Tactics to Become an Expert at the Cue Grip in Pool

One of the first things you will need to know when you are learning to be proficient at pool is how you should master your grip of the cue stick. The difference between a novice and an expert pool player will be in the way they grip the cue. You have to master this if you have to really make a success out of your game. You have to make sure you are relaxed and at ease in your stance when gripping the cue and keep this kind of attitude throughout your game. If you hold your cue too firmly, then you are overexerting the muscles of your hand which will not give you the perfect shot you want. At the same time, holding the cue too loosely will also misdirect your shots.

Out of the different ways to grip the cue, the all finger grip allows you to keep all five of your fingers on the cue. The butt positions itself in the direction of the stroke. This position will not change much throughout the stroke, save for a little squeeze when the tip of the cue stick will meet the cue ball. You will need to keep the cue arm as vertically perfect as you can where it meets the cue ball, otherwise a scooping motion can be caused due to a backswing. This is the most popular way in which beginner players grip their cues. While gripping the cue in this manner, you have to make sure your thumb doesn't come in the way otherwise your wrist will not be able to move well.

Professional players will use a different style of gripping the cue. They keep only the finger and the primary finger of their hand in position and let the other fingers flex out for a backstroke and then strike forward. When they do this, they track the cue and allow it to stay on the right path. This maneuver also has the advantage of increasing the power of the cue ball and the control. When an expert does this, the little finger will leave the cue ball completely to allow it to stay flat and come back to its initial position.

But you must always remember that your grip should be comfortable and relaxed. Only when you do this can you go through stroke in the right way. You can only control the direction your shot goes in if you have the right grip on your cue. Weak grips will also not allow you to improve your game. You should be able to feel that the grip is stable. Different kinds of shots require different kinds of grips. When the shots are normal, it is okay to place your hand in the middle portion of the wrap, but when you are trying to deliver some of the more complicated shots, you must move your grip ahead of the wrap. At such times, you must lessen the distance that lies between the ferrule and the bridge hand. When you want to deliver powerful shots, you must take your hand back a bit and increase this distance.

One of the most integral things to do is to estimate where the point of equilibrium of your cue lies. You can do this very simply by trying to balance the cue on your index finger. The point where it stays up on its own is the point of equilibrium of the cue. Keep this position in mind. This is your point of reference for the grip. A general rule is to hold your cue about six inches apart from this point of reference towards you. This works if you are tall. If you are short, move your grip closer to the point of reference. These simple rules will ensure that you have a good grip to begin your game with.