Why do players look at the line of the shot?

[cole46]

Why do players walk around and look at the pocket down the potting line then take their eyes off it and walk back to the cue ball to take their shot?

[Little Reggie]

It's a check on the angle from the opposite perspective. It helps the mind to recognise and concrete the angle into the concious. If they're feeling nervous it also gives them some time to calm down and slow things down; it's a bit of meditation.

[cole46]

Thank you, I understand now.

[ace man]

Well, I don't do that very often, but when I do, it is more about positional play than anything else. Sometimes I'm just not sure if the cue ball will squeeze past somewhere where I want it...etc.