The grip, often referred to as the "back hand," is the primary connection between you and the cue stick, dictating power, control, and the smoothness of your stroke. The cardinal rule of a proper billiards grip is relaxed firmness – imagine holding a baby bird; firm enough so it doesn't fly away, but not so tight that you crush it. A death grip introduces tension, which can lead to a jerky stroke, cause you to steer the cue offline, and inhibit a free, pendulum-like motion. Your dominant hand should be positioned on the butt end of the cue, roughly 4-6 inches behind the balance point, with your wrist ideally hanging straight down from your elbow. Most players achieve this by lightly wrapping their fingers around the cue, with primary pressure coming from the thumb and index finger, allowing the cue to pivot naturally between these two points during the stroke. The other fingers should merely rest on the cue, acting as guides rather than applying significant pressure, allowing for a smooth follow-through and consistent cue delivery.