When you come into a pool room you’ve never been in, you need a way to quickly figure out how the table rolls and whether the rails are in decent shape. You also need to know any roll offs and the slowest speed that will overcome the problem. Continue reading
When you first put a new tip on your cue, there is a certain amount of “breaking in” that occurs, even with the harder tips. When hitting the cue ball at top speeds, a lot of pressure is focused in the tip material. This compresses the tip material and flattens the curve of the tip. Instead of a nickel shape, it looks like a silver dollar shape – flat and barely curved. This, of course, does not help you when applying spin to the cue ball. The flatter curve tends to make it quite easy to miscue. Continue reading
Some individuals are introduced to the Green Game when very young, either by receiving a toy table or somehow gaining access to someone’s home table via the family or a neighborhood buddy. Others start as teenagers, banging balls around with friends, usually as a casual pastime. Continue reading
Just like baseball players fall into slumps, you will have similar experiences in pool. Your game disintegrates and you make playing decisions that would be embarrassing for a beginner. These times can be depressing, leading to thoughts of giving up the game – a true tragedy. Continue reading
There are two circumstances when your game-playing skills seem to abandon you. One occurs on starting the match. You start slow and your opponent gets an early lead. The other occurs when you start well, then someplace in the middle of the match, your game goes downhill. Continue reading
Nervousness is a mental condition. It is most intense when fear is greatest. Generally, the fear is based on worries of survival – actual or imaginary. In the world of pool playing, nervousness occurs when you are doing something new. It could be entering an unknown pool hall, playing an unknown opponent; or entering a tournament for the first time. Continue reading
There is a certain amount of courtesy expected when playing competitions in various circumstances, such as matches and tournaments. On starting a match, you cannot go wrong with a handshake and generic good wishes such as “Good luck.” If there is a history between the two of you, add a personal statement relating to a past good competition. Continue reading
A cushion is considered dead when the reaction of a ball off the rubber is less than perfect. The speed off the rail is noticeably slower and at a more direct angle out then when the ball went in. Continue reading
Every time you hit an object ball with a cue ball, there is a minor wonder of physics that affects the cue ball, known as the tangent line. What is amazing about this little bit of table billiards activity is that you can use it to predict cue ball behavior. Continue reading
Almost all players have difficulty being consistent with banking. Most people (rightly so) consider banks to be low percentage. When you make an attempt, you can protect yourself by playing it as a two-way shot. If you make it, you are on the next ball. If missed, it doesn’t hurt you. Continue reading
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