Left Handed...

[mattjgalloway]

Hey,

I'm normally right-handed but I decided to start playing left-handed pool because I was beating my mates far too often so I did it as a kind of handicap. I realised I could do it really well, and now I use it as a valid shot you know like on the right hand rail when it's hard to play right handed. I use it in snooker too. I know Ronnie does this, but is it worth me persueing it or is it a bit stupid and should I learn to use the rest (I normally hate using it...)?

[taz147]

Use it and keep practising it. I also play right handed but practised a lot left handed and can now play a decent gm as a lefty. It is a very valuable asset in snooker, especially if you're like me, and just hate using the rest. Also don't forget there are still times you have to use the damn rest. For snooker anyway, I don't play pool at all

Part of my coaching was I would tell my student to play to the opponents weak side when playing a safety when you have to leave a difficult pot.What that means is, instead of leaving white near baulk when there is a fairly difficult pot, leave your opponent the pot chance by putting the cueball close to the side rail and far enough up the table on the side which he has to use a rest and not be able to just lean over the rail. Most people have a difficult time with the rest and tend to take on shots but miss and leave you an opportunity. This is when being able to play with both hands can come in handy

[Sonny]

I'm absolutely sh*t left-handed, I'm better playing the shot behind my back

[mirocri]

LOL, LOL, me too ! I started practising only after having seen Ronnie - naturally, with a little less spectacular results... Horribly difficult even if I can write with my left hand...

[mattjgalloway]

Cool stuff.

I can break left handed just as good as I can right handed. It looks quite cool, but I do it for no other reason but because Ronnie does it and most people completely spoon the shot when they try it!

Left handed playing definately comes into it's own down the rails. My cue action is horrible still though - I'm trying the "play into a bottle" coach technique to get it better.

The distance I can pot with my left hand and get cue ball control is the longest pot on a pool table - i.e. object ball centre of table, cue ball near a corner pocket.

[mirocri]

The "play into a bottle" is excellent practice. Worked for me, at least.

[Phired]

Hi, what is the "play into a bottle" technique?

[taz147]

from another post of mine

"What I used to perfect my stroke is a beer bottle or pop bottle. Lay it on a table and stroke your cue in and out over and over so you don't touch the sides of the bottle. Start with trying to get to 500 strokes but everytime you touch the bottle start the count over. Don't just go slowly, stroke as if you would in a game situation with speed and accuracy. Has worked really well for me and can now lots of times make pots, after lining up the shot, by closing my eyes when I start my strokes because my cueing arm is very straight thanks to the method I just mentioned. Good luck and let us know how its going"

After you can do 500 increase if you like

[DM72]

Always got funny looks whenever I used to practice the 'bottle technique' in the local snooker centre, then slowly over time, more and more people would be at practicing it. At least I didn't look like a nutter in the end, whipping out me bottle

[taz147]

lol!! You don't have to do it in the club. I used to practise it at home then go to club and have everyone wonder-- What is going on? How did he improve so quick?

[mirocri]

lol, lol That's exactly the kind of reaction I got !!!... Of course I used to practise at home : you don't necessarily need a snooker table to do this drill.

[silverdragon]

I have been practicing how to shoot left handed. Its a really good skill to have actually. So many times have i seen people try to shoot behind their backs to show off, only to miss the shot and to have me laugh at them in my head. My left hand shot isnt all that smooth, but its enough for center ball hits.

[calvinwang]

don't waste time but OK if just for fun

Why do you want to put your limit time to your left hand not your experienced right hand. You can make right hand more powerful. Yes, Ronnie is definitely a genius, but anyone else like him? I don't think it's worthy to do that though I used left hand some time because I hate damn rest, too.

[jrchan]

For me, the most difficult is not hitting the ball correctly, its to adjust my sighting. I think the way right handed see and left handed see are very very different. To change your sighting is the hardest.

[twiglet]

Always got funny looks whenever I used to practice the 'bottle technique' in the local snooker centre, then slowly over time, more and more people would be at practicing it. At least I didn't look like a nutter in the end, whipping out me bottle

No pun intended, but i definitely wouldn't have the bottle to do this drill in front of the paying public!!