Tag Archives: pool

(D&E) Drills & Exercises – Pocket Skills (shallow): OB 3, 4, 5, 6 D to Pocket

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

This setup concentrates on progressive pocketing skills. There is no concern about where the CB ends up.

This is a multiple cue ball speed and spin drill. See Cue Ball Speed and Spin Variations. Make sure to observe the cue ball action (path from OB, any rail action, etc.) until it stops. You need to remember the results when you are in competition. Continue reading →

(FAQ) What is the ghost ball aiming technique?

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There are approximately 4 or 5 aiming techniques in common use, and another 3 or 4 more esoteric choices. The easiest to understand and the most commonly used aiming technique is also the simplest to learn – the “ghost ball” technique. Continue reading →

(D&E) Drills & Exercises – Double 3 Ball Runout Game (horizontal), version 1 of 4

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

Purpose: Runout all the balls on the table. Set the sequence before running the balls. Any failure, reset balls and start again. Continue reading →

(D&E) Drills & Exercises – Turn the Corner Game (5 Ball Groups), Version 2 of 2

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

Purpose: Runout all the balls in a group – 3 successful attempts. Then repeat on the second group. Then repeat on the third group. Continue reading →

(FAQ) Pool Sharking, Gamesmanship, & Other Mind Games

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First of all, let’s properly describe the term “sharking”. To people who lose, their first complaint (and justification for losing) was that they were sharked. Let’s set aside that notion immediately – you were not sharked when losing against someone of superior skill. You just didn’t have enough shooting competence, plain and simple. Continue reading →

(FAQ) Do you need cue insurance for expensive sticks?

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Once you get into owning expensive cues, you need to consider insuring them in case of any kind of loss. Continue reading →

(D&E) Drills & Exercises – Cross Side Kicks, Set 3 of 4

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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 →

(D&E) Drills & Exercises – Turn the Corner Game (5 Ball Groups), Version 1 of 2

(About the Author)

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

Purpose: Runout all the balls in a group – 3 successful attempts. Then repeat on the second group. Then repeat on the third group. Continue reading →

(FAQ) Does drinking mix with pool?

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Consuming any of the many forms of alcohol is a personal preference. Almost everyone drinks responsibly, spacing their intake over time so as not to become impaired. Others do not drink at all, either through a personal preference or because they don’t like the consequences. Careful drinkers usually limit themselves to two or three beers a night, spread over several hours of entertainment. Continue reading →

(FAQ) Do you need a shooting glove?

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A shooting glove covers the bridge hand. It is used to ensure that the cue shaft will slide easily back and forth until the stroke is made. A glove helps reduce the effects of humidity, sweaty hands, and the build-up of dirt on the shaft. Any of these cause can cause skips and jerks on your stroke. And, anything that grabs your attention and takes your mind off the flow of the stroke will decrease the chances of success. Continue reading →