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
It’s hard to believe that this pool shark actually works so effectively. The trick is simple and straight-forward. The pool hustler apparently decides to give you an unexpected gift. It starts when you have committed some kind of foul. It might be an accidental touch or movement of an object ball, or a similar accidental tip to ball touch or hand/clothing touch to the cue ball. The foul must occur during the shot setup and before a complete stroke is made. Continue reading
This distractive shark is designed to test the far reaches of your patience during the time when your opponent finishes his turn and your turn begins. Depending on how smoothly he can present this delay, he can prevent the beginning of your turn from 30 seconds to two minutes. This trick creates a timing obstacle. It prevents you from being able to immediately take control of the table after your opponent misses. Continue reading
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
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
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
Few players attain the attitude and mindset that is detailed here. Most don’t even know that it exists. Yet it is experienced by many players and is most often discovered by accident rather than by intention. Continue reading
Are there styles of music that you enjoy? Maybe some rhythm and blues, jazz, classical, doo wop, heavy metal, show tunes, etc. are part of your music library. The stronger your appreciation of music, the greater is the agony suffered from this shark. Continue reading
To apply this duplicity, the hustler either suffers or fakes the suffering of some physical limitation that restricts body movement. The goal is to get you to take him less seriously as a competitor. If you fall for this trick, you even slack off on your usual game intensity. Continue reading
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
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