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Tips & tricks

Short, practical and table-tested. One idea per tip, a 30-second video, and how to try it tonight.

Tip of the week · Stroke

Pause at the back

A short pause before you hit the cue ball stops you rushing and keeps the cue on line.

Watch the tip 

All tips

TOPIC
LEVEL

  • Aiming · Beginner

    Picture the ghost ball

    On a cut shot, picture a second ball touching the object ball on the side away from the pocket. Then send the cue ball to that spot.

  • Aiming · Intermediate

    Learn the half-ball hit

    Aim the centre of the cue ball at the edge of the object ball, and it cuts the object ball about 30°. Learn that one angle and judge the rest from it.

  • Aiming · Advanced

    Cut slow shots a little thinner

    On a slow cut, friction between the balls pushes the object ball a little along the cue ball’s direction, so it goes off fuller than you aimed. Aim a hair thinner.