Pieces Of Eight - Tip Of The Week

Number: 74 Jim Tellier February 2013

TOPIC: Get Close(r) To Your Work!

CATEGORY: Intermediate

INTRODUCTION:

After youve played pool for any serious length of time, you realize that its easier to make shots that a) are closer to the pocket, and b) are closer to the cue ball.

[ This is where most people say, well, DUH! ] OK, Why am I bringing this up? Well, I see a lot of players who just dont make an effort to make their next shot easier, by getting closer to it. There are plenty of cases where its not possible (or, the difficulty in getting position risks missing the 1^st shot so the 2^nd shot becomeswell, a non-issue!).

But most of the time, you should consider the options available to you, to make the next shot easier.

TECHNIQUE:

First, remember that in order to move the cue ball to an intended location after making your first shot, you ideally dont want the first shot to be straight in you want to have an angle so that you can send the cue ball on a predictable path, away from your 1^st object ball.

Second, remember that if you get stuck with a straight-in first shot, you can create an angle by cheating the pocket. What that means is, the pocket is generally big enough for TWO object balls to passthis means you have about ball clearance on either side of center. If your shot is straight in, you can cut the ball into either the left or right side of center giving you an angle, which will allow the cue ball to deflect in one direction or another.

Third, when you dont have the option of cheating the pocket, and youre stuck straight-in, remember that you can draw the ball back. Look at the path the cue ball will take if you draw it back to a rail. If its not going to come off that rail the way you want it, putting English on the cue ball will change its path after it hits the rail. Practice some of these moves they come up often, and can mean the difference between having no next shot, vs having an easy one!

Remember that all tables are different: some have tight pockets all around. Some have tighter side pockets than others. Some have huge pockets. Pro tournament 9 tables have pockets that are smaller than the width of 2 balls (5-1/2 inches). Especially in 8-ball, where you may still have many shot choices left on the table, try to use the technique of getting the cue ball to move to the center of the table after each shot. This (generally) gets you reasonably close to whatever your next shot may be, and should leave you multiple choices. Of course, you may have the need to get position on a specific ball or zone; but the idea is --- dont just shoot the first shot and leave the cue ball position to random chance! You can increase your chances of staying at the table with just a little bit of planning, and foresight.

Shoot well, and keep your opponent in his chair!

Capn Carom

ARRRR!!!! J