The Art Of Playing Billiard

Billiard is a game combining mathematics, intuition, and feeling. We will never be a billiard master if we can’t combine those three elements. A beginner often uses mathematical methods to play this game. Intuition and feeling are subsequently applied when the mathematical principles have been really understood. Some people consider billiard as a game merely using mathematical calculation. As a matter of fact, this calculation is just the basic of billiard.

Mathematics

Mathematical calculation is the basic of billiard technique. The calculation used in billiard is the measurement of the angle to pocket the billiard balls. The mathematical method used is “the angle of the shooting cue equals the angle of the struck cue ball”. This is the same with the principle of the light reflection on a flat mirror. Some billiard techniques can be formulated into mathematical methods, from the measurement of the cue shooting angle to the speed and direction of the struck cue ball or the other billiard balls.

Intuition

In billiard, the equipment used is a long stick called cue. No protractor is allowed to measure the desirable angle of the cue. Thus, we need our intuition to determine the angle in order to pocket the targeted balls. A short shot is likely easier to perform because of the ball dimension, on which part of the ball is going to be hit, and is easier to picture it in our minds before striking the cue ball. We will use our intuition most when the cue balls impacts the other billiard balls, either targeted or not. At the advanced level, we just rely on our intuition to strike the point or center hit of the cue ball so that it can hit the targeted balls with some extents of speed, as the center hit of the cue ball influences its speed and direction. Unintentional slippage from the center hit causes undesirable direction towards the targeted balls.

Feeling

Billiard is not only about how to pocket the balls but also to position the cue ball with the targeted balls. One shot influences the next ones. Positioning the cue ball with the other balls, we need a feeling of how much energy to hit the cue ball in order to make a desirable speed, neither too fast nor too slow, and eventually to position the targeted balls to the corners. How to lean our body and place our hands also influence the shots. In certain situations, we face difficult body positioning when the cue ball is too far away for normal hand bridging. It will be easier for us to make shots when we feel comfortable with ourselves.

We will see the combination of the three elements on the “Trick Shot” show. All of the three must be calculated and considered carefully to make the best shot, as the shots on “Trick Shot” are extraordinary and difficult ones.

One of the important rules in billiard is the emotion control. Some rules set certain time for billiard player to take shot. This doesn’t mean that he must shoot in a hurry. Do not make any shot when you are not sure that the targeted ball will go to the pocket. MEASURE, FEEL, then SHOOT…

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