-
Step 1
Being properly prepared, for a competitive 9 ball tournament, requires playing each day for several days prior to a tournament, not including possibly the years you have devoted to pool.
-
Step 2
Playing 9 ball requires making more long shots than 8 ball or straight pool. However, after a lay off from the game of pool, 8 ball or straight pool, may be the best games to play to get your stroke working smoothly. (Trying to find a stroke, shooting a lot of long shots, can be discouraging at times). Warming up each day with one of these games may be to your best interest, at least until the sluggish starts go away.
-
Step 3
The break shot should be a hard powerful shot. However, if you scratch or jump the table with the cue ball, about once every 3 games, your opponent will appreciate that. So hard, but not too hard, is the best break shot.
-
Step 4
Before you buy an expensive break cue, experiment with house cues to determine what weight break cue is best for you. (The heaviest cue in the house is probably not your best choice for a break cue, just as the heaviest base ball bat can not be swung fast enough to knock more home runs).
-
Step 5
Practice a little with a jump cue. Having to give up cue ball in hand to a player can mean check mate.
