Hal Houle Point and Pivot System
Author: aclazaro
What is the Hal Houle Point and Pivot System? This is a billiard aiming system that utilizes the layout, design and geometry of the pool table. It also has some common assumptions that will help you in identifying the exact spot on the object ball to strike with the cue ball. This method is not yet meant for everyone to try since it requires a very analytical mind to wrap your head around it and learn some of its theories.
Some of the major assumptions include the following:
- Knowing where your pivot point is
- All billiard tables have a 2:1 ratio which means that they twice as long as their width
- The corners of the billiard table are always in 90 degree angles
- The 45 degree angle happens when a cue is positioned from the side to the corner pocket
- The 30 degree angle happens when a cue is positioned from the side to middle diamond on a similar end and the rail.
Photos via billiards.colostate.edu
Posted in Billiard Rules & Regulations, Billiards & Pool Tips | 
Tags: Hal Houle Point and Pivot System
Practicing Your Billiard Aiming Shot
Author: aclazaro
In practicing your billiard shot aiming technique, you must concentrate on three very important aspects. First is to imagine the paths of the shot and the points of the contact. Second is to aim the billiard shot with your dominant eye which we have already discussed before. Thirdly is to know how to put proper shooting pressure.
When you have assessed the table and made your choice shot decision, then you have to analyze it and have to aim your shot well. To start off, you must imagine the straight line from the object ball towards the middle of the pocket’s opening and then extend that line through the object ball to the opposite side of the pocket. Where this line will intersect is where you will hit the ball to make it follow that exact direction. You must also determine the exact point on the cue ball to match with the point you have seen on the object.
Photos via billiardsforum.info
The Proper Stance for the Straight On Shot
Author: aclazaro
The main idea of this stance is to correct the player from missing on the straight on shots. The first step would be to approach the table as you would normally do and as you view the layout, hold the cue right in front of you. The second step happens when you are right handed, place your feet side by side and separate it with just about 12 inches. Then you step forward with your right foot and lean down to place your shot. Make all the necessary adjustments that you need but you should remember that you want your entire right side lined up and aim at the cue ball. This is how you place your stroke.
This particular billiard style is also perfect to be used by the left handed shooters too. All you have to do is to reverse the process and then just place your left foot forward.
Photos via life123.com
The Holy Light System
Author: aclazaro
What is the holy light system in billiards? Well, it is a technique used to help in aiming your billiard shots that include the usage of lighting in a room. You must remember that it may not be the most useful of all techniques since some pool rooms do not have enough lighting.
The concept is that the light in the room would reflect off the object bal. This can help you in knowing the precise spot where you have to make contact with the cue ball. You should be able to get this point as you aim right at the tip of your cut at the object ball, as if you are to shoot it directly to the pocket. The exact spot that you would try to hit the object with the cue to sink it is the exact spot where you should look at the reflection of the light. The idea? Use the system that you should get to use the light’s reflection to lock the spot.
Photos via robertamsterdam.com
Finding Your Dominant Eye in Billiards
Author: aclazaro
To be able to perfect your aiming skills in pool, you must be able to figure out which of your eyes is the dominant one. It is perceived according to studies that 96% of the population of the world has a dominant eye. This can really play a big role in the way that you aim at your shots in playing billiards.
You can easily find your dominant eye by just holding your arms straight out right in front of you and extend it fully. Connect your index fingers right to a certain point toward the ceiling and then you join your thumbs right at the bottom to come up with a form of a triangle. With your two eyes open, focus on a distant and stationary object and slowly bring the triangle close to your face. As it moves closer, the eye that takes a clearer focus is your dominant eye.
This is very important for your dominant eye is the one to be placed over your cue as you shoot.
Photos via azbilliards.com
Practicing The Pool Shot Aiming Drill
Author: aclazaro
The pool shot aiming drill is meant to help you make better on your shots that are as far from the ‘straight in’. It would also help you with your aiming and consistency on your shots. To start off, you must set up all your object balls in a half circle right around the pocket. Then you pick a starting position for the cue ball that should be some distance down the table’s long side. Once everything is ready, then you can start shooting right at the object balls with the one that is closest to the rail. Then you work your way out in sinking each one.
Just be sure to bring the cue ball back to the similar position as you sink every cue ball. This will also ensure that you are much exposed to a wide range of angles. If you miss a single shot, then you have to begin the drill right from the start.
Photos via billiardsforum.info
Safety Shots and Defensive Play in Billiards
Author: aclazaro
Just like in any other sports, there is what you call the offensive and defensive play. According to many sport experts, for you to be successful in any kind, you must be able to master both. When it comes to defensive billiard strategies and other safety shots, Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes is the one considered to be master. Even if for the average type of audience, he just seems to be pocketing all the balls, he is really one good kind of a defensive player.
To be able to play the term called ‘safety’, this means that you should execute a defensive move that would hinder the offensive game of your opponent. This would require though to buy time to plan your own defense. To block their easier shots will really give them some mental torture and can cause them to destroy their focus and cause them to make more mistakes. Play to their emotions well too and always keep your cool. Know when to play offensive and defensive.
Photos via azbilliards.com
Learning The Defensive 8 Ball Strategy
Author: aclazaro
If you think that you are competing with someone who is better than you are, then you might want to consider learning the defensive 8 ball strategy to help in improving your chances of winning every game. There are a few essential techniques when it comes to the 8 ball strategies like learning the winning break, the shot speed, pocket holding and the choice of group.
Winning the break is never letting your opponent to take the first break shot. When you execute it, you must focus on the medium paced break shot and steer away from the full powered ones. Just concentrate on pocketing the two solid balls right on the wide ends of the triangle. Strive hard to pocket a few more solid balls right in the inning. To speed up your defensive 8 ball strategy, try shooting with a lower level of power. Always observe where the balls of your opponents are cluttered so that you can hold a pocket holding strategy in that area.
Photos via sunburstselect.com
Doing The Shape Drill
Author: aclazaro
To be able to execute the shape drill, you must settle for a 4.5 x 9 diamond or gold crown table. Make fifteen balls in a consecutive manner without having to touch or hit another ball or hit a rail. This is really a powerful cue ball control and shape exercise that you should try to do at least once a week. If you can do it once out of ten times, you are doing great. To make the first five to ten balls is simple.
This drill really requires a lot of concentration and efforts to be successful even at the very first time. With this drill, you will get frustrated and would want to give up. But the guarantee is that if you will force yourself to perfect the drill, then you will succeed and would want to repeat it over and over again. This will surely give you ideal command of your short cue ball control.
Photos via sal2009.com
Position Play With Rails
Author: aclazaro
From the 3-ball to the 4-ball, you must get to it to steer away from the traffic right in the middle of the table. To know this, you must play the pot striking about half a tip right below the center. There is really no need to use the side for this shot. Because if you do, much can go wrong if you even do it. You must aim to hit the side rails right at the 3rd diamond at position C with a tough stroke. With this, the cue ball will continue until it reaches the position D.
It is much better to strike the shot harder rather than do it softly. If you will strike it soft, you may not always get far enough up right the table to even have a chance of the 4. But if you will strike a bit too hard, the cue ball will just bounce off the head rail and go around diamond 14 or thereabouts.
Photos via ehow.com