PJ, I can answer Darmoose questions, and with direct feed back!
So now we know exactly how you hit the head ball in accordance with your statement on post #117. I quote; "I am to hit the contact point including compensating for squirt.
Therefore, your contact point is in line with the first diamond side rail. This is a constant that we can rely on!
So lets be scientific, and eliminate a few variables, and develop some constants.
1. We place the cb on left to break towards foot right pocket. Starting with the cb placed just behind the line using base of ball, and off the rail 2 inches from cushion to side of cb.
2. lets eliminate out the squirt effect for it is a huge uncontrollable variable, and it has been discussed on this very thread, that the only reason to use inside spin is to kill the cb off the end rail and guide it to the sweet spot. This way we can use center cb and aim directly at our intended contact point.
3. rack the balls centered on the foot spot, and all balls are frozen.
Now, in using a 'ghost ball' and laying it up against the head ball on an angle that is through the center of both balls so that the head ball is in line to be driven into the 1st diamond side rail. This is approx. a 70 degree angle.
Now, if we draw a straight line from the center of the cb thru the center of the 'Ghost Ball' we see the line contacts the 2nd ball 1/8 of a ball to the right of center, exposing 1/8 of the left edge. So your aim is just right of full 1/8 ball.
We now have a direct feed back to answer Darmoose's questions. And by using the 2nd. ball it is the easiest to aim precisely. You have a clear view to aim.
So now using center ball I shoot directly at this aiming point, and it noticeably hits the head ball heavy and results in a poor break and also the cb hits a ball that pops out. This more than not is what happens.
So now we use the 'Ghost Ball' and lay it against the head ball and the 2nd. ball producing the split hit. The angle through the center of the ghost ball and the head ball goes nearly on line with the 2nd. diamond. This head ball path is approx. 90 degrees. A 20 degrees difference than your aiming and contact point.
So now drawing a line from the center of the cb thru the center of the ghost ball we see the aiming point on the 2nd. ball is 1/4 ball to the left of center of the 2nd. ball. The cb nows covers 3/4 of the 2nd ball to the left, exposing 1/4 ball to the right.
So using center cb aiming to hit the 2nd ball 1/4 left of full it contacts the head ball and 2nd. ball on a split hit. The results are a very acceptable break one would expect.
For those members having trouble in using inside spin then this split hit ghost method will work very well, you just have to hit it softer because the cb does not slow down when coming off the end rail. Whitey