A bricole reaches a cushion before the first object ball. Its value is the approach it creates, not a promised professional success rate. Compare it with a ball-first option when the position allows both.
Define the first leg
Choose the first object ball and intended contact thickness. A line to the object-ball centre is not the same as the cue-ball centre line needed for a cut. Plan that contact before choosing the rest of the cushions.
For an initial geometric sketch, reflect the intended cue-ball centre target across the cushion-contact line and connect that reflected point to the starting centre. The intersection gives an ideal reflection reference. This assumes equal incoming and outgoing angles; real cushion deformation, spin and speed can change the rebound.
Account for the ball radius
The ball centre cannot reach the physical cushion nose. On the 2.84 × 1.42 m reference table with radius 0.0307 m, a simple centre-line model places upper-cushion contact at y = 1.3893 m. Use the same coordinate convention for starting point, reflected target and contact.
This correction describes a geometric boundary, not a universal real-table aiming adjustment. Do not add half a ball-width whenever a ball is near a rail. If the cue ball is touching a cushion, UMB Article 27.2 also restricts playing directly into that cushion.
Compare one effect at a time
- Keep the layout and pace fixed; compare modest opposite side-spin settings and record the first rebound.
- Restore the layout and keep spin fixed; compare pace and note whether the first object-ball contact changes.
- Only after the first leg is understood, follow the complete cushion and ball sequence. Check for a returning object ball.
- Record misses as first-cushion, first-ball, collision or final-arrival errors. Do not hide different causes inside one success percentage.
A practice record, not a deadline
Choose a manageable number of attempts and record every one. Repeat under comparable conditions in another session before deciding that a setting is more dependable. There is no verified 21-day mastery timetable or universal one-tip/two-tip recipe here.
A three-cushion point requires both object balls and at least three cushion contacts before the second object ball. The cards below open exact starting layouts, not solved trajectories. A simulator comparison helps inspect a model; use real-table observations to evaluate your own stroke.
Three starting layouts for separate questions
Long-cushion approach, short-cushion choice and side-spin comparison. Coordinates describe the actual app layouts; white is the cue ball.
Long bricole
White 40 × 120 cm · Yellow 142 × 20 cm · Red 250 × 120 cm
Open this layout →Bricole (kick)
White 142 × 120 cm · Yellow 195 × 20 cm · Red 85 × 40 cm
Open this layout →Reverse english
White 230 × 40 cm · Yellow 40 × 40 cm · Red 40 × 105 cm
Open this layout →