How to play snooker

Tips and tricks on playing snooker

Hi everyone, welcome to my blog. In this post, I am going to give you some tips and tricks on how you can become a better snooker player. This blog is aimed at beginners and will be written with them in mind. However, for intermediate players, I am sure there will be some useful materials that can help you improve your game and teach you how to play snooker better as well.

I am sure everybody has their own personal preference of how to play snooker. In my opinion, scoring as aggressively as possible is the key to success. To achieve this, break building is something that every snooker player should aspire to excel in to play the game well.

Here are 3 reasons why I believe scoring aggressively can help you vastly improve your game.

1. Your opponent has no chance to score against you

2. Your  opponent won't be able to snooker you and gain an advantage

3. You can increase your chances of winning.

One important part of breaking in a game, that is regularly overlooked by most players who are starting snooker, is to be able to do so while under the cooker. By playing as a predictable and overwhelming scorer, it definitely encourages you to win outlines easier. However, if you are playing under pressure and are forced to pot all of the hues to have an edge over your opponent, then scoring substantially definitely has its perks.

Why scoring substantially helps you to win games:

You become more skilled in being able to maneuver the balls to where you want them to be

You can plan ahead of where you want to ball to be to score subsequent balls easier

Your opponent will become pressured to even the score and make mistakes.

How do you become a better snooker player?

In summary, the top 2 skills you need to have to become a better snooker player are to be able to break the balls and to score substantially.

Of course this is easier said than done. But not to fret, I am going to give you some tips and pointers on how you can achieve these 2 skills. 

Firstly, many snooker players try to approach the break from a over simplified vision. They go straight into the pack and afterward attempt to score as much as possible. However, the issue with this approach is that they aren't sufficiently talented or gifted enough to be able to complete scoring everything following the break. This brings us to the next section, problems with beginner snooker players.

Problems with beginner snooker players:

Unable to have good sign ball positioning

Unable to determine or set up where the ball will end up after their shot (regardless of whether they score or not)

Have poor mechanics in shooting and aiming

Have poor concentration

Have lack of confidence in self and unable to perform under pressure

The combination of these few factors are usually what gets to beginner snooker players and cause them to be unable to play well. Not to fret, this blog was written with you in mind, and we're all here to learn how snooker should be played. Don't give up on the game just because of a few setbacks. Instead, learn and adapt and you'll master how to play snooker in no time. To guide you on how to play better, I've designed a few individual practices that will give you the basics and confidence in yourselves, your shots and your play. Read on for my recommendations on how to practice your snooker skills.

Individual practices for snooker

Try to clear the hues from a ball that is in a close by position

Try to go from dark to yellow from various sign ball positions

Try to go from pink to yellow from various prompt ball positions

Try to go from blue to yellow from various signal ball positions

Practice your break such that you can always place the balls where you want them to be

Practice your shots such that the ball ends where you want them to

Practice mentally preparing which balls you want to pot next

Practice having the bigger picture in mind, think of the next 5 shots become you make the current shot

Practice, Practice, Practice

Play the game more and instinctively, you'll master how to play snooker in no time

After you have gone through the above practices, I am confident that you'll be more confident in your games. These practices are meant to help in your muscle memory as well as planning your play that gears you up for a successful game. Do not underestimate how simple practices can immensely improve how you play snooker especially when you are just starting out. Lastly, always try to relax yourself when making a shot and not be pressured whether you are in a winning or losing position.

Learning how to play snooker involves learning break building, which is part science and part workmanship. On the off chance that you chip away at the basics of sign ball control, preparing, mechanics, etc, the prizes of training in the long run pay off in coordinate play since things get comfortable. As something gets comfortable by and by, it gets comfortable in coordinate play when you have to "turn it on" and score. As it's regularly said in sign games, "rehearse doesn't influence consummate, to culminate careful discipline brings about promising results".

Extra tips

Gripping a snooker cue: Grip the cue you would a fork. Not too tightly that you injure your fingers but not too soft that it causes you to drop the fork when picking your food. The snooker cue should rest comfortably in your hand. Once you learn how to hold the cue in a comfortable manner, be sure to practice your strength with your new found grip. Ensure that you are able to control the strength you put into each shot and be able to accomplish what you envision with each shot.

Your standing position: Be sure to stand with your legs shoulder width apart as this will give you the most stability when making your shots. Also, try not to rest your body on the table too much but instead, be more accustomed to taking shots without needing to rely on the table. Forming bad habits by leaning on the table will definitely impact your ability to play and improve yourself in the future.

Aiming: One of the most controversial topics in snooker is how to aim your shot when it is your turn. Be sure to gauge the strength and angle that you need in a bird's eye view of the playing field before going into your shooting stance. The shooting stance narrows your field of vision and can cause you to miss the shot entirely. Remember to keep your attention on both the cue ball as well as the ball you are intending to pot. Narrowing your vision during a game is never a good idea, always bear this in mind.

Hand positioning: When using your hand to position your shot better, it is important to keep your hand in a position that provides maximum stability. Also, try to use your knuckles as a base for your snooker cue rather than forming a circle with your fingers. Good snooker play depends on your stability and ensuring your hands and shots are stable starts with having good hand and cue positioning.

The shot: When taking your shot, always try to keep a 90 degree angle of your arm and elbow. Do not keep your elbow at an awkward position as this can can cause your shots to veer right off course.

Snooker is a game that relies heavily on having good basics of the understanding on how to play the game as well as having good fundamental skills and correct posturing of your body. Be sure to mentally take note of these points in your games

Conclusion

In summary, how to play snooker better involves regular practice and being an aggressive player and confident breaker so your opponent has no chance of snookering you. It also involves training regularly to develop your skills which will allow you to perform well under pressure.

More information can be found at the official wikipedia page:
http://www.wikihow.com/Play-Snooker
If you need more information on the rules of snooker, read my other blog post here!
https://mastersnookerandpool.blogspot.com/2017/08/rules-snooker.html