Top 10 POOL STRATEGY Errors Amateurs Make … and How to Prevent Them

Hi Dr. Dave, here again to talk about the top 10 group

strategy

mistakes

amateurs

make

and how to fix

them

. If you want to improve, you must incorporate these concepts into your game. Sometimes

amateurs

don't leave angles on shots like this. From here, my only option is to retreat directly to the short side of the 8. I got in shape, but that was risky with the possibility of making a better play. Here it is backing up or moving forward to get an angle on the next shot. Now I have options that I can. Pull back, exit the side rail, or even roll forward with a side roll from multiple rails when leaving angles.

You'll also want to

make

sure you finish on the correct side of the ball. Here is an example of how to leave the wrong angle. I'm on the wrong side of the line toward the pocket and need to send the cue ball a long distance and off the rails to get in shape on the eight. I had to work hard for it and I risked scratching. Here's a much better approach, leaving a good angle now. I just needed to roll the cue ball forward, there was no chance of a scratch and I had a wide margin for error with the speed of my shot.

I could have gone short or long and still had an easy shot at the eight, the shape zone is the area where you can leave the cue ball and make a good shot here anywhere in this area would be good for a shot at the eight the best is Do not cross the narrow part of a shape zone like this the margin for error with speed is very small, when possible always try to get to the line of the next shot, where you will end up in the heart of the shape zone in a wide speed range like this or so with a design like this.

Have you ever seen amateurs? Pot the easy balls first and then ask yourself how they'll deal with the problem set later. You always want to solve your problems as soon as possible. The angle here is perfect for a stun shot to break up the group and having the pocket hangers offers good insurance. To ensure an easy shot after the breakaway, did you notice that I used a controlled speed where I knew the balls couldn't get into trouble? The exit is easy from here, an amateur might be tempted to shoot the 10 here as it is direct and easy.

However, because it is difficult to get the 8 later, the 10 is a good key ball to save here, a much better approach is to start with the easy 15. A stopped shot leaves a perfect angle to get off the 13 and get the perfect shape on the 10 to leave an easy shot on the 8. Always choose wisely the key ball to get to the 8 and the key ball to help you get to the final key ball . Here, with the ball in hand, many amateurs would be tempted to shoot the 10 in the top corner, which is the closest pocket, however, this requires entering a fairly narrow window.

Crossing the narrow part of the shape zone hurts and I have no chance of reaching the 8. A better option for ball in hand here is above the 10. The shot is longer but still very easy. Additionally, it is much easier to control the direction of the cue ball and the distance it travels with the follow-up shot compared to a putt shot. Remember to draw to show, follow the dough here going into the thickest part of the shape. zone, had a larger margin for the arrow with speed. I have ever seen amateurs shoot the easiest ball on the table when they have the ball in their hand and they don't plan or play to achieve a shape like this, then they wonder what to do next with the ball in their hand.

Ideal opportunity to solve any problem like this group. Here I'm using the peace sign of the 30 degree rule to figure out exactly where to place the cue ball to get a good shot on 14. The way out is easy from here, sometimes people try it too. It's hard to get perfect form on the next shot like this. It would have been awesome if I had landed in my target area, but I didn't and just got stuck here. A much safer play is to simply hold the cue ball in a much easier way. shot and leave a more difficult position on the next shot, this shot is more difficult than I would have succeeded with the other approach, but I will never miss this position and if I am careful I will not miss the shot, sometimes it is better to just take what is offered, minimize the movement of the cue ball and do not try to be too sophisticated.

Have you ever seen an amateur do this? Did you notice I jumped to the 12 where the 7 blocks the corner? In general, it is best not to hit any balls if there is no reason to do so, this will avoid unforeseen problems and make things much more predictable. Here's a much better way to play this layout. Notice how I minimize cue ball movement with each of these shots, which also helps make deflections more reliable at times when amateurs have a hanger. For their next shot they don't think they need to play good position, they could just do a simple stop shot like this.

From here, an amateur might think that a draw shot is a good play, but at distance and with the heel elevated it can be very difficult to control the direction of the draw and the amount of the draw here. A much better play is to cheat the pocket a little and get much closer to the hanger this way. From here I can slowly roll the cue ball to easily shape the 8. It's easy to control. Direction of the cue ball off the hangers by changing the amount of ball you hit here. Hitting the hanger much thinner results in a much smaller angle.

It shifts off the rail and since I'm closer to the hanger draw, it's easier to control as well. Watch how I use the railing. As a break to help increase my margin for error with speed again when you have a perch, try to get closer to give yourself more cue ball control options, especially if there are other balls on the table that could block certain paths. a difficult shot and sell the game like that, even if I had holed the 11, the shot at the 8 would have been no picnic, especially on a table with tight side pockets, always weigh your options, play the percentages and pick an easy safety over A Difficult shot if it will increase your chances of winning the game.

I like my chances of winning here against any player. My opponent is unlikely to hit the one and even if they do, he'll likely have a chance at the 11. Smart play like this is what separates the hacks from the masters. I hope you enjoyed this video and all the others in my recent top 10 series. If you want to see the other videos, they are linked in the video description, they include the top 10 group. Shots Every Player Should Know Top 10 Things Pool Players Do Wrong and Top 10 Pool Shots Amateurs Do Wrong