What No One Tells You About Pool: Learn These Tricks to Become a Good Player in No Time

Becoming good at the pool is no different from what you do to better your skills in other games. Most people practice pool incorrectly, particularly beginners. No instructions are why they fail to advance their skill levels over time. Combo shots, draw shots, run-out patterns, strong breaks, and cue ball spin strategies are just a few of the commonly overlooked basics in pool playing. However, you will need to practice technical shots and tactics to become an advanced pool player. If you want to improve your game, here are a few tricks you should consider checking out as a pool enthusiast or beginner.

1. Invest in a Pool Table 

If you are like many pool players, you probably get to play only when out to grub a bear with friends or at pool tournaments. However, having a pool table at home comes with several benefits. For instance, it can be a significant source of entertainment for the family and the guests. It is also a great piece of equipment to uplift your décor.

Most importantly, having it in your home means more exposure to practice, which can help improve your skills and accelerate your prowess. It pays to check out a few portable pool table models and choose the most appropriate option for your needs for maximum gains. They are easy to store, save space, and easily be moved to where you want to play the game. When choosing one, some factors to consider include:

• Size
• Weight
• Affordability
• Durability
• Sturdiness and construction stability
• Ease of assembly and portability

2. How to Hold the Cue

The way each player holds a cue differs a lot. However, for a beginner, the most effective technique is to treat the cue's shaft like a gun's scope. To put it another way, when lining up your shot. Place the cue's stick on the bottom of your chin so you're looking straight down the cue. When most amateur pool players take their shot, they stand virtually straight or bolt upright and then wonder why they miss the pot they were aiming for. 

Maintain as much horizontality as possible with the cue. It's not uncommon for players to keep the cue's butt end at a far higher level than the tip. This can lead to issues with precision. It could also cause weaker shots, or the cue tip could end up tearing the tablecloth.

3. Discern the Balls on the table 

Before taking the next shot, it helps to walk around the pool table at least once. Take a look at how the balls are arranged on the table. If you can, try to figure out which ball is the best to use based on the shots you will be taking next. While at it, make sure you are not giving your opponent a window to beat you, just in case you miss the shot.

As a beginner, aim at thinking two or three shots ahead. This will allow you to plan the pace at which to strike the cue ball and where to strike the ball so you can put several balls in a row. Crouch down until you are at eye level with the table if you are unsure whether you can strike the target spot. If the object ball isn't available, you'll have to develop another way to hit it.

4. Choose Your Shot Wisely

Beginners are always inclined to go for the apparent pots, such as the ball hanging over the pocket. It would be best if you left your ball hanging over the pocket unless you are sure that there are enough pots to follow this one with to put you well ahead of your opponent or even clear it. Your opponent can't pot one of their balls into this pocket if you have your ball covering it. If they unintentionally pot your ball during the game, you will get two extra shots as a penalty. In an ideal pool match, all of your balls will be over or close the pockets, allowing you to clear up.

5. Avoid Hitting and Hoping 

When no other obvious shot is open, many inexperienced players have a poor habit of hitting and hoping. Essentially, they whack every ball of their color as hard as possible, hoping that the outcome is favorable to them. Unfortunately, this is an unwise and potentially dangerous way to go. They are playing a safety shot such as the snooker shot is a much better option. At the very least, know when to play shots that decrease the likelihood of your opponent clearing the table on their next attempt. You might get lucky and beat your opponent if they do not pot all their balls before you. Alternatively, they might pocket your shots, giving you two more shots to salvage your scores.

Sometimes called Billiards, Pool is not so complicated to master. All you have to do is learn the basics, practice more often, and play smart each time you get a worthy opponent. Sometimes you will lose; sometimes, you will win. All in all, the above few pointers can help make you a great pool player in not so long.