The opening shot in nine-ball pool is probably the most important. With the right technique you have the option of pocketing a ball before your opponent has even played, or limiting the likelihood of your opponent starting the game well. Use these tips to learn the official opening rules, to train yourself to improve power and control, and finally to learn and experiment with different styles of opening shots to improve your game.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Opening - Ground Rules
Step 1. Decide who will open the game
Each player must place the ball on the playing cloth behind the line that delimits the outer half of the field opposite to where the balls were placed. The players will have to shoot at the same time and try to bring the ball as close as possible to the neighboring bank after having bounced it on the opposite bank, without touching the sides of the billiard table. The player who comes closest has the right to break.
- Repeat the initial roll if both players hit the sides or the nearby ledge.
- If you are playing a multi-game match, you will need to decide who will shoot first for the first game only. Subsequently, the players will take turns smashing.
Step 2. Prepare the balls
Prepare the nine diamond numbered balls. You will need to place the 1 ball at the midpoint of the baseline. The 9-ball must be in the center of the diamond, with the other balls randomly arranged around it.
Step 3. Smash by pulling the cue ball on the diamond
The player who has to split must place the cue ball behind the line that delimits the outer half of the field opposite the diamond. To perform the break, the player will have to hit the 1 ball, the one closest to the diamond.
In the official rules, the split must carom one of the numbered balls in the hole or carom at least four balls against the edges of the table. If none of these conditions occur, the break is considered foul and the opponent will have the ball in his hand, which he can place in a point of the cloth of his choice. You may decide to ignore this rule if it is a game between friends
Step 4. Decide whether to push
Immediately after the split a player can declare that he will "push". If he does so, he will be able to take an extra shot with the intent of positioning the ball; unlike a normal shot, in this case you should not pocket or hit a bank. Pushing is always optional.
If the player does not declare the push, the throw is considered normal and the normal four foul rules apply
Step 5. The regular game begins
If the splitter has pocketed a ball (not while pushing), the player is entitled to continue shooting until he fails to pocket or commits a foul. Otherwise, the player who did not split has the opportunity to play. If the player thinks that the cue ball is in an unfavorable position, he can pass and leave the burden of the second stroke to the player who split the ball.
The player who split must shoot if the other player has passed. It cannot pass itself
Part 2 of 3: Splits - Basic Techniques
Step 1. Leave some space between the cue ball and the nearby ledge
If you have placed the cue ball too close to the ledge, you will have to hold the cue at an awkward and too sharp angle and you will not be able to control the speed and trajectory of the ball well. Place the ball far enough away from the edge to allow normal movement when using the cue, then add another 3 to 5 cm of space to keep the cue even more flat and steady.
Note that you will need to place the cue ball behind the line that marks the outer half of the court opposite the diamond. If the line is not drawn, locate this area by counting the "diamonds" on the edges of the table, stopping at the second starting at the bottom. The imaginary line you are looking for is the one between these two diamonds
Step 2. As you begin practicing, place the cue ball directly in line with the diamond
The more aligned the ball is with the diamond, the easier the shot will be. As you get better at it, you can try the more advanced splitting techniques described below. As long as you're a beginner, however, stick to center placement.
Step 3. Hit the cue ball in the center
For the simple split, aim for the center of the ball, not above or below. If you notice that your cue ball is spinning forward or backward, try observing the tip of the cue as you shoot, looking for unwanted movement. Pull in a smooth motion, keeping your elbow at the same level at all times to avoid giving the cue an angle.
Step 4. Practice your balance and positioning
For a powerful splits you will need to stay balanced when you hit the ball and then complete the forward movement. Many players position themselves slightly to the side of the ball, to allow the cue to move freely, and bend their knees before striking, to ensure that the final part of the movement is fluid.
Step 5. Complete the movement exaggeratedly
The final part of the movement, which is to keep moving the cue forward after hitting the ball, is very important in practicing and evaluating your splits. Accelerate the cue through the ball, so that you keep moving smoothly and don't stop or make sudden movements after the shot. Keep your eyes on the cue and watch the cue ball as you complete the movement. If the cue doesn't move in the same line as the ball, practice shooting smoothly and accurately before focusing on strength.
Step 6. Aim for the center of the ball 1
The most common point to aim for, and also the easiest, is the 1 ball, at the closest point in the diamond. If the cue ball is not in line with the rumble, try to focus on the single ball you are aiming for and try to hit the exact center of the ball.
Step 7. Prefer control over power
It is better to hit the cue ball softly but in the right direction, rather than smash hard but lose control of the ball. If you often find that the cue ball misses the target or touches it and goes into the hole, try to shoot with less power. Try "power splits" when you can always hit the center of the ball you are aiming for.
Part 3 of 3: Splits - Advanced Techniques
Step 1. Place the cue ball close to one of the side rails
When you have achieved good accuracy and power by shooting from the center, try placing the cue ball closer to one of the side rails. Leave about 5-7cm of space, or as much as you need to pull comfortably. Most pros start in this area in tournaments.
In some tournaments you may be forced to start in the center of the table, due to the predominance of this technique
Step 2. Practice getting the 1 ball into the side holes
Professional players manage to pocket a ball with the split in most cases. One way to do this is to hit the 1 ball at the nearest tip of the diamond and carom it against the rest of the diamond and into a side hole. Try starting near the left bank and try to get ball 1 into the right side pocket, or vice versa.
Some players do not like this technique, as it can be difficult to control the two or three balls that you will have to hit next. However, it is a good practice for pocketing a ball during the split, and you decide whether to continue using this technique when you have more experience
Step 3. Practice sending one of the side balls into the corner holes
The two balls in the short tips of the rhombus, or "side balls", can in some cases be sent into the corner holes, but don't expect to be able to pocket them at the same time! This technique takes a lot of practice. Start by placing the cue ball near the left bank and aim for the center of ball 1. Look at the side ball near the left bank and see where its run ends. If he moves to the far shore, rearrange the rumble and aim slightly more to the right. If the side ball hits the left bank instead, aim more to the left. When you have found a spot that allows you to always send the side ball close to the corner pocket, repeat the shot to train it.
Step 4. Think about where the cue ball and 1 ball will end their run
When you can confidently hit the spot you are aiming for and rarely skim the balls or commit fouls during the split, start thinking about positioning after the split. With enough control, and potentially giving the cue ball an effect, you can make it stop near the center line of the table, giving you a better chance of hitting a good second shot if you can pocket the split. If you are not trying to pocket the 1 ball, still observe where the race will end, because it will be the next ball you will have to pocket. Ideally, the 1 ball should stop near the center of the table, in line with the cue ball.
Step 5. Find the sweet spot, if you are using a new table
Each table has slightly different characteristics, and on a new one, you may find that your splits aren't as effective as usual. Move the cue ball until you find the position that allows you to achieve good results with your favorite style of splitting.
Try to find the most worn spot on the cloth, where players usually place the cue ball. It's not the ideal solution, as you may adopt a different style of splitting from these players, but it's worth a try if you don't have the time to try all the different positions
Advice
- If you're having trouble getting the speed and power you want, try using a lighter cue.
- Don't stiffen during the split. Holding the splint harder will not hit harder: tense muscles don't move as quickly as relaxed ones.
