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Cueing Academy

Pool glossary · Shot Types

Cut shot

Also called: Cut

How do you aim a cut shot in pool?

A cut shot is any pot where the cue ball hits the object ball off-center, sending it at an angle into the pocket. You aim by sending the cue ball to the ghost-ball position on the line from the pocket through the object ball.

Step by step

  1. 1Find the line from the pocket through the object ball's center.
  2. 2Locate the ghost ball at the end of that line.
  3. 3Walk into the shot along the line from the cue ball to the ghost ball.
  4. 4Stroke straight and stay down; adjust for throw on slow or long cuts.

In more detail

Most shots in a game are cuts, not straight-ins. Learn reference cuts (¾, ½, ¼ ball) and cut from both sides — many players cut better to one side because of eye alignment.

People also ask

Why do I always undercut?

Undercutting is the most common miss and often comes from aiming at the contact point too fully, or from throw on slow shots. Hit slightly thinner than feels natural and check your vision center.

Train it at the table

More guides on cut shot