Pool Playing Tips to help you with the game and the fun of billiards:
- Cradle your cue, don’t hold it in a “death-grip”. You’ll have more control by cradling the cue.
- Stand in a position that is both comfortable and that evenly distributes your body weight. A solid foundation is what you’re looking for when you shoot.
- “Lock” your cue stick into position by using the proper hand bridge.
- Practice your stroke making sure it is smooth and even.
- Keep your cue stick level with the table.
- When learning to cue the ball, don’t stray to far from the vertical center of the ball.
- If you’re looking to have the cue ball follow right behind the ball you’re aiming for, hit it just above vertical center.
- If you’re in need of having the cue ball come back towards the point of origin, hit it just below vertical center.
- To apply either right or left “English” hit slightly to the right or left of vertical center. Just remember that English can be very hard to control.
- Chalk your cue stick before every shot.
- Keep each shot as simple as possible. There’s no need to make any shot more difficult than it needs to be.
- Analyze each missed shot and you’ll figure out why you missed and how not to miss next time.
- Pick you shot and go for it. Second guessing just keeps you from concentrating fully on making the shot properly and with success.
- Practice, Practice, Practice. It really does make perfect, plus, it’s fun!
- Treat your table, billiard balls and cue sticks with care, they are the tools of the trade.
- The game is not about how hard and fast you can hit the ball, it’s about technique, finesse and control.
- Look ahead and plan your shot. As much as you want to make your shot, you don’t want to leave your opponent with a great shot when you’re done.
- Have fun. Unless you’re playing professionally you’re probably playing for the enjoyment of the game, so enjoy it!