Whether you are playing for fun, or there is money at stake, you will want to play your best game of pool. You may have all of the rules nailed down, but when it comes to actually knowing exactly how to play a great game of pool, one of the most fundamental lessons that you need to learn is the correct way to hold a pool stick.
Why do you need to know how to hold a cue stick?
Everything in your style of pool playing will come down to the way that you hold your pool cue when you are taking a shot. The way that you hold your cue will influence the accuracy of your aim, and your ability to control the speed, spin, and power of the ball. Knowing the proper way to hold a pool stick can make the difference between committing multiple fouls throughout the game, or having a clean break that allows you to keep potting ball after ball.
What is the best way to hold a pool stick?
Many newer pool players will hold the cue in the wrong way. This will often lead to poorly executed shots, pocketed white balls, or, in some cases, the cue ball even leaping from the table in a dangerous manner.
Having full control over the cue ball means knowing how to hold a pool stick.
Grasp the cue horizontally at your waist in a comfortable manner. This should be done using your dominant hand, towards the end of the stick. The hand holding the rear of the cue should be at a 90-degree angle to the cue.
You should ensure that you are not holding the cue too firmly. Having flexibility is important, and you need to maintain a relaxed and comfortable hold on the pool stick. Hold the cue too rigidly, and you will find that you are unable to apply the right level of power to the ball.
Next, you will need to lower your upper body towards the table. You should lower it inline with the cue ball. While getting into position, keep hold of the cue from both ends, and ensure you do not place the end close to any of the balls on the table. The last thing you want to do is give your opponent an extra shot because you knocked a ball with your cue.
Cradle the bridge of the cue with your non-dominant hand. This should be laid on the table palm down. Make sure your hand is at least 6 to 8 inches back from the cue ball.
From here, you can look down your cue, through the white ball, and toward the ball that you want to hit. Take your time constructing your shot, and focus your attention while you do this.
What are the different ways to hold a pool stick?
There are a number of different techniques to bridge your pool stick in order to create the perfect shot. Whichever you use, you should always hold a pool stick in a way that allows you enough movement with the cue, ensuring you have a clear view of the ball, and without friction between the cue and your bridging hand.
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