Tips on Playing Billiards

Video Transcript

"Hi, I'm Randy G. For a little over 30 years I've been helping your friends, family and even some of your opponents play just a little bit better pocket billiards. In this workshop, in this video workshop, let's take a real good look at some hot tips that might let you play a lot better. The materials required for this video workshop are number one of course, we need a pool table. Number two, pool balls. And our trusty cue stick is number three. Let's take a look at the skills required to have fun at this game. We've talked about the nuances, the rules and regulations of 8-ball, 9-ball, straight pool and one-pocket, but now let's talk about the individual skills that are required to play each of the games. There are three skills, number one, sooner or later you have to become a very good ball pocketer. So number one we have to learn how to pocket balls whether you use an aiming system, a feel system, or whatever it is, you must be able to pocket balls. Number two, as your ball pocketing skills increase, we now have to understand cue ball control. So number two is controlling the cue ball, getting it into a position for an easy next shot. Cue ball control knows that you have to understand how your cue stick is striking the cue ball on every shot. So a consistent repeatable reliable stroke is needed for not only ball pocketing, but for number two, cue ball control. Number three, decision making. Not all games requires us to make huge decisions but there are many games and two in particular 8-ball or one-pocket where decision making is more important than ball pocketing or maybe cue ball control. So decision making is an extremely important skill level. As we work up these levels, we have to make sure all three are honed all the time. Number one, ball pocketing, number two, cue ball control, number three, decision making. Once again, you're with Randy G, thank you."