...

I guess I misinterpreted your post. Seems like everything said was your opinion. Accept my apology if I'm reading you wrong. So do you like Tom's book and do recommend it? Also I believe there is a price increase. $65shipped. In 6 months it might cost more. As for ER's books. Not cheap and not so readily available. What good does that do for a player trying to learn/improve at 1P.
No problem discussing related points...like I said I must have read your post wrong. I'm all for discussing 1p..especially here on Azb. In life and at the table we constantly compete with each other, I'd like to think Azb is different that we stay constructive and support each other. Especially our quality vendors and authors. Books like Controlled Aggression do not come around very often. Players/instructors like Tom do not come around very often.


Apology accepted.

TW’s book is fine and a worthy addition to any billiard library. As to ER’s books: if you want the knowledge bad enough you will find a way to the best books on 1pocket.

Lou Figueroa
 
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It’s just a better format and more knowledge.

Biting my lip!

Just so you know, Lou. ER called me not so long after WOP and SMS came out. The year escapes me. He was interested in putting out another One Pocket book and had asked me to come out to Vegas to help him write it. After a few hours conversation we each decided against our collaboration on this venture.

Still, you are entitled to your opinion and I respect that but keep in mind, it's only an opinion and you are no authority on what is "better".

Tom
 
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Tough to beat five champions addressing one layout.

Lou Figueroa
chew away

How about one champion that won Strawberries. He is not chopped liver. How about the people that endorsed Mr. Wirth’s book. Scott. Billy and more. I’m considering buying a case of Toms books simply for future investment. I can make more money selling CA than playing 1p for cash. But that would cheapen the value of why Controlled Aggression was published. Solely for education and to keep one pocket alive. Tom published the book to share his life’s knowledge and love of the game.
 
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I'm not very good at this stuff so I just took a photo of each page and downloaded it. I hope it's legible. Eddie did a good job of representing the shot in question. Not perfect but close enough.
 

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I'm not very good at this stuff so I just took a photo of each page and downloaded it. I hope it's legible. Eddie did a good job of representing the shot in question. Not perfect but close enough.

Great article. Very nice statement to your game.... and you’re in the history book. Thanks for posting.
 
I have both of ER's One Pocket books and through the years I have gone over them both many times. I treasure them. WOP is great for the stories and the systems. I love that the books were leather bound. It gave them class, but at the same time that made them difficult as instructional material. To bring them to a table and set up the various scenarios was cumbersome. This was the reason my book was spiral bound. One learns from those who came before. I believe a great deal of the difference between those books and mine is in how my book is presented. It is quite literally, a workbook whereas I would define ER's books as references. A small distinction maybe. Some claim to like the top down B&W illustrations. That's fine, others may like the color photos better.

All the systems in WOP are now available in countless books and internet sites. At the time of publication this information was not available. The stories are wonderful. They are fun to read and offers great insight into the minds of some of the greats during One Pocket's golden years. The stories alone are worth the price one must pay for a copy of either book, and those who believe the value will still be there years from now, are right.

I have no systems in my book. Why rehash material which can be found everywhere and in a variety of excellent formats. I saved the space for information pertinent to One Pocket theory not readily available. Game theory, risk reward, playing the score, and practice drills which are sure to enhance a player's ability to tackle difficult situations and inspire a stronger One Pocket imagination are but a few of the ideas I cover within its 200 + color pages.

Now WOP and SMS rightly are hits among One Pocket enthusiasts. Still, it is my opinion that my book offers insights which SMS or WOP either had not touched on, or topics I felt needed more in depth coverage. My book provides this at an affordable price. I have sold in the neighborhood of 1,000 copies, mostly here in the States, and dozens overseas. The response has been 100% positive. Sales continue at a steady pace I am happy to say.

Since it was brought it up, Scott, Danny, Tony, Grady, Jose, Cliff, Efren, Nick, Francisco, Shannon, Santos, and a host of others have known me for many years from either tournament play or gambling matches. I have wins against many of them and I know I have their respect just as they know I respect them. That is why several of them have endorsed my book. My book is not competing with these gentlemen as to who has the better solutions or a who has a stronger understanding of the game. My book is an extension of my thoughts, a fresh perspective if you will. Accept it as that or leave it alone. That said, I would match my knowledge of the game with any one of them.

Tom
 
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I have both of ER's One Pocket books and through the years I have gone over them both many times. I treasure them. WOP is great for the stories and the systems. I love that the books were leather bound. It gave them class, but at the same time that made them difficult as instructional material. To bring them to a table and set up the various scenarios was cumbersome. This was the reason my book was spiral bound. One learns from those who came before. I believe a great deal of the difference between those books and mine is in how my book is presented. It is quite literally, a workbook whereas I would define ER's books as references. A small distinction maybe. Some claim to like the top down B&W illustrations. That's fine, others may like the color photos better.

All the systems in WOP are now available in countless books and internet sites. At the time of publication this information was not available. The stories are wonderful. They are fun to read and offers great insight into the minds of some of the greats during One Pocket's golden years. The stories alone are worth the price one must pay for a copy of the book and you are right, the value will still be there years from now.

I have no systems in my book. Why rehash material which can be found everywhere and in a variety of excellent formats. I saved the space for information not readily available. Game theory, risk reward, playing the score, and practice drills which are sure to enhance a player's ability to tackle difficult situations and inspire a stronger One Pocket imagination are but a few of the ideas I cover within its 200 + color pages.

Now WOP and SMS rightly are hits among One Pocket enthusiasts. Still, it is my opinion that my book offers insights which SMS or WOP either had not touched on or did not delve deep enough into, and I provide this at an affordable price. I have sold in the neighborhood of 1,000 copies, mostly here in the States, and dozens overseas. The response has been 100% positive. Sales continue at a steady pace I am happy to say.

Since it was brought it up, Scott, Danny, Tony, Grady, Jose, Cliff, Efren, Nick, Francisco, Shannon, and a host of others have known me for many years from either tournament play or gambling matches. I have wins against many of them and I know I have their respect just as they know I respect them. That is why several of them have endorsed my book. My book is not competing with these gentlemen as to who has the better solutions or a who has a stronger understanding of the game. My book is an extension of thought, a fresh perspective if you will. Accept it as that or leave it alone. That said, I would match my knowledge of the game with any one of them.

Tom

Tom...you're as classy a guy as a writer and player. Your book is 100% business.
The first instructional book I bought( not yours) was a thin paperback. The beginning talked about using the proper cue. (what is the proper cue). Talked about a lot of other things none instructional related. As for discussing Take Outs... it says Practice Taking Out balls. The book illustrated banking tracks that looked like rush hour in fast motion.

As for Controlled Aggression..... it looks great sitting on the cocktail table when not at the Brunswick.

I know it took a few years to complete your book. A DVD would be a +++. Until then your uTube page is fun to watch. Thanks again for your contributions. They say time is valuable. Yours is priceless. It's people like you make us better players and lovers of the game. If not for 1P I'd stop playing pool.
 
How about one champion that won Strawberries. He is not chopped liver. How about the people that endorsed Mr. Wirth’s book. Scott. Billy and more. I’m considering buying a case of Toms books simply for future investment. I can make more money selling CA than playing 1p for cash. But that would cheapen the value of why Controlled Aggression was published. Solely for education and to keep one pocket alive. Tom published the book to share his life’s knowledge and love of the game.


Not saying he’s chopped liver. But you can’t say he’s in the same category as the guys whose names are on the covers of WOP and SM&S either.

And endorsements are of questionable value. Well known people endorse all kinds of stuff for all kinds of reasons. Ultimately, it’s up to the buyer/reader to pass final judgement. IOWs, just because one guy found something to be of value doesn’t mean another will.

As an investment, only time will tell.

Lou Figueroa
 
But you can’t say he’s in the same category as the guys whose names are on the covers of WOP and SM&S either.

And endorsements are of questionable value. Well known people endorse all kinds of stuff for all kinds of reasons.

Lou Figueroa

What exactly are you saying. That OneGuy is not one of the best ever? Certainly is.
Are you saying the endorsements are not 100%.Certain are. No fees were paid, Those that endorsed get no royalties, do not need their name on anything as they made their mark. They endorsed the quality of content.

Tell ya what.. I don't bet, gamble, try to prove any points but I'm tempted. I'd back OneGuy against you..and as he is not at the top of his game. Beat him and I'll eat his book...without any water. But Tom does not get involved in these things. He's too professional.
 
What exactly are you saying. That OneGuy is not one of the best ever? Certainly is.
Are you saying the endorsements are not 100%.Certain are. No fees were paid, Those that endorsed get no royalties, do not need their name on anything as they made their mark. They endorsed the quality of content.

Tell ya what.. I don't bet, gamble, try to prove any points but I'm tempted. I'd back OneGuy against you..and as he is not at the top of his game. Beat him and I'll eat his book...without any water. But Tom does not get involved in these things. He's too professional.


What exactly am I saying? Good grief, what was unclear, lol? Go back and read it again if necessary.

And what would my playing anyone (except one particular guy :-) prove about a book or three? Let me answer that for you: nadda, zippo, squadousch.

Lou Figueroa
you’re welcome
 
lmao.

If ER were to put out a third edition tomorrow, with say Efren, Scott, Tony, Danny, and Francisco as the five participants providing their insight, as in the previous editions, he could sell copies for hundreds and it would have nothing to do with “rarity.”

It’s just a better format and more knowledge.

Lou Figueroa



I know Eddie well enough that that’s never gonna happen....never. Only way there’s gonna be another ER book is if someone buys his stuff and finishes it. Good try at the straw man tho


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
I know Eddie well enough that that’s never gonna happen....never. Only way there’s gonna be another ER book is if someone buys his stuff and finishes it. Good try at the straw man tho


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk


Of course it’s never going to happen. Duh.

Coincidentally, you might want to look up the definition of “straw man argument” then re-read your post, lol.

Lou Figueroa
unreal
 
Of course it’s never going to happen. Duh.



Coincidentally, you might want to look up the definition of “straw man argument” then re-read your post, lol.



Lou Figueroa

The books being better because someone would pay more for them is a strawman .....

Unreal.... 🤣 dam Lou talk about a fail pal


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Of course it’s never going to happen. Duh.



Coincidentally, you might want to look up the definition of “straw man argument” then re-read your post, lol.



Lou Figueroa

The books being better because someone would pay more for them is a strawman .....

Unreal.... 🤣 dam Lou talk about a fail pal


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Dude, look it up.

Lou Figueroa
 
Not saying he’s chopped liver. But you can’t say he’s in the same category as the guys whose names are on the covers of WOP and SM&S either.

And endorsements are of questionable value. Well known people endorse all kinds of stuff for all kinds of reasons. Ultimately, it’s up to the buyer/reader to pass final judgement. IOWs, just because one guy found something to be of value doesn’t mean another will.

As an investment, only time will tell.

Lou Figueroa

"Those guys" whose names are on the cover of WOP didn't write either of those books! Eddie Robin did. And he is NOT the One Pocket player that Tom Wirth is, not even close. Eddie was a chronicler of information provided by some very good players. Tom writes from his own experience and knowledge, and that's what separates these two guys in my mind. He doesn't need anyone's endorsement to make his book valuable. What makes CA valuable is the content. Eddie, on the other hand, would have nothing to say without the input from the players he interviewed.

Both men did a good job at what they set out to do and it remains to be seen how the value of CA will be affected when the day comes that you can't buy them any more. There were only about 1,000 each of WOP and SMS ever printed and that more than anything else helped drive the value up when they were no longer readily available. For the first few years of their release you could buy either one for $42. By comparison, CA at $50 is the more valuable book. If and when Tom ever stops publishing them (maybe a 1,000 sold so far), the price of ownership will certainly increase. As someone else said on here, buying a couple of dozen of them might be a good investment.

Thankfully there's a lot of good stuff out there on One Pocket, both books and DVD's. Robin's two books and Wirth's are certainly three of the best.
 
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