Bank Shot Meaning in Billiards

A bank shot sends the object ball off a cushion before pocketing it. The player aims at the cushion instead of directly at the pocket. The ball rebounds off the rail at an angle. Players judge this angle carefully. Bank shots open creative scoring options. They also help when direct lines are blocked. For example, a player banks the 8-ball off the side cushion into the corner pocket. Good bank shots rely on angle awareness and touch.