Billiards & Pool: Page 3

Tutorial by Mike Sigel on how to break in 9 Ball.

Learn the pool shots you need to defeat any opponent, such as the bank shot and the slice.

This pool shooting video shows two types of strokes using a bridge tool. It demonstrates the "elbow-out" and "elbow-in" strokes.

This pool shooting video demonstrates how to hit the object ball when an opponent's ball is blocking the shot. Simply visualize an imaginary ball at the rail to achieve the proper angle, moving the object ball away from the opponent's.

In this pool shooting video proper stance is demonstrated, from angle of approach to follow through. First visualize the impact line from the object ball to the pocket, then create an aiming line, take some practice strokes, and finally shoot, keeping your head down.

This pool shooting video demonstrates two different ways to pocket a ball. In the first, the cue ball hits the object ball in and is deflected away from a scratch. In the second, the cue ball hits another ball in order to tip the object ball into the pocket without a scratch. Either technique will help you win you billiard game.

This pool shooting video shows how to use a parallel line to bank the object ball off the rail and into the pocket. Visualize a line between the two balls and the line parallel to the midpoint of the first line will be the aiming line.

This pool shooting video demonstrates how to bank the object ball off the rail into the pocket, when the object ball is at an equal distance from three rails. It also shows how to gauge the shot using the diamonds on the rails.

This pool shooting video shows an inside cut angle and how to bank off the rail to pocket the ball. An inside cut will give the ball left-spin, a natural left English, which will increase the rebound angle allowing you to set up a wider variety of rebound shots.

In pool a combination shot involves shooting the cue ball at one ball in order to hit and pocket another. Approach a combination shot by visualizing imaginary aiming lines and finding the imaginary center of a ghost ball next to the first ball you want to hit. The cue ball should be hit toward the center of the ghost ball.

This video shows how to check for and prevent a scratch in pool by utilizing the 90 degree rule and sending the object ball into the correct pocket. Two techniques shown to are "follow" and "draw," hitting the cue ball above or below the center.

By using the 90 degree rule when shooting pool you can make the cue ball follow along a tangent line to determine perfectly where the ball will go and prevent scratch. The cue ball follows the path of the object ball and is deflected off the rail setting up the next shot.

This pool shooting tutorial demonstrates how to control the cue ball using reverse English, opposite to the one that seems obvious. This will help line the ball up where you want it, preventing it from going too far down the table and allowing you to win the match.

A pool shooting tutorial. Using a slight right English in this example, the cue ball bypasses an obstacle ball and kicks off the rail, sending the object ball into the pocket. The use of reverse English reduces the rebound angle as the object ball is deflected off the rail which enables you to hit previously unreachable balls.

This pool shooting video demonstrates the best way to use the rails to deflect a frozen cue ball toward the object ball. To unfreeze the cue ball you can deflect it off the opposite rail, then it will deflect off the rail near the object ball and gently knock it into the pocket.

This pool shooting video shows a way to use a cue ball that is frozen against the rail to hit the object ball directly into the opposite corner pocket without scratching. Hit with a high left English with an elevated cue, to deflect the cue ball off the rail just enough to hit the object ball into the corner pocket.

This tutorial shows two different ways to shoot a combination in pool where one element is a couple of balls that are frozen together. You can shoot the cue ball so that hits the lone ball, then deflects off the rail to hit the frozen balls, or you can do it in two shots. Using two shots is the more ordinary way of pocketing a ball and lining up the cue ball for the next shot, but it isn't as exciting.

This video shows tips on how to avoid hitting the near rail when shooting pool in order to put the ball into a corner pocket. Aim away from the rail that near the ball, toward the inner wall of the pocket. However, even if you accidentally hit the near rail, hitting the ball as soft as possible will still allow it to go in.

This pool shooting video demonstrates the proper stance for a power break, or shooting the cue ball at the triangle form at the beginning of a game. Your feet should be wide apart, body weight forward, make several practice shots, and a strong shot with straight follow through. By using proper technique, you will open any billiard game with a statement.

This video demonstrates good technique for planning and executing a pool shot, beginning with the 90 degree rule or the 30 degree rule. First visualize the aiming and impact lines, then the tangent line where the cue ball will go. Decide how fast to shoot depending on how far the ball is from the pocket. Select your hand position then execute the stroke, keeping your head down.

This video shows how to use "Left English" when shooting pool. This simply means hitting to the left of the center of the cue ball, which causes the cue ball to deflect off the rail to the left, a fundamental technique for any billiards player.

In a difficult shot in pool, the video suggests visualizing a helper or "ghost" ball to determine where to aim. The centers of the ghost ball and the object ball should be in line with the target pocket. When hit the cue ball should stop in the place of the ghost ball for a successful shot.

Similar to the 90 degree rule, the 30 degree rule is demonstrated in this video. Your two forefingers in a V-shape are the best tools to use for visualizing this angle.

This is a quick demonstration of how to pocket a ball with a shallow angle range. Use the rails to help guide the ball, hitting the cue ball softly. If you hit the ball with speed, the rail will impart English on the object ball, and the ball will rattle away from the pocket.

With this simple technique the cue ball will follow the path of the object ball without scratching. If both balls are lined up with the pocket, an off-center hit will help in pocketing the object ball but not the cue ball preventing a scratch and lining up the next shot.

This video demonstrates how to deal with an opponent's ball that is directly blocking the pocket. In order to put one of your own balls into the pocket, it may be necessary to shoot your object ball at the one blocking the pocket, making them both go in.

When shooting cut shots you have to over compensate a shot so that the sideways friction of the cue ball does not push the object ball off the intended path. To combat the throw, you must aim a little wide, as shown by the video.

This video demonstrates how to be aware of the possibility of the delayed curving of a follow shot, and how to use this to your advantage. The curving occurs when the cue ball is hit at high speeds, and the type and speed of the curve are dependent on the speed of the shot.

This video demonstrates the usage of several techniques to achieve a seemingly difficult side pocket shot. The rails are used to prevent a scratch. By going over all the different techniques, this video ensures that you will always have a way to sink a pocket shot.

In the instance of all shots being blocked, you can place the cue ball near an object ball, as is shown in this video. This is a safe shot that can potentially make your opponent's next turn very difficult.

This video show how to use the 90 degree rule to plan an "object ball carom shot." This type of shot will deflect the object ball off 2 balls before making it into the pocket. An object ball carom shot requires a decent knowledge of geometry.

This video demonstrates how to pocket the object ball (in this case, the 8 ball), by letting the cue ball deflect off two rails. It is necessary for the cue ball to follow the imaginary parallel lines leading from these rails to the object ball. This shot is useful for when traditional shot lines are blocked.

This video demonstrates the massé shot, in which the cue stick is almost vertical and a bottom left English is used to curve the cue ball around obstacles. This type of shot drives the cue ball into the table and can cause damage to the table fabric. Despite the risks, a large-curve massé looks very impressive.

This video shows how to shoot the target ball with enough strength to pocket the ball and set the cue ball up for the next shot. Hitting low on the cue ball with a good follow through will position the cue ball for the next shot. If done correctly, you can end the game!

Steve Davis and John Parrott show how to hit the screw shot, in which the cue ball rolls back after contact with the target. The video contains slow motion footage of what's happening to the cue ball in response to contact with the cue.

This video demonstrates a shot from the film "Pool Hall Junkies" and involves hitting the cue ball off center with a medium stroke. The object ball then banks off the rail into other balls, deflects off those and goes into the pocket.

Learn how to properly hit a cue ball while playing pool by learning what NOT to do. This video shows how a miscue happens from an off-center hit or no chalk.

Once again, David Alciatore is here to show us another great pool shot. Watch and learn how to make a basic jump shot.

If you think pool only involves "four ball, corner pocket", this video is for you. Impress your friends with this simple video. Learn how to make a rail cut shot with natural English.

It's quick and easy, but this video does the trick. Watch and learn how to make the straight-on draw shot in your pool game.