murk1e writes "The BBC reports that in this article that a smart Pool table has been invented. The full information is here. For more about the Physics of Pool, try this site, or for a game, try here."
light on the details....
by
FaRuvius
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· Score: 3, Insightful
I wonder if it will just calculate angle shots, or if it considers more complex shots like ones involving English or combo-shot situations in 9 ball.
Sounds like a good tutoring system nonetheless, but I also wonder how dependent a person will be on the laser lines. Kind of like a sniper without a scope, probably.
why this wont make you a pool shark
by
PissedOffGuy
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· Score: 3, Insightful
it may help a beginner who doesnt know the angles yet, but any decent player can tell you that you also have to know exactly where to hit the cue ball.
in the technical description it says this is designed for two-ball practice scenarios where you sink a ball and leave the cue ball in a particular spot. however in a real game, putting the cue ball where you want it will often require follow (topspin), draw (bottomspin), or left/right spin as well. the one picture of the laser path of the cue ball going off in a straight line doesnt quite match the reality where the cue ball's path is parabolic until it stops sliding on the table and begins rolling.
anyway, what separates the good players from the average is cue ball control and strategy, and strategy isn't covered by this machine so it'll still take practice, practice, practice to get better.
This smart table calculates the angles, but the game of pool is about a LOT more than the angles. Or maybe I should say that there is a lot more to the angles than just straight geometry. For example, most people don't realize that if you spin the cue ball (whether on accident or on purpose) then the ball the cue ball strikes will pop off the cue ball at a different angle than if there was no spin on the cue ball. It is extremely difficult to put NO spin on the ball, and most players purposely spin the cue. It's just that the good players know how to re-calculate the angles needed based on what spin they are using. anyway, this table seems like a big waste, but i guess in the end it's just a pool table.
And never lie down with a woman who's got more troubles than you...
A better usage of lasers
by
goodchef
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· Score: 2, Insightful
Anyone who's played pool even a little knows what the best shots are, the tricky part is being able to cause that to happen. So I think a better usage would be to have the pool table use rangefinding to determine how you're holding the cue stick, and display where that will make the balls end up. Then you'd be able to adjust your stance & position and see the new results in real time. This would be much more beneficial for learning. After all, any idiot can say "You should hit that ball there." I doubt there's a bar or pool hall anywhere that doesn't already have several of these helpful "experts".
--
"Inflammable means flammable? What a strange country!" -Dr. Nick, The Simpsons
improving your game - personal experience
by
tqft
·
· Score: 2, Insightful
I was an OK player but did not waster as much of my youth as my brothers.
So to improve:
1) take money
2) play for money - $5/game or drinks
Funny how fat you improve real fast when real cash is at stake
Slashdot Mirror
I wonder if it will just calculate angle shots, or if it considers more complex shots like ones involving English or combo-shot situations in 9 ball.
Sounds like a good tutoring system nonetheless, but I also wonder how dependent a person will be on the laser lines. Kind of like a sniper without a scope, probably.
Need to get away?
Adirondack Vacations
it may help a beginner who doesnt know the angles yet, but any decent player can tell you that you also have to know exactly where to hit the cue ball.
in the technical description it says this is designed for two-ball practice scenarios where you sink a ball and leave the cue ball in a particular spot. however in a real game, putting the cue ball where you want it will often require follow (topspin), draw (bottomspin), or left/right spin as well. the one picture of the laser path of the cue ball going off in a straight line doesnt quite match the reality where the cue ball's path is parabolic until it stops sliding on the table and begins rolling.
anyway, what separates the good players from the average is cue ball control and strategy, and strategy isn't covered by this machine so it'll still take practice, practice, practice to get better.
This smart table calculates the angles, but the game of pool is about a LOT more than the angles. Or maybe I should say that there is a lot more to the angles than just straight geometry. For example, most people don't realize that if you spin the cue ball (whether on accident or on purpose) then the ball the cue ball strikes will pop off the cue ball at a different angle than if there was no spin on the cue ball. It is extremely difficult to put NO spin on the ball, and most players purposely spin the cue. It's just that the good players know how to re-calculate the angles needed based on what spin they are using.
anyway, this table seems like a big waste, but i guess in the end it's just a pool table.
Never eat at a place called Mom's.
Never play cards with a man called Doc.
And never lie down with a woman who's got more troubles than you...
Anyone who's played pool even a little knows what the best shots are, the tricky part is being able to cause that to happen. So I think a better usage would be to have the pool table use rangefinding to determine how you're holding the cue stick, and display where that will make the balls end up. Then you'd be able to adjust your stance & position and see the new results in real time. This would be much more beneficial for learning. After all, any idiot can say "You should hit that ball there." I doubt there's a bar or pool hall anywhere that doesn't already have several of these helpful "experts".
"Inflammable means flammable? What a strange country!" -Dr. Nick, The Simpsons
I was an OK player but did not waster as much of my youth as my brothers. So to improve: 1) take money 2) play for money - $5/game or drinks Funny how fat you improve real fast when real cash is at stake
The Singularity is closer than you think
Quant