The Pool Thread

NewGamer11 · 1 Apr 2018 at 18:05

I couldn’t find a recent thread so I thought I’d start a new one for all things related to the game of English 8 ball pool.

I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube videos over the weekend as I’d like to improve my game to become more consistent. I can pot a great long shot one ball then miss one right over the pocket.

Played a few practice frames by myself in the local club tonight. The tips I’ve seen have already improved my break. Want to get better at the positional side too.

Might treat myself to a nice cue for my birthday.

NewGamer11 · 1 Apr 2018 at 19:35

Noticed this afternoon that I sometimes focus on the cue ball instead of the object ball when playing shots.

NewGamer11 · 1 Apr 2018 at 20:22

StevieP said:
I really enjoy pool but a) don't get the opportunity to play very often and b) am ridiculously inconsistent!

My best ever night playing was when I was absolutely hammered - had the confidence to just go for anything and it all came off!

Very similar here. I only usually play once a month but going to try to practice more. Usually also play while drinking so that doesn’t help.

robfosters said:
What pool are we talking here? American or English?

I play English pool, otherwise known as blackball, to a high level, so if you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them.

Yes, I meant English 8 ball. I don’t play the proper rules

I must start to do so. I usually play no ‘carry on’ on the fouls. Is blackball the one where ‘skill’ shots are allowed and ‘world’ the other?

One question I do have is my stun shots don’t seem to work? What are some common reasons for this? I think I’m hitting just below centre on the cue ball but I seem to get draw on the ball still.

NewGamer11 · 2 Apr 2018 at 10:07

Thanks @robfosters. I'll give those drills a go next time I'm playing. I was going to go again today but the weather is awful. What sort of level do you play at? Do you play in competitions?

NewGamer11 · 3 Apr 2018 at 08:01

robfosters said:
I play local, interleague and county level. I often have to go to Great Yarmouth to play in the national championships with one or more of my teams.

How often do you practice?

NewGamer11 · 3 Apr 2018 at 12:48

robfosters said:
A couple of times a week does me now. If I have a match, I’ll practice for an hour before and that gets me up to speed.

Cheers. How about when you started out? Hope you don’t mind all the questions.

NewGamer11 · 4 Apr 2018 at 20:38

The need for my own cue became apparent tonight at my local club. Set up the drills @robfosters suggested. Miles out. Rolled the cue on the table, wobbly. Picked another, wobbly. Repeated another 5 or so times and all wobbled! Some you could visibly see drooping as you cued down them. Might explain part of my wild inconsistency. I’d never picked this up before till I knew what to look for.

NewGamer11 · 4 Apr 2018 at 21:19

robfosters said:
Rolling a cue on the table is not a reliable indicator of straightness. Holding it out and looking down it like sighting a rifle is a much better test. Anyway, a slightly bent cue shouldn't matter too much. Ken Doherty won the world snooker championship using a bent cue. It's more likely your stance and technique. How do you position your feet when playing a shot?

Difficult to answer on the stance. I’ll pay attention when I play next. I’m right handed and I think I naturally stand with my left leg ahead of the right and slightly bent. Not certain I’m keeping my right leg straight all the time which would certainly be a problem.

NewGamer11 · 3 May 2018 at 14:25

@robfosters what sort of tips do you use? Also what shape of tip and how high is your tip from the ferrule? If you wouldn’t mind posting a pic that would be great.

NewGamer11 · 6 May 2018 at 11:29

Skorpion said:
Lay a pub cue in a straight line from the middle of the break off "D" down to the black spot then chalk a line.

Without using any object balls or cue ball, just concentrate on cuing down the chalk line keeping the cue straight...get into the habit of straightness.

After a few sessions of this, and you are confident that your cue action is straight chalk a line from corner pocket to corner pocket.

Using an object ball and cue ball start potting down the line gradually increasing the distance between the balls.

Keep practicing that and as long as your cue arm stays straight (even on the follow through) your game will improve.

You should apply the same principles when striking an object ball along a cushion....just practice to eliminate bad habits like striking across the cue ball etc.

This should obviously be practiced on a level pool table.

Good luck

I use blue diamond tips on all my cues....easy to shape how I want...usually a slight dome shape which I find prevents mis-cuing when adding side or screwback.

Thanks. I will try next time I'm playing. I got a new cue but the tip looks very 'high' to me, what height do you have your tip? Ignore the shape as I mangled it with a file and need to get a shaper. (Original pic here for a better view: https://i.imgur.com/opF9uaA.jpg)