Becoming A Pool Pro: 10 Tips To Become Better At Playing Pool

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Looking to impress your friends? Or perhaps you want to compete at a higher level? Whatever your reason may be for becoming a pool pro, there are many ways in which you can build your skills. Below are 10 tips that could help you become better at playing pool.

Get low to aim more accurately

Channel your inner sniper! When you lower your body and align your eyes with the cue ball, you greatly improve your accuracy. It helps you to keep your cue straight, and you can more accurately line up your cue ball with the object ball you want to hit. It’s one of the fundamental tips for beginners trying to enhance their performance. 

Perfect your stance

Now, consider your feet. You may not think they matter much in a game of pool, but getting the right stance can help you to steady your shot and improve your accuracy. Start with your feet a shoulder width apart, and then put your non-shooting foot forward as you enter the shooting position (if you’re holding the cue in your right hand, put your left foot forward). Bend both knees to help you get low, so that you don’t have to lean forward as much. Don’t put all your weight onto your bridge hand – you don’t want to fall forward as you take the shot. The video below delves more into how to position your bridge hand.

Focus on your stroke

It’s important to develop a smooth stroke. Keeping the cue straight as you shoot, not gripping the cue too tightly, and finding the right position with your bridge hand will all help you to perfect this. Spend time practising your stroke to make sure that it is consistent. You can do this by simply practising hitting a ball from the same position until you’re hitting the cue ball in the same way each time. This helps with accuracy and power control, speaking of which…

Practice power control

Not every shot needs to be a rocket launch! There are many times when hitting the ball gently is necessary – easing back results in less risk of balls bouncing off pockets when taking short-range shots, plus you have more control over where the cue ball will end up afterwards. Try practising different levels of power from the same position to help you develop a better idea of just how hard you need to hit in different situations. Of course, being able to take powerful shots does have its advantages too (such as when breaking or when sending the cue ball down the table and back), so make sure you can also blast the ball when you need to (practising breaking is often worthwhile). 

Plan ahead

The best pool players treat the game like a chess grandmaster. They think several shots ahead, assessing every angle and eventuality. One important skill that is often key to winning a pool game is learning to line up your next shot by planning where the cue ball will land. This is why it’s important not to just blast the object ball into a pocket when you’ve got a clear shot – you have less idea of where the cue ball is going to end up afterwards if you hit it with all your might. By generating the right amount of power, you can sink the ball and set up the cue ball in the perfect position for your next shot. This can help you plan ahead entire pool strategies – including deliberately putting your opponent into tricky situations so that they have no option but to do a foul shot. 

Use spin wisely

Being able to add spin to your shot can alter the game entirely. When you find yourself ‘snookered’, being able to spin the cue ball can allow you to curve it around your opponents’ balls, instead of having to ricochet off a cushion and hope for the best. There are different types of spin that you can practice: top-spin, bottom-spin, and side-spin. Try these all out and learn to master them to impress your friends and dominate the pool table. 

Understand angles with online pool

Online pool games can be worth playing in your free time when you don’t have access to a physical pool table. While an online pool game can’t teach you how to stand correctly or how to hold a cue, it can be good practice for learning how to get the best angle on the ball. Online pool sites and apps use the same mechanics as a real pool table, while allowing you to visualize angles from above. You can develop a better idea of exactly where to hit the side of the object ball to sink it in a pocket when you have a direct shot. You can then bring these skills to the real table. 

Experiment with different cues

Those who want to get serious about playing pool may consider buying their own cue. But just which type of cue should you buy? Not all cues are equal – they come in a variety of lengths, weights, and materials. The perfect cue should feel like an extension of your arm. The only way to find the perfect cue is to try different cues – which may involve playing in different locations that have different cues, or asking other players to use their cue. Check out this guide to choosing the perfect pool cue. 

Take your time

Don’t rush your shots! When presented with a simple shot, it can be tempting to dive straight into it. But if the ball is already right next to a pocket, would it be better to leave it until later and focus on another ball? Taking time to analyze the table can help you to determine exactly which shot is the best to take at that moment. It’s also important to take your time when lining up tricky bank shots or spin shots – you can get yourself in the right position and steady your aim by controlling your breathing. Bring some Zen energy to the game and don’t let your anger or excitement take over. 

Play with better players

If you’re always competing against the same players and winning, it could be time to find a new challenger. Playing against more skilled opponents will force you to develop your strategy and could be a means of learning new tricks and techniques. Find a dedicated pool bar and ask to play with other people, or consider entering pool competitions. If you’re not that serious about pool and still consider yourself a beginner, you may be able to simply play with friends or family members who are better than you.

Conclusion

These are just a few tips that can help you boost your pool playing skills. There are many other tricks and techniques that you can pick up as you play. However, you should start by focusing on the fundamentals discussed above, such as your position, your stroke, power control, and getting the right angles. Above all, practice is key to getting better. Find somewhere that you can play pool regularly and cheaply so that you can actively build up your skills. This could be key if you want to one day play competitively.

*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.