C a r o m news september-october

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Inside Billiards
INSTRUCTION FROM THE PROS with Darrell Paul Martineau D.P.M. Fancy Shots

D.P.M. Universal Systems
The following are some useful guides
from Darrell Paul Martineau’s book DPM
Universal Systems / Secrets of Three Cushion
Billiards. These guides can be used to un-
derstand the explanatory instructions for the
“Fancy Shots” that follow. The systems are
explained in much greater detail in the book
and are followed up with useful practice drills.
For more information from Darrell
Martineau or to order his books visit:
http://eztravel.com/billiards
D.P.M. Hit Zone System I first created these fancy shots back in
the late fifties early sixties. I am sure they
were well known long before I (found) them.
I was young and they were fun.
Creativity is one of the great aspects of
three cushion billiards. These shots have a
greater value. They can lead you to explora-
tion. Play them exactly as the graphs show
then expand from the “written word” and be
creative!!!
(More DPM Fancy Shots in upcoming Issues)

D.P.M. Side Rail System The “DPM Hit Zone” graph shows a
Cueing/Aiming Positions numbering system for how much the cue ball
hits the object ball. The full circle is the ob-
ject ball and the curved lines are the cue ball.

D.P.M. Speed System Guide

Speed is a very important element in cal-

culating a three cushion billiard shot. Often
a shot hit too hard or too soft will not score
the billiard. The D.P.M. Speed guide system
is intended to work with the systems shown
throughout the DPM Universal Systems book.
The guide shown gives you the proper
speed by: Name; Number; Total Rails and
Lengths of the Table.
1=Extra Light =One Rail =1/2 Length of Table
2=Very Light =Two Rails =1 Length
3=Light =Three Rails =1 1/2 Lengths
4=Light Med. =Four Rails =2 Lengths
5=Medium =Five Rails =2 1/2 Lengths
6=Med. Hard =Six Rails =3 Lengths
7=Hard =Seven Rails =3 1/2 Lengths
8=Very Hard =Eight Rails =4 Lengths
The (S) means standard. Use this english 9=Extra Hard =Nine Rails =4 1/2 Lengths
+=Maximum =Nine Plus =5 Lengths
when you want the Total Number. The Total
Number is the total of: the first rail object These Speeds can be accomplished by
ball number; any gain from the top rail num- different methods, however, in most cases the
bers; and any gain or loss from the cue ball/ harder you want to hit the shot the longer
object ball angle. This Total Number is the the bridge and/or follow through will be
third to fourth rail connective diamond num- needed.
ber. A shot can be lengthened with either Now try applying the Zone System and
more spin and a thinner hit or when the angle Speed System information to the “Fancy
is open use a high ball with a number 3 Shots” that follow, also extracted from DPM
(magic) hit. Universal Systems / Secrets of Three Cushion
Billiards.