Trust me, after five shots you want to pack up and go home. There are definate benefits from doing this, your coach can gain invaluable knowledge of stroke defects doing this. I have never had a coach as I am completely self-taught, so I tend to analyse my stroke on every shot anyway. I learned by watching the snooker players on television and basically copied the way they stand when I was around three years old on a small table. To improve I tried and tested many things, however probably 80% of my improvement came from off-the-table changes and thinking about what I was doing.

For instance, if any reader (assuming there are readers!) plays pool they will be familiar with playing a pot and then thinking I need to put the cue-ball "there" (a particular position on the table) for my next shot. I used to think this way too, until I realised that as a good potter I could afford to put the cue ball in a general area, thus giving me some flexibility if I am not 100% in putting the white where I want to. This means I relax on the shot knowing I have a large area with which to aim for. That few extra seconds mapping out exactly which area you need to get the white into will literally sky-rocket your game, if you are someone who can pot a ball already.

When I got to around 17, I was of the belief that I was one of the best players around. When I went into the local pub for 8 Ball it became apparent that I was not one of the best players around. I tweaked everything in my game, changing small things like how my hand is positioned when I am stroking the cue, and I became better and better. I then went to university, and over time left everyone else standing in terms of ability. It is my belief that because I believed so blindly that I was destined to be a quality player, it happened in spite of any lack of talent or ability.

Definately a late starter, I got my first 100 break at snooker when I was 24. I always loved 9-Ball but only had a good result in a league going undefeated playing really solid pool when I was 23. The difference between me and probably every other player who plays the game is that when I was 19, before I did all of this, my belief was unshakable that I could achieve these things. Transferring these principles into other areas of life is now something I am trying to do.

The first tournament of the 2008 season is on the 1st - 3rd February in Solihull. I am greatly looking forward to this, the hotel is booked and the clock is counting down. I may not do that well, but for me the learning curve, and moving towards having that good run where I do win matches is what I strive to achieve.

I am in discussions with the Rileys club in Hartlepool who are going to arrange some free time for my practise, which is fantastic. Maria, the manager, has kindly sorted things out with her area manager for me and I look forward to meeting them soon. Rileys are a forwarding thinking company who want to advance the game of pool in the U.K. This is a refreshing move away from the companies who simply want someone, anyone, to be on the table so they are earning money. I have said for years that companies should look after the regulars who are in everyday, so well done Rileys for having the foresight to start doing this in earnest.

May I also wish every reader of this and other blogs a Happy New Year for 2008.