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Favorite Billiard Training Aid?

4/28/2008 4:19:18 PM

Favorite Billiard Training Aid?

As a newbie to playing pool, I'm curious what your favorite billiard training aids are?

What would be your recommendations for the best billiard training aids?

Any specific ones best for earlier in the cue sport learning curve, and any specific training aids for later in the learning curve?

Favorite Billiard Training Aid?

Replies & Comments
  1. njlarryFenwick on 4/28/2008 10:43:00 PM

    I'm going to have to ask what you mean by training aids. Like a laser devise for aiming or practice drills? Or perhaps good books? For now I would suggest you read and search all the information in as many threads and the, Billiard and Pool Tutorials, Billiard and Pool Videos, and Billiards Articles on the bottom page of this site. IMHO there are no tricks or shortcuts to becoming a better player. Hard work and a open mind will take you a long way. It might help if we knew your game of choice and what goals you have set for your self. Welcome to the site.

  2. njlarryquickshot on 4/28/2008 10:53:10 PM

    There are no silver bullets in play in the game of pool and billiards. As Fenwick pointed out, there is a wealth of information on this web site that you can access. If you are a beginner pool player I would suggest you go to a local billiards parlor ( if there is one near you) and talk to the owner about taking a few lessions in order to get you off on the right foot. In many ways pool is like golf. If you do not start off doing the right thing, you will be practicing the wrong thing and not even know it. And you will never get any better. Good luck and enjoy the game.

  3. njlarrynjlarry on 4/29/2008 12:16:44 AM

    Thanks for the advice. I am just looking for anything to help practice my basic stroke and aim. I have asked at the only billiard parlor near me and was told that they do not have any instructors at present. Strange but true. By aids I meant anything to help with learning such as special balls, "third eyes", lasers etc... My goal right now is to just get the basics of a good stroke and aiming. I've watched the BCA video over and over but still am having trouble with both. Thanks again.

  4. njlarryFenwick on 4/29/2008 2:31:00 AM

    Pool or billiards is not a easy game. I started at age 6 and stopped at age 20 something. At that time my high run was 143. Then started trying to be serious again at the age of 57. 3 ball runs where common and 10 ball runs where rare. Find the old man who can pocket balls and ask politely to watch. Ask questions gently. Ask to play him and ask for advice and listen. He may say only for $ but that may change. Keep quiet until he sees you want to learn. You will lose but learn how to lose gracefully. It has taken me 8 months to find my stroke and get back to running 20+ balls playing straight pool. Practice drills and learn English. Start out with 3 balls on the table and run them out. Use the 7, 8 and 9 balls as they are money balls and the 8 is the hardest to see. Make those 3 balls 10 times in a row then 4 balls until you are up to 15 balls. Last do a search on billiard and pool practice drills. Never make a shot without thinking if I do this or if I do that what will happen. Listen instead of waiting to talk. I work on that every day. Be open to criticism and take it with a grain of salt. I took mine from a very good player who was quite point blank or frank and in the end it paid off. He told me I would never be a good player or nothing more then a shot maker going the direction I was taking. I took that as a challenge rather then a insult. It is a long road but a game you can play until you're a older man like me. You have a lot of information here and a lot of players who will help you be a better player. I wish you much luck and more skill.

  5. njlarryquickshot on 4/29/2008 9:58:22 AM

    Fenwicks advice is very sound and on the mark. I currently play about three times a week with a very good player and most of the times he cleans my clock. He is an expert in cue ball control, and he is very generous with his advice. I am learning a lot from him and that is all I can ask.

  6. njlarrynjlarry on 5/2/2008 5:35:44 PM

    Thanks all for the good advice.

  7. njlarryquickshot on 5/2/2008 8:51:08 PM

    Hi NJ: training aids are no more than gimmicks to make money for the sellers. In the game of golf there are probably around 200 so called training aids that golfers buy thinking that the aid will improve his/her game. It is a multi million $ industry that preys on the most gullible sports people in the world. Myself included. I have tried a number of the so-call gimmicks and all I gained was an empty pocket and a continuing high handicap. I applied this lesson to my billiards and I have not purchased a thing. The very best training aid you will ever get is the above advice. And it will not cost a penny. Just keep practicing what you learn until it becomes second nature. Re-read Fenwick again again about 10 times until it becomes part of your mantra.

    Good luck and have fun. And practice...practice..practice.

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Favorite Billiard Training Aid?

  • Title: Favorite Billiard Training Aid?
  • Author:
  • Published: 4/28/2008 4:19:18 PM