How to Aim When Playing Snooker

Snooker is played on a billiard table.

Snooker is a type of billiard sport that involves the use of a snooker set and two pool cues. A snooker set consists of 22 balls that are not numbered: 15 object balls that are red (reds), six unnumbered object balls of various colors (colors) and a cue ball (white ball). Aiming correctly in snooker comes from imagining the point of contact and path of the shot, aiming the shot with your dominant eye and shooting with a proper posture.

Things You'll Need

• Billiards table
• Snooker set
• Pool cues
• Chalk

Instructions

1. Chalk the tip of your pool cue to prevent the tip from slipping off the cue ball when shooting.

2. Draw an imaginary line from the object ball to the middle of the pocket and extend it to the opposite side of the pocket. This point is where contact must be made to "sink" the object ball.

3. Determine which point on the cue ball must hit the object ball to make it follow the imaginary line into the pocket. When the cue ball strikes the object ball, it should be lined up so both balls are facing the pocket.

4. Line up your body so that your dominant eye is aligned perfectly with the path of the shot.

5. Find a comfortable posture so that your dominant eye is as low as possible. This helps the accuracy of the shot.

Tips & Warnings

• To find your dominant eye, point to an object on a wall. Close your left eye first and then open it and close your right eye. Your dominant eye is the one that is open when your finger is still pointing to the object.

References

• Billiards Forum: Billiard Shot Aiming Technique
• Billards Forum: Finding Your Dominant Eye
• Billiard World: Snooker Rules