How to Use Angles in Billiards

Whether you’re in someone’s home or out at a bar or pool hall, there are few social games better than billiards. As not every shot is going to be as simple as just hitting the ball head-on, it is sometimes necessary to use angles to make your shots. Whether you hit the ball at an angle or bank the cue ball off the sides of the table, the process can seem overwhelming at first. However, it’s not as difficult as you’d think. By taking a few minutes to review how to make angled shots, you can start impressing your friends with your pool skills in no time.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Hitting the Ball at an Angle

1. Take a moment to examine your options after the pool balls have been racked and broken. Certain balls will probably be easy shots--you can hit them head-on with the cue ball into a pocket. Make those first to get them out of the way.

2. Locate a ball that isn’t a straight shot. You could hit it with the cue ball, but it wouldn’t go directly into any pocket. Move away from the cue ball to the side of the table where you can get a perspective on the spot on the ball you’d have to hit if it were a straight shot. Remember that position.

3. Move back to the cue ball. Hit it not towards the center of the ball you’re trying to make but towards the point on the side where you’d have to hit it to make the straight shot. If you’ve hit it right on that spot, it will go in whatever pocket you’re aiming for. This may take a little trial and error to get the hang of, but it really is as simple as that.

Banking off the Sides of the Table

4. Make the easy shots in order to get them out of the way after the balls have been racked and broken, just as you did in the previous section.

5. Find a shot you wish to make that has an opponent’s ball in between the cue ball and your desired shot.

6. Move away from the cue ball and find the point on the ball you’re trying to hit that would sink it if it were a straight shot, just as you did in the above section. Remember that position.

7. Examine the sides of the table. You’re looking for the point on the side to shoot at that, when your ball bounces off at a 90-degree angle, it’ll go right for the position on the ball you located in Step 3. Locate this position on the table and remember it.

8. Shoot at the position on the side of the table you located in Step 4. If you’ve hit it right on that spot, the ball will bank off the side of the table at a 90-degree angle and should hit the ball you’re trying to make in the appropriate position. Trial and error may be required, but it isn’t that much more difficult than described.

Tips & Warnings

• As with anything, it may take a little practice to get these techniques down. If you don’t sink all your balls on the first try, don’t give up. Practice makes perfect, and if you follow these simple steps you’ll be winning games against your friends in no time.