Beginning players, whether they are starting as an American Poolplayer Association (APA) player, or in another league, are usually full of apprehension before playing the first time. Kayla Lundstrum has had one lesson with me before, which was a group lesson concentrating on alignment and the pre-shot routine, with PBIA certified pool instructor Jim Brauker. Now she is going to play her first match ever in our in-=house league at Jim's Place in Coldwater Michigan, and she and Jim spend a little time getting her ready for the match. It is important that a beginning pool player knows what rules they are playing under. So Jim goes over the rules being used in this match, which are BCA official 8-ball rules. They also discuss strategy between each shot. Beginning pool players often fail to look at all the shot possibilities on the table because they mistakenly think the goal each time they shoot is to pocket a ball. That is not the best strategy to win and not the best approach to move up the ranks in a league like APA, or BCAPL, or USAPL. It is important to play a smart, full game that includes consideration of the difficulty of a given shot, and whether it is best to try to make a ball or play safe.