Quick answer: A bank shot in 8 ball is when you send the object ball into a rail first so it bounces into a pocket. To aim a basic bank, picture the angle going into the rail matching the angle coming out. Use medium speed, since hard hits tend to shorten the angle. Remember that in many games you must clearly call a bank shot. Banks are harder than direct shots, so use them when no easy shot is open or when a miss still leaves your opponent in trouble.
Bank shots can save a game in 8 ball when your path to the pocket is blocked. Learning a few simple ideas makes them much less scary.
How a Bank Shot Works
When a ball hits a rail, it bounces off. On a simple bank, the angle going in is close to the angle coming out, like a mirror. In real play, speed and spin can change this a bit.
A Simple Way to Aim a Bank
- Look at the pocket you want.
- Imagine a mirror image of that pocket on the other side of the rail.
- Aim the object ball at that mirror pocket.
- The point where the line hits the rail is your bank point.
Our post on how to bank a ball in pool on our sister site goes into more detail. The diamonds on the rail can help too. Another sister site explains how to use the diamonds on a pool table.
Speed Matters
Hard banks tend to come off the rail at a shorter angle. Soft banks are often closer to the mirror angle. Medium speed is a good place to start. Practice the same bank at different speeds to see what happens.
Spin on Bank Shots
Center ball is easiest. Side spin on the cue ball can change how the object ball comes off the rail, which makes banks harder to judge. Keep it simple while learning.
Calling Bank Shots
In official rules and many leagues, you call the ball and pocket. Banks are not obvious shots, so you may need to say “bank” clearly. In bars, rules may be looser. Our post on 8 ball call shot rules explains calling shots.
When to Use a Bank Shot
| Situation | Good Time to Bank? |
|---|---|
| Direct path blocked | Yes, if the bank is open |
| Easy direct shot available | No, take the easy shot |
| Miss leaves opponent stuck | Yes, this is a two way shot |
| Miss leaves opponent an easy out | Maybe play safe instead |
| Shooting the 8 | Only if you are confident |
The Two Way Bank
A smart idea is the two way shot. You try the bank, but you also plan the cue ball so that if you miss, your opponent has no easy shot. This keeps pressure on them either way.
When to Play Safe
If the bank is low odds and a miss gives your opponent a clear run, a safety might be better. Our post on how to make a safety shot in pool shows the idea.
Practice Drills
- Cross side bank: Put a ball near the side rail and bank it across into the opposite side pocket.
- Corner bank: Bank a ball off the long rail into a corner pocket.
- Speed drill: Shoot the same bank at soft, medium, and firm speed and see how the angle changes.
The Bottom Line
Bank shots in 8 ball use a rail to reach the pocket. Aim using the mirror pocket idea, start with medium speed and center ball, and call banks clearly when rules require it. Use banks when the direct shot is blocked, and play safe when a miss would hand your opponent the game.
Keep Reading on This Site
- Bar Pool Rules: How 8 Ball Is Often Played in Bars
- Scotch Doubles 8 Ball: How It Works and How to Win as a Team
- How to Break Up Clusters in 8 Ball: 6 Simple Ways to Free Stuck Balls
- 8 Ball Break Rules: What Makes a Legal Break and What Happens Next
- 8 Ball Strategy for Beginners: 7 Simple Ways to Win More Games
- How to Play 8 Ball Pool: 7 Simple Steps for Beginners
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you aim a bank shot in 8 ball?
Picture a mirror image of the pocket on the other side of the rail and aim the object ball at it.
Do you have to call bank shots in 8 ball?
In many leagues and official rules you must call the shot, and banks often need to be called clearly.
Why do my hard bank shots miss short?
Hard hits tend to come off the rail at a shorter angle. Try medium speed.
When should I bank instead of playing safe?
Bank when the shot is open and a miss would not leave your opponent an easy run.