An Algebraic Billiards Notation

If you are familiar with Algebraic Chess Notation this should be fairly easy to understand, it is similar. Pool, unlike chess does not have discrete locations so it will be a little more difficult. Nevertheless, the idea will be the same. First we need to construct a grid to represent the table positionally. My grid will look like this:

        1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9

   a    X-------------------X-------------------X
        |                                       |
   b    |                                       |
        |                                       |
   c    |                                       |
        |                                       |
   d    |                                       |
        |                                       |
   e    X-------------------X-------------------X

You should be able to guess that it follows the diamonds on the edge of the table. These are usually there and should be an easy reference point during any game.

Points vs. Squares

Now that we have a grid, how do we use it? I propose several ways to use it. The first is to reference a specific point for which I would use the lower case so to represent locations. Below I have outlined the outer ring of points actually on the table, these are all exactly one diamond inside the edge of the table.

        1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9

   a    X-------------------X-------------------X
        |                                       |
   b    |   b2   b3   b4   b5   b6   b7   b8    |
        |                                       |
   c    |   c2                            c8    |
        |                                       |
   d    |   d2   d3   d4   d5   d6   d7   d8    |
        |                                       |
   e    X-------------------X-------------------X

Now similarly, sometimes I would like to talk about areas instead of points so I will use brackets around the coordinates like this to describe the squares nearest to the corner pockets.

        1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9

   a    X-------------------X-------------------X
        |[a1]                               [a8]|
   b    |                                       |
        |                                       |
   c    |                                       |
        |                                       |
   d    |                                       |
        |[d1]                               [d8]|
   e    X-------------------X-------------------X

I can easily expand the regions by using a dash.

        1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9

   a    X-------------------X-------------------X
        |[a1-]..................................|
   b    |                                       |
        |     b2-3]....                         |
   c    |                   [c-5-]..............|
        |                   ....................|
   d    |.....[d-2]         ....................|
        |..........         ....................|
   e    X-------------------X-------------------X

And I can also enumerate specific squares to create a larger area like this.

        1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9

   a    X-------------------X-------------------X
        |                        .....          |
   b    |                        .....          |
        |                        .....          |
   c    |                        .[ab6c6-]..... |
        |                        .............. |
   d    |                                       |
        |                                       |
   e    X-------------------X-------------------X

Clearly this whole area thing needs improvement. Later I guess.