Cue Ball Control Cheat Sheets for Pocket Billiards - Shortcuts to Perfect Position & Shape

Getting started

This skill development book presents an excellent variety of common shots that show up in game after game. The purpose of each table layout is to use the cue ball to make the 1 ball, and then get into position for the 2 ball. The second ball positions rotate through a series of locations known as dead zones plus a couple center table positions.

Almost everyone learns about position play through experience - tens of thousands of shots of ordinary games. The contents of these new-style cheat sheets provide shortcuts to the old-style learning process. It is still necessary to practice these shots. But compare the half dozen or so practice shots needed to learn to the thousands of attempts necessary using trial and error in competitions.

There is more than enough challenge in this layouts for anyone to get a significant skill workout. Many of these are have simple and obvious solutions. Others appear to be tough but with the speed and spin details, you will be successful. A few of these will make you appear to be a shooting genius.

Study this material in two steps. In the comfort of your easy chair, look at each table layout and consider the information provided for proper execution. Imagine yourself shooting the example, concentrating on the indicated speed and spin. Next, flag those table layouts you want to take to the practice table. (Use a pencil to mark the example and insert a bookmark for the page.)

At the practice table, you will need paper reinforcement rings (get them from any office supply store) to mark ball positions to be set up. The shoot the shot several times until you can easily get the expected results. As you gain greater mastery of the cue ball, you will become a tougher and more dangerous player.

The book is divided into two major sections:

Half table layouts (six groups) – Each group contains 11 sets. These layouts are designed to help you learn how to maneuver the cue ball within a small playing area. Half table layouts require less travel distance but more finesse in maneuvering. Studying and practicing these shots will improve your short table positioning skills.

Full table layouts (six groups) – Each group contains 12 sets of table layouts. These layouts are designed to show you how to maneuver the cue ball using the whole table. Full table layouts require moving the cue ball over much greater real estate. If there are random object balls, the shot you decide on may require a slight modification.

Each page contains two, three, or four setups. Empty spaces have been filled with a blank table layout. Use this to sketch out variations of the setups shown on that page. Invent some of your own layouts.

Clock System

When you look straight at the cue ball from the viewpoint of the cue tip, use the image of a clock to determine the different types of spin. In the example below, the lines show 1:30, 3:00, 4:30, 6:00, 7:30, 9:00, 10:30, and 12:00

As you gain greater finesse, fine-tune your tip contact control down to the half hour locations, for example: 12:30, 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, etc.

Throughout this book all clock callouts (i.e., 12:00) are made according to the above example – the cue tip is moved one width out from the center ball stun (zero) position. This is the standard used throughout this book. It cannot be emphasized enough - your success in pool depends on becoming precise in controlling where the cue tip contacts the cue ball. Do not experiment with variations of the cue tip placement. For example, 1/2 cue tip out from center ball will not get the spin to follow the shown pathway.

If you go out more than one cue tip width, cue ball action becomes exaggerated beyond routine control (too much spin off the rail, miscue, or the worst sin of all