When it comes to 8 ball tips and tricks, understanding “english” is the most important tool in a player’s tool box. Also, the most important use of english is in positioning of the cue. By positioning the cue a player can position the cue for the next shot in precisely the proper position. Watch a professional – how often do they bank a shot? The answer is seldom. They seldom shoot a bank because they can position the cue (with or without english) so that each shot is either straight or a cut shot that will then, in turn, allow them to position for the following shot. You will also notice that few shots by a professional are straight. It is much easier to move the cue around the table with a cut shot. English allows the cue to move virtually anywhere on the table after a cut shot.
Hitting the cue with left or right english the angle the cue will come off the object ball and will also dramatically affect the angle the cue will come off the rail. To see this in action, set up a mild cut shot into a corner pocket. Hit this shot with left english, no english and right english using moderate speed. You will notice that left english kicks the ball off the rail much farther to the left and similarly right english kicks the ball farther to the right. It is important to note that you get more english with a slow or moderate speed. Hard shots impart very little spin on the cue ball. After a little practice using english a few other 8 ball tips and tricks, you will be able to run almost any table.
