How to Hit a Carom Shot in Pool

Sometimes called the "kiss" shot, the carom shot involves bouncing your ball off another to get it in the pocket.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cue Stick Chalk
• Bridges For Pool
• Pool Triangles
• Pool Table Covers
• Billiard Lighting
• Pool Cues
• Pool Tables
• Pool Table Horsehair Brushes
• Pool Balls
• Pool Cue Carrying Cases

1. 

   Make sure there are no better shots on the table - carom shots are generally difficult to make.

2. 

   Visualize your shot backward from the pocket to determine how your object ball must strike the other ball.

3. Realize that when your object ball strikes another ball, it's not like when the cue ball strikes it. The other ball will give immediately and, therefore, only somewhat alter the direction of your object ball.

4. Take into consideration what the other ball will do after the object ball strikes it. In many cases the other ball bounces back into the way of the object ball.

5. Consider what the cue ball will do after it strikes the object ball. Make sure you won't scratch.

6. 

   Determine how your cue ball must strike your object ball.

7. 

   Stroke lightly so that, if you miss, your ball will still be close to the hole (assuming that is advantageous to you).

Tips & Warnings

• Your first carom shots should be near the pocket. These can often be fairly simple.
• Carom shots are very difficult to get the hang of, so don't be discouraged by your initial failures.
• Be patient and take notes on your mistakes.
• You should call your carom shot before shooting it so as not to be accused of luck, or "slop," after you make it.