A Few Cue Tips
- In running-through at short range with composition balls
play a little fuller than you would do with ivory balls and
strike your own ball higher.
- Always take aim at the object ball over the centre of the
cue ball, and in applying side take care that the cue is
parallel with the line of aim.
The eye insensibly guides the cue into the line of aim.
To prove this in a run-through stroke, aim dead at the
centre of the object ball and then, without moving the cue,
glance at the second object ball or pocket, and strike. The
cue ball will effect the cannon or enter the pocket.
- Do not regard differences of balls or of nap with indifference.
- Utilize every available opportunity of perfecting straight
and easy cueing, both with and without the use of side.
Play first along the baulk line; then up and down the centre
of the table; and finally at the red ball when placed on the
centre spot of the table and played at from the centre baulk
spot. Whether side is used or not, the object ball should
depart and return straight.
- Good practice with slow side is to be gained up and down
the table. If the billiard spot be thus aimed at from the
centre baulk spot, the ball will go wide of it on the side
struck, but if the centre spot of baulk be aimed at from
between the billiard and pyramid spot, the ball will travel
wide on the opposite side to that on which it is struck.
- Do not confuse gentle play with uncertain and nervous
play. When the cue ball is only sent a foot the stroke
should be as firm and crisp as when it is sent a table length,
but the cue swing should be proportionately shorter.
- The better the all-round player the shorter are the distances
travelled by the balls and the easier the recurring
positions. To scatter the balls or use unnecessary strength
is deliberately to make the game difficult.
- Don't let the feared impatience of your opponent prevent
you from having your next intended stroke fully in your
mind in all its bearings. Presently this will become instinctive
and you will then be able to combine proper contact and
positioning with quick play.
- Thin cross losers into a top pocket are rather puzzling,
but a good general rule is to use check side from quite near
to the lower shoulder, and running side when still finer.
- The great thing is so to adjust the contact that the red ball
is always left for an easy middle-pocket loser from hand.
- When playing the drop cannon from hand from the
white on to the red, widen the angle a little so as gently to
cut the red over to a corner pocket, but when playing from
the red on to the white, get full on the red, still guiding the
latter to the corner pocket. It is really not difficult, and
confidence and firm and gentle cueing are what are chiefly
needed.