Basic Pool Cue Techniques – High Cue, Low Cue, and Center Cue for Beginners
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After mastering the correct grip, standing posture, and stroke rhythm, the next step for beginners is to learn the three most basic cue techniques: high cue, low cue, and center cue. These three techniques are the foundation of all advanced billiards skills—every shot you take in a game will use one of these three cues. Many beginners are eager to learn side spin or combination shots, but skipping these basic techniques will only make your skills unstable. Today, we’ll break down each of these three cue techniques in detail: where to hit the mother ball, how to control the force, and when to use them in a game.
First, let’s clarify a key point: all three cue techniques refer to the contact point on the mother ball, not the force of the stroke. The mother ball has three main contact points: the center (center cue), above the center (high cue), and below the center (low cue). Hitting different points will make the mother ball move in different ways after hitting the target ball—this is the core of cue control.
Let’s start with the Center Cue. This is the simplest and most commonly used cue technique for beginners. To hit a center cue, aim directly at the center of the mother ball. When you hit the mother ball with a center cue, it will move straight forward after hitting the target ball, and then stop slowly (or continue to roll slightly) due to friction. The center cue is perfect for easy straight shots, especially when you want to hit a single ball into the pocket without worrying about the mother ball’s position after the shot. This is the best cue to use when you’re just starting to practice, as it’s the easiest to control.
Next is the High Cue. To hit a high cue, aim at the point 1-2 millimeters above the center of the mother ball (do not hit too high, or the mother ball will jump). The high cue makes the mother ball spin forward (topspin) after hitting the target ball. This means that after the mother ball hits the target ball, it will continue to roll forward instead of stopping. The high cue is very useful in two situations: first, when you need to hit a follow-up shot (after hitting one ball, the mother ball rolls to the next target ball); second, when the target ball is close to the pocket, and you need the mother ball to roll away to avoid blocking other shots.
Finally, the Low Cue. To hit a low cue, aim at the point 1-2 millimeters below the center of the mother ball (again, do not hit too low, or the mother ball will spin backward and miss the target). The low cue makes the mother ball spin backward (backspin) after hitting the target ball. This means that after the mother ball hits the target ball, it will roll backward instead of forward. The low cue is ideal for defensive shots—for example, if you hit the target ball into the pocket, and the mother ball rolls back to a safe position, away from the opponent’s target balls. It’s also useful when the target ball is close to a rail, and you don’t want the mother ball to roll off the rail.
The key to mastering these three basic cues is practice and precision. Do not rush to hit the ball hard—focus on hitting the correct contact point. Practice each cue technique separately for 15 minutes every day: first center cue, then high cue, then low cue. After a few weeks, you’ll be able to switch between these three cues smoothly, and you’ll have the foundation to learn more advanced techniques.
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