Billiards Pro

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9ball pool has been long known as "the hustlers' game". As a beginner to 9ball, you can easily become an easy target to some random pool shark. Follow these guidelines and learn how to avoid being hustled when playing 9ball pool.

If you enjoy playing 9 ball pool, whether in your favorite online pool room or at your local pool hall, you will probably enjoy playing the pool games described below.

How Pool Hustlers Play 9Ball
The best and the worse thing in 9ball is that you can actually end the game on the opening break shot. In this pool game, once someone pockets the 9-ball, (providing the cue ball hit the lowest numbered ball), the game is over. Therefore, pool hustlers who have gained experience in pool halls, will not find it difficult to pocket the 9-ball at an early stage of the game and to grab your money on the same occasion.

Another one of 9ball rules upside and downside is the "three consecutive fouls" rule, according to which, a player who commits three consecutive fouls (including a scratch) is penalized with the loss of the game. And you can count on those evil pool sharks to take advantage of this rule and to hustle the pool table so their poor victims would perform one foul after another.
As you can see, 9-ball pool rules offer many advantages for the blood thirsty pool hustler. (And we didn't even mention the "push out" rule, which allows the player to improve the position of the cue ball after the break shot, i.e. allows the hustler to hide the cue ball before your next shot) By following these tips, you will be able to enjoy playing 9-ball knowing your money is safe and protected:

How to Avoid Being Hustled in 9Ball
Rack
Note that the 9-ball has to be placed at the center of the rack. Otherwise, once you forget to follow this minor principle, it will be easily drowned by your opponent at the beginning of the game.

Opening Break Shot
Fast and powerful opening break shot is a common beginners' mistake, which usually leads to a scratch or any other unpleasant foul. If you follow pro pool players (or hustlers), you'll notice that they put bigger emphasize on cue ball control than on speed and power. Therefore, practice more on how to cause the cue ball hit the 1-ball and then sinking the 9-ball instead of on how to break the rack and the pool hall lamps at the same shot.

Stance
The stance is an important principle in billiards, and 9-ball is not exceptional. It is recommended to adjust a different stance for making the break shot in 9-ball. Therefore, as you intend to break the 9-ball rack, straighten yourself a bit and move most of your weight to your frontal leg. Additionally, to add some power to your stroke, let your body move along with your arm.

9-Ball Strategy
Finally, 9-ball pool strategy is different than 8-ball or any other pool game strategy. Unlike other pool games, 9-ball pool strategy focuses mainly on position playing and planning accurate shots. It would be wrong strategy to start by showing off some difficult, long shots when you can get some decent achievements by making simple shots while focusing on pocketing the 9-ball.

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Product Details:
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Frame is 25 by 32 inches

COOL GIFTS FOR THE SERIOUS POOL PLAYER

The Spider Aim Trainer - $ 89.95
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BallStar Pool and Billiards Ball Cleaner
Ball Star Cleaner cleans 8 balls at a time comes with 1 liter of ball polish (good for 500 cycles) and 2 additional cleaning pads. There are three cleaning settings to use depending on how soiled the balls are. Two cycles are required to clean one set.

Ball Star Cleaner cleans 8 balls at a time comes with 1 liter of ball polish (good for 500 cycles) and 2 additional cleaning pads. There are three cleaning settings to use depending on how soiled the balls are. Two cycles are required to clean one set.

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If you're ready to step your game up to the next level, take a look at the wide selection of performance cues we carry. Having a high performance cue can mean the difference between making and missing that crucial shot. Whether it?s a Predator 314, a Z shaft, a Meucci Black Dot Shaft or a cue with a high performance tip and ferrule, taking your game to the next level requires practice, dedication and the right tools.

Mezz MI02 - Gabon Ebony with Micarta and Turquoise Pool Cue Stick
Mezz's unique treatment method, meticulous assembly, precision fit and superior craftsmanship all come together to create a cue of exceptional quality and playability. · The United Joint is Mezz’s newest innovation in cue joint design and the most solid system available. Its unique construction ensures precise butt shaft alignment every time. · The combination of American and Japanese technologies truly holds it own to the Japanese definition for Mezz – something that is loved, something that is treasured.

Specifications Overview Related Products Tip: 12.8mm Moori Tip
Ferrule: X Ferrule
Shaft: 29" hardrock maple
Collar: Stainless Steel
Joint: Stainless Steel
Pin: Mezz United Joint 5/16 x 14 semi quick release
Forearm: Gabon Ebony, Turquoise, Micarta
Rings: Nickel silver rings
Wrap: Black Irish Linen
Sleeve: Gabon Ebony, Turquoise, Micarta
Plate: Black
Bumper: Black rubber

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Predator Blak 2 Ebony with White Micarta Inlays and Aluminum Diamonds Pool Cue Stick - $ 939.20 Designed for the world’s most discriminating players Blak’s stunning looks will distract your opponents. And with advanced Predator engineering – like a ten-piece shaft for unmatched accuracy and C4 technology reinforced with phenolic to cut down on vibration – its performance will destroy them.

The Sneaky Pete or Hustler style cue is the oldest and most traditional design for a two piece cue. The original concept for the Sneaky Pete was to create a cue that would look like a standard bar cue when assembled. That way, if a pool hustler was using a high end cue, his opponents would see his cue and just assume it was a bar cue.

Today, fewer people buy Sneaky Pete cues for the sole purpose of hustling unsuspecting pool players. Because of the traditional style and inherent beauty of the Sneaky Pete, it remains one of the most popular and best selling pool cue design styles on the market today. HERES A POPULAR SNEAKY PETE POOL CUE

Falcon FAL01 - Ebony Points Sneaky Pete Pool Cue Stick
If you’re looking for a high quality, high performance cue without a lot of hype, the Falcon FAL01 sneaky pete pool stick will have you “chalking up” wins in no time. Natural stained Birdseye Maple on the forearm features inlays of four ebony points, and the wrap and sleeve incorporate dark rosewood. Coupled with a hardrock maple shaft and stainless steel joint, this is a traditional hustler cue with a stiff, solid hit. Best of all, it offers great value at an affordable price. When you play with a Falcon cue, you will understand why pool professional such as Jeannette Lee, Karen Corr, Nick Varner, Shih Mei Liu and Jennifer Chen have used Falcon cues to win matches and titles.

Specifications Overview Related Products Tip: 13mm Triangle Tip
Ferrule: Aegis linen
Shaft: 29" hardrock maple, 12" to 14" pro taper
Collar: None
Joint: Stainless Steel with Brass Insert
Pin: 5/16 x 14 stainless steell
Forearm: Birdseye Maple stained natural, 4 ebony points
Rings: N/A
Wrap: None
Sleeve: Rosewood
Plate: None
Bumper: Black rubber
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Cameras love 9ball pool for a reason: in a game where you can declare victory after a single shot and leave your opponent drooling over the pool table in idleness, the first minutes of the game have magnetizing power. As if the opening break shot of a billiard game is not nerve-racking enough, in 9ball, the suspension is super sized. Will the breaker manage to pocket the 9-ball on the first shot? Will the opponent even get the chance to shoot?

As opposed to what mean youtube commenters tend to think, making an explosive, one-minute opening break shot in 9ball does not have much to do with luck. It has nothing to do with force or power either. In the next chapters you'll be able to find out how a great 9ball opening break shot can be done. But before, here is a visual example of what we are talking about:


[Opening break shot in 9ball pool]

Top 9ball pool players manage to pocket a ball on the opening break shot and immediately afterwards clear out the table. How the hell do they do it? As implied earlier, they don't do it by hitting the cue ball violently. On top of a risk of scratching and/or having the ball/s jump off the table, in most cases, it is less affective than a restrained shot, whereby the shooter has as much control as possible over the cue ball.

These words were meant to emphasize how NOT to break in 9ball.
Now we get to How to Break in 9ball Pool:

• Make sure that the balls in the rack are tight and frozen. Otherwise, it will be difficult for the 9-ball to break out of its comfortable place at the middle of the rack.

• The cue ball should be placed down the head string. However, it is not recommended to shoot from the head string and straight towards the 1-ball.

• Tune your state of mind to pocket a ball in such a way that will break the ground for the next, easier shot.

• And remember, violence will take you nowhere; concentrate and take control over your cue ball.

• After all these preparations, hit the cue ball slightly above center in an attempt to contact the 1-ball. In the best case scenario, the cue ball will flick through the 1-ball and then stop dead. (In a better than best case, you'll be clearing off the cushion in less than two minutes…Something like that:)

Playing pool online is more convenient and accessible than playing traditional real-life pool, but not necessarily easier. In order to play pool online, you must learn the game rules as well as apply the same strategies and techniques you would have used playing pool at a pool hall or any other offline location. If you think that when choosing to play pool games online you are spared of thinking, practicing and strategizing, think again. Here you can learn how to play pool online and win (or at least, lose less).


Training Mode
Most online pool rooms include a training mode feature, which allows you to practice the functions and getting used to the aiming and shooting in a competitive-free environment. So use it. Even if you are confident about your online pool playing skill, don't hurry to compete with some actual players before getting used to the controls of the game.


Practice, Practice, Practice
When it comes to practice – the more is the better. You wouldn't be engaging in a real-life game without performing some warm-up shots, hopefully. Therefore, even when you intend to play pool online, especially if you are in the real money mode, play some single player games so you'll arrive to the real match as prepared as possible.


Strategy
Speaking of pool strategies, when playing pool online, not all techniques and difficult shots can be applied. Leave the jump shots, masse shots and cut shots to the real-life pool hall and focus on the mental game, which is a subject for a whole different article…

When it comes to pool games, there are two main types of strategies: the offensive strategy and the defensive one. Since many pool players claim that the winning strategy in pool game is a combination of these two strategies, this article will help you out with understanding each of the strategies, so you can use them in your play.
Defensive and Offensive strategies
Play Safe
Playing defensive strategy in pool games means playing safety. According to most pool professionals, mastering your offensive skill, knowing how to handle difficult shots and an ability to play safety is the key to success in most pool games including 8 ball, 9 ball and straight pool (14.1 continuous).

Combine Safety with Offensive Pool Strategy
When you look at professional pool matches, you might not notice that appliance of a defensive billiard strategy at first sight. Since the offensive strategy, the shot making and the pocketing of balls is more notable to the spectator, many people mistakenly believe that the offensive play has more weight. However, skilled pool players know how to combine the safety play in their offensive pool strategy so it appears as a natural part of the play.

Playing pool using a defensive strategy allows you to have more time to plan your offensive strategy by holding back your opponent's offense. Playing safety can have a negative effect on your opponent's mental game, which will give you a meaningful edge that would eventually lead to your victory.

The best pool strategy would be to combine offensive and defensive strategy. It not only gives you the benefit of the defensive play, but it also confuses your opponents, cause them to make more mistakes and in the bottom line, cause you to win in more and more pool games.

If you want to hustle in pool, you must have two qualities: the ability to perform sophisticated looking trick shots and an acting skill. Morals of a sweat shop manage would be an advantage as well.

Since we are not talking about a career of a traveling pool hustler; just about the ability to step out of a pool hall with deeper pockets and chubbier ego, these qualities can certainly be practiced and sharpened.

You don't have to be a professional pool player nor an acting student to hustle some strangers at a pool hall. All you have to do is to handle some amazing trick shots while looking indifferent about your money. Here you are the top seven ways to hustle in pool without being recognized as a pool hustler:

1. Practice your shot making technique constantly. You must be able to shoot the cue ball at ease as well as carry at least one difficult shot such as cut shot, throw, etc.

2. Don't reveal your tricks too soon. No one would volunteer to hand you their money. Therefore, you should start by playing sloppily, lose in a few games and wait till some sucker gets caught in your trap before showing them what you've got.

3. Don't use your personal pool cue (if you have any). Play with the house cue in order to create the impression of a player who does not take his pool hobby too seriously.

4. Start by playing a game or two for fun and then bet on some small amounts of money. Raise the stake only after the sucker seems to be convinced of his advantages over you.

5. If you can, bring along a friend who would pretend to be a stranger that beats you up and chooses to quit while he is ahead.

6. Act as if you are drunk or just stupid. Fail in some really easy shots and then perform some difficult shots successfully, but react surprised as if it all happened by accident.

7. Pay attention to your victim. If he loses on easy shots but wins on difficult ones; plays with the house cue and agrees to raise the bets gradually, he might be a pool hustler.

Billiard Origin
The origin of all billiard games is an outdoor game similar to croquet, used to be played in France on the 14th century. Due to the game popularity among royalty as well as common people and thanks to the capriciousness of the European weather, the billiard game was born as an indoor game. Billiard was played on a table covered with green felt in order to resemble the lawn on which the ancestor game was played.


Billiard and the Law
The billiard game was outlawed for many years and in different countries: still at the early days of billiard, the game was accused of being immoral. Therefore, this faulty activity and its devoted players were chased by the Church. On the early history of American billiards, when the term "pool room" was still a synonym for horse betting parlor, the game was illegal in many states. Even Thomas Jefferson had to hide a billiard table in his residency.


1st World Championship
Nevertheless, the first world championship in sports history was the 1873 World Billiards Championship. William Cook won the title. John Roberts was the runner up.


Billiard and Celebs
Other historic celebrities who had owned a billiard table include King Louis XI and Mary the Queen of Scots (whose billiard table cloth was used by her assassins as cerements). Captain Mingaud, whose responsible for inventing the leather cue tip, had a billiard table in his prison cell.


Pool halls History
The first public pool hall in history was built in England during the end of the 18th century. The pool hall featured one billiard table with one pocket. The biggest pool hall in history was built in Detroit in the 1920s; it featured more than 100 tables in addition to an exhibition room attached to a 250-seats theatre hall.


Billiard's French Origins
The term "billiard" is derived from the French word for mace – billiart. Before the cue stick was invented (the term "cue" also has French origins. Queue, is tail in French), a wooden mace with a handle, similar to a tail, was used to shoot the balls. For a long period after the cue stick invention, only men were allowed to use it; women billiard players were automatically accused of misusing the cue and ripping the table cloth.


Billiard's 1st Female Champion
The first woman who won in World Billiard Champion was actually a man. The woman billiard champion, who was known by the name of Frances Anderson and for outplaying (almost) every man and woman in both the American and European billiards world throughout the first centuries of the 20th century, came out as a man that was born under the name of Orie and created quite a stir on the 1920s billiards circle.

As opposed to what pool hustlers want you to believe, not all pool trick shots require 24 hours practicing a day. Some trick shots can be learned within few hours of rehearsing and still look stunning (assuming you have already acquired the knowledge of hitting the cue ball under simple circumstances).

Here is a step-to-step guide to some of the easiest pool trick shots. These are set-up shots, which involve no more than one object ball, one cue ball, one cue and one skilled shooter.


Let's start with the difficult looking but easy to apply CUT SHOT:
1. Put one ball next to the rail about foot away from one of the corner pockets.
2. Place the cue ball where it would create a right angle together with the rail.
3. Now, all you have to do is to apply a cut shot and pocket the ball.

How? Well, that's the trick:
(a) Aim towards the rail instead of the object ball.
(b) Use inside English to shoot the ball. In other words, hit the cue ball off center on the side closer to the angle created from the position of the balls relative to the pocket.
(c) The cue ball will spin, press down the rail and rebound at an angel.
(d) As a result, the object ball will contact the rail and drop into the chosen corner pocket. Easy as domino!

Tips: • As easy as it sounds, this trick shot requires some practicing.
• The object ball should be frozen to the rail.


Let's continue with an even simpler trick shot - the easy DOUBLE SHOT:
1. Place the cue ball next to the bottom rail and the cue ball next to the middle diamond.
2. Your goal is to pocket the object ball to the corner pocket and straight away to pull out the ball from the pocket, have the cue ball hit the top rail, rebound and re-pocket the object ball. That's what the double is all about.
3. How? Simple:
(a) Aim between the first and the second diamonds
(b) Strike, with sufficient amount of force, at the right side of the cue ball.
(c) When the cue ball hits the top rail, pull out the object ball and place it near the corner pocket.

Tips:
• Needless to say, practice is required. Pay attention to the amount of force required to send the ball to the rail and back to the corner pocket.
• The two balls have to be frozen to each other.
• The pre-positioning of the balls has to be accurate in order to succeed in this trick shot.


TWO RAILS REVERSE SHOT
One last trick shot, two rails reverse shot, and we will set you free to the nearest pool hall to practice, practice and practice:
1. Put the object ball next to the rail.
2. The edge of the object ball has to touch the edge of one of the side pockets.
3. Place the cue ball along the center line of the pool table so you can imagine a straight line stretches from the object ball to the cue ball.
4. The object ball has to hit two rails before dropping into the second side pocket.
(a) Aim towards half of the object ball.
(b) Apply maximum draw, i.e. strike the cue ball below center so as a result of its contact with the object ball the latter will spin backwards and then forward directly towards the pocket.

Tips: • As you practice, focus on the minimum force that can be applied on the cue ball. In other words, practice some trial shots until you get the idea. • Good luck!

PLAY POOL GAMES ONLINE HERE

John Schmidt, 2005 U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion

If you had to pick a theme song, what would it be?

Oh, it's "Eye of the Tiger." That's a no-brainer. I'm sure everybody says that. "Eye of the Tiger,' the Rocky theme.


What was the first cue you ever owned?
A Cuetec. It was a red one, a red, fiberglass-bottom Cuetec. That was about '92 or '93, I suppose.


Do you have a hero?

Probably Bobby Hunter (1990 World 14.1 Champion). He's just a stand-up guy with good morals and character. If you gave him $50,000 and he said, "I'll hold it for the night and give it back to you tomorrow," you'd get it. The guy is just a stand-up guy, and it's a shame that there's not more of him in the game of pool.


When you're game goes South, what's typically the problem?Jumping up and getting way too hard on myself when I mess up. I just go into a self-destruct mode where I almost convince myself in 10 seconds that I suck. And I go right off the deep end sometimes, but I'm getting better about not doing that stuff. So in a roundabout way, it has something to do with self-confidence, I suppose.


What's the best piece of advice, related to pool, that you've ever received?
Learn to play one-pocket, and you'll make a lot of money. That's what Jack Cooney told me, and he was right. Eighty percent of the money I have saved today was from playing one pocket. I won $200,000 playing the game, over ten years. Whatever, I don't know how much … a lot.


What is the strongest aspect of your game?

Well, people say my shot making, and I think it's nothing in particular, I just think I'm fairly solid - I'm not the greatest at one thing - but I'm pretty good. I think my strength is that I've played all the games, so they all help my overall pool game.


What's the one thing you need to work on the most?

My kicking is not great. And quite honestly, I give too much respect to some players. I just put some guys on such a pedestal in my mind, that I don't play my game against them."


What's your biggest vice?

My biggest vice, that's a no-brainer: golf. I mean, if I win the lottery, I would play golf 36 holes a day until I was dead.


What drives you crazy when you're at the table?

Wet, dirty conditions. That bugs me, because I know how a table should play and how I can play on good conditions. I tell you one of my pet peeves: The phenolic tip on jump cues scuff the cover of the cue balls. And what happens is, imagine taking a piece of sandpaper and scratching the cue ball. If you look at it, you can actually look at it and see all these real big scratches. Well those react, and you get skids a lot. That kind of bugs me. And the luck of 9-ball is ridiculous. To have the best players in the world miss and hook you, or for me to miss and hook somebody or luck the ball into another pocket - I shouldn't win like that.


If you never picked up a cue, what would you be doing right now?
Ah, it could be anything. I would've loved to be a pro golfer, but that's not to say I could've made it. I'm not really a big, strong guy, and in today's game you got to hit it so far, and I don't hit it far enough to really be a pro. I average about 280 yards. With my swing speed I would be an average-length hitter. If I was 6'2", 220 pounds and I had my golf swing, and I hit it 350, I'd be tough. I'm a runt, I'm stuck with it.


What's the best way to deal with a guy who's trying to shark you?

Ask him to play ten-ahead for all his money right after the match. They don't like that, that's why a lot of guys are polite to me. They know if they get me riled up, I might just ask them to gamble for a little bit. … I got a theory on this, to be honest with you. I don't feel that the players are actually trying to shark each other. What it is, we're under such pressure for so little money to play for that it's so stressful, that it creates arguments. It's almost like a drunk - you're not seeing the real person. These guys don't literally sit there at the beginning of a match and think, "I will shark this guy," because that doesn't win games. We know that it doesn't make you win. But it's a result of being anxious, nervous, uptight, whatever you want to call it. If I've ever sharked anybody, I guarantee it's because I was nervous, not because I really thought, "I'll shark this guy, and that'll help me win." We have way more to worry about than that.


Of all the games you've played, which is your favorite?

My favorite game to play for money is one-pocket. My favorite game to play to practice is probably straight pool. I like playing straight pool for money, too.


What is it about straight pool that's good for practice?
It's just a hard game. In 9-ball, the rack gets easier as the rack progresses. In straight pool, it gets harder as the rack progresses because you run out of options. It's just a difficult game, and it's just so hard to run over 100 balls. The pressure mounts as your run gets higher. You know, the pressure mounts … and you can't luck balls in playing straight pool.




Finish this phrase: Pool is like life, because…

You get knocked down all the time, and you have to learn to get back up.


Before I die, I want to…

I would like to sing the national anthem at Yankee Stadium, buck naked on a cold day. That's what you put down, that's my answer.


Players should fear me, because…

I don't want to answer that. I don't want to look so arrogant to say, "Oh yeah, 'cause I'm this and that." I don't want them to fear me. I just maybe want respect from them. I'm not looking for fear, just mutual respect.



COURTESY OF POOL DAWG

Billiard Boot Camp for Beginners


Drill Instructor Mark Wilson is looking for a few volunteers who think they have what it takes to be all that they can be on the billiards battlefield. If you think you have what it takes, accept this six-week boot camp challenge to max out your skills.

The drills at Billiard Boot Camp are designed to reinforce proper stroke technique and to produce positive high-yield results. Don't expect instant success, but do expect to see rapid improvement that is in direct proportion to the effort you put into the drills. Billiard Boot Camp drills concentrate on the most basic and the most useful skills in the pool arsenal. While the drills may seem remedial, you'll see faster results with these drills than you will with more complicated, seemingly more "advanced" routines, because your muscle memory is being trained for perfect, duplicable performance.

By concentrating on shots that are not used frequently enough by most players to be perfected through repetition - specialty shots like banks, combinations and kicks - you'll round out your playing skills and have the weapons you need when the battle calls for them.

At the completion of Billiard Boot Camp, you'll be capable of performing at peak levels despite the stress of battle. If you're confused by some of the terminology, check out the glossary at the end of the article.


THE STROKE

Now that you've enlisted, you'll need to know how to fire your weapon. No less a warrior than the legendary Jerry Briesath advocates the importance of a consistent stroke for a well-stocked arsenal. The goal is to be able to deliver a consistent and accurate cue stroke on demand. The benefits are twofold: a repeating stroke yields on-demand accuracy and speed control, and by eliminating varied cue-tip deliveries, it develops judgment skills. To develop a better stroke, you'll need to practice the motion, but more importantly, you'll need to analyze the results.

The Drill: Place the cue ball on the foot spot and shoot it to the corner pocket. Now look at where the cue stick comes to rest. You'll know you're on the right track if the cue stick has traveled over the center of the spot, and the tip stops four to six inches beyond the spot without having twisted to the left or right. To monitor twisting, use a sight attached to the cue. Sights are available from billiard suppliers, or you may simply draw a pencil line on the cue four to five inches from the tip. Warm up with this drill for 10 minutes at the start of each day's practice session, paying special attention to the results. Even when you're drilling other skills, always check your follow-through.


POSITION PLAY: All position-play judgments are based on the path of a neutral, or zero-spin, cue ball. By mastering zero spin, topspin and bottom spin, you can control the path of the cue ball after it hits the object ball.





The Drill: Place the 9 ball and a cue ball together about 20 to 24 inches from the corner pocket so that an imaginary line drawn from the center of the corner pocket passes through the center of each ball, as shown in Diagram 1. The cue ball represents the contact point of a straight-in shot that would pocket the ball. To establish the zero-spin line (that is, the path the ball will travel after pocketing the 9 ball using zero spin), roll another ball from slightly left of the imaginary line, hitting the cue ball so that the 9 ball is pocketed. Now mark the path of the cue ball by placing the 3 ball on this path, as shown in Diagram 2.








Be sure to mark the placement of the balls with chalk so that you can practice the same shot repeatedly. Next, using your cue stick, apply the most extreme topspin possible and soft speed to pocket the ball. Mark the path of the cue ball by placing the 1 ball on that line. Finally, pocket the same shot but use maximum backspin with soft speed and place the 2 ball on this line. The 1 and the 2 show the extremes of your cue-ball control. Practice top, bottom-, and zero-spin control by pocketing the 9 while bringing the cue ball to each of these positions. Next, practice position control by bringing the cue ball between the 1 and the 3 or the 2 and the 3.

The ADVANCED Drill: Set up a channel of balls approximately three balls wide as shown in Diagram 3. Locate the channel anywhere between the extreme topspin position and the extreme backspin position. To execute the drill, pocket the 9 ball while controlling the cue ball so it passes through the channel of balls.







BANK SHOTS

Bank shots - shots in which the cue ball drives an object ball off at least one rail before continuing in a desired path - are often a weakness. Speed, object ball spin, cloth conditions, humidity, rail condition and cue accuracy are just a few of the many variables that can interfere with predictable results. To master bank shots, you have to rely on the muscle memory of having made perfect banks repeatedly. Again, knowing you have a consistent stroke will help you zero in on the specifics of the bank shot. You'll see results faster by drilling the perfect-angle shots than you would with off-angle shots.

The Drill: Scatter the balls all over the table so there are no clusters or balls hanging in the pocket. Practice making bank shots using ball-in-hand to set up a perfect angle for each shot. You'll know you've got the perfect angle if the ball follows the line of the hit and does not wander to the left or right. By using ball-in-hand, you'll set up the ideal alignment and accelerate your "perfect-angle judgment," while reinforcing muscle memory. Use a firm center-ball stop-shot hit and be sure to check the tip of the cue after each shot for twist and follow-through.


COMBINATION SHOTS

Combination Shots - shots involving multiple object balls - can be very complex. The margin of error increases exponentially when more than one object ball is involved. In competition, combination shots are generally avoided, but adding them to your arsenal will give you the edge over a less-prepared opponent. In the Philippines, players master the combination shot by playing 15-ball rotation, which is similar to 9-Ball, but with all 15 balls in play. Anyone who has followed men's professional pool lately knows that the Filipinos dominate the scene.

The Drill: Distribute the object balls about eight inches apart and at least one foot from the pocket. With cue ball in hand, attempt to pocket as many combinations as possible. Once you gain command of combination shot-making, concentrate on controlling the path of the non-pocketed object ball.


KICK SHOTS

A kick shot is a play where the cue ball strikes the cushion prior to contacting an object ball. This situation arises after a defensive move by the opponent, or if you've left yourself poor position. As with other specialty shots, consistent strokes are the key to controlling the balls. The speed and spin on the cue ball create multiplied effects when it strikes the cushion, so don't let an unpredictable cue stroke add to the difficulty. Efren Reyes, a world champion, has elevated the kick to an art, controlling contact, aim and speed.

The Drill: Start by placing an object ball near an end rail, and with cue ball in hand, kick the object ball to a predetermined quadrant of the table. Gradually reduce the size of the target area until you can control it to within a square-foot area. As always, check your cue-tip position after the stroke.

Next, set up balls hanging in the pockets and practice kicking them in. Once you can predictably pocket the hanging balls, move them farther from the pocket and continue practicing, using precise accurate strokes.

Finally, concentrate on controlling the cue ball after a kick shot. Start with the object ball near a cushion, and practice cue-ball control, using both thick and thin hits and various spins on the cue ball to move the ball to, first, a specific quadrant of the table, and eventually to a square-foot target.


HEAVY ARTILLERY

The power stroke comes in handy when you need to move the object ball a long distance. Power comes from tip speed, and tip speed comes from a longer swing, a longer bridge and a longer backswing. By expanding the stroke length, however, any deviations are amplified, so once again, consistency is paramount.

Adding power to your break stroke is equally important. Golfers will allocate buckets of balls to their tee shot, and cueists should pay the same attention to their break shot. But power is useless without accuracy, so begin by using easy accurate strokes, and add the horsepower as your control can handle it.

The Drill: Place the cue ball on the head spot and strike the ball with an extended stroke, an longer backswing and a longer brigs than usual. Concentrate on achieving a smooth, comfortable rhythm. Be sure to check tip position for accuracy. Drive the ball across the table and back as many times as possible while maintaining control.


CAROMS

Caroms help you practice aspects of the game that are either avoided or simply don't occur often enough to gain the necessary repetition that leads to mastery.




The Drill: An order from General Efren Reyes, a rotation master. Place the cue ball and two object balls on the table near each other. Shoot the cue ball so it contacts both object balls on each shot. Here's the plan for Diagram 4: Set up two object balls as shown. The ghost ball by the 1 illustrates the ideal contact point for the cue ball to carom off the 1 and pocket the 2. Mark the position of the balls so you can practice the same shot repeatedly.

Now, try this with balls all over the table. Any ball pocketed returns to the foot spot. Score one point for every carom. The goal is to keep the object balls close together so repeated scoring is possible. Building runs of caroms requires forethought and planning. Scoring once is not hard, but building runs in the double figures is a sign that muscle memory and focus are in good working order. This drill will pay off when position and safety play are called for.


9-BALL BATTERY

Drilling 9 Ball will reinforce the shots you must make over and over again. Positive reinforcement, grooving your stroke and lengthening your peak concentration span are your rewards.

The Drill: Start by breaking a rack of 9-ball, and then take ball in hand and run out the rack. Work up to 15-ball rotation. Challenge yourself with 9-Ball Ghost: Break a rack of 9-Ball, then take cue ball in hand anywhere on the table to begin. If you legally pocket the 9 ball on this turn, you win. If you fail to pocket the 9, the ghost wins. Play to seven out of 13.


The SIX-WEEK BILLIARD BOOT CAMP TRAINING PROGRAM

This program (see below) will give you maximum results in a minimum amount of time by attacking the pool shots that cause the most problems for players. Pool playing should be fun, but in order to improve, you will have to put in more than just 90 minutes; you'll need to be focused and committed to improving. The payoff will be sharper shooting and more enjoyment from the game.

The program is designed to maintain your focus by keeping practices challenging and varied. Remember, before you play - whether it's practice or competition - always take a moment to prepare mentally and focus on the task at hand.


BOOTCAMP PROGRAM

Week One

Seven-day evolution for bank shots

10 minutes Warm-up

20 minutes 9-Ball break training

30 minutes Bank-shot drill

10 minutes Beginner position drill

20 minutes 9-Ball ghost race to 7


Week TWO

Seven-day evolution for combination shots

10 minutes Warm-up

20 minutes 9-Ball break training

30 minutes Combination-shot drill

10 minutes Beginner position drill

20 minutes 9-Ball ghost race to 7


Week THREE

Seven-day evolution for kick shots

10 minutes Warm-up

20 minutes 9-Ball break training

30 minutes Kick-shot drill

10 minutes Advanced position drill

20 minutes 9-Ball ghost race to 7


Week FOUR

Seven-day evolution for carom shots

10 minutes Warm-up

20 minutes 9-Ball break training

30 minutes Carom-shot drill

10 minutes Advanced position drill

20 minutes 9-Ball ghost race to 7


Week FIVE

Seven-day evolution for final challenge

10 minutes Warm-up

20 minutes 9-Ball break training

15 minutes Bank shots

15 minutes Combination shots

15 minutes Kick shots

15 minutes Carom shots


Week SIX

Seven-day evolution for final challenge

10 minutes Warm-up

20 minutes 9-Ball break training

80 minutes Rotation GhostGLOSSARY OF TERMS

15-Ball Rotation: Fifteen balls are racked in a triangle. The shooter must hit the one ball first, then contact the lowest-numbered ball on the table first with each shot, as in 9-ball. The value of the pocketed ball is scored.

Backspin: The ball is struck below its center (see "Draw") and moves forward while spinning back towards the shooter. When the cue ball hits the object ball, it then tends to move back toward the shooter, depending on the angle of the shot.

Bank shot: A shot where the cue ball drives the object ball into at least one rail.

Center-ball hit: A shot where the cue ball is struck exactly or slightly below center, producing a zero-spin hit.

Combination shot: A shot where the cue ball drives one object ball into another one.

Draw: The act of applying backspin (see above).

English: The cue ball is struck to either side of the vertical center; also called "sidespin."

Follow: The act of applying topspin (see below).

Gather shot: A position play that leaves balls in close proximity.

Hanging/hanger: The object ball rests on or very near the edge of the pocket

Kick shot: A shot where the cue ball hits at least one rail before contacting the object ball.

Stop shot: When the cue ball stops at the spot where it has contacted the object ball. It is often the result of a center-ball hit.

Thick hit: A shot which aims the center of the cue ball at or near the center of the object ball.

Thin hit: A shot which aims an edge of the cue ball at an extreme edge of the object ball.

Top spin: The cue ball is struck above center and rolls naturally.

Zero spin: The cue ball contacts the object ball with neither top- nor bottom-spin; it's actually "skidding" across the cloth, rather than rolling

What's the Best Break Cue Weight?One of the more frequent questions we hear on a regular basis when it comes to break cue selection is "how heavy should my break cue be?". With a standard range of 18-21oz on pretty much all pool cues, there is quite a bit of confusion when it comes to picking out a weight for your breaker. The answer to this question is unfortunately not cut and dry. Cue weight is very much dependent on the individual player. Some are more comfortable with a light cue while others are only happy playing with a heavy cue. What is right for one person is not necessarily right for another.

That being said, the most common weight for a pool cue of any kind is 19oz. The vast majority of cues that we sell are 19oz cues. There are anecdotal theories abound dealing with cue weight, but to date I have not seen any research that supports these theories. Some people hold the belief that a heavier cue will equate to more power. Much like swinging a heavier baseball bat, this is dependent on how quick you can snap.


By looking at Newton's Second Law, we know that acceleration is dependent on both the net force acting on an object and the mass of the object itself. Knowing that force equals mass multiplied by acceleration, the amount of power you create is based both on the weight of the cue and the speed that you are able to move the cue.


the bottom line is that a heavier cue will not always mean a more powerful hit or break. In some cases, it may even create less power depending on how much force you can create. So, when selecting a cue, go for the weight that feels the most comfortable to you. With the right tools, you can measure what weight will give you the most powerful break, but for most it is just a question of "what feels right" to that player. CHOOSE FROM THOUSANDS OF CUE STICKS HERE

How To Check a Pool Cue for Warping Testing a pool cue to see if it's warped is one of the easier tasks for a pool player. There are a few different ways to check, but by far the most popular and easiest way to see if your cue is warped is to roll it on the table. Here's the step by step breakdown:

1. Lay your cue down on a pool table (put it together first if it's a two piece cue).

2. Slowly, roll your pool cue across the table.

3. Keep your eye on the tip of the cue and watch it as you roll the cue. If the cue is warped, you'll see it watching the tip, as the cue will "flop" and roll unevenly across the table.

Alternatively, you can hold the cue up at eye level and look down the cue from the butt. Hold the cue out and slightly downward, slowly turning the cue as you look down the cue from the butt to the tip.

Whenever you buy a pool cue, the first thing you should do is roll it to make sure it isn't warped. If the cue rolls to your satisfaction, chalk it and play with it, but if you notice a significant warp, call before chalking the cue in order to have a replacement sent out.

It should also be noted that because pool cues are made of wood, they will all warp over time. Some manufacturers like Viking Cues and McDermott Cues offer lifetime warranties on their cues against warping, so if warping is a major concern check the warranty before you buy.

20 Tips for Improving your Game 20 Tips for Improving Your Game

So, maybe you already know how to stroke a ball, and the difference between follow and draw. Your game can still go south on you in a hurry. Here are some tips to consider when you feel the need to make a few adjustments.

1. Every sport played with a ball demands balance, and that surely includes cue games. Precisely how you assume your shooting stance isn't nearly as important as your being solidly planted - solid enough that you could resist a shove on your shooting side.
2. A stroke should be just that - a smooth, rhythmic motion with a beginning, middle and end. Don't rush it, and don't choke it off.
3. One of the key secrets to longer runs in pool is to leave yourself position for angled shots rather than straight-in shots. Angle shots offer you far, far more options for cue-ball position.
4. By all means, bet a few bucks. Morals, aside, you'll learn to handle the game's unique pressures much faster and much better.
5. The best way to learn position play is to strive to do whatever's easiest (whenever possible; it won't always be).
6. In all the cue games, you directly control zilch except for your body and your cue. (You affect the cue ball only indirectly, and the object balls far less than that.) When your game isn't going well, your body mechanics are the first thing you should check.
7. When you need to send an object ball along the rail with speed, jacking up your cue slightly seems to help avoid "wiggling" the ball in the pocket jaws; it also eliminates throw.
8. Structured practice is much more valuable than the mere abstract hitting of loose balls. Practice 9-ball or straight pool, and/or some drills.
9. Mosconi's No. 1 tip: Don't waste your time with players who are worse than you; play with better competitors, and you'll learn more.
10. Don't hold the cue in your fingertips; it's not a teacup. And don't strangle the cue either; it's not a baseball bat.
11. When contemplating where to send the cue ball next, make center table your first option.
12. The world does not come to an end when you miss a shot, or miss position, or lose a game or lose the session. Lighten up. You'll enjoy yourself more, and win more often.
13. Your most formidable opponent by far in the cue games is the voice(s) in your head. Create a simple command or phrase to block out that interference, such as "Calm," "Feel the ball," or "Play your game."
14. Chalk up before every shot, and do it right. The chalk should move, not the cue.
15. Don't overhit the balls. It's a definite symptom of anxiety, costs you accuracy, and is near-suicidal on any table with tough pockets.
16. The universal instruction concerning object balls frozen to the rail is false. Do not attempt to hit object ball and rail at the same time; you won't even be close. Aim to hit the rail about a credit-card's width in front of the ball.
17. Three to five practice strokes are plenty. More than that, and you force yourself out of rhythm, and begin to put unnecessary pressure on yourself.
18. Don't hold onto your cue while you're in the chair; the tendency is to squeeze it as your impatience grows, and this only produces more tension. Lean it securely next to you.
19. In assuming your shooting stance, you should line the shot up not with your hand or cue, but with your chin. It's a smoother body move, and the rest will automatically fall into place. Putting your hand down first may result in tentativeness and an awkward, uncoordinated approach to the shot.
20. A good slump-breaker: Change your playing pace radically.

How to Use the Billiards Aim Trainer (BAT)The Billiards Aim Trainer (BAT) ™

ORDER YOUR (BAT) BILLIARDS AIM TRAINER HERE

One of the more popular new training products to come onto the scence over the past few years has been the Billiards Aim Trainer also known as The BAT. While the tool has become quite popular, we've been asked on several occasions for help. We contacted the company that developed the BAT and they sent along some great training info and aides.


Download the BAT Training Manual


How to use the Billiard Aim Trainer (BAT)™
1. Align the BAT with the object ball and pocket. [fig. 6]

2. Carefully slide BAT around the object ball using the "BAT U-Guide™", making sure to align the red fiber optic center line with the object ball and the pocket. 3. Next, rotate the "BAT Arrow™" until it points directly back at your cue ball.

4. Take note of the degree of the angle in the "BAT Degree Window™" and the contact point on the "BAT Protractor™" (horizontal plane). In our example of a perfect ½ ball cut, the angle is 30°.

5. Finally, get down behind the cue ball and line up the shot as if you are going to shoot. Now looking through the transparent "BAT Window™" (vertical plane), take note of how much of the object ball is actually being cut. Using the BAT arc lines on the "BAT Window™" as your guide, you can quickly confirm whether the shot is a ¼, ½, ¾ ball cut or if it is between these standard cuts. The red fiber optic center line clearly shows you the actual path your cue ball needs to take in order to pocket the object ball! With all this visual information, you now have absolute knowledge of how to pocket the object ball. [fig. 10 & 11]


6. At this point you will understand the following information about your cut shot:

* The contact point
* The degree of the angle
* The amount of the object ball that needs to be cut
* The actual path the cue ball needs to travel to correctly send the object ball towards the pocket.

7. Will confidence and real knowledge, you can remove the BAT and play your shot.

8. Through constant practice, you will quickly
begin to recognize at a glance exactly what the cut angle is during your regular games.

In addition to this information, we've also included a link to the full BAT Training Manual. This 48 page manual includes information on the three cut system, the basics of using the BAT, Training Drills and more.

50 Tips for Better All-Around Pool


It's fair to say that doling out your own advice to others - whether they ask for it or not - is considerably easier than swallowing someone else's medicine. But we promise you'll profit from listening to these pearls of wisdom compiled from the archives of Billiards Digest.

Here are five of the top pool minds in the game. Fran Crimi, master instructor with the Billiard Congress of America, has 10 tips on basic preparation; Bob Jewett, one of the sharpest technical minds in the business, explains the physics of pool; Larry Schwartz, two-time national team 8-ball champion, shows you his winning strategy on solids and stripes; Grady Mathews professes more one-pocket wisdom, and George Fels, one of pool's greatest writers, brings you up to speed in 9-ball.


Fran Crimi: Basics

1. Keep your head straight. Many players tilt their heads to favor their dominant eye. If you tilt your head, you're looking at a sideways view of the shot.

2. Secure your bridge hand. When you're down on a shot, push your fingertips lightly into the cloth to assure that your bridge hand will not budge as your cue stick comes through to strike the cue ball.

3. Finish what you started. It is vitally important that you stay with each shot all the way to the bitter end! Stay firmly planted until the object ball is in the pocket.

4. Keep your backswing smooth and slow. Remember, your backstroke is your hand-eye coordinator. Picture a baseball pitch; if you bring your arm back too fast, you're cheating yourself out of precious time you need to focus on your target. If you can't see it, you'll probably miss it.

5. Keep your back hand loose and relaxed. In pool, tension is your worst enemy. The more tension you apply to your cue stick, the less chance there is for it to travel in a straight line.

6. Walk around and look. Always walk around and look at where you want to position the cue ball for your next shot. If you want your cue ball to wind up in the right spot, you have to know where the right spot is!

7. Analyze your misses. After you miss and return to your chair, figure out what happened. Then make a mental correction. You'll play progressively better through your match instead of making the same mistakes over and over again.

8. Develop a shot-making ritual. Make a list of all the things you want to include in your shot-making process. Then practice performing each step until it becomes your ritual. This method works great under pressure and helps keep the bad stuff from creeping in.

9. Always keep your cool. No matter what happens, be determined not to let it get to you. Unlucky rolls and bad breaks are bound to happen; the balls are round. Those who keep a positive attitude through the bad breaks will prevail in the end.

10. Commit to every shot. If you're ready to begin your shot-making process, you should be clear on how you want to position the cue ball for your next shot. If you're still asking yourself questions when you're down in your shooting stance, you're not committed to the shot, and you'll most likely miss.


Larry Schwartz: 8-Ball

1. Know the rules. Almost every league, bar or organization offers some variation of the "standard" 8-ball rules. Make sure you know the rules of the league or tournament you're playing in. Read them and learn them thoroughly.

2. Develop a good break. Always try to keep the cue ball under control: Equally as important, making a ball on the break and playing position for another shot is keeping the cue ball from going in a pocket or flying off the table. Giving your opponent ball-in-hand for his first shot is probably the worst thing you can do.

3. Stripe or solid selection: When possible, select the balls that offer you a chance at winning the game in your first inning. When you can't, make sure you pick the balls that will stop your opponent from running out. Pick the balls that will leave your opponent's balls blocked so you can play a good safe and not worry about losing the game.

4. Map out the table. Always plan ahead all the way to the 8 ball before you shoot your first shot. This will enable you to take the best route, making every shot as easy as possible.

5. Recognizing key balls: This is a ball that, once pocketed, will make it easy to break open a cluster or make it easy to get on your next shot. If there is a ball next to the 8 ball that, once pocketed, will leave you an easy shot on the 8, this would be the key ball to get position on the 8 ball.

6. Run out or play safe. The only time you should run out is when you are certain you will make it all the way. If you don't think you can, play safe before pocketing any of your balls.

7. Know the value of your balls. Every ball you pocket without running out is like killing one of your own soldiers in a war.

8. Leaving the 8 ball in jail: Whenever the 8 ball is blocked by one of your balls, you must leave it there so your opponent cannot win the game. The only time you will shoot your ball is when you know you can run out, freeing the 8 ball.

9. Become a banker. Sharpening up your bank skills will give you a chance to win games in which it looks like you have no chance.

10. Join a league. I believe competition is a big factor in improving your game. You will be able to find your weaknesses and practice them. Also, leagues are a lot of fun.


George Fels: 9-Ball

1. If you use a separate cue for breaking, think about using a lighter cue instead of a heavier one. Sounds like the opposite of what you'd want (Bill Incardona used to have a break cue that weighed 26 oz.!), but a number of top players prefer the improved hand speed available with a cue that weighs a few ounces less, perhaps as light as 17 oz.

2. Plan your bank shots, and their aiming, to the extent of deciding what side you'd prefer to miss the shot on if you must miss at all. (Long diagonal cross-corner banks, for instance, should be missed on the short side rather than the long, for defensive purposes.)

3. If your kick shots don't include a plan for which side of the object ball is best to hit, you are one plump, juicy pigeon waiting for a peregrine falcon to strike.

4. When playing a combination shot on a hanger, and that hanger is any ball but the 9, try to keep the first object ball from grazing the rail on the way in. It greatly increases your chances of leaving the first ball in front of the same pocket, and enhances cue ball control.

5. If you're trying to hook your opponent behind an object ball or mini-cluster that's currently unplayable, try to nudge it into playability with the cue ball at the same time you complete your snooker.

6. Similarly to #5, if you're trying a hook and there's an unplayable ball or mini-cluster somewhere else on the table, try and send the object ball you contact into that trouble spot to rearrange things. You want those balls playable if you should be rewarded with ball-in-hand.

7. You must master the shot that cuts a ball along or nearly parallel to a short rail and brings the cue ball out of there using two rails with low outside English. Practice this one at all speeds and angles, especially when you need to go end-to-end.

8. A cue ball coming off one or more rails and crossing the table's exact center cannot possibly scratch - something to remember in selecting cue-ball paths for position when there's distance between the required balls.

9. Those jacked-up, end-rail-to-end-rail highlight-film shots do bring down the house and earn you a relative few seconds' worth of your peers' admiration - but there's almost always something smarter to do.

10. You really should know this one already: Learn to aim your shots to carom off the exposed pocket jaw, not to "split the hole." You'll make more shots and enjoy increased cue-ball options. (The only time you should be aiming for the center of the pocket is when the object ball lies in the "funnel" formed by the extended lines of the two pocket jaws.


Grady Mathews: One-Pocket

1. When you're conflicted over which of two moves to choose, pick the more conservative one. I'd say you'll be right close to 75 percent of the time.

2. The entire game of one-pocket resides in the cue ball and nowhere else. I'll gladly forgive you for missing a relatively easy shot into your own pocket as long as you leave the other player safe.

3. Any time you're banking towards your own pocket, do what you can to see that the object ball comes to rest on the short rail if you miss. There's no return bank from there.

4. In responding to your opponent's break, frequently there will be an open ball on your side quite close to the corner of the rack. Be alert for billiards, or what I call "split shots."

5. On long straight-back banks, especially in endgame, the desired destination for the cue ball is not only the end rail, but also no closer to your opponent's side of the table than the middle of that rail. Farther over than that, and you're at risk of leaving a makable bank yourself.

6. In breaking, the cue ball should have more sidespin than follow at the point of object-ball impact.

7. By all means learn the diamond system, at least the basic "Corner = 5" one. Multi-rail kicks can extricate you from some hideous traps, starting right with the game's breaks.

8. If you're contemplating a long bank where the object ball is at least one ball's width from a short rail, and cue-ball control seems to be a problem, think about a kick instead. You sacrifice some accuracy, but it's much easier to kill the cue ball - and remember, it's the cue ball, not the object ball, that's paramount.

9. If a shot is absolutely straight-in to your opponent's pocket, that's a sign that the ball can be banked into yours with no danger of a kiss.

10. Cross-over bank shots introduce spin to the object ball because of the cue ball's direction, not what you put on it. Unless you absolutely need English on such a shot, don't make things any harder on yourself.


Bob Jewett: Technically Speaking

1. The half-ball follow angle is one of the most important tools for position play. Any time you have close to a half-ball cut shot and the cue ball is rolling smoothly on the cloth when it hits the object ball, the angle at which the cue ball is deflected is very nearly constant. Knowing that single angle takes a lot of the guesswork out of such shots. Learn this angle through practice.

2. Poor chalking keeps most players from learning how to spin the ball. Are you in the majority? If you are, each time you miscue while trying to spin the ball, you "relearn" that you can't hit the ball off-center. The truth is that you can, but you need to be more careful. Look at the tip!

3. There is no convincing demonstration that wrist-snap gets more spin; keep it simple. A major problem with snapping the wrist is that the timing of the snap must be precisely coordinated with the moment the tip hits the ball; if the snap is a little early or late, it is entirely ineffective. More importantly, if the timing is not quite perfect, your speed will be off by a lot.

4. When adjusting to new conditions, don't forget humidity. As the table gets damper, the friction of the ball on the cloth greatly increases. One result is that draw rubs off the cue ball much faster than for dry cloth. Another is that the maximum effect of English on the rail is increased; side spin really grabs.

5. All spin shots require even the tiniest bit of massé. Many players think they are shooting with a level stick when in fact they have several degrees of stick elevation. This cannot be avoided, unless you have really tough knuckles. Learn to play with a consistent elevation.

6. Try different sticks for different games. No stick is suitable for all games. Note what the top pros use, and do your own experiments. A hint: 58 inches is not necessarily the best length for you.

7. Playing games other than your favorite will force you to quickly learn new things. Try snooker and carom, for example, to concentrate on precise pocketing and cue ball control. For a real course in speed control, learn straight-rail billiards.

8. Learn to read with an open but critical mind. Some pool books are riddled with errors, but most have some useful points. If there is no way to test what an author is saying, the point is probably of little value.

9. Physics and systems may be useful for understanding and planning shots, but when it's time to pull the trigger, trust your instinct. During practice, a careful, analytical approach will help you sort out what does and doesn't work for you, but once you're in a match, the intense analysis must be put aside. Feel the shot and then make it happen.

10. The goals of stance are stability, consistent sighting, and a simple swing. If you fulfill those goals, don't worry about the details. Some people spend far too much time pointing their toes in exactly the right direction, or keeping their pinky off the wrap, or adopting some other little quirk that their uncle Fred assured them was the golden secret for pocketing balls. Are you solid? Can you see the shot? Can your arm swing freely?

Installing Your Pool Table Cloth Over the years one of the most requested articles we've been asked for is some sort of help with installing pool table felt. As a result, we have gathered some information about our most popular table cloth, Simonis, and how to install it.

Disclaimer: The following information is for reference only. PoolDawg.com only recommends that trained billiard table professionals install cloth as untrained installers often have trouble properly laying table cloth.

That being said, here's some basic information about Simonis cloth. According to Simonis, when installing their cloth, put the smooth side up. You'll also notice that the smooth side has printing on the edge that will tell you the grade of the cloth (Simonis 760, Simonis 860, etc).

If you have any questions about installing cloth, please feel free to call us toll free at 866-THE-DAWG. In addition, we have included a link to the installation reference guide from Simonis. Again, please note that this is for reference only and any installation should only be done by a trained professional.

Download Simonis Installation Diagrams (PDF Format)

What's My Joint Size?After the popularity of our Anatomy of a Pool Cue discussion, we've decided to continue the breakout of pool cue parts by looking at joint styles.

What is a joint?
Simply put, the joint is the area where the butt and the shaft of the cue connect. The joint can be made from any number of materials, however most often joints are made from plastic (also referred to as composite and phenolic), wood and stainless steel. The joint type can affect the feel of the cue, which we'll discuss a bit later. On most cues, you'll find that the male end of the cue is on the butt where the pin is located. The female connector is typically located on the shaft end of the cue.

Steel Joints
Constructed with stainless steel, cues with stainless steel joints provide what is often referred to as a stiff hit. What this means is that when you strike the ball, you don't feel it through the entire cue. Some examples of steel jointed cues include Griffin, Joss and Schon.

Wood to Wood Joints
Wood to wood joints are just that. The connection between the butt and the shaft is made with wood rather than steel or plastic. This style of joint gives a feel that is often referred to as fluid or soft. What this means is that when you strike the ball, you can feel it all the way though the entire cue. A wood to wood joint will feel closest to a traditional house cue as a result. Most Elite cues feature wood to wood joints, as do most sneaky pete cues like the Meucci 9701.





Composite Joints
Joints made from composites such as plastic are often referred to as having a compact or solid hit. Generally speaking, the feel of these cues falls somewhere in between the fluid feel of the wood to wood and the stiff feel of the steel. Check out the Adventure cues for some examples of cues with composite joints.


Pin Sizes
The pin sizes most often found on pool cue joints are: 3/8 x 10, 3/8 x 8, 5/16 x 14, 5/16 x 16 and Uniloc. Most of these can be seen in the image displayed here. While this represents the majority of the cues on the market today, there are always exceptions.

Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call us toll free at 866-THE-DAWG and we'll be happy to help you out.