The following article covers a topic that has recently moved to center stage–at least it seems that way. If you’ve been thinking you need to know more about it, here’s your opportunity.

A jump shot refers to making the cue ball come off the table surface before making contact with another object ball. By placing extreme spin on the ball and elevating the butt of the cue while shooting, you can make the cue ball jump. Beginners often shoot a jump shot by hitting the cue ball very low and miscuing. The most important factor in making a jump shot is the kind of cloth on the table. If it is very high quality, thin cloth, jumping will be very difficult. If it is thicker or maybe rubber-backed, jumping will be fairly easy. It’s best to practice your jump shots with simple straight ahead shots until you get the feel for the table.

On a jump shot, your cue ball jumps at an angle equal to the angle at which it is struck. Another words the higher your cue stick the higher the jump angle. The harder you shoot, the longer the jump. The jump stroke must be shot with a very loose back arm grip. This allows the cue stick to get out of the way of the ball so you don’t “trap” the ball as it’s trying the jump. It is a foul if a player strikes the cue ball below center (“digs under” it) and intentionally causes it to rise off the bed of the table in an effort to clear an obstructing ball. Such jumping action may occasionally occur accidentally, and such “jumps” are not to be considered fouls on their face; they may still be ruled foul strokes, if for example, the ferrule or cue shaft makes contact with the cue ball in the course of the shot.

Unless otherwise stated in rules for a specific game it is legal to cause the cue ball to rise off the bed of the table by elevating the cue stick on the shot, and forcing the cue ball to rebound from the bed of the table. Any miscue when executing a jump shot is a foul.

So far, we’ve uncovered some interesting facts about Pool Billiards. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting.

Everyone like to be a big shot, and nothing makes you look cooler than executing a proper billiard and pool jump shot technique and pocketing the intended object ball that nobody thought you could get at. Though this may be the case, you should remember to consider and assess all other options and angles for shot options first. If you use the jump shot when you don’t really need to, your opponent and other spectators may regard you as a showboat and may lose existing respect for your game.
Jump shots are not easy to make, and are even harder to control. It will take you a lot of practice, but more so, a lot of patience to master your jump shot. Beginners should start with a jump shot that is not of great height. Get the technique down then try jumping a full ball. To jump a full ball from one ball away you’ll need to elevate to 85 degrees or more. The only way to become proficient at this technique is to develop your own style and perfect it.

Knowing enough about Pool Billiards to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you’ve just learned about Pool Billiards, you should have nothing to worry about.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest venture: GVO and make sure to claim your $1 trial membership!

When you think about Pool Billiards, what do you think of first? Which aspects of Pool Billiards are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge.

Consistency is the art of being able to perform at will, in a harmonious connection with our thoughts and actions. Confidence is a prerequisite for consistency. Confidence is nothing more than having faith in our abilities. Faith that we can and will achieve a certain task or goal.

Most players are working to bring consistency to their game. After all, if they could perform the way they are capable of performing, and do this every time, they would win more games, raise their league average and win more tournaments. If you are an inconsistent player, you are having problems in your fundamentals. An inconsistent player does not hit the cue ball the same way every time. And once you miss-hit the cue ball, your mind begins to play tricks on you. You start to think you are having mental problem, something is wrong with you, and then you begin to get down on yourself. You go into a slump. You have no confidence. Your stroke is unsure and tentative and things can only get worse. You begin to change your stance, your grip, your style of play.

If you hit the same shot the exact same way every time, you will become a consistent player. If you can trust yourself to turn in a fine performance, you will win more games, more tournaments, and raise your league average. In addition, you will enjoy this game. Consistency is worth working for. And it takes a professional approach to the fundamentals in order to achieve consistency in your game.

You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about Pool Billiards. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered so far?

First of all, you need a good grip. Grip is directly related to a good stance. You cannot have a good grip with a poor stance. Remember, the true measurement of a good grip and stance is in the quality of hit. The grip and stance must work for you.

Your stance must put you in position to see the angle of the shot. If you have having a hard time seeing the shot, it can be corrected in your stance. It must be well balanced. If someone pushes you while you are in your stance, you should not fall over. For right-handers, your right shoulder needs to be in a direct line with your target.

Once your mind is diverted from the fundamental approach to shooting balls, you will have problems. It all comes down to the one shot in front of you. Nothing more than the shot you are facing. And in order to succeed with that shot, your eyes must be coming right out of your stance. You see the shot, and you shoot the shot and the ball goes in. Keep doing this until you run out of shots.

There’s a lot to understand about Pool Billiards. We were able to provide you with some of the facts above, but there is still plenty more to write about in subsequent articles.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest venture: GVO and make sure to claim your $1 trial membership!

Current info about Pool Billiards is not always the easiest thing to locate. Fortunately, this report includes the latest Pool Billiards info available.

Aside from protecting your cue from humidity, the other caution you must take is caring for your cue tip. Since the tip is active in every one of your shots, it is of utmost importance to have a good tip at all times. The cue tip is also very important to keep clean. It’s cleanliness will affect backspin, accuracy, touch, smoothness of stroke, and precision of each and every shot that you take. When the pool cue is not in use, it should be maintained by by protecting the cue’s tip from any foreign dings, scrapes, gouges, or anything else that may otherwise be of potential danger. Finally, you must remember that the tip itself should always be covered when not in play.

The spin/speed ratio on the cue ball depends primarily on the actual tip-ball contact point. You seldom want to hit the ball right in the middle, you don’t want to miscue, and you want to have precise control of the spin. Therefore, a rounded tip is better than a flat tip. You shape the tip with a tip scuffer, a file, a piece of 400-600 sandpaper, and other similar abrasive tools. Most players like their tips rounded.

In the case of well-rounded tips, miscues occur when the tip slides on the surface of the ball. Along with other reasons, this happens when the tip doesn’t hold chalk. The tip doesn’t hold chalk when it is packed down from hitting the cue ball and the surface is slick. If you tap the tip to give the surface some texture, it will hold the chalk better. You can buy special tools to tap the tip, or you can use a rasp, or a coarse file, or coarse sandpaper glued to a wood backing can be rolled over the tip surface. Scuffing with sandpaper also works, but it wears the tip away too fast. For maximal tip life, tap more, scuff less.

If your Pool Billiards facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don’t let important Pool Billiards information slip by you.

Tips can also mushroom, meaning that the leather bulges at the sides so that the tip is wider than the ferrule. Most pool players prefer to remove this bulge. The best way is to use a lathe, but there are other methods too. Fine sandpaper (600 grit or finer) can be used, but some care should be taken not to scratch the ferrule. Cutting tools designed especially for this purpose are available, and pocket knives and razor blades can also be used, but utmost care should be taken to avoid ferrule damage. After the mushroom bulge has been removed, the edge of the tip can be polished by wetting the sides and rubbing the leather edge firmly against the cloth on the top of a cushion or against a leather pad.

It is also important to maintain not only the tip, but also the ferrule. Over time, chalk, dirt, and other foriegn substances can build up on the ferrule and will embed on your pool cue like a tar substance. Cleaning the ferrule and tip of your pool cue regularly, by simply wiping it down (ensuring that you fully dry it off) can help to prevent this buildup from occuring. This will make for a smoother, cleaner, and better playing shaft, which can only serve to improve your game, and extend the pool cue’s life span.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, owner of this site as well: Wealth Upgrade Club (click to claim your FREE membership)!

Masse is a term used to identify a technique in which the cue ball follows a curved path. It is used to make tight turns around interfering balls. Though a difficult shot to master, it can be quite useful in tournament play. The masse is an extremely complicated combination of physics that requires careful observation and lots of practice. This shot is not intended for the amateur player. You can cause severe damage to the surface of the table if the shot is not executed correctly. Tears and rips will occur and you will also damage the tips on your cue stick. It is not a recommended shot, but if you are able to master it, it will come in handy many times over especially for trick shooters, though you will be rolling the dice in the accuracy department.

With a masse shot, the angle of the cue ball path and shot speed play a huge role. If you do not have a good feel for the speed and the effects of table conditions, you will not be very successful with masse shots. To perform this shot, you will raise the butt of your cue so that it is almost perpendicular. Many players sit on the rail as they perform this type of shot. Looking down the shaft to the cue, you will aim your shot. You will be striking the cue ball on an outer surface causing the spin needed to curve around the object. The only way to truly perfect this shot is to try it over and over again. This could prove to be an expensive ordeal as you will be repairing your table quite often.

The information about Pool Billiards presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce what you know about Pool Billiards or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.

It is critical to have a stable bridge and an accurate stroke to be confident with the contact point on the cue ball. The type of cloth can and will have a big impact on masse action. A high-friction cloth can make it difficult to get a big curve because the initial impact with the table cloth can limit the action of the cue stick. Masse shot practice can be abusive to the table cloth, especially if you are still developing your technique. If you care about the table you are using to practice on, you should consider using a spare piece of cloth to limit the possible abuse and future repairs.

There are a variety of shots and techniques players use to navigate around interfering balls. Masse is one of the more common techniques, but I would recommend casual players and beginners to steer clear of it and try to focus on your regular game. The fancy stuff can come later once you have truly mastered the fundamentals of the game. Of course, it is every pool players dream to be the next well known trick shooter, but until you have a solid form and developed techniques, it’s best to save the “pretty” shots for last.

I hope that reading the above information was both enjoyable and educational for you. Your learning process should be ongoing–the more you understand about any subject, the more you will be able to share with others.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, owner of this excellent site: Product Profits Club (click to claim your FREE membership)

This article explains a few things about Pool Billiards, and if you’re interested, then this is worth reading, because you can never tell what you don’t know.

English or Sidespin is an advanced technique in pool and refers to spin that is put on the cue ball. You can apply English or sidespin in a number of ways. It all comes down to aiming at the cue ball in different spots other than the straight center shot. You can hit the cue ball on the left side which is normally called LEFT English or you can hit the cue ball on the right side normally called RIGHT English. You can also apply the stop (center ball hit), draw (below center hit) or follow (above center hit) with English. English applied with draw is normally called low English while English applied with follow is called high English. The left and right English shots will cause the ball to spin to either side.

This is commonly refered to as inside or outside English. This technique is used primarily to alter the natural roll of the cue ball, thus causing it to curve to the desired side. This can be of use if you have ball interfering with a straight on shot, or if you are looking to deflect the cue ball in a different direction.

Another effect of english is what is known as “Curve” or “Swerve”. When a cue ball is hit low with a downward stroke using english, the cue ball tends to curve instead of moving in a straight line. This is a similar effect, though to a much lesser degree, to the masse shot. The direction of the curve will be the same as the direction of the spin. That means that if you have a low right english on the cue ball, it will curve to the left and back to the right. If you have a low left english on the cue ball, it will curve to the right and then back to the left.

The best time to learn about Pool Billiards is before you’re in the thick of things. Wise readers will keep reading to earn some valuable Pool Billiards experience while it’s still free.

There is also another effect of english that is known as “throw”. When a cue ball with sidespin hits the object ball, the spin is transferred to the object ball but in the opposite direction. For example, a cue ball is hit with right english so it spins to the right or counter-clockwise… upon hitting the object ball, an opposite spin (clockwise) is transferred to the object ball. The spin generated by the object ball causes it to be “thrown” to the direction opposite the spin on the cue ball.

One thing that makes english difficult is that it is hard to estimate the amount of deflection that you will get on the cue ball. Only with enough experience will you be able to make a good estimate. Players should concentrate on the centered shot and have it mastered before attempting to integrate English shots into their repertoire. Like all shots and techniques, you will need time and patience to develop your style and become successful at completing these shots.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest venture: GVO to claim your $1 trial membership!

Historically the umbrella term for the sport as a whole was billiards. While that familiar name is still employed variably as a generic name for all games, the word’s usage has splintered into more inclusive competing meanings among certain groups and geographic regions. For example, in the United Kingdom, billiards refers exclusively to English Billiards, while in the United States it is sometimes used to refer only to carom games and by a minority to eight-ball (being the only cue game known to many players).

In our time, the two can easily be exchanged and mean the same thing. When people refer to one, it is assumed the other is also being included. On the technical side, there is a difference. Billiards is played with smaller balls. In billiards, only three balls are used white, yellow and red and both the white and the yellow ball can act as the strikers. Billiards is basically pool without pockets. Usually the cloth on a billiards table is much faster. The object in billiards (3 cushion billiards) is to hit the object ball then go three rails and hit the other ball, or hit 3 rails and hit both object balls with the cue ball (these are called caroms).

Those of you not familiar with the latest on Pool Billiards now have at least a basic understanding. But there’s more to come.

Most of us are familiar with pool and pool tables. Some of us may be aware of the different variations of the pool game, a few being eight-ball, nine-ball and cut throat. As stated above, billiards is played on a table with no pockets. We know that pool tables are constructed with 6 pockets. The game is played with two sets of balls, each containing seven balls, with one set being solid colored and the other striped. The two sets are combined into one set and then completed by a black eight ball. This is a standard set of pool balls, and can be broken up to play different versions of the game.

Though there are vast differences between the two games, they are commonly grouped as one and refered to as cue sports. If someone says they’re going to shoot a game of billiards, we all know what they are referring to in general. It all depends on what style of the game you would like to play. Billiards is a form of pool. So perhaps in future reference, it should all be covered by using the term pool, unless you are actually playing by billiards rules and regulations.

You can’t predict when knowing something extra about Pool Billiards will come in handy. If you learned anything new about Pool Billiards in this article, you should file the article where you can find it again.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest venture: GVO to claim your $1 trial membership!

Have you ever wondered if what you know about Pool Billiards is accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info on Pool Billiards.

We all know that a game cannot start without the break. A good break will lead to a good game. There are many factors one needs to consider when breaking the rack. Often a different cue is used specifically for breaking. It’s best not to get too anxious and try to be a power breaker from the get go. Start with a basic break until your game progresses. The most important part of your game will be your break, so be sure you are very comfortable with it. Once you find a position and stance that is comfortable and you break the balls effectively, stay with that technique.

It can be particularly difficult for a beginning pool player to break a racked set of balls. This is a good way to practice and become comfortable with breaking. Start by putting the cue ball on the head spot. (When you get better, you can position the cue ball anywhere next to or behind the head spot to make the break.) After making sure your grip is correct and you have a comfortable stance, aim the cue ball to hit the leading ball of the rack squarely in the front. Do not stop your shot when you make contact with the cue. Follow through with a smooth motion for an extra 6-18 inches. Practicing this now will help you later as you add speed and power to your break. Always try to hit the cue ball as hard as you can without your cue slipping off to one side or off the ball completely. A foul on a break is a very embarrassing way to start.

If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole Pool Billiards story from informed sources.

You will find that once you begin to gain confidence in your break, you will shoot harder and perform better breaks. Ideally, a good break is one in which no balls are left touching another ball. The perfect break, when playing eight ball, would be to sink the eight ball off the break shot, thus gaining an immediate win! Though this situation arises rarely, it has been achieved and can be quite a thrill the first time it is accomplished.

The break is probably the most important shot of the game. It will set the playing field for all the shots to follow. Spend time on your breaking techniques and styles. Once you are comfortable breaking with the cue on the head spot, move the cue around to different positions. Moving the cue and striking the rack from different angles will have a different effect on the break. Many players have mastered their break so that they sink at least two balls every time they break. It will take time and patience, but this is a shot you must master if you ever want to become a decent player. Often, players place the cue ball in the same position on the table when breaking. After trial and error and many hours of practice, you will find your own “hot spot” and will have an effective break almost every time.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest venture: GVO to claim your $1 trial membership!

In today’s world, it seems that almost any topic is open for debate. While I was gathering facts for this article, I was quite surprised to find some of the issues I thought were settled are actually still being openly discussed.

As with many things, one side is stronger than the other. For most people, this hold true with their eyes, and one eye is much more dominant in seeing alignments. Normally, right-handers are right-eyed and vise versa for left. There are cases of being cross-dominant where the right-handed has a strong left eye, and there are also cases of no dominant eye at all, known as ambi-ocular. For aiming, locate your dominant eye directly over your cue. If you are cross dominant, this may call for some adjustments in your position, but be sure to be aiming when you are lined up and over your cue.

There is a quick way to test yourself. Hold your thumb up, arm extended and block out a distant object, a lamp or a vase. Don’t focus on your thumb, but on the distant object. Your dominant eye will be in line with your thumb while your non-dominant eye will be seeing past it. When you close your non-dominant eye, your thumbs should be completely blocking the object.

Most of this information comes straight from the Pool Billiards pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you’ll know what they know.

Aside from aiming by use of your dominant eye, there is another way to accurately aim your shot. This other technique for aiming is by the use of your cue stick. First, you need to determine the line of path of your object ball to the pocket and point your cue stick in that direction. Next, you must consider the width of the object ball. Place the tip of your cue stick at 1/2 width from the object ball. This is your aim point. The last thing you need to do is simply point your cue stick aim at the “aim” point and stroke.

In order to shoot center pocket, pinpoint aiming is required. It feels nice to have an accurate shot rather then to make a sloppy pocket and on long shots an accurate aim becomes more of a necessity. Pinpoint accuracy requires a pinpoint aim, that is, when determining your object ball contact point do not have a general area. Make your ball contact point be like a pinpoint, not like the size of a dime. If your object ball contact point is sloppy, so will be your end result. It also takes total concentration on that pinpoint spot to not lose it, in other words, keep your eye on the object ball and not jump back and forth between the cue ball and object ball.

As you get used to aiming, the process will not be mechanical, your movement will flow naturally. When you find yourself missing for unknown reasons, go back to the basics and it is a good chance you will get out of the slump. Perfecting any aiming technique will take a lot of time, but try not to get discouraged. Explore the various techniques and see what works best for you. These are not rules set in stone, just some aiming guidelines to help develop your aiming style and technique.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit my latest site: Power Copy Club to claim your FREE membership!

So what is Pool Billiards really all about? The following report includes some fascinating information about Pool Billiards–info you can use, not just the old stuff they used to tell you.

The first thing you should do is invest in a case. This will protect the cue from humidity and falls or tip damage. Moisture is the biggest cause in your cue warping. Keep your cue away from moisture and very humid places. This minimiizes the chances of your cue warping over time. Remember, however, that since wood is a natural material, there is no foolproof way to 100% guarantee you cue will not warp at all. They will all warp a little or more over time. A hard case is better than a soft case, and be sure to store your case upright. Now that it is safely stored in a protective case, remember to always wash your hands before you play and several hours after play.

Joint protectors should be considered if you are using a multi-piece cue. These will halp to prevent moisture from entering by the shaft and butt of the cue. They screw into either end and will keep the moisture out and prevent warping. If by chance your cue does get warped, a slight warp is nothing to worry too much about. Just take caution when you play your game to position the cue the same for every shot. You want the warp on the vertical plane not the horizontal. The best way to check your cue for warping is by “sighting”. Look straight down from the butt to the shaft, just as you would sight a rifle. The warp will be obvious, and you can then decide your positioning for your shots.

If you find the warp to be severe and are unable to bend it back into shape or cannot adjust your positioning, consider buying a new cue. Remember, investing in a case will save you these hassles down the road. After taking the precautions to avoid warping, turn your attention to the cue tip. The tip on your new cue may be shiney, smooth, and somewhat flat when you first get your cue. You may shape the tip to desired roundness, but many beginners just play with it the way it is. In either case, how you play and the way you stroke your cue will determine the final shape of your tip and constant shaping will wear your tip down very fast. There is an easy process for replacing tips if you find you need to do that. There are a few things you will need to have on hand before you begin. Make sure to have the new tip, a razor blade, glue, preferably SuperGlue Gel or Duro-gel, Loctite, 60-80 grip sandpaper, 400-600 grit sandpaper and some paper towels.

Now that we’ve covered those aspects of Pool Billiards, let’s turn to some of the other factors that need to be considered.

To start, remove what is left of the old tip using the razor blade. Be sure not to cut into the wood. Using the 60-80 grit sandpaper, sand the top of the ferrule (white plastic piece and the end of your cue, sometimes this is a brass piece). Then sand the bottom of the new tip with the same sandpaper until it is rough. Now that the tip and surfaces are prepared, you will attach the new tip. Apply a light coat of glue to both the ferrule and the bottom of the new tip. Only a small amount is needed on both pieces. Next, carefully center the tip onto the ferrule and hold in place for about a minute. When the glue has set, carefully use the razor to remove any excess over hang so the tip is flush with the ferrule.
To finish up, wet the sides of the tip slightly and burnish using the 400-600 sandpaper. You may also use the same paper to shape the tip to your desired radius. Allow the glue to dry completely before using for play. You’re ready to go!
It is also important to keep your cue stick clean. After playing, you will notice a build-up of chalk on the tip. If you play using hand chalk, that will also be evident on the shaft. After play, it is a good idea to remember to always wipe down your stick. Any experienced billiard shooter will attest that nothing is worse and harms your shot more than a sticky cue shaft. There are several techniques that one can use to clean their pool cue shaft, ranging from a simply dry wipe-down, to and involved pool cue shaft smoothing and burnishing.

The buildup of sticky residue can accumulate over time if your pool cue shaft is not cleaned properly. You can help slow the buildup of sticky residue by always wiping the pool cue shaft down with a cotton cloth after play, as well as by doing the obvious; ensuring that you play with cleanly washed hands. You can also use a slightly damp cloth, but it is imperative that you completely and thoroughly dry the pool cue shaft immediately after wiping it clean to prevent warping.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, still struggling with trying to cancel my Phonera account

When you’re learning about something new, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of relevant information available. This informative article should help you focus on the central points.

Let’s start by saying any shot that is not performed by a straight on centered approach will be difficult to master, not to mention hard to control. A shot that is made by aiming at any point other than the center of the cue, will cause the cue ball to be projected with a spin on it. Using backspin on your shot causes the cue ball to draw away from the object ball and return towards you upon contact with the object ball. It is normally done by hitting the cue ball below center. This is a difficult shot to master because hitting the cue ball below center normally creates a “miscue” specially for beginner players. Many players will “jump” the ball until they master this technique.

The distance the cue ball has to travel before impact with the object ball is a major consideration when using backspin. Another factor is the type of cloth on the table. Smoother cloths will have less friction thus allowing the cue ball more momentum to draw back as opposed to a rougher type of cloth were friction will hinder the momentum of the cue ball a lot more. Most higher priced tables are constructed with a smoother cloth, thus enabling players to apply backspin and English efficiently.

Now that we’ve covered those aspects of Pool Billiards, let’s turn to some of the other factors that need to be considered.

As the distance between the object ball and the cue ball increases, you will need to put more backspin on the cue ball As stated above, the cloth on the table surface may cause friction and reduce the speed of the balls and in turn, reduce the backspin. This is where the difficulty of the back spin comes into play. Many players find it very difficult to draw the cue ball at longer distances mostly because there is not enough back spin on the cue ball.

Backspin is a great tool to master when learning your techniques as a newer player. You will find this technique advantageous in many situations and it will increase your over-all game. The primary use of backspin is to avoid scratching when normally the cue would follow through on a shot. Placing backspin on the ball will allow you to make the shot and remain in control of the game. It will allow you to “set up” your next shot with a better leave than if you were to make a follow through shot. Many players apply backspin to their shots to create a good lay of the ball in preparation for their next shot.

Now might be a good time to write down the main points covered above. The act of putting it down on paper will help you remember what’s important about Pool Billiards.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, still having the Free Adsense Templates available for instant download