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Cueing Academy

Pool glossary · Strategy & Safety

Having an angle

Also called: Good angle, Wrong side

Why do pool players want an angle on the next ball?

Having an angle means the cue ball stops with a small cut on the next ball, so you can steer it sideways toward the following ball. Being on the 'wrong side' of the angle forces a difficult route.

In more detail

The right side of the angle is the side from which the natural path of the cue ball leads toward the next ball. Planning which side you need is the core of pattern play.

People also ask

How much angle is ideal?

Usually a modest cut — around 10–30° — enough to move the cue ball while keeping the pot easy.

Train it at the table

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