1. Go With Your Instincts - Don't get too locked up in the mechanics of each shot when playing (save that for practice). A lot of pool is based on your instincts. The sooner you begin to trust your feelings, the faster you will improve. At some point, you must free yourself up to play naturally.

2. When To Play Safe - A good rule of thumb to help you decide when to play safe or go for it is: NEVER go for a difficult shot that you can't win the game with. GO FOR IT if you chances of winning are high if you make it and the safety option is as difficult as the low percentage shot. When deciding whether or not to play a safety, keep in mind that a good safety sometimes requires more skill than trying to make the shot.

3. Have a Position Routine - A good way to program your position skills is to ALWAYS (on every shot) pick a specific area of the table that you intend to have the cue ball arrive at. Then (ALWAYS) take a brief moment (after every shot) to review your success. This is a routine that only takes a few seconds but will pay BIG dividends.

4. Make those Easy Shots - When practicing your shot making skills, work on becoming more consistent on the makeable shots rather than spending too much time on the low percentage shots. When faced with a low percentage shot, you have the option of playing safe and will take that route most often. Many pro players will admit that when they lose it is because of missing a very makeable shot or position play.

5. Using Your Memory - Your memory is a very important aspect of your ability to improve your shot making and position play skills. When you miss a cut shot for example, pay attention to whether you overcut or undercut the shot and compare it to how you were aiming. Then practice it until you perfect it and consciously remember how you played it. If you make a habit of using your memory, your game will improve considerably.

6. Low Percentage Shots - Why practice low percentage shots? You should have an idea of what your percentage is of making several common low percentage shots. When faced with a shot in a game, this information along with your opponents skill level, playing conditions, and even the game score will help you make the correct decision as to whether you should go for it or play safe.

7. Strategy - Think STRATEGY! In the games of 8-Ball & 9-Ball, it is the player that makes those "title" balls that wins. Be sure you have a good opportunity to run all the way to the winning ball for the victory, or at least a good safety opportunity, before committing yourself to a run of all the balls. You don't want to just make the game easier for your opponent.

8. Execute Your Intention - When you reach the point where you are able to knowingly execute your intention on most of the shots, you have become a good player. When you pull the trigger on a shot without the confidence of knowing the outcome, you need to practice that shot until you can anticipate the favourable result you are seeking.

9. Budget for Kicks - Just like 'Banking' skills must be developed for you to become a good player, so must your 'Kicking' skills. Players often neglect to practice kicks because more often than not they are kicking just to get a good hit rather than to pocket a ball. Be sure you budget some practice time for those all important kick shots that will save you from giving up BALL-IN-HAND.

10. 'Dirty' Pool - When your back is to the wall with no logical shot available, and you will probably be giving up ball-in-hand anyway, make sure you leave it as difficult as possible for your opponent by clustering balls, etc., when you make your intentional foul. THIS is not dirty pool - it is smart pool.

11. Trust In Your Ability - When you are playing, you have to have a belief or TRUST in your ability to execute the shots. If you have doubts about making a shot, getting position, etc, you are not giving yourself the best chance for success.

12. Confidence - Confidence is very important in all of the cue sport disciplines. When you feel you are not shooting your best and need a confidence boost, think back to a time when you were playing "lights out" and try to re-live that moment.

13. Planning Ahead - One of the reasons that it seems to be easy when the pro players are running a table is that they have PLANNED AHEAD. A key to shooting good pool is to KEEP IT SIMPLE, however if you don't plan ahead, it is almost impossible to keep it simple. Planning ahead is what makes it seem the top players always have much easier run outs.

14. The Overall Picture - When choosing your group (stripes or solids) in the game of 8-Ball, don't fall into the trap of just looking to see what the easiest first shot is. Survey the entire layout to determine which group will give you the best run-out opportunity or best chances for a win overall.

15. 'English' Spin - What we call "English", the English call "side spin", which is really a better name and accurate description. "Side Spin" or "English" is used to direct your cue ball off the cushions in a variety of angles. To learn the effects of side spin, simply shoot at a cushion and use English on one side of the cue ball or the other and watch the results. Now experiment with moving your cue tip even further to the side. Then experiment with shooting into the cushions at different angles. Make a mental note of the effect of the English on the rebound angle and the speed or distance the cue ball will travel. Monitor this every time you play in order to build a proper understanding of side spin. See ENGLISH SPIN on this website for more information.

16. Positional Play - Every top player knows that positional play separates the winners from the losers. The key to consistent positional play is speed control. It does no good to know the exact rebound angles or how far you can draw a ball if you miss your position by a foot or more. When you are playing position, it is always better (if possible) to have your cue ball approach the next shot on a line that is going toward or away (or close to it) from the same line the ball will be shot on. This is better than crossing over your position line because you have a higher margin for error when it comes to speed. If you go a little too far or not far enough, you are still on the same position line. When you cross over your position line, a little too far or not far enough could leave you without a shot. 

17. Take Nothing For Granted - It is surprising how many times a run is stopped by missing an easy shot or not getting position that almost seemed even natural. The fault usually lies in our taking the easy shots and shapes for granted. When we are playing good and staying focused, it is natural to want a break from the concentration levels when we get to an easy execution. Don't fall for this trap. Winners take nothing for granted.

18. Just Pot Eight Balls, Nothing Else Matters - When you are playing pool, and fail after almost running the table, chances are you will leave your opponent with a good opportunity to win. It is important to recognize when a runout does not have a good chance of success so you can change your game plan and play a smart safety before it is too late. The winner in pool is the player that makes the eight pots, not the player who made the most balls or attempted the fanciest shots.