Tips to be a good snooker player

[cox orange pippin]

Well, my experience hasn't been in snooker, but in american pool, but I think the principles of improvement are similar. I started very, very young. My dad would go to bars (pubs) with friends and take me along. I started playing when I was barely able to see over the side of the table. My dad and I would play doubles (8 ball, alternating shot) for money against all comers. I'm sure it was odd to these guys seeing this kid playing in a bar, but there I was.
The point of the story is to say that starting early and getting a feel for shot making is very important.

When I was 12 or 13 I would go to bowling alleys and play just walk up and challenge guys to play for money. About 1 in 4 would agree and we'd play. I would wasn't much of a hustler, however, as I can't bear to lose. So, I'd win the first game and they'd just pay up and that would be it. The point of this story is to say that playing for money is extremely important, as it teach you to play well under pressure. My main advantage was that these guys would immediately get nervous when I'd make a few shots. I was used to playing for money, so it was nothing. To play at a high level, the ability to play under pressure is essential.

I think natural talent is a weed out, but once you get to a certain level it's all about practice and nerves. Performing under pressure. It's true in any sport.

[the montrealer]

I think it is important to have a decent cue, but as you improve, you may change your preference, and want something with a different length, balance, weight, and so on.

Mental game is a subject I will be very interested in learning more about. One thing that puzzles me is that I can be very focused and motivated to win regardless of the situation, and on another day, I would feel like I have lost the match even before I start.

For me, when I feel that I am stroking the balls well, I will feel very confident and it is easy for me to get in my rhythm. Usually, I fell good about my stroke after a bit of practise before a match. So, I guess practise can help to build my confidence.

When I am confident, I do not really care much if I need all the balls and one snooker to win, I will feel like I have won the match, and will play quite well. But sometimes, even if I only need the yellow to get over the finish line, I will feel very negative in my mind, whichis usually due to the feeling that my stroke is crooked on that day or something else that I am not happy with about my cueing or aiming or sigting.

hi pooqjunkie just curious what is your high run in snooker also note
in regards to adjusting to a new cue. Alain Robidoux use to play with a Marcel Jacques Cue and when his cue was shattered by a cue doctor he was never the same and that his career in the Pro Snooker Tour diminshed.

I would say that when you have the right cue do not sell your cue as you will regret it the rest of your life. If you feel that you are not playing well with your original cue you can buy another cue however you can always go back to your original cue

Also note in Snooker one day you can pot every thing in sight and the next day you cannot pot a ball. cheers Leonard from Canada

[damienlch]

i guess many of us would have a love-hate relationship with this game... and at times feel like giving up the game altogether... i've had my moments too... esp when it just wasn't happening during a session and i couldn't get my act together, every shot is awful and the balls seem to conspire against u... but one must admit that this is not an easy game to play... with little natural talent, one would need to put in lotsa elbow grease in order achieve a certain level of fluency and consistency... i think many of us practise real hard and when the results are not showing, it can be quite demoralising and rightly so...

but then again, why did u pick up this game in the first place? think back... surely, u find snooker that much enjoyable and find that u are proficient at least to a certain extent that made u want play and practice again and again... so u get frustrated... perhaps u can walk away a while, try to cool down and get ur focus back... and remember to enjoy the game, remember how great it felt when u had a good game or practice session or made a really good pot... it's a matter of replicating that feeling... i guess one have to try and forget those awful shots or sessions played, remember the good ones and build on that in order to play this game for any period of time...

just my 2 cents worth...

[WeBz]

I have been playing snooker since i was 4, started with a 2x1 snooker table, then aged 7 was bought a 5x2 table.
Played on my 5x2 till i was old enough to go to the snooker club (12 years old).
I learnt most of my game on the 5x2 table.
I got so good on this little table, i had 56 maximum breaks on it (107 - only 10 reds).
Started on full size tables at 12 years old, but the family never had much money, so only played once a month for a few years. My highest break was 36 for ages, then in a final of a snooker tournament at my local club I had a 74 clearance.
Didn't have my first century until 1993 i was 22.
I have recorded every break over 70 i have made in a match, to date i have had 594 breaks over 70 and 92 centuries and 2 147's.
Last year (2009) was the 1st year i have not had a century break ( hardly played), but that hurt.
As i am now 39, i have noticed that my long potting is not what it once was, last 3 years i have hardly played, so that hasn't helped.Working at a snooker club for last 10 years - drives snooker out of you for some reason.
But i am now picking up the cue a bit again, i want 8 more centuries for the magic 100.

I am very fortunate to have made 2 147's whilst only having 92 centuries.

Always wanted to turn pro, but was nowhere near good enough - i knew that.

But am looking to now build a snooker room in the garden.

Bit gutted i have wasted the last 3 years and hardly played, i know i have a lot of hard work to get my game back to where it was.

Anyway if/when my snooker room is up and running, i will invite anyone round for a few games.

good luck people

sounds like you was once a very good player and i hope it all gets back on track for you, I can only wish to make even a 50 at the moment.
Would be good to hear the updates on you getting a table in your garden.
good luck with it.

and all these posts are nice reads