How to Pool Shot

The game of pool bridges the gap between people from all over the world no matter your social status. Almost everyone has played a game of pool in their lifetime. My name’s Keegan Holzapfel, and I’m going to show you the techniques to increase your odds at winning your next pool game. I have been around pool my entire life and my family plays competitively in Minnesota and South Dakota.

Most professional players carry their own sticks, but don’t worry I will show you the tips on picking the best stick at your local place. Having a good pool stick is important in order to have the best accuracy on a shot. The first thing to look at is the tip of the stick. The tip should be round, and the thicker the tip the better. Common bad pool tips consist of flat and/or mushroomed ends. Then make sure the cue stick is straight by slowly rolling it on top of the table. A bent stick will wobble as it rolls.

The next step at having a clean hit on the ball is to make sure the tip of the cue is fully chalked. Chalking is important because it prevents the tip from slipping on the cue ball, causing a missed hit. In order to have the best chalk coverage, tilt the cue at an angle and do a soft brushing motion. Do not chalk cue over the pool table, this will make the table dirty and affect how the balls roll.

A proper stance is important to maintain balance, comfortability, and accuracy. Drop your dominant foot back until your toes are directly behind the cue ball. Step toward the table with your other foot on the same line between your dominant foot and the cue ball. Move your non-dominant foot a little to the non-dominant side of the line until you feel balanced. It does not matter how much the left foot is moved, do whatever is comfortable. Your weight should be dispersed evenly on each foot. Now make your non dominant hand straight out in front of you and bend forward at the hips. Your head should be low to the cue, sighting the cue like a rifle barrel.

Having an effective bridge is vital in having a proper pool shot. A bridge is important to keeping your hand stable so the ball is hit exactly where it should be. Place the non-dominant hand flat on the table. Slightly turn your hand so it is at 1 o’clock. Lay the stick across the thumb knuckle, and across the 2nd knuckle of the middle finger. Now curve the index finger around the shaft. Now slide the thumb up to the tip of the index finger. The stick should slide through your fingers easily.

Pool is a fun and challenging game, that people of all ages can enjoy. Practice and following these techniques will give you the best chances to win your next pool game and impress your friends.