it.

[@MegaPacosanchez]

Does this system vary greatly depending on the table? I am trying it on my home table and have to adjust half a diamond on one side and a full diamond on the other side?

[@PostUp_Time]

this is an inconsistent system compared to others. on short rail he calls the first diamond number 3 diamond. On the long rail he just counts diamonds, 1,2,3. long rail he doesnt count 1/2 diamonds. very confusing why this is done. Minnesota Fats has diamonds as 1-6 consistent. Then this video foes past counting 6. First there needs to be consistency counting/naming diamond locations if we are going to learn correctly!!. Would you agree?

[@iveneverdonethisbefore8390]

At 4:22 the cue ball doesn't strike the rail anywhere near the #2 spot.

[@ZeroXBilliards]

When you're at an angle it's not going to strike the rail near the number.

[@MrWARGODS]

Tor how do you count the diamonds on the long rail

[@Bryan-hv8td]

I tried practicing this system and I just end up going 2 rails to the corner pocket I'm missing something or not understanding something and I can't figure it out. Doesn't matter where I put the cue Ball i measure like he is doing and I end up going 2 rails into the corner pocket. If any one has a thought or advice I'm all ears to try it out.

[@CZVegas]

using running english?

[@Bryan-hv8td]

@@CZVegas yes with a level cue tried more and less running English

[@briangc1972]

Sounds like you are not counting correctly. The corner pocket is 1 for the short rail. The first diamond is 3, the middle diamond is 5.....

[@MrJackson66]

He also uses right spin on the cue ball to achieve the correct line ...

[@BillyBob2015]

Where does one purchase those white markers where you can place balls for specific drills?

[@garrettgerard4939]

www.amazon.com/s?k=reinforcement+labels&crid=2DPLT5YIBC8SZ&sprefix=reinforcement+la%2Caps%2C153&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_16

[@MrAlivallo]

Practice your key lines, from zero, like mike did. find your natural stroke +running offset to sink it. Now parallel shift to the cue ball from your known lines. No counting. Now you can also take a known line\path and shorten by 1\2 or 1\4 diamond by adjusting by a tip for more\less English. Clock system. Plus 2,25. Also note the path may curve so med-hard and aim THROUGH the rail to the diamond with stick. You will not hit the diamond with the cue but will hit the rail before it on the path of the track.

[@MrBarboza92]

What about when it’s one diamond length from side rail. do you shoot towards 1 (the pocket)??

[@phelixanger6152]

Do you mean if the cue ball is on the 1st diamond and you're trying to 2 rail to the pocket? If so yeah, but if your table isn't on-system, which most aren't, you may have to make adjustments to speed and english and possibly even where to hit until you find the sweet spot. Since my table isn't "on-system" I have to hit half a diamond down (instead of 3 to 3 it's 3 to 2.5) so with 1 to 1 I use 3 tips of center left/right english and hit firm since there is no way to hit half a diamond down on 1 as that would be inside the pocket. I've found 0 to 1 will even work with full center side english if you hit the right spot exactly. Tough to do every time, but very doable.

[@80slimshadys]

I play a ametuer tournaments weekly and the tables we use dont have any markings on the sides so im gonna have to get really good at guesstamating

[@salazarernesto]

Awesome thank you so much for this video

[@johndemato2916]

Does this system work on the bar size tables?

[@jordanbarker803]

Pretty sure all pool tables are 2:1 length:width so it should

[@MrRex1949]

John Demato : Yes it does. 👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🎱

[@chucklesdarwinwaswrongevol9264]

If the table is a two to one ratio then it’s the same concept

[@CollegeHustler]

Thank you!

[@jasonnetherton2878]

Terminology is critical. Will the cue ball hit opposite 3? Or will it track towards 3 effectively hitting the rail at around 2.5? Help

[@ZeroXBilliards]

Hi, toward 3. Not the cushion in front of 3.

[@patriciajrs46]

What are you calling running english? Could you please explain that technique? Thanks in advance.

[@ronnyhanityo2672]

Thank you so much for this video

[@donspohr5523]

Thank you

[@SpaceboyBilliards]

Awesome and you can use this with balls off the rail as well as long as they are on same track line as your chosen target. This is probably the easiest system out there.

[@SpaceboyBilliards]

Unfortunately, the system doesn't work on the tables at the venue I shoot at. Shots are off by a few diamonds because of the physics of the rails on most of the tables. It did give me a general guideline to adapt to the situation, though!

[@NODTHEROD]

Thank you this is a great video

[@mkoz1134]

I have a cheaper table with no diamond Makers so this is harder for me but I can still kind of eye ball the spots and make a judgment shot. Just need to practice and get to know my table a little more. This is a great and simple method. I've watched other videos with different methods and they use some goofy calculations that are extremely hard to follow.

[@seamusmcfadden994]

With some careful measuring you can add your own "Diamonds". The second Diamond lines up with the break and or head spot. Divide equally from there. Maybe use the white donut stickers? Maybe you figured it out by now. 2yr old post lol

[@MrRodjoe]

wow, it seems the two rails kick became so easy hahaha., well I'm gonna try it on my table to see if it works. maybe it depends on the rail and felt of the table, or the cue, and tip (for the spin) to work

[@randygarrison6261]

How do I apply this system to a 7 foot table?

[@14.1guy2]

It doesn't matter as long as it's a rectangle.

[@724riff]

i am guessing this would apply to banks also ,,,,,,,,, i will have to give it a shot

[@sandrograndi7674]

well, yes and no. those trajectories only work when they play the shot with running english. so if you are playing a two-rail bank shot and aiming to replicate those trajectories you will have to use the right cue action and hit the cue ball with left hand side to then impart english onto the object ball. hope that makes sense

[@islandregisteredmassagethe5572]

pun intended!? lol

[@Domstraight]

Thanks a lot !!!

[@roman43298]

it really work thanks

[@jamesjowens]

How about explaining side rail first, please!

[@simmerke1111]

Same principle only reversed. If you pretend the balls were reversed at 2:42. You can get the path the same way.

[@JorgeLuis-ls6bx]

Amazing

[@polymathecian]

I wish Efren Reyes would give a masterclass on kicking.

[@trp2413]

Can he; I think he just lets the subconscious take over and can’t 1/2 the magic his brain pulls off on auto pilot.

[@joepowell7509]

Hhhĥhĥhĥĥhĥĥĥĥ h nnnnnnn̈n̈n̈ñn̈ñn bn̈n̈nn̈n̈n̈n̈n̈n̈n̈n̈n̈n̈n̈n̈n̈n̈n̈n̈n̈nn̈in​@@trp2413

[@724riff]

this looks phenominal to learn but i do not understand when tory says since the cue ball is not on that path he willl add a diamond

[@chriscreswell5594]

Question, wouldn’t this be different depending on table conditions? How a specific table plays? Example, my table for example on 3 rails when cue ball in corner pocket, aiming through 3rd diamond I come up short so my table is about a half diamond longer. So on the 2 rail on my table let’s say aiming through 3 I would have to aim about half or so up to hit my desire target, would this be correct

[@greggas1]

Yes, the rails can play differently from table to table. They can also play differently around the four corners of the SAME table. I would adjust the aim and/or the english til the ball goes where it's supposed to, then try from different spots to see how consistent the adjustment is. If that goes well, try it again around the other three corners to see how consistent the table is. (This is assuming the table is level. If it isn't, then NO adjustment will be consistent.)

[@gamertv3421]

I understand this but when im in a real table my shot not like this

[@danielmurzellotheunknownma7481]

Thanks for the information. Simple , Easy and very Helpful. Keep posting such videos🎥.. Warm rewards, The UnknownManCub👍 😎

[@chicongnguyen3638]

Thanks for the system. I tried and came up with a way to calculate the target on the short rail. The formula is: (number of diamonds from CB to OB - 1) / 2 = number of diamonds on the short rail Examples: 3 diamonds from CB to OB = ⇒ (3-1) /2 = 1 diamond on short rail 2 diamonds from CB to OB ⇒ (2-1) /2 = 0.5 diamond on short rail

[@teodorhristev7864]

Is the Massè named after him?

[@robdetuinman2]

No

[@johnnywebb8696]

omg my head is spinning... I think I egt it, then I try it, and BAM! I dont know what Im doing!

[@johnnywebb8696]

okay so you count in between the side sections, but not the wait... um... *scratches head* but not the longer way?

[@MrTorche0713]

Any one know the efren system?

[@livinontheedge13]

Yeah. You get lucky :D

[@SpaceboyBilliards]

livinontheedge13 Lmao. Efren would say that himself, too 😂

[@Mrphilharmonic]

Diagano?

[@gabenerdoyanklaim7457]

Awesome

[@724riff]

I was a good but not absolute great kicker of the ball and stumble upon this video of tors ...... I had no doubt it works so off I went to the pool hall low and behold I missed every single kick long by between 1/2 and whole diamond and that was aiming well before the desired alley ...... So I tried using I sting and more English and I hit most balls which isn't good enough especially something so mathematically basic .... So has anyone else encountered the same problem ? Btw I went from just a touch of right centerball to absolute centerball and it didn't make much difference

[@littlejoevillalpando]

riff724 riff724 chris

[@eddied8851]

I am going long by about 1 1/2 diamonds EVERY time. I'm wondering if this only applies to tournament-sized tables.

[@simmerke1111]

All tables should be built 2:1. You might be aiming to the rail instead of the diamond. You should aim as if there was no rail to the point you calculated.

[@joeygonzo]

GOLD!

[@akhtarshamim2424]

Very nice I like to you

[@kendallbrawner9125]

Why were you hitting the first rail a whole number/half a diamond higher than you were explaining??

[@AndrewT]

Kendall Brawner Dr Dave mentioned there is a difference between hitting across from a diamond vs through a diamond.

[@Gotwired]

You aim through the diamond, not at the cushion adjacent to the diamond.

[@DimebagDerekS]

These guys are correct. He is aiming directly at the diamond as it lays on the wood of the rail, not the corresponding spot on the cushion itself. Go attempt it yourself and then see where the cue ball is actually hitting and you will better understand.

[@eddied8851]

It's because they're not shooting at where the dot would be on the rail. They're shooting at the actual dot, through the rail. So you're actually hitting the rail, on the true path to the dot, well before where the dot would be if you projected it right to the edge of the rail.

[@johnd8978]

On my table when I aim at 2 it goes 4 diamonds down. Hmmmm

[@isaacdiaz7519]

Hey, I’m not a native English speaker, and I don’t really understand what you mean with “running English” could someone explain it to me, please?

[@robdetuinman2]

At 3:16 the left short rail will be hit first by the cue ball sending the cueball to the right. To apply Running English you would hit the cueball about a tip to the right of the middle of the cueball, making it spin. This will change the outgoing angle of the cueball vs the rail.

[@المحترفين-ظ8ج]

Nice

[@RobertCOVELL]

Goodluck

[@PostUp_Time]

*SHORT RAIL NUMBERS GO TO 1-7, WHY NOT 8, 1/2 DIAMOND PAST THE 7. NOT COUNTING POCKET TO RIGHT?*

[@mgaabnormalnadilawan4432]

playing any ball is about estimation

[@allgood6760]

Somebody needs to write a book about the science of Pool! 🎱👍

[@michaelo.9346]

My rails must be junk. This system is getting me within ball park but needs corrections. Great explanation though.

[@clint42]

Matlock showed me this system a long time ago.

[@EL-pr9un]

The older gentleman explained it well. The narrator messed it all up

[@dsoogrim]

Kool

[@mgaabnormalnadilawan4432]

how about no diamond on the table???

[@marcelpare1807]

After the 5min mark. You were hitting the ball before the mark.

[@williamkinglopez]

you should teach efren this shot

[@Supperesed]

I don't like systems. But I ain't gon neglect no knowledge

[@denizdogan7918]

Godt

[@-.-WhiteBread-.-]

I guess I’m slow, every time I think I understand it, I don’t

[@PostUp_Time]

*WHY IS A POCKET CALLED ZERO AND OTHER TIMES IT STARTS OFF THE COUNT AS 1. THAT IS NOT EXPLAINED. JUST RATTLING OFF NUMBERS WITHOUT EXPLAINING WHY THE COUNT IS DIFFERENT AT DIFFERENT TIMES. YOU CAN HOLD YOUR CUE OVER THE CUE BALL AND POINT AT ANY DIAMOND, HOW DO YOU CHOOSE? ONLY ONE CHANCE TO GET IT RIGHT IN A TOURNAMENT*

[@OGDailylama]

This video makes an easy concept very complex. Just listen to Mike and quit watching after.

[@daffydlwellen1270]

Darren Appleton explains it much better.

[@quirinoreyes9671]

+

[@rudyalvarez8726]

Spanish explanation

[@caseyrayls6234]

Waaay too much blah blah for beginners. Wasted my time.