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Cueing Academy

Pool glossary · Aiming & Physics

Cut angle

What is a cut angle in pool?

The cut angle is the angle between the cue ball's path and the object ball's path to the pocket. 0° is straight in, 30° is a half-ball hit, and anything over about 60° is a thin cut that needs very precise aim.

In more detail

Small cut angles are forgiving; at large angles, a tiny aiming error produces a big miss. That is why good position aims for a small, comfortable angle — not straight in, but not thin.

People also ask

What is the maximum cut angle in pool?

Theoretically just under 90°. In practice, cuts above about 75° are very hard to pot consistently.

Train it at the table

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