QUICK TIPS FOR BEGINNERS!

• A solid defense is essential to being a good player. (Watch your top players and take notes!)
• If you can't run out....don't try to....play safe! Hook 'em and you've got ball in hand. It's the best leave your opponent can give you!
• Think ahead...Don't wait to play safe when you only have 1 ball and your opponent has 7 balls left! There's not many places left to hide!
• Know your limits...Don't shoot the impossible shots...let the other guy miss the low percentage shots instead!
• You should learn to develop a consistent stroke routine to help you stay in the groove.
• Concentrate on ALL shots. Overconfidence will let even the 'EASY' ones sneak up on you!
• Don't forget the angle....Unless you need to make a stop or follow shot, you should leave some type of angle. If a shot is straight on, then most of the cue balls energy is transferred to the object ball leaving none for the cue ball, forcing you to compensate by putting extra spin on the cue which increases the difficulty! If you know your going to need it, then save some energy for the cue ball!
• You should always be thinking 'AT LEAST' three balls ahead on position. Of course you should make the ball your shooting at, while playing position on the second ball. But you must look at the position of the third ball to see what type of angle or line you'll need to leave on the second ball make it to the third ball! Whew! Simply repeat the procedure on all subsequent shots to stay 'in line'.
• Develop good habits....this one is real simple folks...Chalk up before EVERY shot!
• Here's one beginners don't understand but top players do. Developing knowledge is as important as developing skill, whether it's the correct English, shot selection, or most important, strategy. Books and tapes are good however, practicing with a top player is better. You can never know too much!
• Play different games...don't just play eight-ball. Snooker can improve your aim, billiards, your 3 rail position, one pocket, your bank shots, straight pool, your consistency for long runs, etc. etc. etc. After all variety is the spice of life!
• Practice....Practice....Practice....Try playing in a league and some tournaments as soon as possible for the experience.
• Develop a 'killer' instinct...play every game as a must win game.....then turn it into a habit!

"DARWIN'S THEORY & WORDS OF WISDOM!"

• If your losing, don't drop your cue to try to shark your opponent.... try dropping HIS cue instead.
• A very important tip I've learned is to CONCENTRATE, and NOT PAY ANY ATTENTION WHATSOEVER to that cute barmaid walking by with the 38,24,36 figure, short black skirt, long blonde wavy hair, sweet red lips, diamond earrings, high heels, and smiling at you with those gorgeous blue eyes...etc...etc...etc..
• Before you drop some gambling money on purpose today to set up a big score tomorrow....be sure the guy's not just passing through on a one day business trip from Alaska!
• When snapping a cuestick in two over your leg...be sure to use the upper part of your thigh, as hitting the kneecap hurts really bad! (or so I've been told)
• I'm pretty much a diet Coke person, but if you do drink, don't drink so much that you won't be conscience of what your doing at all times..especially when someone hollers..... 'You have ball in hand!'.
• Don't scream out 'RACK 'EM LOSER' to the 6'5" 275 lb. guy you just beat out of $500..... remember, pool cues can hurt!
• If you drop all nine balls on the break...no one will be there to witness it....I know, cause it's happened to me 6 times....you've gotta believe me!
• And remember.... NEVER CHALK UP BEFORE YOU MISCUE!

Until later..... may all your strokes be smooooooth.....

Yea, I know... I'll put more work into this page later... but right now I'm out shooting pool.....

Take the Long Way Home - Supertramp