Billard CaramboleCourse, systems & practice

The Conti test sheet, printable

An A4 page to take to the table: the four test shots with their diagram, and a table to fill in to find your billiard table's setting. Prints in black and white.

Download the PDF

Below, exactly what will come out of the printer.

Testing my table — the four Conti test shots

Table: ______________________   Room: ______________________   Date: ___ / ___ / ______

AIM · 1st CUSHION (long cushion at the top)START · long cushion at the bottom, then short cushion on the left0102030405070901520253035404550607080900102030405060708090100−100102030405060708090100ARRIVAL · 3RD CUSHIONARRIVAL · 4TH CUSHION311234
Test 1: start 50 → aim 30 → 3rd cushion 20 → 4th cushion 20
AIM · 1st CUSHION (long cushion at the top)START · long cushion at the bottom, then short cushion on the left0102030405070901520253035404550607080900102030405060708090100−100102030405060708090100ARRIVAL · 3RD CUSHIONARRIVAL · 4TH CUSHION31123419
Test 2: start 40 → aim 20 → 3rd cushion 20 → 4th cushion 19
AIM · 1st CUSHION (long cushion at the top)START · long cushion at the bottom, then short cushion on the left0102030405070901520253035404550607080900102030405060708090100−100102030405060708090100ARRIVAL · 3RD CUSHIONARRIVAL · 4TH CUSHION31123415
Test 3: start 30 → aim 10 → 3rd cushion 20 → 4th cushion 15
AIM · 1st CUSHION (long cushion at the top)START · long cushion at the bottom, then short cushion on the left0102030405070901520253035404550607080900102030405060708090100−100102030405060708090100ARRIVAL · 3RD CUSHIONARRIVAL · 4TH CUSHION31123445
Test 4: start 70 → aim 30 → 3rd cushion 40 → 4th cushion 45

To fill in: the number where the ball really arrives on the 4th cushion

TestStartAimExpectedTry 1Try 2Try 3Try 4Try 5KeptSetting
1503020
2402019
3301015
4703045

Kept = the number that comes up most often. Setting = kept − expected (e.g. 22 instead of 20 → +2).

How to play the tests

  1. Ball 1 on the test's start, aim at the given number on the 1st cushion.
  2. Always the same stroke: high hit, maximum "good" side spin, brisk speed (balls touched: at least 40 cm).
  3. Note where the ball arrives on the 4th cushion, 3 to 5 times per test.
  4. Keep the most frequent number, then work out the setting.

Using the setting

  • Add the setting to the calculated 4th cushion: 3rd arrival + start correction + setting.
  • Untested start: estimate between its two tested neighbors (+2 at 50 and +4 at 70: about +3 at 60). Never beyond the tests.
  • Redo the tests if the cloth or cushions change, in a different room, or from one season to the next.