Avoiding Kisses in Bank Shots: A Guide to Smarter Pool Play
Bank shots are among the most satisfying and skillful plays in pool and billiards. They require a mix of geometry, speed control, and precision. However, even the most carefully planned bank shot can be ruined by one common problem: the kiss. A kiss occurs when the cue ball and the object ball collide again after the initial contact, usually altering the path and preventing the intended pocketing.
The diagrams above demonstrate how ball positioning relative to the pocket determines whether a kiss is likely to happen. Understanding this subtle but critical difference can help you avoid frustrating misses and significantly improve your banking success rate.
What Is a “Kiss” in Pool?
In pool terminology, a kiss is an unintended collision between two balls after the cue ball has already struck the object ball. Instead of the object ball traveling cleanly toward the target pocket, the cue ball rebounds or follows too closely, colliding with it again. This second contact almost always disrupts the shot, causing a miss or leaving poor position for the next play.
Kisses are especially common in bank shots, where the object ball must travel to a cushion before reaching the pocket. Because the cue ball often remains close to the path of the object ball, the chance of a collision increases.
Diagram #1: The “Dead Kiss” Situation
In the first diagram, the balls are aligned on a straight line pointing to the facing of the corner pocket. The facing refers to the cushion edges that form the pocket entrance. When balls are aligned this way, the object ball banks toward the side of the pocket rather than its center.
The problem with this setup is that the cue ball and the object ball travel nearly the same line. As a result, the cue ball often catches up to the object ball and collides with it again—a classic kiss. This situation is referred to as a dead kiss, because it is extremely difficult to avoid unless you adjust the shot dramatically.
Players who are unaware of this dynamic may repeatedly miss bank shots, thinking their aim is off, when in fact the kiss is to blame.
Diagram #2: The Safe Bank Shot
In the second diagram, the balls are aligned to a straight line that runs toward the middle of the pocket, not the facing. Here, the object ball travels into the pocket cleanly, while the cue ball moves away on a different trajectory. Because the paths separate naturally, there is no kiss.
This demonstrates a key principle of banking: aim for the true center of the pocket rather than the cushion edges. By choosing an angle that sends the object ball more cleanly into the pocket, you reduce the risk of the cue ball interfering.
Why Kisses Ruin Bank Shots
The main reason kisses are so destructive is that they disrupt predictability. A good bank shot depends on precise angles and speed. When the cue ball and object ball make unintended secondary contact, several things can go wrong:
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The object ball is knocked offline and misses the pocket.
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The cue ball ends up in poor position for the next shot.
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In some cases, the cue ball scratches, giving the opponent ball-in-hand.
Because bank shots already carry lower percentages of success compared to direct shots, adding the risk of a kiss makes them even more unreliable. That’s why experienced players pay careful attention to avoiding kisses before attempting these shots.
How to Avoid Kisses in Bank Shots
Learning to recognize and prevent kisses is a skill that comes with practice and awareness. Here are some strategies that players can use:
1. Study Ball Alignment
As the diagrams show, if the line points toward the facing, the kiss is very likely. If the line points to the center of the pocket, the risk decreases. Train yourself to recognize these alignments before committing to the shot.
2. Use Cue Ball Spin
Applying topspin, draw, or side spin can change the path of the cue ball after contact. For example, a slight draw can pull the cue ball back and away from the object ball’s path, avoiding the kiss. Sidespin can also widen or shorten angles, creating separation.
3. Adjust Speed
Sometimes simply increasing or decreasing shot speed can prevent a kiss. A softer stroke allows the object ball to move ahead while the cue ball slows down, avoiding collision. Conversely, a firmer stroke can push the cue ball quickly off its line.
4. Choose a Different Shot
In competitive play, forcing a risky bank shot with a kiss possibility is often not worth it. Strong players evaluate their options and may choose a safety or a different offensive shot instead of gambling on a low-percentage bank.
Training Exercises for Kiss Awareness
To internalize kiss prevention, set up practice drills:
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Place balls in the alignment shown in Diagram #1 and attempt the bank. Watch how often the cue ball collides with the object ball. Then adjust your aim toward the middle of the pocket to replicate Diagram #2 and notice the difference.
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Practice adding spin to see how it changes the separation between the cue ball and object ball. Try both topspin and draw to learn which situations benefit from each.
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Challenge yourself to call whether a setup is a “kiss risk” before shooting. Over time, you’ll develop an instinctive feel for these situations.
The Mental Side of Avoiding Kisses
Like many aspects of pool, kiss awareness is partly about patience and discipline. Many players see a bank shot opportunity and rush, focusing only on the object ball’s route. Experienced players, however, take a moment to visualize not only the object ball but also the cue ball’s likely path after contact.
By slowing down and considering both balls, you reduce careless mistakes. Over time, this habit becomes automatic, and your banking percentage improves significantly.
Conclusion
Bank shots add excitement and style to pool, but they come with risks—chief among them being the kiss. As the diagrams demonstrate, aiming toward the facing of the pocket creates a dead kiss situation, while aiming toward the middle of the pocket allows a clean shot without interference.
By understanding this difference, practicing spin and speed control, and developing kiss awareness, you can transform bank shots from low-percentage gambles into reliable weapons. Whether you’re playing casually or in competition, avoiding kisses will give you a decisive edge and greater confidence at the table.
Next time you line up a bank, remember: don’t just see the pocket, see the kiss—and avoid it.