Bill Smith “Mr3Cushion” has been one of the top players in the country for all of his 40 year career as a professional 3 Cushion player. He can teach as well as he played and brings us a great opportunity to this great game. The SECRET of the Half-Ball The Half-Ball Aiming System THE KEY FACTOR in my game’s acceleration over the years is what I’ve learned regarding the achievement of maximum effect and speed with the help of my late mentor and best friend Ernie Presto. Peo

Allowing headphones during league or tournaments has become a bigger conversation among tournament directors and pool players. It wasn’t that long ago a few players were using headphones during practice, and even fewer were using them while playing league or during a local tournament. However, in recent months there has been a striking upswing in use. It appears that more players are seeing a benefit to their game by blocking out peripheral noise and getting into the “zone.”

The Purse Snatcher is a classic set up shot that can get infuriating when you try it on an unfamiliar table. It was once in the Artistic Pool shot program but has been removed for so long that some of the younger, aspiring trick shot artists wouldn’t even know where to begin. The objective is to bank the F1 ball in (the snatcher) before the F2 ball (the purse owner) and have the cue ball travel three cushions for the D ball. I start with the F1 ball placing it a ball width

www.theroadplayer12.com As you know, I am always willing to help my fellow pool players. I have been doing that for thirty-five years. Instead of an article this time, I am going to make you work on your skill development. I have a great exercise for you. Shoot the nine ball and stop right there. It would be a mistake to think this is an automatic shot. There is something about this stop shot that gives players fits from time to time. Build good alignment skills with this sho

I am truly impressed and amazed by this 12-year old’s list of accomplishments that it gives me hope that the sport is alive and well. Coached and motivated by his father, takes lessons from a billiard author and instructor and is sponsored by one of the biggest names in the industry, this young man is destined to be on a short list of the nation’s top players. Charlie Marshall Jr.’s accomplishments: First and currently the only junior player sponsored by Predator® Products, W

Pool is a game of ups and downs. Most pool players experience a slump at some time or another. Slumps occur when you play below your expected ability for a prolonged period of time. Most pool players do not know why they are playing bad, so they tend to look for solutions in all the wrong places. Sometimes this causes the player’s performance to drop even more. Often, the player falls deeper and deeper into despair. Pool players are often unable to break free from the chains

The Stroke After we have discussed three out of four basic fundamentals, we come to the most important thing of all, The Stroke! If you have a good stance and know many bridges, that will never overcome your bad grip that leads to a poor stroke. But when you see and hear a sound of a good stroke, you “forgive” many flaws, and you know that you have a good player in front of you. What distinguishes players is the stroke! In order to understand the importance and real place of

Open Rail Bridge When you are in a situation where the cue ball is too close to the rail or on the rail, it is very hard to use a closed rail bridge, so we have to use an open rail bridge. Please notice that the word “rail” is part of the name of this type of bridge. So whenever you can, try to keep your shaft in contact with a rail while also in contact with the cue ball, and keep it in contact with the cue ball after contact in your follow-through. If you do this, you will