🎱 Tip Position = Cue Ball Control

Welcome to this week’s edition of Stroke of Confidence. In this issue, we’re diving into two keys that can level up your game fast: tip position and how to set goals that actually help you play better, not just stress you out. Let’s get to it.

This week’s topics:

• The importance of tip position

• Setting multiple goals

• The Reyes Cup

Let’s dive in:

Tipping the balance

Where your tip strikes the cue ball has a direct impact on cue ball behavior. It controls how much spin you apply, the direction the cue ball travels, and how it reacts after contact with an object ball or rail. If your results on the table are unpredictable, there’s a good chance your tip placement is part of the problem.

Many players understand that spin matters, but they don’t always connect that to where they’re hitting the cue ball. They might intend to hit center, but actually strike it slightly off to one side. Or they might try to use draw but hit too high and get nothing. To improve your consistency and cue ball control, it’s important to understand what each tip position does and to strike the cue ball intentionally.

Here’s what might be messing with your control:

• You’re hitting off center – A slight error in alignment or stroke can cause your tip to hit the cue ball off center without realizing it. That creates unintended spin and changes the outcome of the shot. Using a training cue ball can help you see where your tip is making contact.

• You’re adding spin too often – Some players rely on spin for every shot, even when it’s not necessary. This creates more variables and makes your game less reliable. Vertical ball hits are enough for most shots, especially if your shape play is solid.

• You’re not adjusting your speed – The same tip position behaves differently depending on how hard you strike the ball. If your cue ball isn’t responding the way you expect, try changing your speed..

• Your bridge hand isn’t solid – If your bridge moves when you stroke, your tip may end up striking a different part of the cue ball than you intended. Plant your hand firmly and keep it steady through your entire stroke.

• You’re changing your grip pressure – If your grip tightens mid-stroke, it can twist the cue slightly and shift your contact point. Keep your grip relaxed and even from start to finish.

• Stroke mechanics still matter – A solid stroke with good follow-through is just as critical as hitting the right part of the ball. Rushing or jabbing at the cue ball reduces your ability to apply spin properly.

Mastering tip placement is about noticing where you’re hitting, how it makes the cue ball react, and adjusting based on what you see. If you take time to study where your tip is striking the cue ball and the effects it has on the cue ball, you’ll build better habits and start to see more consistent results. Check out this video from Sharivari for a great visual breakdown of how different tip placements on the same shot affect the cue ball path.

If you want to dial in your tip position even more, the Cue Caddie Pro is built for exactly that. It mounts on your cue and gives instant feedback on your angle, cut, and how much spin and speed to use so your cue ball ends up where you want it. As you train with it, your brain learns where the tip should strike the ball for each shot, which means less guessing and more consistent results.

My cue ball trainer: Jim Rempe Training Cue Ball

If you’re trying to level up your cue ball control and tip position, this is one of the best tools out there. This ball is designed by Hall‑of‑Famer Jim Rempe with training marks and dual sides (beginner + advanced). It gives real, usable feedback when you practice your English, draw, follow, and shot planning.

Why I like it:

• Dual‑pattern design — one side helps with basics, the other challenges you with finer control.

• Aramith phenolic build — durable and long lasting.

• Instant visual feedback — you see how your cue hit affected the shot and adjust faster.

• Includes instruction manual — nice touch for guided drills, especially for players who like structured practice.

Downsides:

• Price bump — it costs more than other training balls but you get what you pay for.

If you want practice that actually translates to smarter shot control, this is a must in your bag. It’s not flashy, but it forces you to dial in your tip position and will lead to huge gains in cue ball control.

⚪️ Jim Rempe Training Cue Ball

🧰 See more gear I use and trust here.

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The 3 Goal System

Most players walk into competition with one goal: win the match. It sounds simple enough, but when that’s your only focus, things can tighten up fast. The pressure piles on because the only outcome you’ve allowed yourself is victory. Anything less feels like failure.

Jim Afremow’s The Champion’s Mind lays out a better approach. It’s called the 3-goal system, and it’s designed to help athletes perform without feeling overwhelmed. Instead of fixating on one result, you walk in with three goals: gold, silver, and bronze. Each one serves a different purpose, and together, they create a mental framework that lets you play with more freedom, less fear.

• Gold is your best-case scenario. It’s what you’d love to see happen if everything clicks. This is the goal that keeps you reaching. It reminds you of your potential and sets a clear mark to aim for. But it’s not the only way to measure success, and that’s the whole point.

• Silver is your solid, respectable outcome. It’s something you can realistically hit even if the rolls don’t go your way or your A-game doesn’t show up. For example, you might not win the match, but you stay mentally sharp throughout and stick to your pre-shot routine. Silver goals keep you grounded. They reward the process, not just the outcome.

• Bronze is your foundation. It’s what success looks like even on a rough day. Maybe you stay calm when you're behind. Maybe you find something you need to work on and use the match as a learning opportunity. Bronze is about staying in the game, mentally and emotionally, regardless of what the score says. It keeps you from walking away empty-handed.

When you head into a match with this kind of structure, you don’t just play better. You feel better. You’ve given yourself more than one way to succeed, and that creates room for confidence to grow. Winning is still on the table, but it’s no longer the only prize.

📚️ Our favorite books on the mental game for pool.

The 2025 Reyes Cup

The Reyes Cup begins today. From October 16 to 19, Manila’s Ninoy Aquino Stadium will host one of the most exciting team events in nine‑ball pool. This is only the second edition of the Reyes Cup, and the format has already changed. This year, Team Asia will take on Team Rest of the World — not just Europe. Over four days, fans will see team matches, doubles, and singles. First team to 11 match wins takes the cup.

The event honors Efren “Bata” Reyes, one of the greatest players to ever pick up a cue. Last year’s event featured a Asia vs Europe battle (with Asia claiming an 11-6 win), but expanding the field this year means new matchups, new rivalries, and even more reason to tune in. Expect fireworks and tight play from some of the best in the world. Watch it on WNT.TV.

Team Asia:
– Carlo Biado (Philippines)
– AJ Manas (Philippines)
– Duong Quoc Hoang (Vietnam)
– Aloysius Yapp (Singapore)
– Johann Chua (Philippines)

Team Rest of World:
– Fedor Gorst (USA)
– Skylar Woodward (USA)
– Jayson Shaw (Great Britain)
– Moritz Neuhausen (Germany)
– Francisco Sanchez Ruiz (Spain)

Check out this video below of the best shots from last year’s event to see what we’re in store for this year:

🟢 Reyes Cup - IN PROGRESS
Oct 16–19 | 9-Ball | Watch
Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Manila, Philippines

🟢 Philippines Open
Oct 21–26 | 9-Ball | Watch
Gateway Mall, Manila, Philippines

🟢 WNT River City Open
Nov 6–9 | 9-Ball | Watch
Jacksonville, FL

🟢 2025 WPBA Dr Pool Jacoby Tour Championship
Nov 12–16 | 9-Ball | Watch
Central Wisconsin Convention & Expo Center, Rothschild, WI

🟢 WNT International Open
Nov 19–23 | 9-Ball | Watch
St Augustine, FL

📖 Our favorite books on the mental game
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Thanks for being here for another edition of Stroke of Confidence. Make sure you tune into the Reyes Cup and study how the professionals operate. Then hit the table and dial in your tip position. We’ll see you back here next week.

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