Basic Lessons

Fundamentals of Pool
The lessons provided in this section deals with the basic building blocks that are necessary to move on to more advanced topics about learning to play the game of pool.

» Stance
» Billiard Stances- A Comparison Of Two Styles
» The Grip

» The Grip - Another perspective
» Getting a grip (right) is vital
» The correct grip
» The Bridge - Part I
» The Bridge - Part II (How to set up an open bridge)
» The Open Bridge
» The Bridge - Part III (How to set up a closed bridge)
» Bridging The Gap
» The Bridge - Part IV (Other Types of bridges)

» Stroke

» The pendulum
» The First Step to a better Stroke
» Stroke detection and correction
» How to learn to stroke straight
» Slip Stroke
» How to Stroke

How to Aim: Techniques & Execution
This section explains how to correctly aim and pocket object balls and covers some of the most common aiming systems used by majority of the pool players.

» How to Aim - Part I

» How to Aim - Part II
» Aim alignment
» Pinpoint Accuracy in Aiming
» Aiming points and compensating for English induced throw
» The Clicks Aiming System
» 2-2-2
» New Aiming Technique
» Simple Aiming Technique
» How to aim successfully
» Ghost Ball Theory, the Holy Light System, dominant eye and stroke explained
» Abstract Aiming System
» Rifle-like Cue Aiming in Pool
» Aiming Technique:
» Learning requires repetition

Basic Shots & Shotmaking
This section covers some of the simple and basic shots in pool. These simple shots will pave the way for more advanced shots as you advance your pool skills.

» The Stop Shot

» The Draw Shot

» The Follow Shot

» Cut Shots
» Stop Shot, Revisited

» Draw Shot, Revisited

» The Follow Shot, Revisited

Basic Position Play
This section covers the basic principles of playing shape. These basic techniques will enable players to move ahead to more advanced principles after mastering the basic principles.

» Basic Position Play - Stun

» Basic Position Play - Draw

» Basic Position Play - Follow

» Principles of playing position - Part I
» Principles of playing position - Part II
» Principles of playing position - Part III
» Speed and Cue ball direction
» The Professionals Pocket All The Easier Shots Better
» Blackjack's Myths & Facts About Cue Ball Control

Rules of the Game
This section contains official and unofficial rules of various pool games.

» GENERAL RULES OF POCKET BILLIARDS
» Game Rules for 8-Ball
» Open Table Rule for 8-Ball
» Game Rules for 9-Ball
» Game Rules for 10-Ball
» Game Rules for Straight Pool (14.1)
» Game Rules for One-Pocket

Rate your Pool Game
Tools that tests your current skill rating at the pool table.

» Tracking your progress
» The Mid-Term Exam

Handicapping Methods
Different handicapping methods that can be used for evenning out mismatched competition of 2 or more unequal skill levels of pool players.

» HANDICAPPING your OPPONENT in 8 Ball

Advanced Lessons

Advanced Shots & Shotmaking
This section covers the more advanced shots and the execution needed to become an advanced shotmaker.

» Combination Shots

» Jack Up and Rail Shots
» Shooting Hard with English
» Combination Shots Made Easy
» How Did I Miss That Easy Cut Shot?
» Long Straight-in Shot
» Razor Thin Cut Shots

How to use Side Spin
This section deals primarily on the use of side spin or english on the cue ball to play for position.

» Understanding English - The Basics
» Understanding English - Deflection/Squirt

» Understanding English - Throw

» Understanding English - Curve/Swerve

» Inside and Outside English
» More on Throw (A lesson in English)
» Cue ball control using english
» Effects of english off the rail

» Using english to change a natural angle off a rail
» Two Kinds of English
» Cuts and stamina - How the pro's cope...

Advanced Position Play
This section deals with more advanced types and techniques for playing position.

» Spin and the Tangent Line
» Advanced play, speed and carom control

Safety & Defense
This section covers some of the techniques for playing defense against an opponent.

» Game plan for safety play
» Tips on Safety Play
» Advanced Safety Play With Multiple Objectives

The Mental Game
This section deals with the mental side of th game of pool.

» Consistency
» Consistency - Part II
» Consistency - Part III
» Consistency
» Kaizen in Pool
» Preparation of the Mind
» Pacing yourself on long nights
» Sometimes, all we have left is instincts
» Welcome to World Class
» A Special Lesson
» Let go of your dream
» Steps taken by a self possessed man
» Preparing for Competition
» The Champion in you
» The Match Player
» Goal Setting
» All Things are equal
» Achieving Dead Stroke
» The Art of Concentration
» Pool Hall Survival
» The Art of The Choke
» Looking at Fear

The Break
This section covers the techniques used for creating an effective break.

» The 9-Ball Break
» Controlling the Nine Ball Break
» Power Breaking
» Do a better Break shot (8-Ball)
» A better 8-ball break
» Break Cues: Light or Heavy?
» The Break
» How to be consistent at making the wing ball on a 9-ball break

Miscellaneous Tips
Other useful articles and tips to help you improve your game.

» 10 Bad Habits That Keep You From Running The Rack
» The Way of a Hu$tler
» Looking good at the table
» The Rhythm Method
» Respect the Game
» That Room For Improvement
» Billiard Room Etiquette
» Beyond the basics, Throw, curve and squirt
» Tournament preparation; the first step to winning
» Eight-ball tips; it's choice not chance that wins
» Video Tape
» An aid to cue power
» Predator Blues
» Taking Your Time
» Gone Fishin'

Banking and Kicking Techniques
This section covers the techniques used for calculating the correct angles to execute a successful bank shot and kick shots.

» The Bank Shot - Part I

» The Bank Shot - Part II
» The Bank Shot - Part III
» Half Ball Bank Shots
» How to Easily Make a Bank Shot
» Of Parallelograms, Tangents, and Oil
» A little trick for your banks in a pool hall for beginers
» Gutsy last Ball Bank
» One Rail Kick Shots
» Two Rail Kick Shots

» Angled Kick shot
» Diamond System Simplified
» How to Make a Kick Shot

Practice & Improvement

Practicing Fundamentals
Practice drills for improving your game fundamentals.

» Stroke Drill #1
» Stroke Drill #2
» Stroke Drill #3
» Straighten your stroke
» Let the rails straighten your stroke
» Developing your stroke

Practicing Basic Shots & Shotmaking
Practice drills to improve your basic shotmaking skills.

» Shot Making Drill
» Long Shot Pocketing Drill
» Contact Throw Aiming Drill
» Straight-in Draw drill
» Help with draw/draw drill
» Draw and Follow control
» Straight Draw Drill
» Practice for a frequent and sometimes troublesome shot.
» Another shotmaking drill

Practice Basic Position Play
Practice drills to improve your basic position play from no rail position to simple 1-rail position.

» Position Drill - Draw
» Position Drill - Follow
» The Circle Drill

Practice Advanced Shots & Shotmaking
Practice drills to help you improve your pocketing percentage of those long difficult shots.

» Advanced Cut Shot Drill
» Fine tune your english
» Two in One Drill
» Fun way to learn rail shots
» Another long distance rail practice
» Frozen drill
» How do you hit this?
» How do you pocket the 9?
» A little game consisting of only four balls can improve your whole bankshot game
» Over coming frozen balls and positional shots

Practice Advanced Position Play
Practice drills for improving your runout pattern and advanced position play skills.

» Positioning drill
» Position Play
» Center is best
» Cue ball control drill #2
» Cue ball control drill #1

Practicing Defense and Safeties
Practice drills to help you improve your defensive skills at the table.

» Safety Drill
» Safety Drill II

Miscellaneous Practice
Miscellaneous practice drills that help your overall game.

» Mississippi Nine Ball
» 15 ball tag
» Drillless drill
» 6 Rail Trick shot
» Focus 9-Ball
» Simple drill to improve focus and concentration

How to choose & buy equipment

How to Choose the right Equipment
Articles and tips on how to choose the right type of pool equipment for you to help you improve your game of pool.

» Selecting a Cue Stick
» Selecting a Break Cue
» Selection of your personal pool cue
» Cue Case
» Suggested Cue Accessories
» Pool Table recommended room size
» Buying your jump cue

Maintaining your Pool Equipment
Articles and tips about caring and maintenance of your pool equipment.

» Tip Replacement
» Maintaining your cue
» How do you clean your cue?
» How to replace a pool cue tip
» Fixing Pool Cue Joints
» Low cost cue shaft spinner
» Hardening a cue tip
» Shaft Dent Removal
» Laser Aimer: A Device for Practicing Ghost Ball, Bank & Kick Shots
» Removable Subrail Extensions (Pocket Reducers)