There are many important aspects to perfecting your game of billiards or snooker. A good game starts with the right equipment and the selection of the billiard cue stick. The stick you choose should be heavy rather than light provided it does not feel clumsy or awkward in your hand. The heavier the cue stick is the more it will work for you and the more power you will have behind your shots. A heavier cue is also less likely to move accidentally or shake during the shot. Accuracy is key in playing a good billiards game and a heavy cue stick will allow you to strike the cue ball with more precision.

 You will also want to make sure that you are properly positioned when taking a shot if you want to make shots regularly. Your whole body from your feet to your head needs to be positioned so that you are steady, have a good view of your shot, and have good control of the cue stick. Stand firmly and comfortably on both feet being sure to give yourself plenty of support when you lean over the table to take your shot. Your bridge arm should be straight and steady and your back arm should be bent at about a 90 degree angle to allow yourself maximum follow through. Being in a position that allows you the best view of your shot is important so don’t be afraid to get down at table level to better visualize your shot.

The grip you use on your cue stick is also important if you want to successfully control the cue ball. Each shot is unique and requires you to strike the cue ball in a different place. Your grip should be loose enough to allow the cue stick to glide unrestricted in a smooth motion but tight enough to control exactly where the tip strikes the cue ball. Perfecting your grip requires you to find the optimum pressure needed to best control the shot without letting the cue stick slip or restraining it.

Developing the proper stance is key to making your billiard game a success.  You must position yourself in such a way that you are able to get the object ball in the pocket of the billiard table. 

You must first study the pocket and then look at the cue ball and object ball at the same time.  Pretend that there is s line between the cue ball and the object ball.

As you hit the cue balls, concentrate on making precise shots.  During the first break, the balls should travel in every direction on the table.  Developing the proper stance in billiards involves learning how to properly execute a break. 

It’s important to know the entire scope of these techniques and not just bits and pieces.  In order to develop the proper stance, you must have everything in place. 

You need a lot of strength in order to execute a break and have the balls scattered in the process.  In order to break properly your hand must be quick on the draw.  In addition to that, there are other things that you can do in developing the proper stance in your billiards game:

• As you’re hitting the ball, make sure that your shoulders and feet are balanced.   This will enable you to hit the ball very quickly.

• Keep your posture lowered to the table.  This will provide you with a better air of the ball.  On the other hand, you may have to stand up a little more to connect with the angle.  This angle is difficult to follow.  Then you can come to where you initially were to make the shot.

• In order to hit the ball dead center, make sure that your head and eye coordination are focused in that area of the ball.

• You can enhance your shooting if your feet are in an open stance position.  This helps you hit the ball easier and it still has power.

• When you’re at home practicing, write down your positions.  Make sure to include every hit line, position of your feet and any angles.  Practice this plan and keep up with your progress.

Make sure that your body is locked in place when you go toward the object ball.  In order for the shot to be accurate, the right foot should be forward opposite the arm you shoot with.  Use your left foot to balance yourself. As you continue developing the proper stance, you will be able to get the perfect shot more times than you think.

The billiards pre-shot routine is a solution to the beginner pool hardships. There are concepts discussed by Tim Miller in a presentation of four parts that one must apply. Players make inner changes as we master this game to improve our billiard shots.

Part 1 - Mental Control
We have to set goals to have the mental control that will help us focus. One needs to have a self-scrutiny and a reason as to why they are playing for them to have mental control. The PSR helps in both mental control and rhythm. You have to consolidate your thoughts and the shot has four requirements. The shots give one the target, it needs a specific hit and momentum and it needs one to have a special way in which they affect the cue stick with the cue ball. This is mental control and it needs certainty.

Having a goal, utilize every shot by applying PSR and you will succeed. Lack of PSR makes one a confused player. Mental control concentrates the mind on achievement and PSR is the most important step to success in pool.

Part 2 - Mental Control
Thoughts, memory and data accumulation in the mind helps in keeping the gained experience. The mind has PSR experience and the concentration experience. While training, record the missed shots. One should concentrate on PSR and shooting. Before one masters PSR, they must master the DRILL Bytes Six-Pack. Some people also say that if you pause your breathing while making a shot, it will enhance your concentration.

Part 3 – PSR
The steps are, chalk up, aim then pause while breathing. At times when concentrating, some people forget to breath! This is a master’s PSR. When the mind is quiet, it allows focus to the shot and the grip determines the track of the cue ball. The mind remembers the steps and when you train your mind, it works for you. Tim Miller’s latest DVD called “Bring Your Game to Its Highest Level” covers the basic aspects of PSR.

Part 4 - Mental Control
We are working hard to be perfect. To ease one’s way to mastering the game, humor and dedication are important. Work on your PSR once you set your goals. PSR has spiritual growth, which brings focus and mental control. Concentration too is important to make a winning combination.

Cut shots, also known as angle shots, are some of the most often used shots in billiards. It is important to master the cut shot if you want to excel at pool because they are so commonly used. The proper cut shot takes practice to master but with the right skills it I a very effective way to pocket balls.

A simple straight in shot is very easy, but as the angle of the required cut increases the difficulty of the shot gets increases as well. A cut shot is any shot where the cue ball’s path away from the object ball is at an angle. A cue ball can travel at a maximum angle of 90 degrees away from the object ball. A cut shot at a 90 degree angle is very difficult, however, and is usually only effective if the object ball is close to the pocket. Cut shots at smaller angles are easier, especially at angles less than 45 degrees.

Cut shots at small angles, less than 45 degrees, are easy to achieve using a soft to medium stroke. When beginners have trouble with cut shots at small angles it is usually due to an incorrect stroke. It is possible to use English to propel the object ball into the pocket to overcome stroke problems.

Cut shots at angles larger than 45 degrees are more difficult even for more experienced players. The cue ball positioning and your aim must be precise and shots at these angles take a longer and stronger stroke. The contact between the cue ball and the object ball is less in cut shots at greater angles so accuracy is essential.

Cut shots at angles between 75 and 90 degrees are very difficult even for advanced players. Cut shots at these angles are almost impossible if the object ball is very far away from the pocket. You will need expert accuracy, positioning and speed control to make cut shots between 75 and 90 degrees.