How to Play Pool
Pool is a great indoor game that requires skill, some thought and finesse. While pool might be a favorite way to spend time when at a bar or hall, if you are serious about pool, it makes a great hobby as well. Before we get started, here is a list of the basic equipment you will need.
- Cue Stick
- Balls
- The Pool Table
- Rack
The Cue Stick
The Cue is the stick that you hit the ball with. Cues come in several different weights. One of the first things you will need to do is select a cue that is the right weight for you. Selecting one that is too heavy will wear out your arm and make it harder to shoot accurately. A cue that is too light will make it hard to control the momentum and range of your shot. In addition, make sure the tip is dome shaped and securely attached to the white area underneath (called the ferrel). Also, avoid any cues that appear to be warped, as they will be very hard to use. Don't forget to chalk the tip before you make a shot.
Balls
There are a total of 16 balls that one can use to play pool with. The most common game is 8-ball and uses all 16 balls. Each ball has a number on it with the exception of the white ball which is the cue ball. Balls 1-7 are all solid, the 8 ball is black and balls 9-15 are striped. Each ball is a different color or has a different stripe so you can recognize them easily.
The Pool Table
The standard pool table is 4 feet wide by 9 feet long. It should be noted that you can buy pool tables that are smaller (making it easier to fit in your home) or longer. The surface of the pool table is usually green, but can be any color and has velvet like surface that is most likely made from a material that is both polyester and wool. You will notice on a standard size pool table there are a total of 6 pockets, one pocket at each of the four corners and a pocket on either side in the middle. The standard pool table has rails; these are edges to the pool table, usually made from wood. On the pool table there will be a little white dot at each end of the table, one is called a Foot Spot and the other is called a Head Spot. The Foot Spot is where you set up the rack of balls when starting a game. The Head Spot is where you place your cue ball when breaking (starting a game or taking a shot after your opponent scratches).
The Rack
The rack is a triangle piece of wood or plastic that holds all 15 balls together to set up for a break. The 8 ball always goes in the middle. Depending on house rules, there might be an order to how the balls are positioned within the rack or it might not matter how the balls are set up in the rack.
Developing the Proper Form for Hitting a Cue into another Ball
Pool requires a form that remains within the rules of the game. To find your form, hold the thick end of the cue in the hand you use most often, right or left. Find the spot along the cue where it is evenly balanced as you hold it palm up in your hand. You will want to grip it about an inch below that location. As for the front end of the cue, some people prefer inserting the tip end of the cue through a triangle made by the thumb and the index finger. Others prefer using the middle finger. Allow the cue to rest on the remainder of the fingers, behind the knuckles.
As for your stance, bring your left foot forward and your right foot back about two feet, with your body slightly twisted in the opposite direction of the hand you are using. Don't stand against the table, although you may need to lean into it somewhat, depending on the type of shot you are going to make.
Try some practice shots before getting into a game. You don't even really need to hit a ball. The idea of the practice is to allow you to get a feel for how to control the angle and thrust of your shots. Once you feel comfortable, try a few shots with a ball or two and see how you do.
The Game of 8 Ball
8 Ball is one of the most popular games to play. It requires 2 to 4 players (each team has an equal amount of players) and all 16 pool balls. The goal of 8 Ball is for each team to try to sink all of their own balls and the 8 ball first. Remember, pool has a total of 16 balls, the cue, the 8 ball and 15 balls (half of which are striped, half are solid). Usually one team is solids and one team is stripes. This is usually decided by the break. If on the break a ball falls into the pocket (for instance, a solid ball), the team breaking are now solids, if more than one type of ball (stripes and solids) goes into the pocket, the breaking team has a choice of whether they are stripes or solids.
Each team takes turns taking shots to shoot their own balls into the pocket. If a team shoots one of their balls into a pocket, they can continue to take pool shots until they miss. If a team misses a shot or shoots the other opponent's ball in one of the pockets, the team loses their chance and the other team now has an opportunity to take a shot.
Once all striped balls or solid balls are shot into the pocket, the team must sink the 8 ball into the pocket. The 8 ball is always the last ball to be shot into the pocket. It should be noted that in most games the player taking the shot must call the pocket in which the 8 ball will be shot into. If the 8 ball is sunk into that pocket the team wins, if the 8 ball falls into another pocket the other team wins by default.
It should be noted that anytime during the game if a shooter accidentally shoots the 8 ball into a pocket, the other team wins. If a shooter during play accidentally shoots the cue ball into the pocket, it is called a scratch and the other team is allowed to shoot, but must take the shot from the Head Point.
Practice and Angles
Pool not only requires you to know how to shoot the ball, but you should have some knowledge of geometry and angles. It takes focus to make a good connection with the cue ball and the shot you have in mind. Before taking a shot, check your angle and thrust with some simple practice thrusts. Make sure you hit in the middle of the cue ball, as that will provide the most control of the angle. If you hit the side of the cue ball, it will most likely spin out of control and could go off the table causing a scratch. One trick that many pool players use is to think of the balls as having a two dimensional ring around them. This seems to help with planning the angles and making the connections. Keep in mind that a well placed hit on the cue ball will result in a ninety degree deflection when the cue ball makes contact with the ball of your choice.
It can take months to become competent at pool and years to become highly skilled at it. Pool is a great game that requires much more than just brawn. While it is a great game to pass the time at the local pub, for those that love the game of pool is can be a wonderful hobby.
