Note that although this has been called “the parallel aim method”, it is actually a plan to bring the edges of the pool balls together...

Pool legend Willie Mosconi described mentally marking a line through the object ball to the pocket. Take this line to the precise center of the pocket (the topmost part of the ball you can see, or its exact geographic center, or its base where it rests on the table), and then…

Build Two Sets of Parallel Billiard Lines

Photo (c) Matt Sherman 2006, licensed to About.com, Inc.

We open our section on modern cue artists today with Russ Sill, Gainesville, Florida custom cue maker.

Sill creates each of his shafts and cue butts to suit his players’ needs, and has created a variety of fascinating options for their enjoyment. Sill searches far for unique materials of high quality to perform his custom and antique cue repairs. The orange rings on his Gator cues are semi-transparent, and he has even made an entire cue butt from the material. “When sunlight streams across the cue, you can see right through it, it’s a beautiful look,” says Sill.

How does a see-through orange cue sound to you? Crazy? Perhaps if you are a Florida Seminole. Read our…

Interview with Russ Sill

Photo (c) Matt Sherman 2006, licensed to About.com, Inc.

How does the pool professional take aim at billiard balls, those sometimes difficult-to-discern spheres far away across the table? Review our step-by-step look at traditional and professional pool and billiards aim methods.

How do you aim pool balls together? There are many different methods in use now, but most all boil down to some type of…

Ghost Ball or Edge to Edge Aim Methods

Photo (c) Matt Sherman 2008 licensed to About.com, Inc.

“Professor Q-Ball” has undertaken a clarification of the BCA ranking system. The system, while imperfect, is one of the latest solid attempts to quantify professional pool player’s skills. Consider how the pros are doing and see if you match up.

Review the BCA system

Photo (c) Matt Sherman 2008 licensed to About.com, Inc.

One House Cue Charlie learned his lesson--the hard way. Enjoy this humorous look at pool cue blues.

House cue people stick together

Photo (c) Matt Sherman 2008 licensed to About.com, Inc.

What if you could develop a pool jump stroke--one that would cause the cue ball to jump into the air after it strikes an object ball? Here's a simple tip to get your cue ball airborne.

Going to the sky halfway down the table is an unusual position play indeed, but one worth adding to your arsenal. Besides being a cool trick shot to announce in advance, it has its practical uses on the table.

Get into the very little known top jump stroke. You saw it here, first!

Photo (c) Matt Sherman 2008 licensed to About.com, Inc.

The shooter has screwed up might not be referring to a gross miss at the table, but the closing together of component parts to create a custom cue. The best cues feel solidly like one piece no matter how many components have been assembled.

I remember a fellow who was a fine pool shooter and purchased a house cue he enjoyed. He looked a little goofy lugging his 58-inch pride and joy home and to the pool hall again, but he beat a lot of people with it at the tables! The entire concept of cues that separate was in response to eyes poked out and body parts skewered with house cues. Perhaps it's time for you to get about the business of choosing a personal cue and considering...

Pool Cue Components

Photo (c) Matt Sherman 2008 licensed to About.com, Inc.

When Mr. meets Mrs. pool can become more fun than a barrel of monkeys or an irreconcilable difference. This is a truly fun game to play to handicap players of vastly different skill or just have a few laughs one evening.

What is your feedback on the quaint game of...

Mr. & Mrs. Rotation Billiards

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If you've been feeling safe at pool lately, it's high time to take a chance on some advanced stunt work with this game.

Play a few stunts tonight!

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Give this Eight Ball variation a whirl. It's excellent fun and develops your skill with the highly important key ball. For millions of players, especially in bars, it can be a money saving game as well!

Give a roll for...

Last Pocket Eight Ball

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