The ivory orb sits motionless on the green felt, catching the dim glow of the overhead lamp. As you lean in, your reflection curves across its polished surface—a distorted, miniature world trapped inside a sphere. This single ball carries the weight of the game’s history, from its origins as a promotional item for Brunswick to the high-stakes matches played by legends like Efren Reyes. The Science of the Strike

: Professional techniques vary. Some, like Jason Shaw, focus on the cue ball during the final stroke, while others believe looking at the target is the key to accuracy.

: Many players find success by focusing on the "ghost ball"—the imaginary spot where the cue ball must land to send the object ball into the pocket.