5 apps that every billiard player should have

Next to the cue and the chalk, the smartphone can become the best ally of a billiard player. Especially in his workout routine. The vast majority of mobile applications on pool available in Google Play or App Store are games, but there are also apps designed to perfect the technique and improve the game. Here you go with five good examples.

1-Billiard Aiming Calculator

A trajectory simulator very simple and yet very useful paths. From a pool table viewed from a zenith plane, you can move the cue ball, the aimed ball and the aimed pocket at your will. The app tells you how many degrees is the shot, where the cue ball should hit to pocket the object ball and where the cue ball will move after the impact (tangent). There is a paid version and a free version, both for iPhone and Android.

2- Check Billiard

An application based in the Playing Ability Test (PAT) training system developed by Ralph Eckert. It offers exercises (drills), tests and videos to perfect the game of Pool. Depending on your progress you accumulate points that locate you in a ranking of Checkbilliard players. The app, available for iPhone and Android, is free but to access all tests and training (200 hours of material) you must pay a 9.90€ monthly subscription.

3- Cue Mesure

Useful in any pool mode, its function is to determine whether the way you shoot is correct or you should improve it. To take advantage of it you simply have to hook your iPhone to the cue and play normally. The app, developed by Gerard McManus indicates you how parallel are you to the table when shooting and if your wrist or your body moves during shooting. Cue Mesure records shots you do to show afterwards statistics about them. Available only for iPhone at 1.99€.

4- Snooker trainer

This app provides exercises and routines to improve the Snooker. There is a wide variety of workouts that allow you to improve all types of shots and situations that will help you gain confidence to the complicated 12 feet table. Developed by the creator of Cue Mesure only for iPhone, the application is free but to unlock all the exercises you will have to pay 1.99€.

5- Ubersense coach

Thought for all types of precision sports such as golf or baseball, it is also useful for billiards. This free app for iPhone and Android lets you record yourself on video while playing to analyze later, in slow motion and drawing lines on the screen, the straightness of your attack and the movements you do when you shoot. You can share your videos with the community and see the ones from other billiard players.

You know, it's time to install and test these applications to take your game to the next level. If you don’t have a smartphone, a good choice for Windows is Pool Shot. Do you know any other interesting app? Recommend it in the comments section of the article.