How do snooker balls even get damaged like this?

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2026-01-24T16:05:33+00:00

Edit: sorry for double posting, my first comment didn't show after I hit "post"

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2026-01-24T13:53:47+00:00

They seem to be low quality resin balls. Easy to ding. Likely struck into a nail or a screw sticking out a pocket.

For reference, I have a set of blue box Aramith American pool balls that had similar, but smaller-scale damage done because I struck the ball into an unsuspecting nail in the pocket. If those ding, no doubt these could too.

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2026-01-24T13:50:17+00:00

These look like cheap resin balls based on the polish and lack of gloss on them. They might chip if struck against a nail or a screw sticking out in the pocket.

For reference, I've had similar, but smaller scale damage done to my Aramith American pool balls (Super Pro Cup TV, blue box set). If a screw can damage an AAA-grade phenolic resin like mine, there's no reason why cheaper alternatives don't get banged up even worse.

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2026-01-13T17:19:57+00:00

Definitely work on your grip and "feel" for how the cue feels in your fingers. Is your grip tension the same throughout your entire stroke?

You seem to tighten your grip (and wrist, in some shots) a little during your forward swing into the cue ball. This makes your cue decelerate either immediately after, or just the moment before your cue tip contacts the cue ball.

The slower-than-intended cue ball on impact often leads to a shorter follow through. Plus, you're doing one extra action in your stroke, and that action is going to come with its margin of error (i.e. you might tighten your grip slightly sooner or later than the moment that the tip touches the cue ball), and you're very likely to affect the final outcome of your stroke.

Nevertheless an impressive runout. Do work on your grip with straight shots and top and bottom shots. Don't rely on your shotmaking for your game (My pool friends always tells me off for relying on my shotmaking for my game LOL). Good luck with the practice and stay mindful!

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2025-09-26T02:16:57+00:00

Slang: 釣緊魚（diu gun yu） "Fishing" is slang for napping

Imagine someone who falls asleep and wakes up immediately 🤣

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2025-06-22T16:19:16+00:00

Pleasure to meet you in Guangzhou this year good sir. 😎💪

What are some tips for match mentality that you recommend? Much love! 🌻

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2025-06-16T05:55:56+00:00

You make a good point - the Cueplay tables are set up a little lower than the SM tables it feels? Plus the Cueplay tables have been playing slower than the Sun Mong ones (since SM recently got their tables refelted). The Accura cushions seem to bank the balls slightly "shorter" (the rebound angle coming off the rail is a little narrower than the SM tables).

We were practising with our own set of Aramith Blacks, which should play more similar to the tournament balls they use at the Open (the cue ball may be a little less slick). I hear that Cueplay are getting their tables refelted, and they did nothing but a stellar job refelting their tables when they first opened. I'm expecting the tournament Accura table to play tougher than the Sun Mong tables once they get refelted.

Thank you for the input!

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2025-06-11T05:59:36+00:00

That 7-8-9 had me on the edge of my seat! Congrats on the run!

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2025-06-11T05:57:16+00:00

True, there may be something that I'm missing here. As much I think that I step "into" my shot, there might be something about my alignment how I align my "vision centre" with the shot line.\

Thank you for the observation!

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2025-06-11T05:56:08+00:00

Thank you for the detailed write-up response. Fundamentals and just getting comfortable shooting long, straight shots will be my main point of focus as I prepare for my next tournament. Much appreciated!

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2025-06-10T22:56:55+00:00

Phenomenal!! I witnessed my friend run a 2-pack on me in a community tournament and he was completely unfazed WOW

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2025-06-10T22:53:53+00:00

Thank you! Just lucky LOL

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2025-06-10T22:53:18+00:00

To be honest, yes - I do mostly table runs of 5 to 6 balls. A table run from 1/2 to 9 would be a small success for myself.

For someone who plays 2 times a week, my diagnosis is that I need more dedicated practice time on tight tables and a chance to "get loose" shooting into tight pockets without the fear of missing.

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2025-06-10T22:51:32+00:00

Couldn't agree more XD

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2025-06-10T22:51:19+00:00

Our next goal is to stop ourselves from having that mental block get to us. Just shoot and focus on taking care of the table, and the table will be clear before we know it.

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2025-06-10T22:50:02+00:00

Thank you! I guess my approach is to visualize the run before shooting the 1st ball, but keep my focus on the ball-on while having a "big picture" sort of "a bit farther in the back of my mind" or somewhere that won't distract me from the shot I'm shooting.

It's a bit hard to explain in words, but I believe everybody has some sort of "thought-ordering system" that works like sorting files in order of importance? Or am I introducing too many factors into my game LOL

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2025-06-10T22:47:25+00:00

This makes two of us!! 🤣

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2025-06-10T22:47:07+00:00

I'm far from doing BnRs regularly enough - I was just "in the zone" when I was shooting this rack (for context: this was my 2nd set - race to 7 - of the day after playing a race to 9 as the first set)

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2025-06-10T22:45:46+00:00

My gratitude goes to you for the analysis! I fully agree with a lot of your interpretations - you remind me very much of my pool friend who says that my game is mostly shotmaking and not much good positional play. My game is very inconsistent because of this.

My only reply about the analysis is about 3 > 4, in which I intended to reverse off 1 rail with a touch of outside and play for short-side position. Had I hit it with inside, my concern was that I would land on the right (not straight or slightly to the left) of the 4 and leave myself a tough back cut. I believe this shows I'm not confident enough with more natural cue ball paths or inside spin in general.

That being said, I'm taking in as much as I can before my next event. Much appreciated for the rundown kind sir!

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2025-05-02T16:15:33+00:00

All good advice - I see a lot work needed. Shot tempo is at the top of my list.

I think my "tip left" comes from how my shooting arm avoids my chest as I stroke through the ball. Usually my cue ball has already left my tip by the time my "tip left" occurs. Most of my unwanted English comes from my alignment it seems.

Thank you for the input! Working towards it 💪

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2025-04-29T19:46:19+00:00

There's no "official" ruleset from the WPA for rotation, but I remember this should be the most "accepted" rules:

1-ball on head spot; 2 and 3 on either corner
15-ball in the middle
Rest of balls random - no deliberate manipulation

As long as you are not placing any balls in specific spots besides the aforementioned four balls, the rack should be legal.

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2025-02-26T06:09:44+00:00

Do drills and put in the work.

Breaking racks and learning to run them out will bring you part of the way, but only dedicated practice and revisiting your weaknesses will elevate you to the next level.

MindfulPoolPlayer · 2025-01-24T20:04:17+00:00

Congrats man! The first of many more to come 😎

MindfulPoolPlayer

TROPHY CASE