Monday, February 20, 2006
::: How to play Pool:::
Quotes Calvin: "Pool...must get the pro zhes like Francis and De Xin to go..."
Yes the name Francis is included, so I shall try to teach those who are clueless about the game some basics (so that you will not lose so badly if we ever get to play on the same table).
Let's start with the bridge.
It is not a game played with cards.
You use your left hand (or less dominant hand) as a bridge, by raising your thumb and first finger slightly, so that there is a saddle for your cuestick to rest on.
And now the grip.
Use your right hand (or dominant hand) to grip the cuestick, preferably at a comfortable position. Hold the cuestick at waist level or any level you are comfortable with. Make sure all fingers are gripping the cuestick, like how you would grip a tennis racket.
Aiming.
Use your dominant eye (in most cases, the right eye if you are right-handed) and place it above the cuestick. Draw an imaginary line from the cue ball to the object ball. Visualize how the object ball will move and adjust the angle accordingly.
Breaking the 8-ball rack.
The cueball can be moved around but cannot go beyond the white line drawn on the table before a break. I recommend shooting from the right side of the table, about 2 cm away from the cushion. Aim for the hole between the 3rd and 4th ball. If you use enough strength, you may get the black ball in (and win! YAY!).
Scratching/Pocketing.
If you scratch/pocket the white ball then it's 'Ball In Hand' for the other player (means he can move it around and place it anyway he/she likes). If you pocket the black ball before you pocket all the balls in your set, it means Game Over for you. If you pocket the black ball in the wrong pocket or the white ball drops in together with the black ball, it also means Game Over for you.
Slicing/Spinning/Jumping/Masse-ing will be covered in the next lecture.
-francis
blerf at 10:56:00 PM
