The billiards bank that is always open is your personal memory bank. Of course one may still forget their pass code… memory loss with age can be a problem. Some of us can testify to this fact.

But here’s what’s important: Every shot you’ve ever shot--every make, every miss--is recorded in your subconscious memory bank. So when you miss a particular shot, and you tap into the memory of the last time you attempted that shot, it’s critical that that memory is of a made shot, rather than a miss.

Even better if your memory of the last twenty times you shot that shot, are memories all of made shots.

This is why we do drills like my Home Again Shot or Speed Trumps Aim Shot. It’s also why when pros miss a shot in practice, they repeat it multiple times until that “miss” is buried beneaththe memory of some made shots. I tell students to always carry some of those little stick-on hole reinforcing tabs so they can repeat any shot from exactly the same position.

This is also why play is not the same quality as practice. In play, you don’t get to correct for that miss and burn it into your system as a victory. Practicing specific shots and repeating them will allow you to improve much faster than just playing lots of games with friends or even in intense tournament play.

Not that you shouldn’t play games other than league or tournament competition. Playing games, particularly with players stronger than yourself, is the best way to learn strategy, if you make the effort.

Sounds simple, right?

If only it were!

Unfortunately (or fortunately), your memory bank records more than just the physical and mental aspects of the shot. It also includes emotional memory, too. If you’re in a pressure situation, your memory bank will seek not just the shot, but the emotion attached to the situation. This is why the more pressure situations you experience, the better you will perform under pressure.

While it’s no substitute for match pressure, you can even add pressure to your practice. Give yourself challenges. “I can’t stop this playing session until I make this shot ten times in a row successfully.” Or "I can’t break for lunch until I run a rack (or three shots)."

There are clearly many other factors that are recorded in your memory bank. The last time you missed this shot, for example, was loud music playing? Have a friend jack up the music while you’re practicing. The last time you missed this shot, was it on a bar table? There’s clearly a different memory for the various size tables, and the speed of the cloth, the cleanliness of the object balls, etc.

It should go without saying that if your consciousness is affected by drugs, alcohol or anything else, this is another factor in building (or not building) a healthy memory bank account.

It should also go without saying that if you have bad habits, the longer you play before you correct them, the more difficult it will be, as your memory bank becomes filled with poor discipline or poor execution. Some players reject instruction, saying stuff like, “You learn best by making mistakes on your own.” No.

While it’s certainly true that we learn from our mistakes, we must first know what we’re doing wrong before we can learn to correct what it is we're doing. I’ve yet to meet the player who has eyes in the back of their head. Likewise, you can’t see what is going on behind you when you’re looking at the table.

This is one of the primary reasons for seeking instruction. Books, DVDs, etc. are very helpful, but they can’t watch you play and give feedback like a teacher can.

Finally, never, ever quit for the day on a missed shot. Even if you’re playing your absolute worst, don’t give up in disgust. Clear your head and make one or two easy shots, shots that you can always make correctly, and the next time you put your cue together at least your last memory will be a positive one.

Write me for more hints to build your game -- Quick Draw