Watch other people. Learn how to hold the stick and aim the stick at certain points on the ball for close or far shots. Keep you eye on the ball and the target. Do not lift the poolstick when hitting the ball. Follow through.
The trick to playing pool is not to focus on the ball you want to go in, but instead, to focus on how well you can make contact with the white ball. The better the contact, the better your shot will be.
If you don't want them to know, get another friend who knows what they are doing and have them give you pointers. You could also look up instruction on Youtube.
