Do you miss shots you know you should make? Most of the time, the problem is aim. The good news is that learning how to aim in pool is a skill. You can learn it, step by step, just like you learned to ride a bike.
I have played pool for over 50 years. I have played in leagues and tournaments for over 38 years. In this page, I will show you how to aim in pool with a simple method that works for beginners and for players who want to get better.
Before you look at the cue ball, look at the pocket. Ask yourself, "Where do I want this ball to go?" Pick a spot in the middle of the pocket opening.
New players often look at the cue ball first. That is backward. The pocket tells you everything else. Once you know the target, you can work back to the object ball, and then to the cue ball.
Picture a straight line that starts in the middle of the pocket. Run that line back through the center of the object ball. Where the line comes out on the far side of the ball is the contact point.
That is the spot your cue ball must touch. If the cue ball hits that spot, the object ball will roll down the line toward the pocket.
Here is a common mistake. Many players aim the center of the cue ball right at the contact point. That does not work on cut shots. The cue ball is round, so its edge touches first, not its center. That is why we need Step 3.
The ghost ball is a pretend cue ball. Picture it sitting right next to the object ball, touching it at the contact point. The center of the ghost ball should sit on the line that runs from the pocket, through the object ball.
Now, aim the center of your real cue ball at the center of the ghost ball. That is your aim line. If you send the cue ball to where the ghost ball sits, the shot goes in.
The ghost ball is the most common way people learn to aim. It takes a little practice to "see" it, but it gets easier fast.
Tip: If you have trouble picturing the ghost ball, set a real ball down in that spot. Look at it from behind the cue ball. Then take it away and shoot. Do this a few times and your mind will start to see it on its own.
Another way to check your aim is to think about how much of the object ball you "cover" with the cue ball.
These are not magic. They are just handy reference points. Many players use them to double check what the ghost ball tells them.
Good aim can be ruined by a bad stance. Stand behind the shot, on the aim line, before you bend down. Look down the line from the cue ball to the ghost ball.
Then step in and bend down while you keep your eyes on that line. Your cue should point right down the aim line. Your chin should be over the cue. Your back arm should hang straight down from the elbow.
If you step in first and then try to find the line, you will often be a little off. Aim while you stand, then drop down into the shot.
To learn more about stance and bridge, read our billiards fundamentals and billiard instruction pages.
Aim works best when you do the same things in the same order on every shot. This is called a pre shot routine. A simple one looks like this:
We have a whole page on this. See our pre shot routine page and How to Play Pool: 8 Ball Pre Shot Routine.
You can aim perfectly and still miss if your stroke goes crooked. Keep your grip loose. Let your forearm swing like a pendulum. Follow through straight down the aim line, and stay down until the ball drops.
When you miss, notice where the ball went. Did it go to the left or right of the pocket? That tells you if your aim was off, or if your stroke pushed the cue ball off line.
Aim gets better with good practice, not just more games. Try these simple ideas:
For more practice ideas, check out our billiard drills page. You can also get my free pool drills and fundamentals training by email. Just sign up on our pool tips page and it will come to your inbox.
Once you can make balls, the next step is knowing which ball to shoot and where the cue ball should go next. That is where strategy comes in. If you play 8 ball, my book 8 Ball Winning Strategies shows you how to plan your runs and play smart. You can learn more about it on our 8 Ball Winning Strategies page.
Here is how to aim in pool, in short:
Want more help? Visit our pool instruction page or go back to the Pool Billiards Game home page.