Potting at center pocket

[hrish90]

Hey guys, i dont have a problem with long straight shots nor do i have a problem with angle balls i pot them most of the times at the top and bottom pockets.
But while i aim for the centre pockets, i dont get the potting angle. Its realy horrible to pot at the centre pocket. Any tips?

[Terry Davidson]

A couple of points. I assume it's the cuts into the middle pocket like say from the pink or brown area that you are having problems with. First of all ensure you are aiming for the CENTRE OF THE SLATE FALL and not the centre of the leather (in other words aim for the inside edge of the FAR JAW when cutting balls to the middle bags).

Also, it might be as you are in India that you are playing on an older table with billiard-cut pockets and the middle pockets might be tighter than what is used for snooker tables today. Go to youtube and watch some of the snooker and wait for a shot to a middle pocket and pause it as the ball is falling in and see if your pockets are the same size as the pros or are they quite a bit smaller?

By the way, the IBSF templates made by Wiraka have very sharp cut middle pockets and are difficult to play from the pink or brown area

Terry

[magicman]

The short answer is practice!

Put all the reds and colours in the middle of the table, none past the pink spot or baulk-line and pot every ball in the middle pockets. If you miss, bring the potted balls back up and start again. This exercise certainly improves middle-pocket potting, while also teaching tight cue-ball control.

[hrish90]

Thanks Terry & magicman. Yeah, the probem is while potting the balls to center from pink or brown area.
We have a Riley snooker table. It's properly maintained. I dont think its the table. The problem is with me. Other players at the club are able to pot at the center pocket with a power shot.
Thanks for the tips both of you. I appreciate

[Terry Davidson]

The answer is as magicman said, practice, practice and when you get bored, practice some more until you 'get it'

Terry