EASY POOL TUTOR Online Resource for free pool and billiard lessons Pool Lessons STEP BY STEP 1 This page is intentionally left blank. 2 EASY POOL TUTOR Pool Lessons – Step by Step © Easypooltutor.com 2001-2004 3 This page is intentionally left blank. 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ...................................................................... 12 I - FUNDAMENTALS OF POOL............................................. 13 Stance............................................................................................................................ 14 How to setup a Snooker stance ..................................................................................... 16 The Grip........................................................................................................................ 18 The Grip - Another perspective .................................................................................... 20 Getting a grip (right) is vital ......................................................................................... 21 The correct grip............................................................................................................. 23 The Bridge - Part I ........................................................................................................ 24 The Bridge - Part II (How to set up an open bridge) .................................................... 25 The Open Bridge........................................................................................................... 26 The Bridge - Part III (How to set up a closed bridge) .................................................. 28 Bridging the gap............................................................................................................ 29 The Bridge - Part IV (Other Types of bridges)............................................................. 33 Stroke ............................................................................................................................ 35 The pendulum ............................................................................................................... 36 The First Step to a better Stroke ................................................................................... 37 Stroke detection and correction .................................................................................... 38 Slip Stroke..................................................................................................................... 39 How to Stroke ............................................................................................................... 40 How to learn to stroke straight...................................................................................... 41 II - HOW TO AIM: TECHNIQUES & EXECUTION ........... 43 How to Aim - Part I ...................................................................................................... 44 How to Aim - Part II ..................................................................................................... 47 Aim alignment .............................................................................................................. 49 Pinpoint Accuracy in Aiming ....................................................................................... 51 Aiming points and compensating for English induced throw....................................... 52 The Clicks Aiming System ........................................................................................... 55 2-2-2.............................................................................................................................. 57 New Aiming Technique................................................................................................ 58 Simple Aiming Technique ............................................................................................ 59 How to aim successfully ............................................................................................... 60 Ghost Ball Theory, the Holy Light System, dominant eye and stroke explained......... 62 Abstract Aiming System............................................................................................... 64 Rifle-like Cue Aiming in Pool ...................................................................................... 67 III - BASIC SHOTS & SHOTMAKING .................................. 68 The Stop Shot................................................................................................................ 69 The Draw Shot .............................................................................................................. 72 The Follow Shot............................................................................................................ 74 Cut Shots....................................................................................................................... 75 Stop Shot, Revisited...................................................................................................... 77 5 Draw Shot, Revisited .................................................................................................... 79 The Follow Shot, Revisited........................................................................................... 80 IV - BASIC POSITION PLAY.................................................. 81 Basic Position Play - Stun............................................................................................. 82 Basic Position Play - Draw ........................................................................................... 84 Basic Position Play - Follow......................................................................................... 86 Principles of playing position - Part I ........................................................................... 87 Principles of playing position - Part II.......................................................................... 90 Principles of playing position - Part III......................................................................... 92 Speed and Cue ball direction ........................................................................................ 95 The Professionals Pocket All The Easier Shots Better ................................................. 98 Blackjack's Myths & Facts About Cue Ball Control .................................................... 99 V - RULES OF THE GAME ................................................... 102 GENERAL RULES OF POCKET BILLIARDS........................................................ 103 Game Rules for 8-Ball ................................................................................................ 110 Game Rules for 8-Ball ................................................................................................ 110 Open Table Rule for 8-Ball......................................................................................... 114 Game Rules for 9-Ball ................................................................................................ 116 Game Rules for 10-Ball .............................................................................................. 119 Game Rules for Straight Pool (14.1)........................................................................... 123 Game Rules for One-Pocket ....................................................................................... 127 VI - RATE YOUR POOL GAME........................................... 129 Tracking your progress ............................................................................................... 130 The Mid-Term Exam .................................................................................................. 131 StrEight Pool Ranking Program.................................................................................. 132 VII – HANDICAPPING METHODS ..................................... 135 Handicapping your opponent in 8 Ball ....................................................................... 136 VIII - ADVANCED SHOTS & SHOTMAKING................... 137 Combination Shots...................................................................................................... 138 Combination Shots Made Easy................................................................................... 139 Jack Up and Rail Shots ............................................................................................... 142 Shooting Hard with English........................................................................................ 143 How Did I Miss That Easy Cut Shot?......................................................................... 145 Long Straight-in Shot.................................................................................................. 148 Razor thin cut shots..................................................................................................... 149 IX - HOW TO USE SIDE SPIN .............................................. 150 Understanding English – The Basics .......................................................................... 151 Understanding English – Deflection/Squirt................................................................ 152 Understanding English – Throw ................................................................................. 154 Understanding English – Curve/Swerve..................................................................... 156 Inside and Outside English ........................................................................................