Tag Archives: cue

(CBC) Cue Ball Control (half table patterns) - Group 1, Set 8

Cue Ball Control Cheat Sheets

This is today's set of Cue Ball Cheats. These practice setups (and others in the book and blog) help you learn HOW to apply an exact speed and spin. That precision is how to get perfect shape on the second ball - and how to string a run together. For these layouts here are the Cheats for this post:

  • Cheat: 4:30, (1/2 ball hit), Medium 1 speed.
  • Cheat: 10:30, (1/2 ball hit), Soft 2 speed.
    12:00, (1/2 ball hit), Medium 1 speed
  • Cheat: 12:00, (1/2 ball hit), Soft 1 speed.
    6:00, (1/2 ball hit), Medium 1 speed.

Continue reading →

(D&E) Drills & Exercises - Long Table Kicks, Set 2 of 4

(About the Author)

This progressive exercise to improve your shooting skills is in the book Drills & Exercises for Pool & Pocket Billiards.

This is a simple center ball hit. This drill dis designed to teach adjustments for the first rail contact point, based on the cue ball position on the table.

Take some time to dial in the correct contact point. Then experiment with different slow and medium speeds. It's a good idea to shift the cue ball up and down one or two ball widths. This helps you dial in the small adjustments. It is VITAL to know how to consistently succeed with one rail kicks. (Not to mention a discouragement for your opponent to attempt hidden ball safeties.) Continue reading →

(S&D) Safety & Defense - "Scrape the Paint" Exercises

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Safety Toolbox (Advanced)

(This is today's bit of advice from the book Safety Toolbox.)

These exercises introduce the concept of grazing a target ball so thin that it barely moves. The closest offensive shooting example would be a very thin (85 to 89 degree angle) cut to pocket an object ball. Continue reading →

(S&D) Safety & Defense - Key Factors: Energy Transfer Calculations

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Safety Toolbox (Advanced)

(This is today's bit of advice from the book Safety Toolbox.)

When you decide that the best shot for the circumstances is a safety, there are a wide variety of factors to be evaluated. These considerations are necessary to help fine tune your options and select the most effective shot within your skills. Continue reading →

(FAQ) What is a cue extension?

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There are shots when the cue ball is mid table and you must aim it towards a ball at the opposite short rail. If you are a tall person, the shot might not be difficult to stretch out and shoot. If you are a shorter individual, you can't stretch your bridge hand out far enough to get a stable bridge for your shaft. The cue just isn't long enough to hold the cue in a stable manner that is needed for a trustworthy stroke. Some part of your fundamentals must be abandoned, making the stroke prone to major failures. Continue reading →

(FAQ) Why are some bar table cue balls different?

(About the Author)

There are a variety of cue balls with different sizes and weights. When you are playing on a coin-operated table, and a ball goes into the pocket, it stays down until the next set of coins is inserted. To be able to return the cue ball to a player after a scratch, it has to be different from the object balls. Continue reading →

(FAQ) What are the fundamentals of a stroke?

(About the Author)

The definition of "fundamentals" in the dictionary reads like this:

a basic principle, rule, law, or the like, that serves as the groundwork of a system; essential part: to master the fundamentals of a trade. Continue reading →

(CBC) Cue Ball Control (full table patterns) - Group 8, Set 5

Cue Ball Control Cheat Sheets

This is today's set of Cue Ball Cheats. These practice setups (and others in the book and blog) help you learn HOW to apply an exact speed and spin. That precision is how to get perfect shape on the second ball - and how to string a run together. For these layouts here are the Cheats for this post:

  • Cheat: 12:00, Medium 2 speed.
  • Cheat:12:00, Medium 2 speed.

Continue reading →