You know how it goes. You get to the table full of good intentions, but after a while you're playing without any real plan, or you're back on the same three drills you always do. As a coach, I see it all the time: players practise a lot, but not always with a purpose. And practising with a purpose is exactly what makes the difference.

That's why I'd like to introduce you to Frame, or Fortune?, a free snooker training app that turns your practice into a game. You spin a wheel, the wheel picks a drill, and you play it with as much focus as you can. No two sessions are ever the same, and yet you're always working towards a clear goal.

The app was developed by Dutch snooker player Bas van Kaam. I've tried it myself and I think it's a fresh, original idea that fits perfectly with what I always stress in my coaching: structure and enjoyment.

In this post you'll find out who Bas is, how the wheel works, which snooker drills it includes, how to get the most out of the app in your own practice, and what's coming next.

Who is Bas van Kaam, the maker of the app?

Frame, or Fortune? isn't the work of a big software company. It was built by a snooker player with an impressive track record. Bas van Kaam has played at a high level in the Netherlands for years. He has been in the Dutch top 10 several times, has won dozens of tournaments and has made numerous centuries over his career, with a highest break of 137.

That experience shows in the app. The drills were chosen by someone who knows first-hand what it takes to improve, and who also knows how quickly practice gets boring when you always do the same thing. Frame, or Fortune? is his answer to that: serious practice, with an element of play.

Curious about the full story behind the app, and about Bas himself? Read Bas van Kaam's story on the Frame, or Fortune? site.

How does the Frame, or Fortune? wheel work?

The idea behind this snooker training app is simple. You spin the wheel, it picks a drill, and you play that drill as seriously as you can. Then you spin again. Prefer to choose for yourself? You can do that too: open a drill from the list and add it to your session.

A session in four to six spins

The app suggests spinning four to six times per session and spending around ten to fifteen minutes on each drill. That gives you a varied session of about an hour, without having to work out for yourself what you're going to do today.

Counting attempts or a fixed set

By default you keep going until you reach the drill's target, and note down how many attempts it took. If you'd rather work with a fixed set, choose a set with a target instead. If the wheel lands on the same drill twice, make it an extra challenge by raising your target a little.

Works on your phone, tablet and computer

Frame, or Fortune? runs in your browser. There's nothing to install and you don't need an account. On your phone you can add the site to your home screen like an app, so it's right there when you're at the table.

Which snooker drills are included?

The strength of the app lies in the drills themselves. Each one has a clear set-up, a target and an explanation, so you know exactly what to do.

46 drills for one player

If you're practising on your own, the wheel picks from 46 snooker drills. Each drill comes with a diagram of the set-up, the steps and a short explanation. New ones are added regularly, and suggestions are welcome.

18 challenges for two players

Practising with a mate? Select two players at the top of the screen. You'll get 18 challenges to play against each other, a few of them timed with a stopwatch. That adds a bit of match pressure to your practice straight away.

Set your level and categories

You choose your level: easy, medium or hard. You can also select categories, such as long balls, safety or the mental side, and the wheel then only picks from those drills. That way you can target a weakness without your practice becoming repetitive.

Archive and training log: keeping track of your progress

In the app, every day automatically becomes a separate session. You enter your scores and how many minutes you practised. Older sessions go into the archive, so you can see in black and white how much you're practising and how focused that practice is.

Afterwards you can copy your session and paste it into your own training log. I'd advise every player to keep one: it helps you spot patterns and measure your progress. Your data stays on your own device, and you don't need an account.

Podcasts and a snooker playlist

The app also has snooker podcasts and a playlist, handy for the trip to the club or as background while you practise. It's available in English and Dutch, and you can switch language at the top of the screen.

Why, as a coach, I recommend this snooker training app

In my coaching I keep coming back to two things: structure and enjoyment. Without structure you go round in circles. Without enjoyment you won't stick at it. Frame, or Fortune? brings the two together nicely. The wheel turns your practice into a game, and every drill still has a clear goal.

That ties in with what I write in my book Snooker Inside Out: real progress comes from routine, discipline and a clear plan.

Use the wheel as a supplement, not a substitute

Start your session with your usual routine and your basic drills: your cue action and your straight pots. Then let the wheel decide. That way your foundations stay strong and you still add variety to your practice.

Choose your categories deliberately

If safety is your weak spot, have the wheel pick mainly from that category for a few weeks. Practising with a purpose means spending more time on what you can't do well yet, not only on what you already enjoy.

Play against the clock with a mate

The stopwatch challenges are ideal for playing with a mate. They bring match pressure into your practice, and that's exactly what you need to learn to handle. When the pressure's on in a match, it helps if you've already felt it in practice.

What's coming next?

The app keeps growing. The roadmap includes more than a hundred drills, an extensive mental section with tools for match play, learning plans for beginners and advanced players, tailored training, the option to add your own drills, and progress tracking.

There's also a pool version in the works, called Rack, or Fortune? Want to see what Bas is working on at the moment? Take a look at the full Frame, or Fortune? roadmap on the site.

SocialPro Snooker Coaching is a partner of Frame, or Fortune?

I'm pleased to announce that SocialPro Snooker Coaching and Frame, or Fortune? are now partners. I'm always glad to support projects that help players practise smarter and enjoy it more.

Try the app yourself at www.frameorfortune.com. It's free and you can get started straight away.

Frequently asked questions about Frame, or Fortune?