How to
Use Math
to Beat
Everyone
at Pool
26 January/February 2022
D e e p M a t h
8
// B Y S A R A H W E L L S A N D C O U R T N E Y L I N D E R //P
OOL IS AS MUCH A BATTLE AGAINST CHAOS AS IT IS
a battle between two opponents. Unless you’re a pro, it’s
likely you’ll misalign your cue stick with the cue ball, or
miscalculate the angle for your next shot. As your errors com-
pound, the conditions on the table become less predictable.
But a secret mathematical weapon known as a dynami-
cal system could help you dominate the table. These systems
function under a specific, consistent set of laws over time, meaning
you can master them through study, observation, and experience.
Researchers use them to build predictive models for things like plan-
etary orbits and the path of a viral disease through a population.
There are two primary types of dynamical systems: determinis-
tic and stochastic. Pool is a deterministic dynamical system becauseIf you want to practice
your angles, and get a feel
for the rules of motion
on the table, use your cue
stick like a protractor. It’ll
help you visualize where
your ball will bounce.PHOTOGRAPH BY TREVOR RAAB