As I've written elsewhere in this article, choose 3 speeds but ignore 2 other speeds of pool shots but do give yourself permission to sink a low-percentage 8-ball, 9-ball or other game winner when it must be sunk. A game ball must be sunk when it is difficult but makeable and when no clear defensive option exists. In other words, a do or die situation to close the game.
The fact is you might not need a bizarre force of stroke on the winning ball or the key ball that sets the winner up for play. That "low percentage" 8- or 9-ball will often sink with a medium speed stroke. It bears repeating, shoot pool medium and achieve better than medium results.
Is that 8- or 9-ball available but far away and needing to travel from the middle of the table to a side or corner pocket. Get it rolling smoothly with a medium-speed stroke. Even the rank beginner knows they ought to be able to control the cue ball enough to avoid scratching with medium speed when they shoot pool.
Of course, the goal of the medium speed shot is to let the cue ball "shoot its own pool" as it rolls on a bit. This nice balance of taking (what should be) your typical speed stroke on a tough game winner, and "letting cue ball go where it will" with ease is a great combination.
The medium speed stroke decreases the pressure on your game as it increases your confidence of stroke. If I had a nickel for everyone who babied the game winner in fear, missing horribly as the cue ball rolled off line instead of shooting pool with confidence...
Let's consider that ugly mug of a player across the table from you, next.
