Double cushion by layout Double Cushion · long-long-short

How is it different from double the rail and Base 40?

This article is practice in reading the layout and technique for long → long → short. Its cushion order differs from the long → short → same long path in the existing double-the-rail article. Base 40 covers long-long-short too, but it is a separate no-English number table. Don't attach that table's numbers to the running-English examples below.

Read with: Double the rail · the cushion order of the jeopsi (plate) shot

Read with: Long-long-short Base 40 · no-English number table

Ball layout examples: narrow angle A and mirror image B

In this example you hit the yellow ball first and the red ball second. Don't memorize colors as “always the first/second object ball.” The first object ball is close to the top long rail, so first look at the direction in which the cue ball enters the first long rail right after separating from the object ball.

A is a concept diagram redrawn from the source's ball positions and cushion order, and B is a mirror-image comparison. They are not measured or simulated precise coordinates or success paths. Even if the cue ball follows the white line, you have to check separately for a kiss where the first object ball gets in the way again.

Read thickness, tip position and power as one set

The source's narrow-angle example gives a starting condition of 1/4 thickness on the right side of the first object ball, 2 tips at 11 o'clock on the cue ball, and a soft follow shot. These are practice conditions for that layout. They don't guarantee the same values for layouts with a different tip size, tip height or ball spacing.

1. In the same layout, first check where on the top long rail the cue ball enters right after hitting the first object ball. If the thickness changes, the very first direction changes.
2. Once the first cushion is consistent, keep the same thickness and speed and change the side spin a little at a time to see the difference in arrival on the second long rail.
3. When you mirror the layout as in B, also mirror the tip position from 11 o'clock toward 1 o'clock and compare. The left/right side of the stated thickness also flips; check it again on a real table.
4. If the red target ball moves, the target after the third cushion changes too. Review kisses and the cushion order first, and don't treat adding more spin or power as the automatic answer.

In real play, find where the error is before chasing success

If the first cushion is off, look at thickness and aim; if the first cushion is right but the second is off, look at spin, roll and power. If you reach the third cushion but miss the last ball, compare the final line with the target ball's position. Change only one condition at a time and record 5 shots each for A and B.

Practice with the example layout

Compare the cue ball, yellow and red positions in A and B, and say the long-long-short order. Also watch how the yellow ball moves after the collision, which is not drawn on the white line, and record whether there was a kiss.

1. Point to the cue ball, the ball you hit first and the last ball, and say the cushion order.
2. Repeat the same layout 5 times and record where the first cushion and the calculated target actually land.
3. If the first cushion is already off, check your aim and thickness; if the first cushion is right but later ones drift, check spin and speed. Change only one thing for the next 5.