Mental Game of Billiards

The mental aspect is actually MORE important than the physical. A smart, focused, intense player with limited physical skills can beat a dumb, unfocused, slack-ass with a perfect stroke every single time. Pool is not sumo - physical skills are far less important than being able to out-think your opponent. In the world of professional pool, almost everyone has a great stroke. What separates them on any given day? Their ability to think their way through racks, their efforts of concentration, their sheer will-power. Any monkey can learn to stroke a cue in a straight line. It takes a lot more commitment to bear down on every single shot, to get that focus going and perform the same action over and over again. Not only are those parts of the mental game important, so is learning how to focus, how to concentrate, and how to use that knowledge during a match. And although I've seen many a player blow up because of a mistake, pros generally have an even demeanor. This allows them not to focus on the negative, and to allow mental energy to be spent on the table, not stewing over a missed shot.

The best players, though, aren't the ones blessed with just a perfectly straight stroke. The best players aren't the ones with 200 IQs. The best players have the best combination of physical and mental talents. In other words, a great mind coupled with a great stroke will combine to create one hell of a player. Just as I said above, though, all other things being equal, like equipment, environment, and stroke, the intangible that separates players is the ability to use their minds.