Learning to play >> Basic technique

Stance Stand behind the line of the shot and hold out your cue in the direction of aim. Keeping your back leg straight (the right if you are right handed or vice versa), place your foot directly under the cue. Step towards the table with your front foot (the left if you are right handed or vice versa), with a slightly bent knee. Bend right down such that your cue is resting under your chin. With the cue just short of touching the cue ball, your forearm should be hanging almost vertically. Grip Pick the cue up in much the same way as you would a hammer, with most of the weight being borne between your thumb, index finger and middle finger. Then, hold the cue out straight in front of you, and loosen your grip to the point where you are only just holding it straight still. This is roughly the strength of grip which is optimum for playing pool. Bridge Start by placing your bridge hand (left if you are right handed or vice versa) flat on the table and spread your fingers out. Then, lift your thumb and your knuckles just off the cloth, bending your thumb back slightly towards your body and pressing the joint of it about a fifth of the way down your index finger.