Pool table trick shots may end up winning you a friendly bet, a free drink, or even a few bucks–or they might just make your friends wildly impressed. Whatever outcome you’re hoping for, adding a few trick shots to your billiards repertoire will sharpen your skills and make the game even more fun for everyone involved. Many of the following trick shots are beginner-friendly or just slightly more advanced, meaning you’re certain to find one that’ll fit your needs.
Indirect Jump Shot
Being able to jump your object balls is a highly applicable trick shot you’ll likely use in many competitive games. The jump depends on your angle, but it’s an easy angle to learn and add to any beginner’s bag of tricks. Please note, this shot is NOT illegal because the cue does not touch the felt (when you “scoop” or hit the bottom of the cue ball). This is a perfectly legal shot and one you should definitely add to your list of pool table trick shots.
Focus on Angle
For this shot, your setup doesn’t matter. The only thing you need to get right is the angle of your strike, which should then impact the object ball with a topspin that forces it down and up.
Note Your Space
The cue ball is going to jump along with your object ball, which passes on the force your object ball needs to get to take a leap. This can make this shot tricky during games, but if you have the space and need to clear an obstacle, a jump shot is a way to go.
Z-Bank Shot
A Z-Bank shot is admittedly a bit trickier than some of the other shots, but again, the success comes down to your angle. This aspect makes this shot great for beginners, who can quickly master the left spin needed. A Z-Bank is used to get a ball placed in front of the cue ball into a pocket directly behind the cue ball–a feat that seems impossible.
Spin The Cue
For this shot to work, the cue ball must be hit with a left spin. Once the left-spinning cue ball contacts the object ball, the spin will transfer and knock it into the wall spinning right.
Let The Spin Swap
The object ball will then roll to the opposite wall and bounce back, now angled to roll into the opposite pocket. This shot works because of the initial spin put on the cue ball–the rest is just physics.
Around The World
This trick shot uses a tight cluster of three balls to sink the one closest to the pocket. A strong stroke and the right aim are what you’ll need to get your object ball to go around the world.
Hit Strong
You’ll need a good bit of force for this shot, so don’t be shy when it comes to adding some heat. Your cue ball will need to cross the entire pool table and return to almost its exact starting point to sink your object ball.
Backward Bank
Like the other trick shots, the backward bank is highly dependent on cue ball angle and spin. For this shot, you’ll aim for a partial strike to your object ball with an intent to distribute the cue ball’s spin, sending the object ball down into a pocket.
Don’t Aim For A Full Hit
This shot depends on spin and angle, both of which will go to waste if your cue ball hits the object ball head-on. Aim for a half hit, allowing the object ball to receive and disperse the cue ball’s impact in a way that’ll knock it towards the pocket.
Butterfly
If done properly, this one trick shot will pocket six balls at once. The six balls spread out to different pockets, mimicking butterfly wings. This shot is dependent on ball placement, meaning that if everything is lined upright, you’ll be able to make an impressive shot without any crazy spins or angles.
Imagine Two C’s
There are three balls on each side to total six, curved slightly inward to make a middle area slightly smaller than the cue ball. Once the cue ball hits this impact zone, the two middle balls in each C will knock outward and send the outer balls into the corner pockets.
Machine Gun 1
This shot is impressive for two reasons: the sound it makes and the speed needed to make it happen. Other than being fast, you don’t have to worry about too much else, which makes this a fun trick for beginners to try and nail.
Start Like Around The World
You’ll want to send your cue ball down the pool table to give you ample time to sink your other balls. Once the cue ball is struck, you’ll focus on draining your other balls before the cue ball can roll into the pocket you’re aiming for.
Start Small
Try using two or three balls while you warm up, progressing to five or more to create that machine gun sound. The finesse of this shot comes from your speed and aim, both of which must be perfect to pocket all 2-5 balls before the cue ball can roll into the pocket.
8-Ball Gag
This trick shot is a bet-winner that is designed to pull a few laughs and maybe earn you a drink or two. The shot itself is relatively straightforward, making this one perfect for beginners.
Set Up Two Balls And The 8-Ball
The gag of this shot is that you’ll be hitting the 8-ball, perched on the back rail and seemingly out of reach. Put two balls below the 8-ball and line up your cue ball to hit straight between the two balls on the felt. It should look impossible to hit the 8-ball with the other two underneath it, which you may also want to verbalize before making your shot.
Aim And Smack
The trick to this pool table trick shot is the proper smack. Give the pool table a hearty smack right after you hit the cue ball, which will knock the 8-ball back onto the table. It will land between the two balls below it, separating them before the cue ball can reach the balls, allowing only the 8-ball to be struck by the cue. With that, your bet’s won and the gag is complete.
