From: kunkel@REMOVEnas.com (Paul Kunkel)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.billiard,sci.math
Subject: Re: geometry and pool?
Date: Sat, 4 Oct 1997 01:25:57 -0700

In article <34347c92.5109481@news.gatech.edu>, deanmao2@hotmail.com (Dean 
Mao) says...
> I remember seeing or reading something involving mathematics and
> geometry of the pool table involving the diamonds on the sides of the
> pool table.  Does anyone here know where I could find such information
> on how to shoot balls in using the math and diamonds approach?

     The Billiard Congress of America page has a long list of references:  
http://www.bca-pool.com/instruction/  These books probably offer a 
realistic strategy, which does not fit well with the oversimplified 
mathematical models.  A purely geometric approach usually assumes that 
the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence.  That ignores 
English, rail compression, and all of the complications of friction.  It 
makes for a nice, simple lesson though.

     Kunkel