Six Pockets
This exercise consists of sinking two balls consecutively at various locations around the table. Place the first ball at b2 and the second ball consecutively clockwise around the table in front of each remaining pocket at b5 then b8, d8, d5 and finally d2. Each time you must first sink the b2 ball and then the remaining ball. Restart the cue ball anywhere before shooting the b2 ball, but do not move it after this shot until you have sunk the second ball. To complete the exercise, place the first ball at b5 and then consecutively sink the second ball at b8, d8 and d5. You will now have covered all the unique two ball six pocket single diamond combinations.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
a X-------------------X-------------------X
| |
b | b2 b5 b8 |
| (start here) (then here) |
c | |
| |
d | d2 d5 d8 |
| |
e X-------------------X-------------------X
Solutions
I have laid out the solutions I have found to be easiest for each combination.
I started by attempting to at least repeat a solution three times in a row before considering it a solution. While I would consider completing it 8 out of 10 times to be mastering it, I feel that it is not necessary to master these solutions before moving on to new problems. Solving new problems should help you master these in the long run quicker than trying to master these right away.
Six Pockets: b2, b5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
a A-------+-----------B-------------------X
| |
b | A B |
| |
c | f - |
| - - - |
d | - - - - - |
| |
e X-------------------X-------------------X
To complete the shot at b5 you probably want to end up somewhere in the triangle c5, d4, d6. I believe the easiest way to achieve this is by approaching A from the left with some forward spin (f). This should cause the cue to ricochet off of the rail around a2.5.
As with most of these exercises, it will soon become obvious that controlling the strength of this shot is more important than the exact angle of ricochet since you do not want the cue ball to end up on the e rail and you really do not want it to fall short of the c line.
Six Pockets: b2, b8
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
a A---------+---------X-------------------B
| |
b | A B |
| |
c | c - |
| - - - - - |
d | - - - - - - - - - |
| |
e X-------------------X-------------------X
Completing the shot at b8 is easiest when starting within the triangle c7, d4, d7. I have found that again, starting to the left of A and hitting the cue ball dead center (c) is in this case easiest. This should cause you to ricochet of the a rail somewhere close to a3. Falling short or being close to the e rail are not nearly as bad as overshooting on this shot, you really do not want to pass the 7.5 line!
Six Pockets: b2, d8
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
a A--------------+----X-------------------X
| |
b | A - - - - - - - - - |
| - - - - - |
c | d - |
| |
d | B |
| |
e X-------------------X-------------------B
The triangle to shoot for here is obviously the opposite of the previous triangle: b4, b7, c7. You should be able to get there by starting to the left of A and applying a medium amount of draw on the cue ball (d). You are hoping to either bounce off of the a rail around a4 or if you can hit A fairly straight on, simply forgo hitting the a rail alltogether. If you are right-handed, shooting at B from the a rail seems particularly painfull in this situation.
Six Pockets: b2, d5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
a A-------------------X-------------------X
| |
b | A - - - - - - |
| - - - |
c | c - |
| |
d | B |
| |
e X-------------------B-------------------X
The triangle b4, b6, v5 is the opposite of the one in exercise b2, b5. We must strike gently to get there. It is easiest done shooting dead center from the left of A (c). Avoid being stuck on the a rail and certainly do not pass the c line!
Six Pockets: b2, d2
The easiest way to shoot this if you have full control of your starting position (s) is: to simply shoot A straight on with a small amount of draw. Even if you simply get a dead stop your next shot will be easy. If instead the ball comes back to near its starting position, you will have an ideal shot.
The more versatile shot is to shoot from and bounce off the rail around a2.5 to return near c3. This is easier to control and requires less of an exact starting position than the version above.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
a A-------+-----------X-------------------X
| |
b | A . |
+ ... |
c | ..s.. |
| |
d | B |
| |
e B-------------------X-------------------X
Keep in mind that by starting from the right a little more and bouncing off of bc1 instead, the triangle pictured above is almost the same, plus you probably get more leaway in how hard you shoot it since even if the ball ends up all the way at b8, this shot would be at least OK. On the other hand if you end up around e3, it's probably impossible.