Different Types Of Shots Made With Pool Cues

A player in pool or any other cue sport makes use of the cue stick to make various types of shots. The knowledge of each of these shots is essential to take their advantage during the game.

In the language of cue spots, a shot is referred to as an action to shoot the balls with the cue stick. There are many types of possible in pool and other cue sports. Interestingly, there are different types of cues used to make some of these shots. The following discussion is about the main in pool and other cue sports.

Break

The first shot of a pool game is called the break. The aim of this shot is to separate the object balls that are initially racked together.

Bank

Commonly referred to as bank, a bank shot is played to drive the object balls to one or more rails, before they are pocketed. A variation of the shot is called bank-the-8 shot used in eight-ball pool version in which the 8 ball must be pocketed on the bank shot.

Cut

It is a shot which is not a center-to-center hit but is played with a degree of angle. Back cut and feather shot are two sub-types of the cut shot.

Draw

A draw shot is the one in which the player strikes a cue ball below its equator with enough draw or back spin to make the ball reverse direction when it comes in contact with the object ball.

Follow

The shot in which enough top spin is used to strike the cue ball above its equator so that the cue ball travels forward after touching the object ball.

Jump

It is an interesting cue ball is made to jump so that it passes an obstacle.


Kick

It describes the shot in which the cue ball is driven to one of the rails before it reaches an object ball.

Masse

It is a shot in which the direction of the cue ball is completely reversed by imparting extreme spin to the ball. A variation in the called semi-masse shot in which a moderate curve is introduced to the cue ball's direction.

There are many other shots that one can learn with time. Practice the above-mentioned in the beginning to have a grip on the game.

A jump pool cue is used for jump shots and a break cue for the break shot. You must learn and buy the right pool cues and cue accessories to play the shots accurately.

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Artistic Pool And Trick Shot Competition Disciplines

Casual trick shot artists often have a few jaw-dropping trick shots up their sleeve. Using a cue stick and perhaps some props, he or she can force the billiard balls to move in seemingly physics-defying motions. However, professional trick shot artists or artistic pool players practice more than just a couple setup shots and skill shots. Competition requires them to master an arsenal of tricks that are divided into eight shot disciplines or categories -- trick and fancy, prop/novelty/special arts, draw, follow, bank/kick, stroke, jump, and masse.

Trick and Fancy

In general, these shots are setup shots, meaning the multiple billiard balls are arranged in a specific manner such that a single cue stroke can pocket all the pool balls. A popular trick and fancy shot is the Just Showing Off shot.

Prop, Novelty, and Special Arts

Also known as the general amusement category, these shots are a mix of shots that use props such as the rack or bridge, require multiple balls to be shot within a short period of time (speed shots), rely on shooting balls with one hand, or contain some other criteria. A well known the Over and Under shot.

Draw

The basic premise of the draw shot is to hit the cue ball below center to give it some backspin. These shots require the cue ball to return towards the shooter after colliding with the object ball. The Cowboy Jimmy Moore Circular Draw shot is often seen on television competitions.

Follow

Follow shots are the reverse of the draw shots. The cue ball is hit above the center so topspin propels the ball along its original path after striking the object ball. An example of this type of shot is Hug the Rail.

Bank/Kick: In bank shots, the object ball has to hit at least one rail before sinking into a pocket. Kick shots, on the other hand, require the cue ball to hit a rail before contacting the object ball. One especially famous shot is the Hustler Bank, which was made popular in the opening scene of the movie The Hustler.

Stroke

Mastering any trick shot requires a good stroke or good technique, but the shots in the stroke category are particularly challenging and test both technique and control. In some of these shots, the cue ball is very close or even frozen (touching) the object ball. The (Hundred) Dollar Bill shot, which is used as a tie-breaker in ESPN's Trick Shot Magic, is an example of a stroke shot.

Jump

In the jump category, the cue ball usually jumps over an obstructing pool ball, but they can also jump directly into another ball, creating unusual or surprising results. This discipline is one of the more exciting disciplines to watch. The One Handed Jump is very impressive.


Masse

Perhaps the most unbelievable category, masse shots involving putting an extraordinary amount of spin on the cue ball so that it moves along a curved path. This discipline is arguably the most difficult artistic pool discipline to master. A crowd favorite masse shot is the Rocket Masse.

Once you've mastered several shots from each of these categories, why not test out the competition circuit? There are several professional and amateur trick shot competitions held every year for you to compete in or just to watch.

You can teach yourself pool trick shots by following the free online video and text tutorials of Tim "The Dragon" Chin. Tim Chin is a world-ranked, professional artistic pool player and trick shot entertainer.

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