How To Get Better At Pool Like A Pro In Less Time

The game of Pool is not just practice-oriented. It is a mental game that involves geometric calculations and the use of principles of classical mechanics. Plenty of books are available in the market to answer your question of ‘ learn how to get better at Pool’ but being able to read all of them is nearly impossible. A player, no matter how skilled, must always discover a scope for betterment in their game. To make your journey easy, we share five basic things that most players tend to ignore, but these have improved the overall game of all types of players. 

There are various Pool games such as 8-Ball Pool, 9-Ball Pool, One Pocket Pool, Cutthroat Pool, and Straight Pool. Each Pool game involves a different strategy. However, practicing Pool the right way is essential. While beginners play advanced shots and jump to technical shots without strengthening their fundamentals, advanced players tend to get overconfident with time and lose grip over their fundamentals. Therefore, it is very necessary for you to identify your level and practice shots accordingly. Before going in-depth about the basics, ensure to invest in cues. A good quality cue such as a wooden one has its advantages and makes your odds of winning higher.

Several Steps to Have a consistent and comfy bridge

• Learn how to get better at Pool, where your overall game and success depend on one crucial aspect which is a consistent bridge. Having the proper grip, taking the proper stance and alignment, and trying different shots add to your performance, but they are insufficient if your bridge is ungainly and imprecise.
• To work on your bridge, you need to master the construction of a sturdy and stable framework that lets your bridge become consistent and comfortable. Working on your bridge to make it consistent requires solid practice. You must always bridge similarly for most of your shots.
• If you are a novice, the open bridge might be ideal for you. It will help you to keep a firm base with your fingers spread across the surface. One thing to keep in mind is that the contact space between your thumb and index finger should be broad enough to allow the cue to travel freely.
• The open bridge is good for novices, but it is also helpful for making softer strokes while providing a firm base that can withstand a lot of power when needed. If you are a skilled player who likes to shoot harder shorts with a lot of spins on the cue ball, the closed bridge is preferred.
• In general, perfecting your bridge may take some time, but whether you employ an open, closed, or looping bridge, make sure it’s sturdy and smooth, and allows the cue to glide straight and smoothly. If your hands are sticky, you can use a billiard glove or talc.

How to get better at Pool by choosing the perfect cue?

Every player has a different playing style. So the best way to identify your perfect cue stick is to play with different ones and pick the one that suits you the most. 

• Some players switch tips, whereas others play the whole game with just one tip. In addition, some players play with soft tips, while many play with medium-hard or medium tips.
• While the quality of a cue is important, it is also necessary to understand that the cue doesn’t make the player. So, spending extravagantly on cues is not right. Instead, just pick a cue that is comfortable enough for you.
• To determine the right weight and length, play with different ones and determine the accuracy and comfort with different cues. We cannot decide for you the right weight and length as it is per your shooting style, but on a standard scale, the length is relative to your arm span, with standard cues having a length of 57 or 58 inches. When it comes to weight, lighter cues are perfect for low-power shots, while heavier ones are for breaking and jumping. 

How can you increase your chances of winning the game?

Once you’ve found the ideal spot, make sure you align your body properly since good body alignment is required if you want to make precise shots. For example, properly align your eyes and cue stick in the direction of your aiming line. Learn how to get better at Pool. Before taking a shot, always double-check that you’re aiming accurately. Spend as much time as possible mastering your posture and aim before experimenting with other sorts of shots.

• Maintenance of a proper stance

A comfortable, rigid, and balanced stance i.eYour standing posture when making shots is essential. Your method of addressing a ball should involve you standing closer to your cue for a balanced stance with your leg movement in coordination with your hands. You can attain a stable stance by aligning your rear foot with your front foot in such a way that both your feet are shoulder-width apart. While leaning forward, keep in mind that your head should be just a little above the level of your cue. You cannot afford any unwanted movement due to an incorrect stance while making a stroke. 

• Maintenance of a perfect grip over the cue 

The most important step is to learn how to hold and correctly position the cue stick. How different players hold their cue sticks is similar but as per their comfort. It is held in a way that gives maximum control to the player. One shall always use their dominant hand with their palm facing upward to hold the thick part of the cue stick. Then, find the balance point of the stick and hold it with the other hand around 1 inch beyond that spot.

Do not hold or grip the cue too tight or loose as it can make it difficult to attain any shot. Tight grips increase the chances of accidentally shooting the cue ball off the table, while loose grips increase the chances of the cue stick flying out of your hand while striking. For straight and accurate shots, balance out a light, relaxed grip that is strong enough to give you full control over the stick.

• Aim correctly to strike accurately

There is no universal method of aiming. The aiming process may fluctuate from shot to shot and from person to person. However, regardless of the approach you choose, there are three critical elements to focus on while aiming. They consist of your set target, your alignment, and your stroke. 

These three elements will decide how successful your shot will be. Anyone can shoot, but not everyone can aim well in a game of pool.

At the pool table, you must first shoot for the correct spot. For example, in achieving the perfect shot for a straight-in shot, your aim should be directed at the center of the object ball.

• Executing stroke with perfection 

The time to perform the stroke is when you get to put all of your planning into action. Remember that when shooting, the only portion of your body that should be moving is your forearm. It must be adaptable but not clunky.

Your lower and upper arms should be flexible to swing back and forth like a pendulum. Your lower arm should move the cue during the shot while your upper arm stays static. To achieve appropriate shot execution, try to backswing to ensure smooth and slow shooting. Whether you want to hit the cue ball strongly or softly, keep a calm and consistent backswing. Your elbow should be aligned with your torso, with no up-and-down or side-to-side movement.

You should also ensure that there is some sort of follow-through after each shot. For example, always smash through the cue ball to avoid grasping at the ball, resulting in undesirable spins. So, whether you’re hitting a hard or soft stroke, your forearm should maintain a calm and steady backswing, and you should always follow through on every shot.

• The Bottom Line

Now and then pool players need improvement in their game.  Disciplined practice with the right techniques lets you achieve desired outcomes in your game. The key is to work on your weaknesses until it becomes your least weak part of the game, or even better, becomes your strength. To make amazing strides in your performance, put in smart practice and bring good use of the basic techniques mentioned above. Don’t try to juggle too many tasks at once. Also, ensure that pool balls are kept in the right order before you begin playing. Don’t jump to advance shots directly. Master your fundamentals well, and only then can you learn how to get better at Pool.

How to get better at Pool if we have a strong grip over our fundamentals?

Since you have acquired a strong grasp of the fundamentals, you might believe that you have fully mastered the game. However, this assumption is incorrect. There exist numerous tricks that, if conquered through practice, can elevate you to the level of a skilled player.

The key lies in strategically selecting shots that carry favorable odds of winning. Additionally, when faced with a challenging situation, you can rescue yourself by attempting a shot different from your usual comfort zone.

Achieving victory necessitates a high level of confidence. Regardless of the fluctuating scores, it is essential to remain composed. Understand that in a match, there may be instances of unfavorable rolls or missed shots that are beyond your control. It is therefore advisable to release any negative experiences that may hinder your progress.

Discover a comfortable pace that allows you to perform at your best in any match.

Develop endurance through consistent practice, enabling you to maintain stamina even during unconventional hours of the day, even if you have already participated in numerous matches.

Each game presents a unique set of conditions, encompassing factors such as lighting and ball type. Adapt yourself accordingly to these circumstances. Learn to make minor adjustments when required, stepping outside of your comfort zone if necessary.

FAQs

Focus on the aim point rather than the center of the object ball when shooting for angle or cut shots. This is because the point of contact on the cue ball to shoot the object ball is your aim point.