Pool glossary · Cue Ball & Spin
Natural roll
What is natural roll in pool?
Natural roll is when the cue ball is rolling smoothly on the cloth without sliding — its spin matches its forward speed. Any cue ball eventually reaches natural roll as friction removes sliding.
In more detail
A naturally rolling cue ball follows the object ball on a straight shot and deflects about 30° after a half-ball hit. Hitting about 70% of the way up the ball (from bottom) produces natural roll straight away.
People also ask
Why does natural roll matter for position?
It makes the cue ball's path predictable, which is the basis of the 30° rule and many position patterns.
Train it at the table
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