Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Getting Started
• Method 2 of 2: Play
• Tips

At first acquaintance, playing pool may seem like some kind of art. Aside from simply pocketing the balls, there are variations, strategies, and terminology that must be mastered. However, the game is so fun and addictive that it will all be a pleasure. To learn how to play and start honing your skills, read on.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Getting Started

1. 1 Equipment. To play, you will need three basic things: a cue, a table, and balls. You can probably tell them apart.
   • Find the right size cue for you. Most cues are 147 cm long, but there are also shorter and longer cues. The most important part of the cue is the sticker on the tip of the cue. Stickers are soft and hard; as a beginner, your best bet is to use medium to medium-soft ..
   • Standard table sizes are 7, 8 and 9 feet, ie 213, 244 or 274 cm. A "correct" table is one that is twice the length of its width. For example, a 7 foot table is 7 feet long and 3.5 feet wide. If you play on a smaller table, you need a shorter cue too.
   • As for the balls, that is, balls with even and odd numbers, striped and full, and, most importantly, the black eight and the white cue ball, this ball is heavier, during the game, direct hits with a cue are applied only to it.
2. 2 Terminology. To play pool, you need to master the rules and terms, this will help speed up and simplify the learning process.
   • A "robbery" occurs at the beginning of the game when one of the players breaks a pyramid of 15 balls. This is the first blow, some strike it directly on the forehead of the pyramid, others in some other way.
   • A foul occurs when the cue ball is thrown off the table or into a pocket, discuss in advance what rules apply in such a situation.
     • A common variant is when the non-fouling player puts the cue-ball in the “home” at his own discretion and strikes further. "Home" - the space between the board and a specially marked line, also marked by the second rhombuses on the boards.
3. 3 Remember the rules. First, let's talk about the usual eight. Of course, you can only win by knowing the rules.
   • Using a triangle, "arrange" 15 balls. Everyone has their own preferences, but the figure eight should always be in the center.
   • The player breaks. If he pockets any of the balls, he announces that he will play balls of this type, for example, striped. The second player plays the rest.
     • If a player has scored a ball of different types, he chooses.
   • The players pocket their balls until there is only an eight left. The first player to hit the ball wins.
     • If a player accidentally pockets an opponent's ball, the opponent's ball is counted.
     • If a player inadvertently scores an eight before he has pocketed all of his balls, he is defeated.
     • If a player scores the cue-ball with the eight, he is also awarded a loss.

Method 2 of 2: Play

1. 1 Practice the blow. Each player has their own favorite poses. If you are right-handed, hold the base of the cue with your right hand and place the "bridge" (stand for the cue) with your left hand. If you are left-handed, do the opposite.
   • Make a "closed bridge", i.e. putting the cue on the bridge, grasp it with your index and thumbs, making a ring. This will allow better control of the cue. Hold lightly but firmly.
     • To make a bridge, place your palm with outstretched fingers about 15-20 centimeters from the cue ball, slightly tighten your fingers, raising your palm, your fingers remain on the table, lift your thumb and press its base firmly against your index finger. Put the cue on the resulting slingshot.
     • The hand with which you place the bridge during the strike remains motionless.
   • Feet should be slightly wider than shoulder width apart.
   • During test swings, make sure that the cue moves in the same plane, easily and smoothly, back and forth, select the point on the cue ball at which you will strike, and look at the aiming ball.
2. 2 Strike. Aim, strike, and the ball is pocketed! Easy in words, huh?
   • Beginners should try to just land a clean and hard hit in the center of the cue ball.
   • Aim as if you were hitting an aiming ball. Do you see the point on the aiming ball that you would hit if you could? Aim and hit her with the cue ball.
   • Practice simple slow beats. Often a soft hit allows the ball to "lick" the lips of the pocket and fall, and not bounce off, or "recoup", i.e. perform a kick not to score a ball, but to defend.
3. 3 Change the game. Have mastered the eight, why stop there?
   • You can play with friends so that each player chooses balls of certain numbers (if two play, 1-7 and 9-15, if three play 1-5, 6-10, 11-15). The goal of the game is to score all the opponent's balls so that only yours remain on the table. The player whose balls are the last to remain on the table wins.
   • Try playing nine. Luck is important here, but it is important in most games. The goal of the game is to take turns to score balls by numbers, from 1 to 9. The players strike in turns, the one who scores the nine wins.
     • A player can pocket all balls from 1 to 8 and still lose; that's the beauty of the game!
4. 4 Concentrate. And look at the aiming ball. Try not to be distracted by anything.
   • Don't get overwhelmed and get discouraged - the situation on the table can always change in an instant. Concentrate not on winning, but on getting the best you can with each hit.
   • Warm up before playing. Place the balls on the table and just try hitting some clean hits.

Tips

• If there are no direct hits, use your knowledge of geometry and try to cut the ball into a pocket or hit from the side, the rhombs on the sides will help with this.
• Look at the cue. It should be straight, the sticker should be rounded and evenly worn. For better adhesion of the sticker with the cue ball, chalk is applied to the sticker.
• Watch the game of professionals, it will help you master the correct stance, strike well; you will also learn something from the strategy of the game.