An About.com reader I've been advising gives insight on caroming the cue ball, using the new "Cue Ball Tracker" and getting a bit more spice in your game. Just remember to clean the object balls after you play this game so they don't get addedthrowfor regular games. Pool throw is a nasty little beast that can take an otherwise good shot and send the ball to a spot far from where you've aimed it.--Your About.com Guide To Pool And Billiards
Matt,

I work a drill for which the Cue Ball Tracker you reviewed positively recently would be a perfect pairing. I have heard it called "Chinese Billiards", or "Backwards Billiards", etc.

I am not sure what the official name is but the basic premise is to pocket balls exclusively through the use of carom shots. This is to say that the object ball must carom off of the cue ball and then go into the pocket.

Help With Basic Carom Shots

Of course, everyone puts their own twist and variation on the rules of play (which I know is a bit of a pet peeve of yours), but basically, the game is set up and played as follows:

1) Break the rack of balls apart as in any standard game of Eight Ball.

2) Balls pocketed on the break determine the category of the shooter (solids or stripes, as in Eight Ball).

3) Strike an object ball directly (first) with the cue stick. An object ball must strike the cue ball before being pocketed in a called pocket. It is permissible for carom contact to take place after contact with a rail or another object ball provided that the other object ball is of the same category (solids or stripes), e.g.

it is not permitted to use your opponent's ball to assist in pocketing one of yours.

4) In a two-player game, one player will shoot at the solids and the other will shoot at the stripes, each saving the 8-ball for the final play. In a three-player situation, the balls are played as in "Cut Throat", wherein, the object balls are divided from the numbers 1 through 5, 6 through 10, and 11 through 15, and the game object is to then pocket the other two players' balls while keeping yours on the table.

5) The winner will carom the 8-Ball off the cue ball and pocket it in a pre-designated (called) pocket.

6) In the case where the cue ball becomes pocketed, instead of being placed at the foot spot or behind the string in the "kitchen", it is placed at the geographic center of the table, in line with the head spot and the foot spot and perpendicular to the centers of the two side pockets.

7) Any other balls pocketed as the result of a foul stroke will remain pocketed, unless the shooter failed to strike the cue ball with the object ball correctly. Such balls will be spotted on the table as in other games.

Matt, this drill/game has a lot going on with it. It teaches the effects, spins and directions of the cue ball (as in normal play) and quickly and effectively coaches the players to use their positional skills confidently and purposely. The cue ball must be "shaped" precisely around the table to score. Perhaps most of all, Backwards Billiards it is a fun way to incorporate intentional caroms into play at the tables.

And watch out for throw at the tables. Clean those object balls when you're done using them for cue balls! That's right, dirt or chalk on the balls, yes, even chalk from your cue stick that lingers on the cue ball which in turn chalks the object ball at impact, can knock a shot off line.--Matt Sherman

And Matt, let me know when you will be in our area again. I'd be thrilled to take you up on your offer for a private pool lesson! Here at First Break Café in Sterling, Virginia.

First Break Café hosts some fairly well recognized tournaments. This poolroom also features 100% fast cloth Diamond tables (with much appreciated if notoriously unforgiving tight pockets) and lush, blue Simonis cloth. The lighting, ambience, service, and all things pool related are first rate at First Break! Perhaps you should add it to your list at About.com of great poolrooms!

About.com's List Of Legendary Billiards Rooms

First Break is located at 46970 Community Plaza # 2, Sterling, Virginia 20164. Their business telephone is (703) 444-2551.

The Latest Cue Ball Tracker Products