The other day I was practicing straight pool and thought it would be a good idea to take a picture after every shot and explain what I was doing and why I did it. In the process I came across a number of key ball/ break balls that were common knowledge to the old time players, but seem to have been lost recently.

As a quick aside, I think all pool players should spend some time practicing straight pool. The pattern, shot making, and problem solving skills that you develop here will help you in any pool game you play.

Before we jump in though, let’s look at what a key ball is. A key ball is a ball that leads to your end result without having to do too much with the cue ball. A key ball is easy to play position on and is located so that it easily leads to your break ball or some other ball to accomplish something.

Let's get started.

In this situation here we have the 13 ball up table and the 5 ball in a good break shot position.

The key part to this layout is that the key ball and break ball are in the clear and any of the balls on the left side of the table lead to the 13. I played this 10, 8, 11, and one rail toward the 13.

Here is the result:

Next is another common layout:

Notice the 6 ball in the rack and the 7 ball in good break shot position. Also notice how the 3 ball leads to the 6 ball! Here I took off the 4, got straight on the 3 in the lower left corner.

Stopping the cue ball on the 3 left me this angle to get on the 7.

I can pretty much get to a break shot no matter how I fall on the 6. Getting straight on the 3 leading to the 6 is the key to this type of break shot.

Here is another common key ball/break ball situation:

What I do here is get to the right side long rail after the 6 ball. Now I can pull the cue ball back and get on another good break shot.

Here is one last idea:

All the balls are in the open, the 4 ball is in good position to be a break shot and is in the clear.

The only problem is that there is no key ball that I like. Please notice the relationship between the 1, 12 and 3 ball. Stopping on the 1 gives me the perfect angle to pocket the 12 and bump the 3 into good key ball position! Learning to make key balls is one of the secrets of high runs.

Here is how that played out:

I fell on the 3, went one rail and the run continued.

Keep these ideas in mind as you practice your straight pool. Your runs will improve along with your pool game!

Overlooked Key Balls