Cheating the Pocket in Pool: What It Means and 5 Ways to Use It
Quick answer: Cheating the pocket means aiming the object ball at one side of the pocket instead of the center. Pockets are wider than a ball, so a ball can still drop when it goes in off center. By sending it to one side, you change the cut angle a little. That changes where the cue ball goes after contact. Players cheat the pocket to get better position on the next ball. It works best on short shots. On long shots, it makes the shot harder, so use it with care.
Most beginners aim every ball at the middle of the pocket. That is a good place to start. But better players know they can use the whole pocket. This is called cheating the pocket. Here is how it works.
Why Can You Cheat the Pocket?
A pocket is wider than a pool ball. That means a ball does not have to go in the exact center. It can hit near one side and still fall. The extra room gives you choices.
How Does It Change the Shot?
When you aim the object ball at one side of the pocket, you change the angle between the cue ball and the object ball.
- Aim at the near side of the pocket and the cut gets thinner. The cue ball will move more to the side after contact.
- Aim at the far side of the pocket and the cut gets fuller. The cue ball will move less to the side.
A small change in where the object ball goes can make a big change in where the cue ball ends up.
5 Ways to Use Cheating the Pocket
1. Get a Better Angle on the Next Ball
If a straight shot would leave you stuck, cheat the pocket to create a small angle. That angle lets the cue ball roll off toward your next shot.
2. Avoid a Scratch
If the cue ball’s natural path goes into a pocket, cheating the pocket can change that path just enough to miss the scratch.
3. Miss a Blocker Ball
Sometimes another ball sits in the cue ball’s path after contact. A slight change in angle can send the cue ball around it.
4. Use Less Spin
Instead of using a lot of english to move the cue ball, you can sometimes cheat the pocket and use a center hit. A center hit is often easier to control.
5. Play Shape on a Rail
On shots along a rail, cheating the pocket can help you pick which part of the rail the cue ball hits, and where it goes next.
When Not to Cheat the Pocket
- Long shots. The farther the object ball has to travel, the less room you have. Cheating the pocket makes long shots much harder.
- Hard cut shots. If the shot is already thin, cheating it more can turn it into a miss.
- Fast speed. At high speed, the pocket plays smaller. A ball hit hard into the side of a pocket may rattle out.
- When you are not sure. If making the ball matters most, aim for the center.
Cheating the Pocket at a Glance
| Situation | Cheat the pocket? |
|---|---|
| Short shot, need a better angle | Yes, often helpful |
| Long shot | Usually no |
| Very thin cut | Usually no |
| Soft speed | Easier |
| Hard speed | Riskier |
How to Practice It
- Set up an easy shot about a foot from a corner pocket.
- Shoot it three times at the center of the pocket. Notice where the cue ball goes.
- Shoot it three times at the left side of the pocket.
- Shoot it three times at the right side.
- Compare where the cue ball ends up each time.
You will quickly see how much a small aim change moves the cue ball.
Key Points
Cheating the pocket is a tool for position, not a trick for making balls. Use it on short, soft shots when you need a better angle. Aim for the center when the shot is long or hard. For more help with cue ball control, see our post on speed control in pool and our page on how to stop scratching in pool.
Keep Reading on This Site
- What Is Cue Ball Deflection? A Simple Guide to Squirt in Pool
- How to Use a Mechanical Bridge in Pool: 6 Simple Steps
- How to Stop Scratching in Pool: 7 Simple Fixes That Work
- Billiards Instructional Videos: 5 Tips to Learn Faster
- Why Do I Miscue in Pool? 7 Common Causes and How to Stop
- Speed Control in Pool: 6 Tips to Hit the Ball Just Hard Enough
Frequently Asked Questions
What does cheating the pocket mean in pool?
It means aiming the object ball at one side of the pocket on purpose to change the angle and the cue ball's path.
Why do players cheat the pocket?
To get better position on the next ball, to avoid a scratch, or to use less spin.
Is cheating the pocket good on long shots?
Usually not. Long shots leave less room for error, so aiming at the center is safer.
Does speed affect cheating the pocket?
Yes. At soft speed the pocket plays bigger. At hard speed, a ball sent to the side may rattle out.