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Position Play Billiard Tips

Position Play Billiard Tips

Below is a list of billiard tips for learning position play e.g. for learning how to purposely land the cue ball in the desired location after it strikes the object ball. In no particular order, there are some general pointers to help you improve your position play in the game of billiards:

  1. When unsure of the best position to land the cue ball, go for the center of the pool table. Practice being able to bring the cue ball to the center of the pool table after it contacts the object ball. From the center, you will likely have multiple easy shots.

  2. You can control the cue ball's travel distance more easily by using a "natural-rolling follow shot"

  3. Remember the 45-degree rule and use it to your advantage. The 45-degree rule predicts that a ball rolling into an end cushion at close to a 45 degree angle will head to a spot near to the center of the pool table. This is extremely useful for position play.

  4. Consider that you can take advantage of many position control options by exploring rail cut shots.

  5. You have an increased margin for error coming off a cushion when targeting a cue ball position that is close to a rail.

  6. Finally, don't take the easy, straight-in shots for granted. Shots when the object ball is near the jaws of a pocket may look easy, but as you take the pot for granted, there may be a tendency to forget to focus on the position you want to land the cue ball.

Position Play Billiard Tips

  • Title: Position Play Billiard Tips
  • Author: (Billiards Forum)
  • Published: 5/25/2008 3:34:00 AM
  • Last Updated: 3/11/2017 10:22:11 PM
  • Last Updated By: billiardsforum
  • Source: Archives

Position Play Billiard Tips

The Position Play Billiard Tips article belongs to the Position Play and Cue Ball Control category. Learn all about controlling the balls to your advantage during your shots.

Position Play Billiard Tips Comments

  1. Elder VaughanElder Vaughan from VA, United States on 2/10/2009 5:24:12 AM

    This "Tip" is just a space filler. I see no information for the reader/user. This is more of a News Paper release of something that happened.

    ...blah blah hey, it is very easy. I got a good shot on the 1 and can make it. The 2 is embedded. What would be nice to do is to pocket the 1, carom off of twelve rails, scare the daylights out of your opponent with this shot, line up perfectly on the two and run the rack.

    Still no help to anyone.

    P.S. A 7-rail carom/bank shot is almost impossible to do, even with just the cue ball and nothing else on the table.

    You folks can do better than this. We know it. Thanks for all the good stuff. This one just lacks.

  2. billiardsforumbilliardsforum from Halifax, NS on 2/10/2009 9:39:57 AM

    Thanks for the feedback. You are right, the original position play drill was garbage, and poorly written. It was a different type of position play technique or tip than most are used to seeing online, and it was meant more to get the player thinking (though it doesn't come out and say it). It is meant to paint a scenario and get the reader to be "aware" of the situation which they may not be cognizant of while playing.

    Update - We've since scrapped the original version and replaced it with a list of solid position play pointers.

  3. Elder VaughanElder Vaughan from VA, United States on 2/11/2009 5:05:22 AM

    Ah... How refreshing to see editors who care about their readers thoughts.

    wI have read so many of your good comments. I just thought this one was lacking something.

    I am looking forward to the next post. Thank you for what you have published thus far.

  4. billiardsforumbilliardsforum from Halifax, NS on 2/11/2009 5:13:34 AM

    Thanks for the note! By the way, you seem to be relatively experienced and well versed in cue sports, so if you ever want to write something and have it published, we'd love to post it.

  5. Elder VaughanElder Vaughan from VA, United States on 3/1/2009 12:18:55 PM

    Thank you sir. I do enjoy the games where we battle opponents and a table to include weather variables and physical conditions of the players with those items that Jed Clampet called "pot passers." I have many times considered turning my cue into an exclusive "pot passer."

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