Picture this. It’s Friday night in Melbourne. You’ve got a cold drink in hand, the tunes are loud, and you’re staring down the length of a pool table at the black eight-ball. Your mates are standing around, relentlessly sledging you. If you sink this, you’re the undisputed champion of the night. If you miss? Well, you’ll be hearing about it in the group chat for the next six months.
Playing pool with your crew is genuinely one of the best ways to kick off a weekend. It’s the perfect social game. It involves just enough focus to keep things competitive, but leaves plenty of room for banter, drinks, and a good laugh.
But let’s be honest for a second. We all have that one mate who seems to magically clear the table while the rest of us are accidentally launching the cue ball off the felt. Whether you’re just a casual player trying to survive a date night without embarrassing yourself, or you actually want to start dominating the table, mastering pool takes a little more than sheer dumb luck. It’s a mix of precision, strategy, and keeping a cool head.
You probably already know What The Putt as Brunswick’s wildest mini golf bar, but our venue is also fully stocked with premium pool tables. So, before you grab a cue and challenge your friends, read through our ultimate guide to playing pool better.
1. Sort Out Your Stance and Grip
Every single cracking shot starts with your feet. If you are standing awkwardly, your shot is going to be an absolute mess. A balanced foundation allows for a smooth cue action.
- Find your balance: Place your feet roughly shoulder-width apart. Your front foot should point toward the shot, while your back foot sits at a comfortable angle. You shouldn’t feel like you’re going to fall over if someone nudges you.
- Get low: Have you ever noticed how the pros practically have their chins resting on the cue? They stay low to the table. This lowers your eye level straight down the line of the shot, making it much easier to aim.
- Relax your grip: This is a massive rookie mistake. Don’t hold the cue like you’re trying to strangle it. Your grip should be firm but totally relaxed, letting your wrist move freely.
2. Fix Your Bridge Hand
Your bridge is the hand that rests on the table, guiding the cue. If your bridge is shaky, the cue is going to wobble, and you’re going to miss. There are two main ways to do this:
- The Open Bridge: Rest the cue in the V-shape between your thumb and index finger, keeping your hand flat on the table. This is your go-to for most standard shots.
- The Closed Bridge: Loop your index finger completely over the top of the cue. This locks it in place and provides way more stability, which is exactly what you need when you’re attempting a powerful shot.
Try both. See what feels less awkward. Good players switch between the two depending on where the ball is sitting on the table.
3. The “Ghost Ball” Mental Hack
If you struggle with angles, you need to learn the Ghost Ball method. It sounds mystical, but it’s just a really clever visualisation trick.
Imagine a fake, see-through “ghost” cue ball sitting right next to the coloured ball you want to sink. The ghost ball is sitting in the exact spot it needs to be to push your target ball straight into the pocket. Now, all you have to do is aim your actual cue ball to hit the space where the ghost ball is sitting. It tricks your brain into seeing the correct angle rather than just guessing.
4. Don’t Just Smash It (Cue Ball Control)
Once you figure out how to actually hit the ball into the pocket, the next level is controlling where the white ball ends up afterwards. This is what separates the amateurs from the pros.
Centre hit: Hitting the white ball dead in the middle makes it stop almost instantly after it hits the target.
Top spin: Hitting slightly above the centre makes the white ball roll forward after making contact.
Backspin (Draw): Hitting below the centre pulls the white ball backward after it hits. This looks incredibly cool when you pull it off.
Don’t overcomplicate it at first. Just try hitting the centre and noticing how the ball reacts.
5. Stop Rushing Your Stroke
Your arm is the engine of the shot. If your stroke is jerky or rushed, the ball is going nowhere near the pocket.
Many beginners yank the cue back quickly and jab at the ball. Don’t do that. Pull the cue back slowly. Take a tiny pause at the end of your backswing to steady your nerves and double-check your aim. Then, push forward smoothly. Most importantly: follow through! The tip of the cue should keep moving forward even after it hits the ball.
6. Think Two Steps Ahead
Good pool players are essentially playing chess. They don’t just walk up and hit the easiest ball they see; they plan ahead.
Before you take a shot, look at the table. If you sink this ball, where is the white ball going to stop? Will you actually have a clear shot at your next ball, or are you going to snooker yourself behind your opponent’s stripes? Use the natural bounce of the table rails to guide the cue ball into a good position for your next turn.
7. Master the Break
The break is the ultimate glory shot. A powerful, well-controlled break scatters the pack and instantly puts your opponent under pressure.
Stand square to the table. Aim perfectly for the front ball of the triangle (hitting it dead centre). When you strike, use your whole body-push through with your back leg, don’t just use your arms. A massive break sounds brilliant and sets the tone for the entire game.
8. Don’t Let Your Mates Get in Your Head
Pool is heavily psychological. The moment you get frustrated, your game falls apart. When the pressure is on and your mates are giving you grief, take a breath. Visualise the path of the ball before you even bend down to take the shot. Don’t rush. If you miss a sitter, don’t throw your hands up in the air-just figure out why you missed it (did you hold the cue too tight? Did you rush the swing?) and fix it for next time.
The Ultimate Night Out in Brunswick
Here is the thing about getting better at pool: you need a good venue to practice in. Nobody wants to play on a table with ripped felt in a quiet, gloomy pub. You need atmosphere. This is exactly where What The Putt comes into play. We’ve built the ultimate adult playground in Melbourne. You can start your night sinking a few tricky putts on our wild Indoor mini golf courses, grab a pizza and a cocktail, and then settle in for a tournament on our premium pool tables.
Because we have so much to do under one roof, it makes organising events ridiculously easy. Whether you’re tasked with sorting out a bucks night, looking for a low-pressure date spot, or you’ve been handed the terrifying job of planning the annual office Christmas party, we have you covered. The best parties are the ones where people aren’t just standing around staring at their phones-they are up, moving, and trash-talking each other over a game of pool or mini golf.
Need a killer birthday gift? We all have that one mate who is impossible to shop for when their birthday rolls around. Skip buying them another useless gadget and get them a What The Putt gift card instead. It’s an excuse for them to grab the crew, hit the bar, and show off their newly acquired pool skills.
Ready to Chalk Up?
Becoming a decent pool player isn’t a secret art form. It takes a little bit of patience, understanding the basics, and a whole lot of practice. Focus on getting your stance right, controlling the white ball, and staying calm when the game is on the line.
So, what are you waiting for? Call up the group chat, head down to Brunswick, and put these tips to the test. Grab a cue, chalk up, and show your friends how it’s really done!