What is a piqué shot and how to play it
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A piqué shot is struck with the cue clearly raised, and the cue ball curves on its way. It is used to get round a ball in the way, change the angle near a cushion or reach a tricky spot in three-cushion. This guide explains what it is, how it differs from massé and draw, and how to play it; you can try it for free in Boombala's 3D billiards.
What is a piqué?
On a normal shot the cue is parallel to the table. For a piqué the cue is raised (roughly 30° to 70°) and the cue ball is struck downwards, off centre. It starts nearly straight and then curves towards the side you hit as the cloth grips it. The steeper the cue, the sharper and shorter the curve.
Terms vary by country and game. Here piqué means the medium-elevation curve shot, and the near-vertical one is a massé.
Piqué, massé and draw compared
| Shot | Cue | Cue ball path |
|---|---|---|
| Draw | Level (0°) | Straight, then back after contact |
| Piqué | Medium (~50°) | A gentle, short curve |
| Massé | Near vertical (~80°) | A strong, sharp curve |
How to play it
- Raise the cue. About 50°, with the bridge hand close to the cue ball.
- Pick an upper, side spot. On top of the ball and on the side you want it to curve to; it curves towards the side you strike.
- Strike downwards with a short stroke. Press into the ball rather than swinging through it.
- Use medium power. Harder hits carry further before curving; slower hits curve earlier.
- Mind the distance. With a close object ball the curve has little room to develop.
Common mistakes
- Hitting too hard. The ball passes the target before it curves.
- A spot too near the centre. Without a side offset there is no curve; slide the spot sideways.
- Changing the cue angle mid-stroke. Keep it steady or the direction drifts.
- Overdoing it on a real table. Steep shots can mark the cloth; a simulator is the safe place to practise.
Try the piqué on Boombala
- Open Practice from the lobby and choose a table.
- Press the Piqué button above the orbit ball: the cue rises to about 50° and the tip moves up and slightly sideways.
- Drag the orbit ball to fine-tune the angle and the spin ball to fine-tune the spot.
- With the cue raised the table draws coloured guides at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% power, so you see how the curve changes with power before you shoot.
Practice has no clock or opponent: drag the balls anywhere and repeat. Then read the billiards rules and play the computer or your friends.