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Showing the finer aspects of pool, national player Bernard Tey (centre) teaches the novices how to make a sturdy bridge at the Pick It Up...8-ball Pool clinic. -- ST PHOTOS: LIM CHIN PING
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Ask Zhou Jin Dao what his pool playing style used to be, and he would say: 'Anyhow hit.'
Not anymore.
The Hwa Chong Institution first- year student is right on cue after attending The Sunday Times' Pick It Up...8-ball Pool clinic by national player Bernard Tey yesterday.
The 17-year-old was among the five self-taught novices who learnt the basics of the game from the South-east Asia Games 8-ball silver medallist at Cuesports Singapore in Jalan Berseh.
It marked the end of the three-week-long Pick It Up...8-ball Pool series, which saw Tey imparting his skills to readers each week.
To kick off the 90-minute clinic, the pool professional got each participant to hit a ball - and none of them managed to pot.
'I can see you're all really beginners,' he said.
For the next 15 minutes, he instructed them on the correct grip, bridge and stance.
Jerky cue actions were gradually transformed into smooth strokes, and wobbly bridges were made sturdy.
Said Damian Barrett, 29, who is in the banking industry: 'Bernard told me I was gripping the cue stick too far back. After I changed my grip, it definitely felt more natural and comfortable.'
And it showed in the practice drill Tey introduced, aimed to help boost the beginner's confidence.
A ball was placed next to each of the six pockets, and each participant took turns to attempt to pot all the balls.
Tey explained that the drill helped develop the correct habits. As a player got better, he could move the ball further away from the pocket.
While Barrett and Jin Dao cleared the table, Xia Yang, 17, managed to pot only a couple of balls.
Still, he was happy with his rapid improvement.
'I never knew there was a correct posture for playing pool,' said the student.
'I thought you could just stand anyway you want. Before, I never aimed and just relied on luck. I'm playing a lot better now.'
Moving onto shot-making and cue-ball control, Tey demonstrated how to estimate the angles for cut shots, as well as the secrets to hitting follow, stop and draw shots.
Finally, the whole group played a game together. Most of the time, though, the participants watched in amazement as Tey potted ball after ball with ease.
The enthusiastic group bombarded him with questions on rules and shots.
Said Qiu Yong Hui, 16, the only girl at the clinic: 'Bernard plays with a strategy. Where his cue ball stops after a shot is where he needs it to be for the next shot.
'It was very cool.'
In the end, everyone went home happy with new skills, knowledge and a Straits Times umbrella and gym bag.
Said Sun Shuo, 16: 'I used to play with my own style. Now I know what's the right approach and I'll definitely use it next time I play.'
Tey's parting advice?
Practise, practise, practise.
'To be a good player, you have to practice at least four hours a day,' he said.
Good they may not be yet. But, certainly, all who attended the clinic walked away better pool players.
jwang@sph.com.sg
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