A Beginner’s Guide to Playing Pool: The 6 Things You Should Know

Learning how to play pool can be a tricky feat.  There’s math involved, getting the high-quality equipment, and figuring out the many ways to not embarrass yourself if you’ve never played before.  But don’t worry, this guide will key you in on the most useful tips so you can show up looking like pro in no time.

 

Like me, there are many people out there that have played pool a few times, and if you are ever out with your friends playing pool on a Friday night, you try your hardest to not look like you have only played a handful of times- even though you have.

 

Here is a quick, easy guide to the 6 things you should know if you are a beginning pool player that picked up a pool stick only a couple times in your life, or never at all. 

 

1. Seek out an opponent that is on your playing level or worse

If you want to look like a pro, finding someone who has only played a handful of times can help you from looking like you didn’t pick up a pool stick 5 minutes ago.  Better yet, if you find someone that has never even picked up a pool stick, they can make you look like you’ve been playing for years. 

 

2. There are online tutorials on how to play billiards

In a bind and didn’t get a break in your 9-5 job to brush up on your skills before going out tonight with all the buds to play some pool?  Have no fear, this online tutorial or other basic tutorials will teach you everything you need to know about pool in one minute, and maybe even a cool trick or two, so you can make your buddies think you’ve played for years.

 

3. Dress like the pros

Time to put away the raggedy jeans, old t-shirt, and sneakers.  If you want to look like a pro, you need to dress like one, so grab your nice dress shirt, slacks, dress shoes, and if you want to get fancy- a bow-tie and vest.  Looking like a pro is a great way to trick your opponent to thinking you’re a good pool player.  It’ll keep them on their toes, and is a great distraction piece.

 

4. Learn the Billiard lingo

Now, the most important lingo you should learn is “the tit.”  Since you most likely aren’t that good at pool, you’ll most likely be hitting the tit a lot. I know what you’re thinking, but the tit is the corner of the side pocket on a billiards table.  You will probably be hitting that a lot since you’re not actually that good at getting them into the pockets. Another word like “miscue” referring to when “the cue tip slides off the cue ball possibly due to a contact that is too eccentric or to insufficient chalk on the tip” (Generation Pool).  Since you are probably not that experienced, you will miscue a lot, and when playing with friends, using phrases such as “Man I hit the tit again,” or “I can’t believe that miscue,” might trick your opponent into thinking you know what you’re talking about- even though you don’t play like it. See more lingo and phrases here.

 

5. Watch more Billiards on ESPN.

If you are anything like me, you are a visual learner and like to see things in action.  By watching billiards online or on TV, you can learn from the pros, such as Florian “Venom” Kohler, who is a strong supporter of the Delta-13 rack.  Watching billiards on TV will open-up your horizons to learning some cool trick shots you’ve always wanted to try.  And if you watch ESPN, you will see the thrilling Delta-13 Rack Commercial that has brought many to buying our quality made rack.

 

6. The Delta-13 will give you a clean break no matter your experience level.

This consistently tight rack allows the pool balls to have a nice tight fit on the table.  If you are someone that thinks you need a little umph when breaking, think again.  No matter how hard, fast, slow, or different you break the pool balls, the Delta-13 will guarantee more balls in the pocket each time, making you look like a pro.

 

There you have it.  If you follow these 6 tips to being a pro pool player without actually being a pro pool player, at least you will know how to look and act like one.  And hey, who knows, you might actually win a game.

Guest post by: Kaitlyn Taggart