A lot of beginning players are so fascinated with the sport that they are just dying to learn how to shoot pool like a pro. But everyone’s gotta start at the beginning, right? So with that in mind, I figured I’d lay out the “ghost ball” method of aiming used by many, many players. It’s an extremely valuable tool, and simple enough that amateur players can pick it up rather quickly.
The idea behind the “ghost ball” is visualization. Actually, a lot of pool and billiards requires good visualization. You need to imagine the outcome you want to attain before getting down to shoot, so that you have the best chance of creating that outcome with your actions. For this exercise, I want you to set up a shot with one object ball and a cue ball on the pool table. Set up a pretty decent angle, nothing too straight, and keep the distance way under 1/2 a table’s length.
The first part of this exercise requires you to find the contact point on the object ball that will send it into the pocket you’ve chosen to shoot at. You can find this point by drawing an imaginary line through the very center of the object ball to the center of the opening of the pocket. The point at which the centerline exits the back side of the object ball is the contact point. Now, take a new ball and put it behind the object so that it is touching that contact point. You’ll know that you have it placed correctly because, if you imagine another line from the center of the new ball to the center of the original ball, this new line exactly overlays the original centerline.
Now for the second part I want you to step behind the cue ball as if you are preparing to shoot. Trace a new imaginary line through the centers of the cue ball and the extra ball you just set up. That extra ball is going to become your ghost ball. Work on imagining replacing that ghost ball with the cue ball. You want to aim (with a centerball hit, NO SPIN!) the cue ball head on into that ghost ball, because when you do it properly the cue ball will strike the contact point, driving the object ball along the first imaginary line and into the pocket.
Here, check out the right-side diagram. I borrowed this from http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/cut.html:
OK, the third step is to go back and remove the extra ball, keeping its location in your mind. Now return to the cue ball, line up and approach the shot from a few steps back (this is also a very important aspect of how to shoot pool better). Once you think you’ve got the shot lined up, settle into your stance and try the shot.
The importance of using a ghost ball in your aiming technique is to get you away from the bad habit of aiming the tip of the cue stick at the spot you want to hit. Most amateur players began life aiming in that manner, and it’s very incorrect and very inaccurate. You’ll notice that the tip of the stick instead points dead center of the ghost ball, not at the contact point. Keep this in mind when you switch from practice to real games. The ghost ball is where the cue ball needs to go, and it will always be that way.
If you are still not accurate with your fist attempts using a ghost ball, then you’ll have to analyze other aspects of how you shoot pool. Other fundamental factors can prevent you from being accurate. You’ll find other articles here that can guide you further down the path of how to play pool for beginners.
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I was quite a pool player in high school (my grades were really now then
) but it never crossed my mind to follow online tutorial to play better. Good thing sites like yours exist….
never heart of the “ghost ball method” before but it looks like a good way to visualize your shot better.
This is really interesting! I’ve played pool quite a few times, (in bars hanging out) and always enjoyed it. I haven’t played in a while though – thanks for the idea!
Makes sense to have to visualize the outcome, like with many things in life. I’ve never been that great at pool so I’ve gotten used to losing (although it’s nice to win) so I’ll have to try these tips out the next time I play!
I don’t know much about pool myself but I recently met a guy who makes his living as a professional pool player. He’s been doing it for years and he said it’s getting harder to play private games for money because everyone has a cell phone with Internet and they can look up his record before playing. Apparently not everything is better in the Internet age!
Thanks for the comments everyone
There are several different aiming methods out there, but most of them can be very difficult to explain or get the gist of, even with a pro instructor. The Ghost Ball is by far the simplest, demonstrating clearly where the cue ball needs to get to on a center-ball hit.
@Errol – I’m sort of surprised people still try to hustle in this day and age. Playing against someone for money is usually seen more as a contest of skills either between nearly-equal level players or between high and low players where the lower player is often asking for a handicap, or sometimes playing straight up for the bragging rights if he or she beats the better player.
I can’t think of a time where I ever took up challenge for $$ against someone I didn’t know. I have always loved to play and to compete, but never to gamble, lol.
This was very helpful. I am guilty of the beginner technique of aiming for the contact point. Now I know better.
Man, I am AWFUL at playing pool, but this little tip will definitely help me improve my game. I have to keep up with my other TV hosting buddies! Thanks a million!