System for Table Run Strategy in Peruvian Billiards with Real-Time Oject Detection using YOLOv8n

The main challenge for billiard players, regardless of their skill level, is to develop a strategy that allows them to consecutively pocket balls in a single turn, commonly known as “closing the table.” This strategy requires high precision and consistency, especially for less experienced players. This study integrates a YOLOv8n model, a shot suggestion algorithm, and a shot prediction algorithm to build a system that aids players in developing this “table closing” strategy through visual guides indicating the shots to take and where to position the cue ball for the next shot. The proposed system follows these phases: (1) Selection of the video camera, (2) Selection of the object detection technique, (3) Development of the shot suggestion algorithm, (4) Development of the shot prediction algorithm, and (5) System construction. Phases (1) and (2) address the implementation of the YOLOv8n model, while phases (3) and (4) involve the development of algorithms for the “table closing” strategy. To validate the system's effectiveness, an experiment with 24 players of different skill levels was conducted, showing that the system reduced the average number of shots needed to close a table to 22, compared to the 47-shot average of professional players. Beginners accepted 100% of the system's recommendations, while intermediate and professional players showed acceptance rates of 95.1% and 95.6%, respectively. A survey indicated high overall satisfaction, with a median response of 4.5 on a 5-point scale. The system also demonstrates significant competitive advantages over existing solutions by maintaining high detection and prediction accuracy while effectively functioning in real-world scenarios, leveraging the latest advances in computer vision to surpass older techniques in both effectiveness and efficiency.