Contrary to popular belief no matter how hard beginning players try to coax their ball into the target pocket, their efforts usually fall short. Yelling, jumping up and down, or even impassioned pleas up towards the pool Gods in the sky seldom make a difference. These realizations come with time, but when they finally click it’s a relief to the players and everyone around them.

As players progress in skill level they cross through a veil into a...

Most people who are new to the game think it’s cool to shoot the cue ball into their target ball as hard as humanly possible – on every single shot. They do this for two simple reasons: A) because shooting hard creates a lot of collateral action (think slop play) that may or may not end well for them and B) because they don’t know what they are doing. Fact of the matter is shooting too hard will greatly reduce accuracy and “make the pocket smaller”. This does...

Background
I have always been a quiet and reserved person. I enjoy various sports, but nothing has ever moved me quite like league play. I love the feel of a pool cue in my hand and the confidence of knowing I'm about to win it for my team.

Introduction
Pool for me is not even about the shot, it's more about the eyes that I can feel watching me, just beyond the table light, as I am about to shoot. The feeling of the crowd willing my...