The Ethics of Playing Snooker by JC

Compilation of advises, tips and tricks from my experience with others

Throughout my time playing snooker, I’ve been trying to constantly improve my game my way and seriously, my way was taking me to Timbuktu via Holland. My brother is actually quite a snooker player himself but I was not given many lessons from him until later when I seriously wanted to play the game. Throughout the years, I’ve met many good players and here’s a compilations of advises they gave to me.

The Ethics of Playing Snooker by JC

To some of you who might not know this, snooker was actually invented in India sometime in the 19^th century by British Army officers, who were then colonizing India. Snooker was actually a twist of an old Indian game adopted by the British. Since then, the game was re-introduced and grew into a popular gentlemen’s game.

However, it seems many of us in Malaysia, I noticed – tend to forget that this is a gentlemen’s game.A gentleman is one who is considerate towards the other players around you. I have no qualms for the occasional phone ringing or sudden shriek of a missed pot or even the very often heard cuss word when the ball jaws. What is truly annoying is the people standing around the snooker table when clearly; it’s not their turn as this causes the players to lose focus.

So, if you’re an avid fan of snooker, please be considerate and see what I have to share with you all today.

Do’s & Don’ts of Snooker

1) Do return to the sitting area or stand at an area where you wouldn’t be blocking any players playing around after playing your shot.

2) Be polite when accident happens (ie. People bumping into you or you bumping into someone accidentally)

3) If a player on the next table is about to play a shot, try not to do sudden movements or if possible, walk pass only after the shot is played.

4) It’s always nice to play with buddies but be considerate about others whom (who) are playing, do keep your noise level down.

5) It is normal for people to lose their temper once in awhile when missing a shot but you don’t have to thump your cue on the floor.

6) Though it is not your snooker table and you are using a house cue, take good care of it! Leave as if how you want to find it!

7) When racking, place the balls on the table gently and not simply throw it on the table. This causes the cloth to deform and it creates dimples on the felt.

I can’t repeat this enough, DO NOT SMOKE WHILE CUEING & DO NOT LEAVE YOUR LITTED CIGGARETTE ANYWHERE ON THE SNOOKER TABLE!! (This goes for drinks too; never leave drinks on the sill of the snooker table!)

9) Do remember that when playing any shot, one feet is suppose to be touching the floor, never completely lie on the table or sit on them with both legs off the floor. This ruins the cushion!

10)Lastly, be courteous, do enjoy the game and keep your emotions intact!

And to some of you who have friends or others, who still think snooker is a naughty boy’s game, do share what I have written here with them. I hope it will change their mind that snooker players are not only courteous ladies and gentlemen but are also much disciplined ones!

A lot can be said of a person when they play so remember, you are how you play!

*If some of you who have encountered annoying incidents or wish to share more of the do’s and don’ts, please login and leave a comment. All comments are welcomed J

A little about the writer

A 26-year-young budding and cue sports enthusiast who is still trying to improve his game. Scouring snooker parlours and the internet for tips, he shares a dream with JH Leong to elevate the overall snooker and pool game in Malaysia to the next level.

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Snooker Practise Drills by JC

Snooker Practise Drills by JC

In any sports that a person wants to excel in, I would say all discipline must do no less than practise, practise and more practise. The same goes for snooker.

I’m sure some of you have heard many advises from your friends or acquaintances on practice drills in order to improve your game. Same goes for me but today a friend of mine sent me a very interesting email that we at OriginalOmin.com would love to share with you. Here goes:-

TV line-up, practice potting a red with a blue, pink or black.	Pink & Black ball potting. This is to help with any breaks around the pink & black.	9 reds. Ideal practice on pink & black for cluttered break building.
Red ball potting practice from the center of the table into all 4 corner pockets.	Red & color ball potting practice from the center of the table into all 4 corner pockets.	Getting out of a Snooker by playing all around the table into the pack of reds.
This drill is to learn potting off the center spot into the center pocket from all angles.	This drill is to get you to overcome those awkward angle pots. Place cue ball on center spot of Baulk Line and start potting!	This is one of the most important practice drills. Clearing the whole table starting with the Yellow, it gives you the confidence to know you will complete a break and leave no balls left to play.
2 blacks, practice potting 2 reds & 2 blacks, very good for break building around the black spot.

I hope this have helped put some variety into your solo training and make it more interesting. Do note that there are a lot more drills outside that  I myself have practice so do not solely take other drills as wrong practice drills.

I hope you will also have fun with these drills and if I ever get a chance to meet you guys, I’ll be very happy if you told me these drills has helped you improve your game.

Good luck and my best wishes to you!

P/S A big shoutout to Chris Chan for sending me email!

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Learning Foundation : Snooker Stances by JC

Compilation of advises, tips and tricks from my experience with others

Throughout my time playing snooker, I’ve been trying to constantly improve my game my way and seriously, my way was taking me to Timbuktu via Holland. My brother is actually quite a snooker player himself but I was not given many lessons from him until later when I seriously wanted to play the game. Throughout the years, I’ve met many good players and here’s a compilations of advises they gave to me.

Snooker Stance

 

Recently, a lot of people, from a forum that I frequent and also outside, have been asking me about snooker stances. Some of you guys who has visited snooker parlours I’m sure have seen many good players with stances that varies from other players. I hope my article this time round can help clarify some of your questions you have about stances.

 

Traditional Boxer Stance

 

Square Stance

Jeffrey Tan, who is also a right hander, is using another stance called the square stance.

This stance is considered a modern stance and was popularized by Stephen Hendry. This stance will see the left foot being next to the right foot (1-3 feet apart) and sometimes slightly in front (2-3 inches in front).

 

Some might not agree to this but your sighting can and may affect your stance depending on which is your dominant eye. Those who use their left eye as their dominant eye would see that the boxer stance as a more suitable posture whilst those who are right-eyed or even sighted would feel more comfortable with both stances.

 

 

The Approach

Before taking your shot, you must actually approach your shots. I’ve seen many people with very solid stances missing shots because of their wrong approach.

 

I’m sure many of you reading my article has watched snooker tournaments on telly or even live. You can see that many pro players still adopt a standard approach to shots that they are unfamiliar or have no confident with. The approach really affects your stance as when you have the correct approach your back leg will actually be standing on the line of the shot. This in turn will make your cue-ing arm be on top of the line.

 

So basically what you have to do is to:-

 

1)    Sight the line of shot properly.

2)    Walk into your shot, usually one step. (most people will just take the shot as and when they sight it correctly already)

3)    Your right foot (for right handers and vice-versa) will actually be stepping on the line of the shot.

4)    Then move your left foot to the front if you’re a boxer stance player or to the side if you’re a square stance player.

5)    Rotate your body downwards to face the shot and you should be able to see that you cue-ing arm will be in line with the shot.

 

(Clockwise Top Left to Bottom Right : Sight the Shot, Walk in to your shot & Stand on the line, Take your stance, Go down for shot)

 

I hope what I’ve written helps you understand more about stances. Remember, snooker is a game that is ever progressing and there is no one best way to play the game. Look at how Steve Davis won his championships in the 80s with a cocked wrist, how Stephen Hendry storm the snooker world with his unusual stance in the 90s, don’t forget Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Williams with their very aggressive and fast tempo-ed game and the most recent Mark Selby with his body waving actions before taking a shot.

 

What I’ve written is just a guideline and if you want to improve it’s always best to approach a coach or maybe find your niche that can bring you to break into the centuries. Whatever it is, I wish all of you good luck!

 

A little about the writer

A 26-year-young budding and snooker/pool enthusiast who is still trying to improve his game. Scouring snooker parlours and the internet for tips, he shares a dream with JH Leong to improve the overall snooker game in Malaysia.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

How Do You Differentiate Imitation Cues by JC

Compilation of advises, tips and tricks from my experience with others 

Throughout my time playing snooker, I’ve been trying to constantly improve my game my way and seriously, my way was taking me to Timbuktu via Holland. My brother is actually quite a snooker player himself but I was not given many lessons from him until later when I seriously wanted to play the game. Throughout the years, I’ve met many good players and here’s a compilations of advises they gave to me.

 

Original Fake : How do you differentiate imitation cues?

 

In Malaysia, where I reside, I see many players with O’min and CM1 cue. There are the occasional John Parris, Riley and the likes and also the locally produced Royal cues and what not. But due to the popularity and affordability of O’min cues in Malaysia, unfortunately we’re getting a lot of fake O’min coming in from China.

 

To the untrained eye, the imitation cues have no difference in weight or feel from original cues but as you progress in snooker or have owned an original cue, you’ll notice that most imitation cues will have a few obvious differentiator.

 

To me, I like to firstly look at the logo at the cue butt. Most logos are made of plastics, usually high grade plastic for original cues with some having a pearl effect like O’min, or ivory.

 

(L-r): Imitation Imagine, Original Imagine, Original Spirit, Original John Parris (note the etching on the logo is more refined)

 

Secondly, the finishing in imitation and cheaper cues are usually lacquer, giving it a shine. Most high end cues are finished in linseed oil and one layer of very little lacquer giving it a more matte/dull look and it glides smoother on your bridge.

(L-R): Imitation Imagine, Original Imagine (I know it’s a bit difficult to see from the picture but I hope you get my drift)

Thirdly, I look at the grain of the cue (ashwood especially). In most ashwood cues, there are actually arrows on the cue, which helps the player sight the line of the shot. On the opposite side, where the cue comes in contact with your bridge, there are usually little or no grains (a mark of high grade ashwood and workmanship)

 

Top view (L-R): Imitation Imagine, Original Imagine, Original Spirit, Original John Parris

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