Best Pool/Billiards Magazine
- Thread starter nodope
- Start date
I have been a subscriber to all sorts of pool magazines and over the years the best has changed hands only a few times but currently of the publications to choose from I would give InsidePool the nod. Though some may make an argument for others I think InsidePool is definitely the hardest working and best magazine out there today.
But I would say that If I were you I'd go ahead and subscribe to as many as you could. Because the articles are always written from such wide perspectives depending on who writes them. It never hurts to see things from a couple points of view...:grin-square:
But I would say that If I were you I'd go ahead and subscribe to as many as you could. Because the articles are always written from such wide perspectives depending on who writes them. It never hurts to see things from a couple points of view...:grin-square:
Me
I subscribe to all three.
1. Inside Pool
2. Pool & Billiards Magazine
3. Billiards Digest
When I renew my subscriptions I renew them for a 5 year period of time. This insures a better rate and also guarantees I won't miss any issues.
Support the sport and get as many as possible.
Thanks
Kevin
I subscribe to all three.
1. Inside Pool
2. Pool & Billiards Magazine
3. Billiards Digest
When I renew my subscriptions I renew them for a 5 year period of time. This insures a better rate and also guarantees I won't miss any issues.
Support the sport and get as many as possible.
Thanks
Kevin
Thanks for this thread, I was wondering the same thing. You beat me to the thread.
Josh
Josh
nodope said:
It depends on what you're more interested in and of course your overall personal preference. Most of the publications are at the large tournaments and they give away their most recent issue and some also have back issues.
If you're planning on going to a large tournament in the near future, wait until you can go and pick up the complimentary copies and judge for yourself first hand.
Otherwise, the little bit that I can tell you is this?
Inside pool magazine (IMO) has the best all around coverage. They cover all the large pro events, all the regional events, and the larger league events. They even have a "league player of the month" and "regional player of the month" if I remember correctly. With this kind of coverage you get to read more about short stops, rising amateurs, possibly yourself and/or your league teammates. If you're a cue aficionado, AZ forum member "Cornerman" has a section each month featuring a custom cue maker which is well done and very informative.
http://www.insidepoolmag.com/
Billiards Digest seems to cover mostly the larger pro events. It's been awhile since I've seen one of their copies but I don't think they stray too much outside of the pro events except to cover industry news. Anything that might be going on with the BCA or stuff like the IPT non-payment issues, etc. They have a nice historical page that they do. Something like this day in pool "5 yrs ago", "15 yrs ago", & "30 yrs ago". There's usually three dates and they give a synopsis of the billiard headlines and newsworthy info from that time.
http://billiardsdigest.com/
Professor Q-Ball is a newspaper publication instead of a magazine. I believe they come out monthly and I think they cover a mixture of both Pro & regional events along with 3 cushion & trick shot stuff. I don't think their coverage is as in-depth as the magazines, but again, it has been awhile since I've seen an issue.
http://professorqball.com/index.php
Inside English is a mix between a newspaper & magazine. It's in the form of a magazine but is published on newspaper material. It seems to be mostly snippets overall happenings much like professor Q-Ball. Their publication is monthly.
http://www.insideenglish.net/
Pool & Billiard is (again, IMO) the lesser of all. This is the 3rd of the three magazines that's actually printed in magazine form, meaning thick glossy paper (Inside Pool & Billiards Digest being the other two). I don't recall there being very much player and tournament coverage. If I remember correctly, they'll cover a large pro event and then the rest of their publication seems to be industry info and advertisements. Articles on manufacturers of pool & billiard equipment. I didn't find it to be informative from the player and tournament(s) perspective.
http://www.poolmag.com/
All publications have instructional articles from pro players, and BCA certified instructors.
I would recommend subscribing to 'Billiards Digest' and 'Pool and Billiards'.
Inside Pool, just download the magazine off of their home page and you won't miss an issue.
Onthebreak.com offers montly info for leagues and west coast tournaments. This is also offered online for your reading pleasure
Professor Q out of Memphis Tn is great for 3C updates and the world of pocket billiards.
Inside Pool, just download the magazine off of their home page and you won't miss an issue.
Onthebreak.com offers montly info for leagues and west coast tournaments. This is also offered online for your reading pleasure
Professor Q out of Memphis Tn is great for 3C updates and the world of pocket billiards.
Billiards Digest is clean and pro sport.
blueridge said:
This is exactly what I would say. I subscribe to all three but like BD best.
This doesn't make very much sense to me. The verbiage and subsequent eye roll lead me to believe that you don't think very highly of any of the other publications.BrandyWine said:Billiards Digest is clean and pro sport.
Billiards Digest is "clean"? Do the other publications mentioned have curse words, inappropriate pictures, or anything else inappropriate?
"And pro sport"? Again, what does this mean? Are you saying they're "pro-billiards" as in "for the game"? All of the other publications are "for the game" too, the game is how they survive. The more there is to report on, the more content they have.
Or did you mean they cover more pro events, as I had mentioned?
Please clarify, thanks.
There are three national magazines:
Billiards Digest: Fantastic industry and pro event coverage. The new expanded instructional area "Quick Hits" is fantastic and I like that the section includes small articles and input from several sources, such as Mark Wilson, a top instructor from MO, and BD House Pro Tony Robles as well as contributions from George Fels. Bob Jewett, and Nick Varner just to name a few. BD has a tremendous history in the game going back I believe about 3 decades. They recently started a 30 Over 30 section which goes in depth each month a couple of the top 30 moments in recent pool history.
InsidePool Magazine: IP was started with a conscious dedicaton to highlighting regional tours and has developed a niche in that area. They have an area called Cue Makers Corner, which is always enjoyable. IP is a much newer magazine, I think about 8 years or so now. Grady Mathews, Tom Simpson and Bob Henning to name a few are some of the regular contributors in the instructional area.
Pool & Billiards Magazine: P&B is celebrating it's 25th anniversary this year. Executive Editor, Shari Stauch, was one of the founders of the WPBA and as one would expect from that history, has really great coverage of the WPBA and women's pool. However over the years they have expanded and grown steadily. Some of the instructional contributors are: Phil Capelle, Dominic Esposito from the Pro Skill Drills Series, Ewa Laurance and "Mr. 400" John Schmidt. P&B also covers Jr. pool very well.
* Each of the national publications has value and each have their own feel and area of concentration.
Regional Publications: There are many decent local papers, however on a regional level, Inside English, Professor Q Ball for the mid-West and Ohio, MO, IN, IL, MI for example. Professor Q Ball also covers 3-C which no one really does to his level in the country. IE is great as it has a great mix of regional and national, Bob Henning and Tom Simpson both contribute to IE. Very respected folks who run both of these publications. There are two regional publications that cover the western part of the US. one of the two has been assertive in it's growth the past couple of years. The Break is the better of the two and the one I would recommend. They cover CA, OR, WA, AZ, CO, UT, NV, some national news and league information.
I encourage you to subscribge to all three national publications and depending on which part of the country you live in: either IE, Prof. Q Ball or The Break. Or all three
if you can wing it, there is some fabulous information in those regionals and fun stories and you learn alot about the top regional players, shortstops etc...
contact information for all six publications:
- BD: 312-341-1110 / www.billiardsdigest.com
- IP: 866-961-7665 / www.insidepoolmag.com
- P&B: 843-875-5115 / www.poolmag.com
- Inside English: 586-801-4351 / or write sandy@insideenglish.com
- Professor Q Ball: 901-756-2594 / or write paul@professorqball.com
- The Break: 406-285-3099 / or write otbnews@aol.com
Hope this is helpful and all the best!
Billiards Digest: Fantastic industry and pro event coverage. The new expanded instructional area "Quick Hits" is fantastic and I like that the section includes small articles and input from several sources, such as Mark Wilson, a top instructor from MO, and BD House Pro Tony Robles as well as contributions from George Fels. Bob Jewett, and Nick Varner just to name a few. BD has a tremendous history in the game going back I believe about 3 decades. They recently started a 30 Over 30 section which goes in depth each month a couple of the top 30 moments in recent pool history.
InsidePool Magazine: IP was started with a conscious dedicaton to highlighting regional tours and has developed a niche in that area. They have an area called Cue Makers Corner, which is always enjoyable. IP is a much newer magazine, I think about 8 years or so now. Grady Mathews, Tom Simpson and Bob Henning to name a few are some of the regular contributors in the instructional area.
Pool & Billiards Magazine: P&B is celebrating it's 25th anniversary this year. Executive Editor, Shari Stauch, was one of the founders of the WPBA and as one would expect from that history, has really great coverage of the WPBA and women's pool. However over the years they have expanded and grown steadily. Some of the instructional contributors are: Phil Capelle, Dominic Esposito from the Pro Skill Drills Series, Ewa Laurance and "Mr. 400" John Schmidt. P&B also covers Jr. pool very well.
* Each of the national publications has value and each have their own feel and area of concentration.
Regional Publications: There are many decent local papers, however on a regional level, Inside English, Professor Q Ball for the mid-West and Ohio, MO, IN, IL, MI for example. Professor Q Ball also covers 3-C which no one really does to his level in the country. IE is great as it has a great mix of regional and national, Bob Henning and Tom Simpson both contribute to IE. Very respected folks who run both of these publications. There are two regional publications that cover the western part of the US. one of the two has been assertive in it's growth the past couple of years. The Break is the better of the two and the one I would recommend. They cover CA, OR, WA, AZ, CO, UT, NV, some national news and league information.
I encourage you to subscribge to all three national publications and depending on which part of the country you live in: either IE, Prof. Q Ball or The Break. Or all three
if you can wing it, there is some fabulous information in those regionals and fun stories and you learn alot about the top regional players, shortstops etc...contact information for all six publications:
- BD: 312-341-1110 / www.billiardsdigest.com
- IP: 866-961-7665 / www.insidepoolmag.com
- P&B: 843-875-5115 / www.poolmag.com
- Inside English: 586-801-4351 / or write sandy@insideenglish.com
- Professor Q Ball: 901-756-2594 / or write paul@professorqball.com
- The Break: 406-285-3099 / or write otbnews@aol.com
Hope this is helpful and all the best!
Last edited:
I think Billiards Digest is the best.
UrackmIcrackm said:
One of the reasons that BD is thought to be a "cleaner" magazine than IP is that there appears to be less of a blur between editorial and advertising. Some of the articles in IP allegedly fall under the category of "advertorial" even though they are not listed as such.
That being said, both magazines have their merits and their faults.