Playing pool is a fun pastime for many; however, there are some people who don’t want to just play as a hobby, they want to become serious pool sharks! If you want to learn how to become a pool shark, we have everything it takes right here.
There are essentially five things you need to do to become an excellent pool shark:
- Spend Hours Practicing.
- Use the Right Cue for You.
- Loosen and Perfect Your Grip.
- Play with New Players.
- Learn from the Masters.
Now, these bullets alone will not turn you into a pool shark, but if you want to learn how these tactics can make a big difference in your game and turn you from an occasional player to an actual threat, then keep reading!
How to Become a Pool Shark
If you really want to become a pool shark, the first and most important thing to remember is that you have to be dedicated!
No one becomes an expert at anything without commitment, so if you just want to play with the bar’s pool stick while you drink a beer once a month, you will never become a real pool shark.
So, let’s break these essentials down so you can get on your way to becoming a pool shark!
Spend Hours Practicing
This is quite possibly the most important and fundamental factor to becoming a pool shark: spend hours practicing!
If you are a beginner, just start by playing as often as you can and simply hitting the ball around the table. As you become more aware of how the game works, practice specific angles, different amounts of force, and various setups that you may experience in a real game.
The bottom line: Get the pool stick in your hand and play as much as you can!
Use the Right Cue for You
While you’re doing all this practicing, it is essential that you start playing with the right pool stick. There are hundreds of options for pool sticks, and it can often be challenging to choose the right one for you.
Experts recommend doing a bit of your own research to learn as much as you can about pool cues before making your purchase.
Becoming your own expert on pool sticks will, of course, lead you to purchase the perfect one for you, but it will also allow you to be able to tell which of the cues available at a billiards club are the best to play with, so you can make sure you play like a shark even without your own stick.
Loosen and Perfect Your Grip
The next step to becoming a pool shark is to perfect your grip, and for most players, that means loosening it! Many new pool players think that a tighter grip means better control, but it’s actually quite the opposite.
Loosening your grip can make a huge difference in your game, but there are also a few other factors to consider, such as your stance, arm positioning, and the bridge you create with your hands.
The truth is that there are actually several different tactics for how to best hold your cue, position your legs, and everything else your body needs to do to play pool like a shark.
That’s where the next two instructions come in!
Play with New Players
As you play with different types of players, you should pay attention to their body positioning, cue choices, their force, angles, bridges, arm movements, and everything else they are doing!
Even if they are not fantastic players, by learning about the many different ways that people play the game, you will learn what works and what doesn’t. You should also use what you notice in your own personal practice for trial and error to improve your game and find out what works best specifically for you.
Learn from the Masters
Of course, watching every player is helpful, but learning from actual professionals and true pool sharks will make you the best player you could be!
These players know what they’re doing, so watch them in tournaments, on television, at events, on YouTube, or anywhere that you can! And don’t just watch; it’s important to pay attention to everything they are doing, and maybe even take notes!
Final Thoughts
While you’re probably not a pool shark yet, hopefully, you now have all the information you need to not only get started but seriously make it happen!
Remember, becoming a pool shark is more than hanging out at the billiard club with your buddies; it takes dedication, practice, learning about cues, perfecting your grip and body positioning, playing with a variety of players, learning from the masters, and so much more!