Snooker Techniques

When playing snooker, a variation of billiards for two people, you use one cue ball and 21 other balls -- 15 red and six in different colors, each with their own point value. Unlike billiards, none of the balls have numbers. The objective of snooker is to pocket a red ball, followed by any other color ball, repeating until no balls sit on the table. Failure to pocket a red ball before a colored ball ends your turn.

Sighting the Cue

To determine your dominant eye -- used for sighting the cue down the pool stick -- extend both arms directly in front of you, parallel with the ground. Connect your index fingers, and point towards the sky. Bring your thumbs together to create a triangle with your hands, and then choose an object at least 10 feet away and center the triangle on it before slowly bringing your hands in toward your face. As your hands get closer, they will gravitate toward one eye, which indicates its dominance.

Side Spin

Hitting the cue ball just to the left or right of center makes the ball curve to the same side you hit it on. Use the side spin technique if you need to get around a ball that might be in your way further down the table. The harder you hit it, the further it will go before curving. Wedging the cue behind a group of balls blocks your opponent from getting a shot.

Screw and Stun

Hitting the cue ball just below center will make the cue slide across the table with no spin on it at all. If you want to put backspin on the ball, hit the cue a little lower. Going too low will make the ball jump, which can prove useful if you need to get past a ball in play. The screw and stun technique lets you lightly knock a ball into a pocket, as the cue ball will stop almost instantly when it hits the other ball.

Top Spin

Try a top spin when you need the cue ball to go further after hitting the ball at which you aimed, setting yourself up for your next shot. Hitting the cue with the pool stick just above the center will give you top spin; the further up you go, the more top spin you will get.