Tips

• Play the opponent, not the game.
• He who controls the pace of the game controls the game.
• Breathe.
• Nothing screws up a shot as often or reliably as moving too fast.
• Take time to practice your follow through before striking the cue ball.
• Know your shot before you bend down to take it.
• Let your opponent know when you catch him showing his nerves.
• Be remoreseless about winning.
• There's playing to play and playing to win, know which you're involved in.
• Anyone can put a ball into the pocket; the mastery is in cue ball control.
• Have fun or go home.

Techniques

• Use the standard bridge, with the tips of your thumb and forefinger touching and the other three fingers spread evenly underneath (middle finger supporting the first two), so that the cue rests ON your fingers inside the loop and you can slide it through smoothly. This is by far the most stable, versatile bridge. This will also allow you to shoot from behind the back much more easily.
• Breaking is largely a matter of brute force. Use a hip twist to slam the balls from an initial cue ball position of a half diamond off the center.
• Too much chalk defeats it's purpose: friction, baby! Chalk often, but lightly.
• Spread your legs so you have a comfortable balance as you shoot; have your body roughly parallel to the table.
• Your eyes should be on the OBJECT ball as you shoot.