Pool Shooting Tips for Nine-Ball

Nine-Ball is a popular style of pool that uses the cue ball and the pool balls numbered one through nine. For the break, the balls are arranged in a diamond shape, with the one-ball at the front of the diamond, the nine-ball in the center and the others arranaged randomly around it. The players alternate turns, knocking the balls into the pockets in order: one through nine. This makes the winner the player who knocks in the nine-ball when no other balls are left on the table. Nine-Ball takes a lot of skill, concentration and practice.

  1. Breaking

    • The break during a game of Nine-Ball is very important because it knocks out a few balls and sets up the shooter for the rest of the game. If done very carefully, a player can win the game by pocketing the nine-ball on the break. After making sure that the balls are tightly pressed against one another, place the ball down the head string. According to BilliardTips-e-Press.com, aim for the one-ball in the front. If you are shooting from the right side of the table, shoot for the ride side of the one-ball. If shooting from the left side, aim for the left side of the one-ball. Strike the cue ball with a gentle force; too much force is actually not good when breaking. This should knock in a few balls and set you up for the next shot in order to win the game.

    Regular Game Play

    • Always be aware of the positioning of all the balls when aiming to pocket a certain ball. You want to make sure that, by putting away one ball, you are setting yourself up for a clean consecutive shot. Sometimes, this means that if you are choosing between two balls to pocket, you may have to choose the more difficult shot (if still makable) if it sets you up better for the next one.

      Try to set up your competitor so that he has to commit fouls. According to pool-table-rules.com, the player must forfeit if he commits three fouls in a row. Therefore, if you can force your challenger to commit three fouls, you automatically win. Tribilliards.com says that fouls are committed if a ball that isn't the lowest numbered one on the table is pocketed, if a ball jumps off the table, or if the cue ball does not touch a rail after pocketing another ball. Try to get the cue ball and the other balls in positions that may force your competition to perform three fouls in a row.

      Don't be too worried about how many balls you pocket throughout the game; the only thing that matters is who hits in the nine-ball at the end of the game. Therefore, if you know you have no makable shots on the table, don't try to force an amazing shot. Just try to set up your challenger so that he has no advantageous shots on the table. If you try to force things, it could accidentally set up the other player for some easy shots or even the win. Be patient and always remember that the number of balls on the table doesn't matter.