What beginner pool tip do you wish you learned sooner?

[straightline]

I'm a 31 year old APA 4 (got into pool 2 years ago) and I want to at least reach the point of being a strong enough 6 to play Masters by age 35.

I'm hoping that's feasible, but often when I feel like I'm getting better I end up choking away a match I could have won.

In regards to your point about having fun, that's why I disagree with those who say beginners looking to get better should only do drills and not play racks. Playing actual games (whether in league or at bars) is just too fun for me to give up, and it has still taught me a decent amount.

This might be too general for what's going on with your progress, but on the one hand you have a genre that requires extreme competence and on the other hand, you want to attain that competence while having fun.

The choking you cite is probably self induced conflict. The match gets "real" so you apply rational (and unfamiliar) concerns to an incomplete skill set. Maybe it's the one ball or you can't seem to stay in line. Simply put, you're in over your head.
Back to the drawing board.

You may be lacking in patience. You want to hotrod your talent. That's still a tedious process. Skills have to be commensurate with ambition.
Back to the drawing board.

See a pattern?

Mastering pool isn't about who you beat. It's about mastering pool. The lessers will fall by their own folly.

 

[Jaden]

This might be too general for what's going on with your progress, but on the one hand you have a genre that requires extreme competence and on the other hand, you want to attain that competence while having fun.

The choking you cite is probably self induced conflict. The match gets "real" so you apply rational (and unfamiliar) concerns to an incomplete skill set. Maybe it's the one ball or you can't seem to stay in line. Simply put, you're in over your head.
Back to the drawing board.

You may be lacking in patience. You want to hotrod your talent. That's still a tedious process. Skills have to be commensurate with ambition.
Back to the drawing board.

See a pattern?

Mastering pool isn't about who you beat. It's about mastering pool. The lessers will fall by their own folly.

First it's about mastering pool, then it's about mastering yourself. Both are easier said than done, and I'm not sure which is the harder one. I've personally done one but have been working on the other for 20 years.

 

[j2pac]

I can attest APA SL-4 to APA SL-6 in 4 years is absolutely doable (I did it in 2 years as a 45 year old, however that occurred when I got my own table and my wife at the time decided to start screwing her boss, pure coincidence I’m sure).

Translating to Fargo this is a 100 point jump from about a 375 to 475, or you need to become about twice as good as you are now.

I do see in APA land where there’s a bit of a natural cap at SL-5 if you stay focused only on shot making and don’t start getting into fundamentals, stronger pattern play, etc..

It appears that you married your handicap.

 

[sudocrushms]

Some good advice that was given to me here in this forum, as it relates to the 8 Ball. When shooting the 8, pretend that you still have another ball on the table. Try to play shape on that imaginary ball. It will/should help keep you focused as you continue through the 8.

I generally do something similar: if I don't have a pure stop shot on the game ball, I'll look for the spot on the rail I want the cue ball to hit.

One more point for beginners: Find a friendly player that's better than you, but is helpful. I see loads of decent players that are just out for people's money, but love being the guy that will help me players. Cheers to Dr. Dave for being the epitome of the friendly coach.

 

[Lowell]

I would also disagree with anyone who said that beginners shouldn't play matches, but I haven't noticed anyone saying that.

Do you also work on your game solo?

Table time is on the expensive side where I live, so I tend to get most of my practice in after league night. I mostly just work on long, straight in shots and try to get a feel for better mechanics.

 

[Lowell]

I can attest APA SL-4 to APA SL-6 in 4 years is absolutely doable (I did it in 2 years as a 45 year old, however that occurred when I got my own table and my wife at the time decided to start screwing her boss, pure coincidence I’m sure).

Translating to Fargo this is a 100 point jump from about a 375 to 475, or you need to become about twice as good as you are now.

I do see in APA land where there’s a bit of a natural cap at SL-5 if you stay focused only on shot making and don’t start getting into fundamentals, stronger pattern play, etc..

I am learning more and more about strategy (and have been adding more unusual shots to my bag) but find my number one flaw (aside from rushing shots) to be having an awkward stance that is likely hurting my alignment.

So I also look into stroke tweaks a lot, but getting everything to mesh together is difficult.

 

[Lowell]

This might be too general for what's going on with your progress, but on the one hand you have a genre that requires extreme competence and on the other hand, you want to attain that competence while having fun.

The choking you cite is probably self induced conflict. The match gets "real" so you apply rational (and unfamiliar) concerns to an incomplete skill set. Maybe it's the one ball or you can't seem to stay in line. Simply put, you're in over your head.
Back to the drawing board.

You may be lacking in patience. You want to hotrod your talent. That's still a tedious process. Skills have to be commensurate with ambition.
Back to the drawing board.

See a pattern?

Mastering pool isn't about who you beat. It's about mastering pool. The lessers will fall by their own folly.

I think there is a subconcious issue going on where I'm too focused on my record (against both stronger and weaker players), and it's getting to my head once I get on hill.

 

[straightline]

Table time is on the expensive side where I live, so I tend to get most of my practice in after league night. I mostly just work on long, straight in shots and try to get a feel for better mechanics.

I'd say find a way to broaden that routine. Throw all the balls out - unless you're skimping on a coin op. (done that a lot) Throw all the balls out and shoot <easy> patterns. Focus on every shot as if they were the long ones you like.Can you manage 50 "regular" shots per session?

 

[mick hodapp]

Hi everyone,

I've been spending more time researching beginner pool tips, accessories, and game room setups while building a newer billiards resource site.

One thing I've noticed is that there seems to be a lot of advice online, but not all of it is useful for newer players.

If you could recommend one beginner tip, article topic, or lesson that every new player should learn early on, what would it be?

I've been collecting ideas and resources while continuing to build out my site:
https://poolcuehub.com

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

#1 Not when you are playing against someone but when practicing alone I say that the number 1 thing to do is if you miss a shot take the time to set it up again and shoot it over & over until you can make it consistently, believe me your extra time will pay you back ! I see too many new players just moving to the next shot, never learning anything. #2 Always be a gracious loser & always try to be a credit to a great sport, we cannot be champions all of the time but we can sure act like we are, Jus' Sayn' !