Playing pool with friends is great fun and an ideal way to socialise and connect with people. It’s a game that involves focus and problem solving, making it a challenging but exciting activity that brings people together as part of a good night out.
Whether you’re a casual player or serious competitor, mastering pool takes more than luck. It’s a blend of precision, strategy, control and mental focus. The good news is anyone can improve their pool skills with knowledge and practice.
For a venue that has everything for a fun-filled get together with friends, learn how to be a better pool player at What The Putt, Melbourne’s home to unique indoor mini golf, arcade games and premium pool tables.
Here are some tips to play pool better and elevate your game.
1. Perfect Your Stance and Grip
Every great shot begins with a solid foundation. A balanced and stable stance allows for smooth cue action and accurate aiming.
- Find your balance: Position your feet about shoulder-width apart, with your front foot pointing toward the shot and your back foot at a comfortable angle. Distribute your weight evenly for better control.
- Get low: The pros stay low to the table. This lowers your eye level to the cue line, improving aim and stability.
- Relax your grip: A common mistake is holding the cue too tightly. Your grip should be firm but relaxed, allowing your wrist to move freely through the stroke.
2. Focus on Your Bridge
Your bridge – the hand that rests on the table and supports the cue – is as important as your stroke. A poor bridge can lead to inconsistent shots and mishits. There are two main types of bridges:
- Open bridge: The cue rests between your thumb and index finger. This is ideal for most straight and medium-distance shots.
- Closed bridge: The cue slides through a loop formed by your fingers and thumb. This gives more stability, especially for power shots.
Experiment with both to see which works best for your style and table conditions. Pros switch between the two depending on the shot required.
3. Master the Aim: The Ghost Ball Method
To sink balls consistently, you need to understand how to aim correctly. One of the most effective aiming techniques is the Ghost Ball Method.
Visualise an imaginary (ghost) cue ball that would contact the object ball at the exact point needed to send it into the pocket. Align your real cue ball to strike that same point on the object ball.
This method helps you visualise the correct angles and increases accuracy. With practice, your brain will start to calculate these angles instinctively.
4. Control the Cue Ball
Once you can pot balls consistently, the next step is learning cue ball control – the art of positioning the cue ball for your next shot.
Cue ball control depends on where you strike the cue ball:
- Centre hit: Stops the cue ball after contact.
- Top spin (hitting above centre): Moves the cue ball forward after contact.
- Backspin (below centre): Pulls the cue ball backward after hitting the object ball.
- Side spin (left or right): Alters the cue ball’s path after bouncing off a rail.
Start by mastering the basics: stop, follow and draw shots. Once you’re comfortable, experiment with side spin to position the cue ball for more complex patterns. Remember, it’s not just about making the current shot, it’s about setting up the next one.
5. Develop a Smooth Stroke
Your stroke is the engine behind every shot. A smooth, repeatable stroke helps ensure consistent cue ball movement.
- Backswing slowly: Many beginners rush the backswing. A controlled, smooth backswing builds rhythm and accuracy.
- Pause before striking: A brief pause at the end of your backswing helps you steady your aim before moving forward.
- Follow through: The cue tip should continue along the intended line of the shot, even after contact. Stopping too early can throw off your accuracy.
Try recording yourself while playing as watching your form can reveal flaws like jerky movements or uneven strokes you might not notice during play.
6. Learn Basic Position Play and Patterns
Pros don’t shoot at random – they think several shots ahead. Position play is about leaving the cue ball in a good spot for the next shot.
- Plan 2–3 shots ahead: Before shooting, consider where the cue ball will end up and how it will set you up for future shots.
- Use natural angles: Instead of forcing spin, use the natural rebound angles of the table to guide the cue ball.
- Stay on the right side of the ball: Being on the correct angle gives you better control over position and shot selection.
7. Master the Break Shot
A powerful, well-controlled break can open up the balls and even pocket one or two right away.
- Square stance: Stand square to the table for maximum power and stability.
- Hit the head ball cleanly: Aim to strike the centre ball of the rack as squarely as possible.
- Follow through with force: Use your body motion, not just your arms, to generate power.
- Control the cue ball: The goal is to keep the cue ball near the table’s centre after the break.
Practice different break angles and speeds to see what produces the best spread for you.
8. Sharpen Your Mental Game
Pool isn’t just physical, it’s a mental sport. Staying calm and focused under pressure can make the difference between winning and losing.
- Visualise success: Before each shot, picture the path the ball will take into the pocket.
- Stay patient: Don’t rush shots. Take your time to line up and breathe.
- Learn from mistakes: Every miss is a lesson. Reflect on what went wrong instead of getting frustrated.
Confidence grows with experience, but maintaining focus and composure will help you improve pool skills consistently over time.
9. Practice Smart, Not Just Hard
Playing for hours won’t make you better if you’re repeating the same mistakes. Structure your practice sessions to target specific skills:
- Work on one technique at a time: For example, dedicate a session to draw shots or bank shots.
- Set up drills: Use common drills like the “line of balls” to work on accuracy and position play.
- Track progress: Note your improvement areas, success rate and what needs work.
10. Watch and Learn from the Pros
Watching professional players can accelerate your learning. Notice their rhythm, shot selection and how they control the cue ball. Search online for tutorials.
When watching, ask yourself:
- Why did they choose that particular shot?
- How did they position the cue ball for the next play?
- What can I adapt to my own game?
Becoming a skilled pool player takes patience, practice and understanding of the game’s mechanics. Focus on fundamentals like stance, aim and cue control, while also developing mental toughness and strategic thinking. Remember, the best players weren’t born with talent – they practiced with purpose.
Call What The Putt to arrange an event or casual game of pool with mates. Grab your cue, line up your shot and start your journey to improve pool skills and play like a pro!