Tag Archives: pool table

(FAQ) Does Speed kill?

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Is this situation familiar? You set up on a shot, KNOWING this is a 99% certainty -- BUT because you MUST get shape on the next ball (usually somewhere far far away), you put on a lot more strength into the stroke. Continue reading →

(FAQ) How can you stop someone sharking?

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Here are some easy tips on how to manage people who think they can shark you and win.

Every once in a while you'll have an opponent who thinks they can get an easy win using sharks that even teenagers consider stupid. When these people come up against you, here are some ideas and suggestions. Continue reading →

(FAQ) What are recommended foods during competition?

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Most tournaments are done in a day or two. Some last longer. You are going to have to consume some food. Don’t eat foods that will bloat you, slow you down, or otherwise interfere with your concentration. Continue reading →

(FAQ) How do people abuse pool equipment?

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Wherever you find a pool table, you will find that someone at some time has abused the pool equipment to some degree. The vast majority of this is caused by ignorant people using the equipment for things and activities they were not designed to accomplish. Continue reading →

(FAQ) What are different ways to keep score?

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When playing in a race to a specified number of games, or a game where points need to be tracked, you will need some way to identify who gets what. Here are a number of tools used to track who gets what points, scores, marks, wins, and loses: Continue reading →

(FAQ) How do you handle an angry opponent?

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There will be matches during your playing career when you happen to get stuck with a player who should take an anger management class (or two). This will always happen when they are behind in a match. (The same individual never acts this way when they are winning. Go figure.) Continue reading →

(FAQ) What is a well-racked set of balls?

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A good rack allows all the balls to touch when pushed forward and the rack is lifted from the table. Even with a good rack, if the table cloth is uneven from dings, balls can separate. If the rack is properly made, the balls should cluster together when pushed together. A poorly designed rack will leave gaps between the balls. (The balls could also separate because of unequal diameters.) Continue reading →

(FAQ) Why is chalk necessary?

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Pool chalk comes in small cubes. It is applied as a thin layer to the cue tip. When contact is made between the cue tip and the cue ball, chalk helps "grab" the cue ball and keeps the tip from slipping around the ball, causing a miscue. It is important that the layer be thin and even. Continue reading →

(FAQ) Do you play the opponent or play the table?

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This question has been asked to players of many levels. Several pro-level players, when asked, recommend concentrating on playing the table. Their rationale is based on the fact that since you are on the table, and your opponent isn’t, so just run out the balls and win the game. Their competence makes this a viable approach to competition. There are several thousands of professional players. There are millions of regular players. Their approach works for them because, when given an opportunity to shoot, the table gets run out to the win. Continue reading →

(FAQ) How do you video tape yourself?

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As you concentrate on improving your skills, consider what an outside eyeball sees when you are shooting balls in competition and practice. For best and most immediate results, work with an instructor who can observe what is happening. He can do an intelligent analysis of your fundamentals and recommend various modifications to make things more better. Continue reading →