6. Make a nice rack.
Balls are "frozen" when there is absolutely no space between them in the rack. Ewa insists you make sure that at least the front three -- and preferably the front six -- balls are frozen. If you don't, you're in for a "dead rack" (you won't get much action on the break) and a long game. "If you're playing for a lot more than a beer, and the owner is not around, I would make sure to put the balls in the rack, freeze them and then tap gently on the balls to make sure they stay that way," Ewa says.
7. Make like Tyson (without the biting).
Regardless of where you're breaking from, "you want to hit the top ball full in the face," says Ewa. "It's great to hit them hard, but the aiming is much more important. Mike Tyson can hit 'em with all his might, but if he hits about a quarter of the one ball, maybe four balls will hit a rail."
8. Don't stare whitey down.
Always look at the object ball -- the ball you want to go in the pocket -- before shooting. "Everybody wants to look at the white ball when shooting," Ewa says. "This is the biggest amateur mistake. It's the same thing as when you're throwing a football. You look at the receiver, you don't look at the ball in your hand."
9. Tough players play sissy pool.
"Especially in eight ball, don't be afraid to play sissy shots," says Ewa. "Safeties are sometimes worth more than an offensive shot in the long run." In other words, if you can't make a shot on your turn, play a legal shot that blocks the other guy.
10. Don't bite off more than you can chew.
"If you see a woman carrying her own cue case, be afraid," says Ewa. "Be very afraid."
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Keir Graff is a senior writer for Billiards Digest.
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