Best book for beginner

N

NathanDetroit

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I am not strictly a beginner. Began playing late 60s and stopped 1972. Now, I've been playing APA for five years. SL5 in both with trips to 6 and back in 9ball.

So, if I decide to take a rest/art, what book should I read first?

Right now, I am starting "Cue Tips" by Raftis.

Suggestions
 
NathanDetroit, Howdy;

Tons of reading material out there. chucklin'.

What are you looking to improve your knowledge in? Knowing that, can help us to help you.

hank
 
Another suggestion is to get the DVD's from Grady Mathews I got to meet him many year's ago and what a talented fella probably one of the world's best in 1 pocket , granted they aren't a book but there's a wealth of information in them .
 
NathanDetroit said:
Thanks for the replies, but I'm thinking back to fundamentals like stance and grip. Then speed.
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Byrnes' Standard Book of Pool and Billiards. Although personally I think mechanical things like sizing up the shot, stepping to the table, lining up the shot (including feet), and stroke mechanics and speed control are better learned from a competent in-person instructor than from the best of books.
 
i would advise(FWIW) to go with 99 critical shots and robert byrnes standard book of pool and billiards. by the time you have shot a lot of the shots in martin's book light bulbs will be coming on(hopefully). if you can and do master the 99 critical shorts you'll be a happy camper.
 
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I know you’re asking about books, and there are obviously many great ones, but I would suggest picking one of the instructors with well structured modular video instructional videos. Of course we all have different learning styles but 3D visualization & fundamentals are so critical in pool, and video instruction is much more powerful & efficient IMO.

I was in a situation somewhat like yours. After a 25 year hiatus and realizing how much great content was available, I decidedly to inventory my game from stance, grip all the way up & through. Some stuff I kept, some stuff I totally changed, some stuff I just tweaked. Spent about 6 mo mostly working on core fundies. When I needed completely new info, like multi-rail banks, kicks, game strategy, etc I spent more time with books.

The hard part for me was deciding whose series of videos to really invest myself into. I knew from participating & instructing other sports at a high level, it can be really helpful (IMO critical) to find a clearly established pro instructor at the top of the game and stay with them for an entire series of fundamentals on up. One of my criteria in anything has always been to learn from someone that actually plays the game & can actively demonstrate what they teach at a high level. Most will have some methodology & systems that flow together, which is valuable. It’s worth while to try several and learn different approaches & styles. Requires a large time & ego investment but its worth it.

I was lucky and burnt 1.5 years of Covid lockup & work-from-home time mostly on home table. Some ones that I like are:
Good luck & have fun! ✌️
 
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NathanDetroit said:
Thanks for the replies, but I'm thinking back to fundamentals like stance and grip. Then speed.
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Check out "Play Great Pool" by Mark Wilson:

playgreatpool.com

Play Great Pool by Mark Wilson & Donald Wardell, MD | Play Great Pool

Play Great Pool, by Mark Wilson & Donald Wardell, MD, is widely acknowledged as the definitive guide for pool players. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, Play Great Pool will enhance your…
playgreatpool.com playgreatpool.com

You will get detailed instructions on the fundamentals, including your stance, how long your bridge should be, how to hold the cue with your bridge hand, how to grip the cue with your non-bridge hand, what you should be doing on your practice strokes, your eye movement while stroking the cue, etc.

Here's an instructional clinic Mark Wilson gave at the DCC one year:


Mark Wilson studied teaching under Jerry Briesath, and you can find Jerry Briesath's videos for free on youtube:


Or, you can buy a collection of his videos here:

Jerry Briesath's Pool School - DVD Video Lessons Lessons

Jerry Briesath's Pool School offers pool lessons and instruction by BCA MASTER INSTRUCTOR, Jerry Briesath. Professional Billiard lessons on dvd and tips, guidance and knowledge from an internationally recognized Master Billiards player.
thepoolschool.com
 
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Billiards As It Should Be Played by Willie Hoppe and 99 Critical Shots are in my reference library. Never to be loaned. Loaned out McGoorty and it never came back.🤷
 
If you want to learn the game from the ground up you need a good instructor who is good at working with beginners. This is usually NOT a pro. Yes, a pro can teach draw and follow. He can teach spin. But in my experience a true beginner need to work on fundamentals. Someone knowledgeable to watch and correct stroke flaws. These are sometimes minor.
The best I have worked with s RandyG. Lives in Texas. I think he runs a clinic in Maryland one or twice a yer. There are some others. I have not personally not worked with dr dave, but everything I have seen and read of his gives me impression he could do a great job. Lives in Colorado. Tor Lowry lives just outside vegas.
 
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