The balls in formation with the black 8 ball in the middle.
Using what some people call the "triangle"--or pool rack--put all of the balls in the rack, making sure the 8 ball is in the center. The triangle vertex should face the other end of the table and line up between the two dots closest to the middle pockets on either side. Make sure the balls are tightly packed. Once they are as tight as possible, ease the triangle gently from the formation. The balls will stay in triangle formation.
The cue ball is lined up opposite the racked balls.
The cue ball should be placed anywhere on the end of the table opposite the other balls behind the second set of dots. You can place it as close as you desire to each rail, or directly in the middle. It's up to you.
Pool player holding the cue stick and lining up the cue ball for the shot.
Hold the cue stick by leaning over closer to the table (this allows you to visualize the shot better) and resting the skinny end of the stick on the curve between your thumb and index finger. Your fingers should be holding your hand up on the table, and the stick should just slide over the center of your thumb and index finger. Your other hand should grip the thick end of the stick and serve to push the stick during the shot. In pool, if you are left-handed, your left hand will push the stick on the left side of your body, and vice versa for righties. The goal is to use a quick forward stroke, fueled by your pushing hand, to hit the cue ball into the other balls.
