Play Eight Ball Pool Better

A pool player is always looking for ways to improve his game, so if you specialize in eight-ball, here are some tips to learn to play eight-ball pool better. These tips are specifically written for eight-ball pool. If you follow them, you're sure to improve your eight-ball game.

You will need:

• A pool cue
• A pool table

1. Develop a good break shot. A good, hard break shot can lead to a big advantage in eight-ball pool. Sinking balls on the break allows you to keep shooting and perhaps run the table. Never hit the first ball of the rack on a break. Instead, you want to position the cue a bit off to the right or left of center (whichever feels better to you) and strike the second or third ball in the rack. You will get a much greater dispersal of balls this way, with the probability that a few will drop.
2. Plan ahead with your shots. Eight-ball is all about placing the cue ball in a position to make the next shot. Survey the board and see what shots are open and makeable and develop a plan to decide in what order you should attempt to make these shots. Try to envision at least two or three shots ahead. The great ones can pretty much envision all the shots when their turn is up, but start out by trying to plan ahead a few shots.
3. Position the cue ball in an effective location to make your next shot. Use draw or english to place the cue ball in the desired location for your next shot. This is called positional play and if you can’t do it you won’t become good at eight-ball pool. If you don't know how to apply draw, english and other techniques that influence where your cue ball goes after you hit it, make sure you work on them.
4. Learn to play defensive pool. If you can't make a specific shot, make sure you place the cue ball in a spot where it is challenging for your opponent to make his shot. This is called playing a safety and is a strategic and smart way to play the game. If you leave your opponent a very difficult shot to make, chances are that you’ll get your turn right back.
5. Avoid bank shots if at all possible. Bank shots are more difficult to make than most other shots. A cut shot is a much better play. Playing a bank shot just adds another degree of difficulty to your shot and the cue ball can end up anywhere if not played properly.  This could open the table for your opponent to run.

Follow these five easy tips and you're sure to play eight-ball pool better.