Tips for beginners?

Practice, practice, & practice! Maybe try talking to the pool pro at your local pool hall & make sure you have the basics down with you stance, holding the cue, & such. Good luck, it's a very addictive thing! :)


Yes, very addicting!! Will do, I will start by next week. Thank you very much :)
 
As soon as you're convinced it's not a passing phase but a full blown addiction, get a "fundamentals" lesson: stance, stroke, grip, bridge. Trying to figure out what needs fixing by yourself is like trying to cut your own hair without a mirror. You need other, knowledgable eyes - not just some guy who shoots good, but a coach/instructor. Then you'll know what to practice for the next 20 years.

pj
chgo

The cutting your own hair without a mirror loigic makes perfect sense. Yes, knowledgeable opinions from others will definitely be a big stepping stone to improve my game. Thanks, I'll get that fundamentals lesson as soon as possible :)
 
There are so many tips you need, it is not possible to cover in writing. Mainly because the different possibilities that makes you miss a shot.

My advice to you keep shooting, make sure to practice shot making on your own for an hour before any game playing. I think playing 9 ball next will offer you more shots variety at different speeds, where as 8 ball or straight pool you have more options to pick and naturally will pick easy ones.
When you run at least 6 balls in a 9 ball rack you are ready for advance instructions

If you are close to Arlington, VA PM me.

Best of Luck.

Thanks for the advice :) Practice shots for an hour before playing will be very useful, and playing 9 ball will be noted :)
 
If you're the self-learning type and want to know the physics behind the game, read and watch everything here:

http://billiards.colostate.edu/

Then HAMB (hit a million balls) and, most importantly, pay attention to what the balls do after you hit them. Stay down and watch the results of the shot. Your subconscious brain learns from and remembers every shot, whether you realize it or not.

Oh really? If the brain does remember every shot, then the HAMB technique will definitely improve my game. Thanks for the advice :)
 
Quit your job and break up with your significant other :grin:. Fundamentals, play different games.

Hahahah, I think that's too much dedication. I only play billiards for fun on the weekends, yes, fundamentals and playing different games would be a great help. Thank you :)
 
Whenever possible, play people who are better than yourself.

Work (including lessons) on shooting fundamentals NOW, not after 2 or 3 years of bad habits.

RL

Yes, will be working on them as soon as possible. I think you're correct, I'll just be playing with them guys that are better than me for me to improve. Thanks alot! :)
 
1st you have to know how to pot the 4000 possibilities of shots, and then shoot as much as you want. Telling some one shoot a million ball is not good enough.
Your subconscious has nothing to do with it, it simply aim and where to aim for the different shots on table before you go down on the shot taking into account CB path and status at moment of contact with OB.

Ah really? Practicing the 4000 possibilities of shots might be of great help, time consuming though I guess but will definitely improve my game. Thank you so much! :)
 
Hang out in a pool hall. Get to know the folks there.
Watch the better players play. Sneak in a question, every now and then, but don't be a pest.
Read books and watch DVDs.
Learn to play One Pocket. You'll thank Grady, and me later. :smile:


Yes, listening to their knowledge, philosophy, and experience in the game will definitely be a great help! Thanks! :)
 
Just to hammer it home... it SUCKS to fall in love with this game, but end up learning a bunch of bad habits. They hold you back, and it's a real bítch to unlearn them. If you can afford it, learn the fundamentals EARLY from a real instructor.

If you can't, here are some good resources for self-teaching:

BOOKS: 99 critical shots by Ray Martin - a nice quickstart guide to some of the most common shots in any pool game.

DVDS/ONLINE INFO:
http://billiards.colostate.edu/
In my opinion, this is the best pool material out there, and most of it is free on his website. If you don't want to spend so much time digging and reading, order his DVD set instead. It's worth every penny.

I like this guy because he gets deep into why shots work and why they don't. He'll never tell you "do this, don't ask why. It just works. For me at least." He tests people's claims and make sure the info passes both scientific and common sense tests. There's no bad advice or weird superstitions, just rock-solid material you can trust. He also posts on here regularly and will answer questions or point you in the right direction.

Honorable mention:
http://www.bertkinister.com/
This guy can be very engaging, or deadly dull. The quality of the video (both in terms of material and visuals) is all over the place. But you can learn some very good info in here if you happen to stumble on the right videos.

Just two more things I want to add:

- Honestly, even though everyone says "get an instructor", I know 90% of the beginners out there won't. So who do you listen to? Usually your best bet is to get instruction from the best player in the pool hall, if possible. Some people argue you can learn from anyone who plays better than you... and that's true. But the better player is probably also more experienced and has figured out some of the common stumbling blocks players run into. And the weaker players can't teach you what they don't know.

- The biggest obstacle anyone can have to learning pool is a scared attitude. Like "I'm scared of losing" or "I'm scared if I try this shot I'll miss" or "I'm scared if I hit the cue ball that low I'll jump it". You have to make learning more important than winning a single game, or a single match. You cannot be scared to try new things, hit the ball in an uncomfortable way, try a shot someone advises even if you don't like it. A lot of guys reach a mediocre level and then stick to the safe stuff they're comfortable with (including the bad habits they've developed). Don't limit yourself that way!
 
Accu-Stats (game you prefer).

Instructional DVDs.

Lessons on Fundamentals by a higher level instructor (bad instruction is worse than no instruction).

Have fun...

Pete


Thanks!! Instructional DVDs will surely help. Bad instruction is worse than no instruction? Alright, I'll take note :)
 
Get used to cigarette smoke, being around a bunch of dickwads, and rude waitresses that bump into you when you're down on your shot.

On a more serious note, you do need not only to practice diligently, but as others have said, find someone with enough pool knowledge (instructor) to help you practice all the right things. Like RandyG once told his poolschool class: "Practice does NOT make perfect, perfect practice does."

And.........you will have to learn how to fade certain people and their "moves". Stay strong/focused mentally!!!

Maniac

I guess that's part of the game? Will do, I guess them dickwads will be a challenge to face, but surely factors to improve my game.

I certainly agree to "Practice does NOT make perfect, perfect practice does." Certainly very inspiring.


Thank you for the tips :)
 
I agree with the advice to take lessons. As well, I would recommend the following.

Banking With The Beard by Freddie Bentivegna.

The 99 Critical Shots in Pool by Ray Martin.

The Robert Byrne books are also very good.

Practice, practice, practice.


Noted :) Thanks for the recommendations :)
 
Just to hammer it home... it SUCKS to fall in love with this game, but end up learning a bunch of bad habits. They hold you back, and it's a real bítch to unlearn them. If you can afford it, learn the fundamentals EARLY from a real instructor.

If you can't, here are some good resources for self-teaching:

BOOKS: 99 critical shots by Ray Martin - a nice quickstart guide to some of the most common shots in any pool game.

DVDS/ONLINE INFO:
http://billiards.colostate.edu/
In my opinion, this is the best pool material out there, and most of it is free on his website. If you don't want to spend so much time digging and reading, order his DVD set instead. It's worth every penny.

I like this guy because he gets deep into why shots work and why they don't. He'll never tell you "do this, don't ask why. It just works. For me at least." He tests people's claims and make sure the info passes both scientific and common sense tests. There's no bad advice or weird superstitions, just rock-solid material you can trust. He also posts on here regularly and will answer questions or point you in the right direction.

Honorable mention:
http://www.bertkinister.com/
This guy can be very engaging, or deadly dull. The quality of the video (both in terms of material and visuals) is all over the place. But you can learn some very good info in here if you happen to stumble on the right videos.

Just two more things I want to add:

- Honestly, even though everyone says "get an instructor", I know 90% of the beginners out there won't. So who do you listen to? Usually your best bet is to get instruction from the best player in the pool hall, if possible. Some people argue you can learn from anyone who plays better than you... and that's true. But the better player is probably also more experienced and has figured out some of the common stumbling blocks players run into. And the weaker players can't teach you what they don't know.

- The biggest obstacle anyone can have to learning pool is a scared attitude. Like "I'm scared of losing" or "I'm scared if I try this shot I'll miss" or "I'm scared if I hit the cue ball that low I'll jump it". You have to make learning more important than winning a single game, or a single match. You cannot be scared to try new things, hit the ball in an uncomfortable way, try a shot someone advises even if you don't like it. A lot of guys reach a mediocre level and then stick to the safe stuff they're comfortable with (including the bad habits they've developed). Don't limit yourself that way!


Yeah I guess them bad habits shouldn't be developed. Thanks and I will take note of the book and DVD. These are very helpful advice and I can't wait to actually try them. Yes, I think 90% of beginners don't want to get instructors like my pool buddies. I admit that I am just a beginner at this sport but I'm really considering to get an instructor to have a better grip on the proper fundamentals. I also like your tip about losing a game. Man, I totally agree that we shouldn't limit ourselves so I guess I'll just continue to learn and not be afraid of losing.

Thank you so much!
 
Where are you located? Might be an instructor or a good player from here that would help you a little. I would be willing if you are close to me
 
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Learn speed and natural angles, its the foundation of all shots and once you gain speed control everything changes.
Some of the best advise besides getting in touch with a qualified instructor.

This I can't help - Get on a Carom Table if possible. If not, play some caroms on the pool table. It will help with speed control and CB control.

I warn you to be carful with Caroms. Too much of it and you'll not be interested in pockets.
 
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