Practice makes perfect. And that is true for billiards as well. As you know full well, it is not just about hitting the ball with the cue but a substantial set of subtler skills that makes a billiard player a true master at his game. Hence you need to practice if you wish to compete and show those casual friends of yours where they stand. A fine set of billiard drills can be utilized by you to improve your skills
Concentrating on the cue ball
For most new players, the object ball takes up more of their attention than the cue ball itself. End result? A bungled shot. Line up a series of object balls in a horizontal line across the table. Try and hit each ball absolutely straight after lining up the cue ball with it. If it deviates from the rectilinear, you did not stroke straight and lost concentration.
Perfect Shot control
Set the cue ball and the object ball a little distance away from the rail, in a straight line. Try to hit the object ball with a perfect kill shot and make the cue ball follow the object ball into the corner pocket. Neither should touch the rail.