Tips on How to Shoot Pool

Modern pool is a classic barroom game but originated from a lawn game similar to croquet in the 1400s in Northern Europe, according to The Billiard Shop. The game has evolved into a professional sport and one of the world's favorite recreational pastimes. Shooting pool is a challenging game that takes precision, accuracy and a working knowledge of how the pool balls will react when hit by the cue ball (the white ball). Several basic tips are essential to shooting pool.

  1. Rack the Balls

    • Using what some people call the "triangle"--or pool rack--put all of the balls in the rack, making sure the 8 ball is in the center. The triangle vertex should face the other end of the table and line up between the two dots closest to the middle pockets on either side. Make sure the balls are tightly packed. Once they are as tight as possible, ease the triangle gently from the formation. The balls will stay in triangle formation.

    Line Up the Cue Ball

    • The cue ball should be placed anywhere on the end of the table opposite the other balls behind the second set of dots. You can place it as close as you desire to each rail, or directly in the middle. It's up to you.

    Hold the Stick

    • Hold the cue stick by leaning over closer to the table (this allows you to visualize the shot better) and resting the skinny end of the stick on the curve between your thumb and index finger. Your fingers should be holding your hand up on the table, and the stick should just slide over the center of your thumb and index finger. Your other hand should grip the thick end of the stick and serve to push the stick during the shot. In pool, if you are left-handed, your left hand will push the stick on the left side of your body, and vice versa for righties. The goal is to use a quick forward stroke, fueled by your pushing hand, to hit the cue ball into the other balls.

    The Break

    • "Breaking" is the first shot in a game of pool, whatever game you're playing. Break the triangle formation of balls (or diamond if you're playing nine ball) by hitting the cue ball with extreme force into the triangle with the cue stick. If struck effectively, the balls will scatter and a few will go in the holes.

    Pool Games

    • There are dozens of different types of games in pool, but the most popular are 8 ball, 9 ball and standard pool. There are also team games like cutthroat and doubles pool. The rules in each of them are different, but certain elements carry over from game to game. If you hit the cue ball (the white ball) into a hole, it's called a scratch, and yes, this is a bad thing. It allows your opponent a free shot in a location of his choice. In 8 ball, the goal of the game is to sink all of your balls and hit the 8 ball in last. The teams are split into striped and solid balls, and one of these is assigned to the first person to sink a ball.