When first stepping into the world of billiards, novices are full of anticipation but are also prone to falling into various misunderstandings and taking detours. Don’t worry. Spike will help you easily bypass the common “pitfalls” that novices encounter and smoothly embark on an enjoyable billiards journey.
I. Equipment Selection
Selecting a billiard table is the first step. The playing surface of a high-quality billiard table, such as one made of finely ground bluestone slabs with exquisite splicing craftsmanship, can ensure a stable and smooth rolling path for the balls. When a player strikes the ball, the ball’s movement trajectory can truly reflect the force, direction, and rotation at the moment of impact. The components of a good billiard table, such as the cloth and the cushion rubber, perform excellently. For example, a woolen billiard cloth with fine fluff and moderate friction, combined with high-quality cushion rubber with stable elasticity, can make the cue ball move as expected after hitting the target ball or the cushion. Spike Billiard Table’s source factory has 23 years of production experience, and its products meet international standards. It is the first choice for billiard halls and home use.
II. Practice Techniques and Stay Away from Inefficient Traps
Don’t blindly pursue hitting the ball with great force. Novices often think that hitting the ball with great force will ensure that the ball goes into the pocket, but this is not the case. Hitting the ball with excessive force not only easily distorts the movement but also makes the cue ball’s position out of control. When hitting the ball, you need to control the force well and use an appropriate amount of force according to the distance of the ball and the ball’s shape. For example, when hitting a close ball, a gentle push is enough; when hitting a distant ball, increase the force appropriately.
Don’t skip the basic posture practice. The correct posture is the foundation of playing billiards well, but some novices are too eager to achieve quick results and ignore the posture practice. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, lean your body slightly forward, place your center of gravity on the supporting leg, and relax the hand holding the cue. These seemingly simple key points of the posture can determine the stability and accuracy of hitting the ball. Spend more time practicing the basic posture to form muscle memory so that you can perform at your best when hitting the ball.
III. Competition Mentality and Refuse Excessive Tension
Don’t care too much about winning or losing. When novices participate in competitions or play with friends, they are likely to care too much about winning or losing, resulting in a nervous mentality and a distortion of their techniques. Billiards is an entertainment sport, and enjoying the process is the most important thing. Treat each shot as a practice, focus on your own movements and techniques, and don’t be affected by the score.
Overcome the nervousness in the competition. It is normal to be nervous during a competition, but you need to learn to overcome it. Before going on the court, take a few deep breaths to relax your body. When hitting the ball, focus on the cue and the cue ball, and ignore the surrounding environment and your opponent. You can also participate in more competitions in normal times to gradually get used to the competition atmosphere and improve your psychological quality.
IV. Billiards Etiquette and Show Good Manners
Respect your opponent and the referee. On the billiard table, respect is mutual. Shake hands with your opponent before the game to express friendliness; during the game, don’t interfere with your opponent’s shot and keep quiet. If you have questions about the referee’s judgment, communicate politely and don’t quarrel.
Abide by the competition rules. Understanding and abiding by the rules of billiards competitions is the basic quality of every player. Don’t deliberately foul, and don’t try to take advantage of loopholes in the rules. If you are not sure whether a certain shot is a foul, take the initiative to ask the referee to ensure that the game is carried out fairly and justly.
As long as you avoid these common “pitfalls” that novices often step into and keep practicing, you will quickly find the fun of playing billiards and improve your skills. If you encounter any problems while playing, you can always communicate with me. https://www.tiktok.com/@spk.billiard?_t=8qRRRnXP4N8&_r=1