How to Play Pool Smarter: Tips and Tricks From 8 Ball Strike Cup Finalists

Knowing how to play pool well in 8 Ball Strike is about more than pocketing the easiest ball on the table. Strong players think about the break, cue ball position, their next shot, and when a higher-risk trick shot is worth taking.

To guide players in their next matches, we asked 8 Ball Strike Cup finalists Mike Trent, Christopher Ardis, Jason McCain, Shubham Guleria, and Said Nawaz Khan to share the strategies they use in competition.

Here are four tips you can put into practice in your next round.

A strong break can immediately create scoring opportunities.

8 Ball Strike Cup finalist Mike Trent approaches the opening shot with two goals:

"The main aim for me is getting at least 2 pots from the break and trying to build up the trick shot count as quickly as possible. However, this can be risky as they're not easy to do."

- Mike Trent

After the break, don't rush into the first available shot. Take a moment to read the table.

Look for:

• Open shots: Which balls have the clearest path to a pocket?
• Your next shot: If you make this shot, what will be available afterward?
• Cue ball position: Where is the cue ball likely to finish?
• Trick-shot opportunities: Are there setups that could help build a higher score?

Finalist takeaway: Use the break to understand the table before deciding how aggressive your next shot should be.

Trick shots can help increase your score, which makes them an important part of competitive 8 Ball Strike strategy.

Finalist Christopher Ardis explains:

"The main obvious tactic is always to try and get as many trick shots as possible to build your score even higher."

- Christopher Ardis

But a trick shot is only valuable if you can execute it.

Before taking one, consider three things:

Difficulty → Scoring Value → Confidence

Ask yourself:

• How difficult is the shot?
• How much could it add to my score?
• Am I confident I can make it?
• What happens to the cue ball if I succeed?

Sometimes the simple pot is the smarter choice. At other times, a good setup makes the extra scoring opportunity worth taking.

Finalist takeaway: Don't take a trick shot just because it's available. Take it when the potential reward makes sense for the situation.

Making one shot is useful. Making one shot while setting up the next is better.

For Shubham Guleria, that means staying calm and keeping an eye on the next few moves:

"I stay calm, think a few shots ahead, and focus on cue ball control instead of rushing my shots."

- Shubham Guleria

Nawaz Khan uses a similar strategy:

"I always try to plan a few shots ahead instead of focusing only on the next ball. Cue ball positioning is very important, and I try not to rush my decisions. Staying calm and making smart choices has helped me win many close matches."

- Said Nawaz Khan

Instead of thinking only about the ball you are trying to pocket, use this sequence:

Current target → Cue ball landing position → Next target

Before shooting, identify the ball you want to play next. Then think about where the cue ball needs to finish to give you a clean angle.

If the cue ball does not land exactly where you expected, reassess the table instead of forcing the original plan.

Finalist takeaway: Plan at least one shot ahead and use cue ball positioning to create easier options.

Good shot-making matters, but competitive 8 Ball Strike also rewards players who understand how to rack up a higher score.

For finalist Jason McCain, pool trick shots and multipliers are an important part of that strategy:

"Trick shots for me. The 10x helps some when the tricks bonus is not offered."

- Jason McCain

In 8 Ball Strike, players can look for several scoring opportunities during a round:

• Trick shots: Use favorable setups to add more value to a shot.
• Multipliers: Watch for opportunities to increase scoring potential.
• Consecutive pots: Pocketing three balls in a row can activate the Triple Shot Perk, which may provide bonus points, multipliers, or an additional cue ball.
• Table Clear: Clearing the table can earn an additional bonus.

The important part is to keep reassessing the table. Every successful shot changes the layout, which may create a new scoring opportunity.

Finalist takeaway: Rescan the table after every shot instead of following your original plan automatically.

If you want a simple way to remember the finalists' advice:

Break smart → Read the table → Choose the right shot → Control the cue ball → Look for scoring opportunities → Repeat

The common thread across all five finalists is not simply better aim. They slow down enough to read the table, think beyond the current shot, and decide when to play safely and when to take a higher-value opportunity.

Put these strategies into practice the next time you play 8 Ball Strike and see how better planning changes the way you approach each round of this pool game!