Controlling the Cue Ball With Spin

To get the cue ball to go where you want it, add spin to your shot: this means striking the cue ball slightly off-center. Start by aiming only about a quarter-inch off the center point of the cue ball.

You can get more spin by striking the ball farther away from the center, but you must also adjust your aim or the cue ball may not hit the object ball.

If you want the cue ball to pull back after hitting the object ball, make contact on the bottom half of the cue ball to give it backspin. Striking the upper half of the ball gives it topspin, which will make the cue ball follow the object ball.

Do not use too much topspin on shots near the pocket or the cue ball will follow the object ball right into the pocket for a scratch. Hitting the cue ball to the right or left of center gives it sidespin, which is useful when you need to make it bounce off of a rail or two to set up your next shot.