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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Pool Table Trick Shots

From the most ranked amateur to the most experienced hustler, anyone who spends any time playing pool knows the power of trick shots to wow an audience and impress competitors. Whether they're simple or elaborate, trick shots are an exciting way to spice up a pool game - and they offer control that will boost your performance and give you an advantage over your opponent.

Although they may look fancy, not every pool table trick takes hours of practice. Some can even be learned fairly quickly, once you understand how to hold the pool cue and shoot properly. One of the simplest billiard tricks is the cut shot, where the cue ball hits another ball in just the right way to force that ball to move at a right angle. This is one of the most useful pool tricks to use during any given game - and all it requires is a basic understanding of the way the balls move against each other and a little bit of practice. Another fancy shot - less useful in the average billiard game, but fun to do and impressive to watch - is the double shot. This maneuver sinks a ball into the corner pocket, then continues as the cue ball hits the rail, rebounds around the pool table, and returns to sink the same ball that's been replaced in front of the pocket.

Like the cut shot, the double shot takes a little practice and an understanding of the physical dynamics that govern the cue ball's movements around the table. Even an amateur can learn these basic pool tricks to impress friends and opponents at the pool table.

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8 Easy Ways To Improve Your Pool Game

Improving your pool game is easy when you follow these simple tips: go back to basics, take one technique at a time, practice makes perfect, be confident and positive at all times, play with seasoned players, read related resources, and watch professional games.

As with any other sports, you will start as a novice and better your game through experience. You can play like a pro if you are committed and willing to do what is necessary to improve your skills. Here are some hints to help you improve your pool playing techniques:

1. Go back to the basics - Players are very eager to learn in whatever can just to start making better shots. However, sometimes that means automatically focusing on advanced techniques without having mastered the basics first. Positioning, spinning, and other more advanced skills will come after you have a full understanding of simple stroking techniques.
   
2. One technique at a time - There are so many things you will need to practice such as properly handling the cue properly and arm positioning of arms. But, master each one separately before focusing on a new technique. When you are confident with skill, then you can move on to the next.
   
3. Practice makes perfect - No matter how confident you are, allocate time to practice on a daily basis. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Even champions prepare themselves through constant practice. You can regularly assess your progress and discern whether or not you are destined to become a successful player.
   
4. Be confident and positive at all times - Every time you make a shot, always project a confident feeling to allow positive vibes to dominate. This will help boost your spirit and attain a precise placement.
   
   
5. Play with seasoned players - If you happen to know somebody who is a winner, schedule a game so you can see what is it like to compete with a pro. You will learn many things by asking for some tips about the game. You might even get some private coaching or learn some of his secrets which will help you become a better player.
   
6. Read related resources - Don't forget to read books about this playing pool. Books are effective resources because every single detail about the game is described, often with pictures, and are readily available to you anytime.
   
7. Watch professional games - Never miss a chance to watch a professional game. You will see winning techniques first hand. If you want to gain respect and be a recognized leader among pool players, you must practice regularly.
   
8. And remember to use quality equipment and accessories because they have effect on the way you play.

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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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Alex Higgins - The Snooker Legend

Many people love to watch sports and admire and respect the great sportsmen who compete, the viewers will have their favorites and will follow them throughout their careers. It is always sad when one of these great people die and one such sportsman was Alex Higgins. This amazing snooker player inspired many people to take up this sport and his popularity continued even after he retired from snooker.

Alex Higgins was born in 1949 in Belfast Northern Ireland and had three sisters; he came from a traditional Irish family who worked hard for their families. Alex began playing snooker when he was 11 years old and really enjoyed the sport, he would go to the local youth clubs with his friends and play for hours. When Alex was 14 years old he left for England with the hope of becoming a jockey, although this dream was short lived. He was far too heavy to compete professionally due to his love for chocolate and Guinness, he returned shortly afterward back to Belfast.

In 1968 Alex won the Ireland and Northern Ireland Amateur snooker championships and at the age of 22 he turned professional. At his first attempt at the world championships in 1972 he won and became the youngest winner of the title at just 23 years old. Alex was very soon nicknamed Hurricane Higgins because of the speed he could play a game and many sports people soon realized he was a great snooker player. He went on to become the world champion twice and the runner up twice. He has also won the world champions double competition with Jimmy white.

Alex was an amazing snooker player and inspired many people to take up the sport, he showed there was a fun side to the game and allowed people to see his slightly bad side. Alex was a heavy drinker and smoker and never hid these facts. He was also a compulsive gambler which got him into trouble on several occasions. He retired in 1997 but continued to play snooker back in Northern Ireland for small sums of money. He also made several guest appearances in 2005 and 2006 at the Irish Professional championships where he went on to win. Alex then continues to play in Northern Ireland and was often seen competing in competitions, he said this was to simply be part of the sport and he loved to challenge the new players starting out.

Alex was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1998 and he went onto have surgery to try and remove the cancerous cells. In 2009 Alex fell on desperately hard times and was seen to be living in a caravan where he contracted pneumonia, he also lost all of his teeth due to the cancer treatments. Many of his friends tried to raise the money he needed to replace his teeth; although they did he was then far too ill to have the surgery. Alex had become a very ill depressed man and was even known to have been talking about suicide. He died alone in sheltered accommodation in Belfast on the 24th July 2010, many people will remember him for his former self a great sportsmen and amazing character.

Alex Higgins loved the game of snooker but to be the snooker player he was, takes a lot of practice. If you happen to have the room and are looking for a snooker table, then take a look at these snooker tables.

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