The Q Club: The Fundamentals

Ahh the FUNdamentals. They are not to ``fun" to learn, but they are very crutial in your quest to becoming the best pool player the world. HOLD ON! Before you skip this page, and move on to table 3, there might be something you need to know that is only found on this page. I see many people in the pool halls, who are of adequate to good ability, but they could be so much better if they just did a few things differently. Proper stance, hand bridging, aiming [on the cue ball], and so much more, is VERY important. Enough with my babbling. Let's get on with it.

Ok, so let's start off with something easy. The way you stand isn't the most important thing to worry about, but if you stand a certain way, the right way, then you game should improve. The absolute best advice to give is that there is no one correct, RIGHT WAY, (although i contradict myself) know this: whichever stance is most comfortable for you, is the right stance for you.

Do...	Do not...
Stand comfortably.	Stand spread eagle.
Remain balanced.	Stand like Woody Allen: feet nervously together.
Bend close to the cue for better aim.	Stand upright.
Keep your eye(s) over the cue to aim better.	Scratch the felt. =)

Now, unlike the stance, the hand bridge is REALLY, very, extremely, crutial! This are correct ways to hold the cue, and in doing so, your game will improve. I see too many people holding the cue the wrong way, and that allows for a miscue BIG time.

(Hustler note: More often than not, the ``beautiful babies (Trent, Swingers)" are the ones who need help with the bridge. (I'm talking about the girls at the pool hall, to all the slow guys who didn't pick up on that already) This is a perfect time for you, the guy, to help her out. Stop smiling and read on...remember, you can only help her if you know what the hell you're doing, ya friggin doofus)

Back to business. The way you hold the cue is important, and it is overlooked by a lot of people. Like I said above, there are many different *ways* to hold the cue. Depending on the position of the cue ball, you will conform to how you hold the stick.

On the break, whether I'm playing 8-ball or 9-ball, I back the cue ball up about 8 inches from the rail. Now, I can use the rail to my advantage and rest the cue, using only my hand, as a guide. I like this a lot better than, say, spotting the cue ball, and breaking from there. For more on the break, check out Table 7.

About the open bridge (aka the " V " bridge): Here's another way to spot a novice on the pool table. Don't get me wrong, it's not entirely bad to use the V-bridge (on certain shots), but the closed bridge is a lot better. Now lets talk about those certain shots...any shot that requires just a tap, or no english, or a longer reach can be hit with the V-bridge. But BEWARE...don't get lazy, and become comfortable with the V-bridge- your game will only get worse. Besides, you look like a child.

The Closed Bridge is very beneficial. If you are very comfortable in using this, and you learn to hold the cue this way early on, then you are half way to there...well, maybe not, but you're on the right track. The closed bridge is great for english purposes, so learn it! It's hard to explain without grabbing your hand and showing you, so read this excerpt from Byrne's Standard Book of Pool and Billiards (1978): "The closed bridge should be learned early on. Lay the hand flat on the table with the fingers spread. Slide the tip of the middle finger across the cloth to the right under the forefinger and form an X with the middle of the thumb. Curl the forefinger until the tip touches the thumb, as in the photograph.

If necessary, to achieve perfect snugness, push the tip of the forefinger between the thumb and the middle finger. Keep the heel of the hand down, and the middle, ring, and little finger spread." That's it! Don't worry, at first it feels awkward, but it'll come with practice.

For English, Draw, and Follow, keep the closed bridge, but just lower your hand position (lower it toward the table).

When applying right-handed english: aim the cue toward the right-center of the ball.

And when applying left-handed english, aim the cue toward the left-center of the ball.

Some really useful advice is to always shoot thru the ball...meaning follow through. ALWAYS.

(Hustler note: If you want to draw the cue ball back during any of your shots, be sure *not* to raise the butt of the cue. This will only increase the chance of jumping the cue ball. Remember, you always want to keep the cue as level as possible.)

Much easier to learn than the bridge. There are only 3 things that I think are important (in no order):

1) Don't violate the laws of thermodynamics because you are holding the cue to tight. After a while, friction does build up. Now, this doesn't mean to hold the cue like a cute little school girl either. Find a comfortable mean, and work with that.

2) The farther away you hold the cue (from the tip) the more power you will get. Guess what? With more power, comes less precision. So just remember that.

3) And of course, the closer you hold the cue (toward the tip) the more precision you will get.