Practicing Pool without a Pool Table

msmilwshooter

msmilwshooter

Registered
I would like to get some ideas on what I can do to practice without a pool table. We have a nice size table that we use for practicing shots. One of the things we use is the plastic bottle to make sure we have a straight shot along with several other methods my husband knows of. Of course we visit the local pool hall frequently but as you know, that gets expensive.

Just curious what others recommend as well. As you may have read from my post the other day, I am really starting to dial some things such as a more steady (closed) bridge and concentrating on keep the back arm straight. Now however, I am spending more time worrying about keeping all of those things in check that I am missing obvious shots.

Thanks for the help!
 
msmilwshooter said:
I would like to get some ideas on what I can do to practice without a pool table. We have a nice size table that we use for practicing shots. One of the things we use is the plastic bottle to make sure we have a straight shot along with several other methods my husband knows of. Of course we visit the local pool hall frequently but as you know, that gets expensive.

Just curious what others recommend as well. As you may have read from my post the other day, I am really starting to dial some things such as a more steady (closed) bridge and concentrating on keep the back arm straight. Now however, I am spending more time worrying about keeping all of those things in check that I am missing obvious shots.

Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...

Dinner table...Just in case someone thinks she means pool table...If we had a pool table in the house, half of you wouldn't even know me.
 
One thing you could do is practice stroking with Joe Tucker's 3rd eye trainer. It will train you to line up to center ball, and it'll prevent twisting the cue.

Better than the plastic bottle if you use a pendulum stroke, otherwise you'll be moving your elbow to keep the cue level throughout
 
when it comes down to it, 90+% of the game is mental. exercise the mental aspect of your game. youtube various video's or get some good DVD's. Watching great matches or even good instruction vid's over & over will do more for your game than anything else you can do without a table.
 
It may sound strange, but thinking about pool and your game while you're drifting off to sleep can be a good thing. Buddy Hall once told me that he discovered something about his stroke while he was laying in bed. He got up the next day and tried it out and has used it ever since. Don't ask me what it was. He never told me that, only that it had something to do with the way he went through the ball.
 
jay helfert said:
It may sound strange, but thinking about pool and your game while you're drifting off to sleep can be a good thing. Buddy Hall once told me that he discovered something about his stroke while he was laying in bed. He got up the next day and tried it out and has used it ever since. Don't ask me what it was. He never told me that, only that it had something to do with the way he went through the ball.
Click to expand...
Establishing a good and consistant Rhythm is a big part of the game. You can do that driving down the road or anywhere else.
 
back in the day when i was half decent, i spent a decent amount of time learning to focus... just basically sitting back and letting myself think only of one idea... or thing..

im a car guy as well, so i would picture mechanics, gears, things like that, and picture how they went through the motions and worked..

doin this a lot had me REALLY being able to focus down on a shot..

that being said, i think i will go do that instead of typing here hahha
 
msmilwshooter said:
I would like to get some ideas on what I can do to practice without a pool table. We have a nice size table that we use for practicing shots. One of the things we use is the plastic bottle to make sure we have a straight shot along with several other methods my husband knows of. Of course we visit the local pool hall frequently but as you know, that gets expensive.

Just curious what others recommend as well. As you may have read from my post the other day, I am really starting to dial some things such as a more steady (closed) bridge and concentrating on keep the back arm straight. Now however, I am spending more time worrying about keeping all of those things in check that I am missing obvious shots.

Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...

I personally think watching the pros is one of the best things you can do for your game... without a pool table.
 
Eat, sleep and breath pool. If im not watching pool on tv im reading billiards digest or im reading a pool book (or im on here). The books and magazines are awesome cause you can read them while your at the dr's office or anywhere else youve got a spare minute, and youd be amazed at all the little things youll pick up along the way that start to add up and help your game. And like jay said.Think of pool as u doze off to sleep. I keep a pool book next to the bed and read a chapter everynight before bed to relax me. Right now its cornbreads book.


(and after that one hopefully itll be jays book :thumbup: )
 
might be worthy of consideration

I have been wanting to rig a laser pointer on my pool cue to practice my stroke at home. Looking at a dot on a wall a 15-20 feet away would magnify any errors in my stroke making them very obvious.

These people have taken it a step further projecting a laser generated line on the wall so you can see if you are twisting as well as if you are stroking straight.

I know nothing about the company or the product. Looking at the site it appears well made. They do offer a 30 day money back guarantee. Of course that is only as good as the company is. Seems like a good idea, beyond that I can not say. Since the laser pointers usually spend most of the time off battery life might be an issue.

Hu

http://www.laserstroke.com/index.html
 
msmilwshooter said:
I would like to get some ideas on what I can do to practice without a pool table. We have a nice size table that we use for practicing shots. One of the things we use is the plastic bottle to make sure we have a straight shot along with several other methods my husband knows of. Of course we visit the local pool hall frequently but as you know, that gets expensive.

Just curious what others recommend as well. As you may have read from my post the other day, I am really starting to dial some things such as a more steady (closed) bridge and concentrating on keep the back arm straight. Now however, I am spending more time worrying about keeping all of those things in check that I am missing obvious shots.

Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...
I suggest working on your pre-shot routine and mechanics. You can do this with a cheap card table, a door mirror, cueball and a small pillow. Set the table up against a wall with the mirror wedged between the table and wall. Place a small pillow in front of the mirror and practice stroking the CB into the pillow. Get into a routine that you can practice over and over. Watch your stroke in the mirror and check your alignment. You can also use Joe Tuckers 3rd eye stroke trainer while doing this drill. I know it sounds boring, but it good work that can help your game.
 
Bigjohn said:
I personally think watching the pros is one of the best things you can do for your game... without a pool table.
Click to expand...

I agree 100%! And better yet, find a pro who is most like you, in size and stature and even in how he strokes/plays. It's not as hard to copy this way.
 
Thanks everyone for the great suggestions! I really like the idea of using a mirror to see my stance. I am overally cacious right now that I am keeping my back arm straight. I will also check out some of the tools that may help me as well for shooter straighter.

My husband has been telling me to start watching more pool with him, I guess I really need to start diving in as much as he to pick up some great tips as well.
 
tjlmbklr said:
Hey, I resent that...:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Who are you again? I think I might've played on your table a few months back. lol I thought you had moved or something, I only see you on league nights now....

You can't really resent it though, because you don't use your table more than an hour a week probably...shame on you.
 
MilwShooter said:
Who are you again? I think I might've played on your table a few months back. lol I thought you had moved or something, I only see you on league nights now....

You can't really resent it though, because you don't use your table more than an hour a week probably...shame on you.
Click to expand...

I am the guy who will play you a set of One Pocket race to 5 for $100....you in? :p

I recent the statement because yes I do have a table...and yes I know a lot of people....so I guess that means I never use it....So true! :crying:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top