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Cueing Academy

Pool glossary · Aiming & Physics

Cheating the pocket

What does cheating the pocket mean?

Cheating the pocket is aiming the object ball at one side of the pocket instead of the center, to change the cut angle slightly and send the cue ball where you need it for position.

In more detail

It works best at softer speeds, where more of the pocket accepts the ball. It is a subtle tool: a few millimetres of change at the pocket can move the cue ball several inches.

People also ask

Is cheating the pocket risky?

It reduces your margin for error, so do it only when the position gain is worth it and use pocket speed.

Train it at the table

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