First off, I
want to tell you that you've chosen a great game to get involved with.
Pool will offer you a challenge for the rest of your life. There isn't
a person alive who claims to have truly mastered this game to the point where
they can win every time they play. It is just too complex and difficult. But
that's good.
I understand you are all interested in nine ball.
It's a wonderful game because it involves so much strategy and planning
ahead. Let's start at the beginning of the typical game. As you probably
know, the game starts with the break. An important rule to remember is that
the cue ball must contact the one ball on the break. Otherwise,
it's a foul.
Of course, you can also win on the break. All you
have to do is sink the nine ball. I say all you have to do as sort of a joke.
It's the hardest ball to sink on the break because it's racked right
in the middle of all the other balls. Still, it can be done. I know because
I did it once myself.
There are other ways to foul as well. Missing
a ball and not hitting a bumper is one. And sometimes, no matter how much
you've practiced, you'll find yourself making a lot of fouls. It's
just the way it is. I remember once I lost a tournament because I hit three
foul shots in a row. As you might know, the Billiard Congress of America has
a rule about fouls that is similar to baseball -- three strikes and you're
out.
Anyway, the important thing to remember about nine ball is that
the balls do not have to be shot in order. However, the cue ball must make
contact with the lowest-numbered ball on the table. That means not only worrying
about the shot in front you, but thinking two or three or even four shots
down the line. The best players in the world say they can map out an entire
game-winning run even before the balls roll to a stop after the break.
Like
I said, you'll never get bored with pool because it's always offering
you a new challenge. Just when you get good at breaking, it's time to
learn bank shots. Once you've mastered those, you've got to worry
about combinations. The most important advice I can give you is to have fun.
Pool is a game, so enjoy it!
Teri Norfolk is a league
secretary and competitive pool player. She says communication skills are essential
when dealing with your opponent. "There are rules that have to be enforced.
There are certain shots that are legal or illegal. You have to be able to
communicate with your opponent," she says.
Communication skills, suggests
Norfolk, make the difference between having a cool pleasant match or an outright
battle with the other team. "The opponent can turn around and think that you're
being sarcastic or being smart and they're going to get on the defense.
So, you can say the same thing in a different way and say it nicely. And you
smile at 'em while you're doing this. They, in turn, are going to
turn around and say, 'Oh, well that's cool. That's alright'"
Norfolk explains.