Pool "Secrets" Found on AZ

it's best to put low on the cuts to prevent the cue ball from jumping off the rail

There is truth to this, Jay, and furthermore when the ball is close to the rail it's best to put low on the cuts to prevent the cue ball from jumping off the rail.

Sometimes you have to hit the really thin cuts with a lot of authority just to get them to the pocket. "Low" come off the rail with "High" and you can hit it as hard as you want without fear of it jumping off the table.

Of course I also suggest using a "TOI" when hitting it low to make sure it cuts thin.

jay helfert said:

You can actually cut a ball slightly thinner by cueing low on the cue ball. Just try it, cutting a ball at a 90 degree angle cueing both high and low. Here's my theory why that is - when you cue high you actually throw the object ball just a hair on contact. This doesn't happen when you cue low, there is no throw.

Second major reason for cueing low is the cue ball will NEVER jump the table this way. Cueing high and shooting hard you really turn the cue ball loose and it can jump the table, particularly if the object ball is close to a rail. You have much better control by cueing low. Again I suggest you test both these assertions for yourself and see what you think.

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Teaching Expression

''when your down your done'' I've taught for ever.

itsfroze said:

I don't believe Jay said #1, if I'm wrong maybe Jay will pop in here and say why?

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He did say it...he even messaged me on a follow up question.

Here's a small gem....ALWAYS have a spot or area that you want your cue ball to end up when shooting the 8 ball. It may seem like common sense, but it will potentially save you from a frustrating scratch by just getting lazy and not really looking to see where the cue ball will go after it contacts the 8.

Bob Jewett said:

That sounds like a good theory but it's wrong. For a test that shows that it's wrong see my May article in http://www.sfbilliards.com/articles/2006.pdf

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Additional proof that throw is less with both topspin and bottom-spin shots (but the same with the same amount of top or bottom spin) can be found here:

throw draw and follow effects resource page

Although, there might be other possible explanations for why some people might shoot thin cuts more accurately with draw vs. follow. A lack of CB bounce could be one.

Regards,
Dave

Spimp13 said:

Here's a small gem....ALWAYS have a spot or area that you want your cue ball to end up when shooting the 8 ball. It may seem like common sense, but it will potentially save you from a frustrating scratch by just getting lazy and not really looking to see where the cue ball will go after it contacts the 8.

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Every human has lost this way MORE than twice....:speechless: Great advice.

I have been playing for 25 years now and here are a couple of things I recently learned. That doesn't make them secrets. It may simply show how stupid I can be.

1.I am not a center to edge advocate but I did learn that there are many rail shots where you can aim the center of the cue tip through the center of the CB to the edge of the OB and the OB automatically drops. You will have to figure out for yourself how far off the rail the CB can / cannot be for this shot to "automatically" make the OB. The allowable angles are more varied than one would think.

2. Shifting my body weight to the rear by about six inches and using a straight left arm allows me to see more of the cue stick for sighting but most importantly, I never stand up on a shot any more.

3. When the shot is less than a half ball hit begin the aim by sighting the center of the tip through the center of the CB to the contact point. After stroking a few times the body / mind automatically compensates for the correct aim, English, etc. Seems to work like magic if you learn to trust your body and have visually marked the spot for the CB.

4. I have stated this before but have seen it no where else. You can sometimes identify a "shark" by the variety of things he uses to find out what irritates you.

A "secret" to one person is common knowledge to everyone else. However, I haven't seen these ideas stressed by anyone else. So I might be wrong but they do work for me.

West Point 1987 said:

He did say it...he even messaged me on a follow up question.

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I stand corrected.

jay helfert said:

You can actually cut a ball slightly thinner by cueing low on the cue ball. Just try it, cutting a ball at a 90 degree angle cueing both high and low. Here's my theory why that is - when you cue high you actually throw the object ball just a hair on contact. This doesn't happen when you cue low, there is no throw.

Second major reason for cueing low is the cue ball will NEVER jump the table this way. Cueing high and shooting hard you really turn the cue ball loose and it can jump the table, particularly if the object ball is close to a rail. You have much better control by cueing low. Again I suggest you test both these assertions for yourself and see what you think.

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Thanks for the reply Jay, I appreciate it.

Some banks don't go, but do.

80P said:

The best pool secret of all time is.....dont gamble with rhea. He/she is the master of $5 races to 21 on the bar box.


Sent from my RM-917_nam_usa_100 using Tapatalk

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It only hits the $5.00 mark after it has been "backed & jacked" a few times.:rotflmao1:

Black-Balled said:

Don't chew your fingernails at the pool room?

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I actually remember a guy who always wore flip-flops while he played. One time while he was matched up, he was chewing his toe nails. Totally sharked the other player....LOL
His name was Scott, for the life of me I can't remember his last name.

CJ Wiley said:

Of course I also suggest using a "TOI" when hitting it low to make sure it cuts thin.

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I thought if you hit the object ball in the exact same place each time on a cut that outside english will cut the ball more than inside english? Am I wrong about that?

tucson9ball said:

I actually remember a guy who always wore flip-flops while he played. One time while he was matched up, he was chewing his toe nails. Totally sharked the other player....LOL
His name was Scott, for the life of me I can't remember his last name.

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Scott committed suicide the same day that Julie, the daughter of Henry, who owned the Cue Club in Vegas. Last Name will pop in my head any minute. Scotty Morgan.

ghost ball said:

What pool "secrets" have you learned here on AZ? Please list the "secret" and, if known, the source. Hopefully we can build a database of useful knowledge that can be applied to make AZ followers better pool players. I'll start:

1. On thin cuts, use a draw stroke -> Toupee Jay
2. Use inside english -> C.J. and the Earthquake
3. When shooting a cue ball against the rail, aim through the cushion -> Toupee Jay again!

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4. On thin cuts, use a follow stroke. Buddy Hall
5. Use inside English. C.J. Wiley
6. When shooting a cue ball against the rail, find an object ball to aim at instead. JoeyA

The Secret Handshake

JoeyA said:

4. On thin cuts, use a follow stroke. Buddy Hall

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This goes against some previous advice in the thread, but I like Buddy's advice better ... in general. It might not be best at really fast speeds with the CB close to the OB, and on equipment with sticky and bouncy cushions; but in general, follow shots can be more accurate than draw shots for the reasons listed here:

follow shot accuracy resource page

Regards,
Dave

JoeyA said:

5. Use inside English. C.J. Wiley

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For those interested, there are actually several reasons why this might be good advice for many people for shots where other english is not called for. All of the reasons (beyond what C.J. says) are listed and explained here:

inside english benefits resource page

Regards,
Dave