Best pool learning books?

[book collector]

Nobody mentioned Bob Henning, there is a guy that taught himself to play at a very high level by just burying himself in the game. I saw him at a tournament once about 15 or 20 years ago. it was about 5 am and he and a few other guys were practicing and he asked me to show him some one pocket shots . I laughed and said "How about you show me some" Then he told me he really had not played one pocket much and even though he wrote the book about Cornbread Red , Red never really taught him anything.
I said I might have a couple of ideas for you , if you don't know how to move , these guys will pick it up quick and torture you. I knew he played pretty good nine ball and shot straight enough , so I gave him some aggresive moves that could win games for him. I would set a shot up, explain the idea, shoot it and then have him do it. He played really well and picked everything up pretty much right away. I kind of lost track of time and he said , well if I 'm not ready now I won't ever be and I looked up and almost everybody in the room had been over there gleaning, lol. Made me feel pretty good.
I never did see how he fared, but he definately knows how to play well and has the mental part in real depth. I highly recommend his info.

 

[book collector]

Yes I agree I’m still struggling hitting center. Where are the kick paths above to learn?

I'm sorry , I'm just too messed up to get deep into this with you. I wish I were not. There is a ton of stuff some good some bad on you tube, Grady Matthews Nothing but Kicks is great! I think ShariVari starts at the very beginning Grady may base it on the fact, you know the natural lanes, I can't remember. Good luck with your journey!

 

[TheBasics]

Howdy All;

About 15 years ago I stumbled across The PAT series from Ralph Eckert and a few others.
There is a series of 4 books with lots of good drills that take ya from know nothing stage to
where the Oushan kids are today. There is a series of 3 videos/CDs that accompany them
that feature Thorsten shooting the same shots and drills. 2 versions be sure you get the English
unless you prefer German.

hank

 

[Bob Jewett]

APA 6

Have you considered getting someone to help you with your fundamentals? If you don't fix basic flaws -- like not being able to hit in the center of the cue ball -- piles of knowledge will be less useful. A start would be to video record yourself and look for anything obvious.

 

[Dwalk70]

Ok I’ll do that. No instructors near me but I watch a lot of you tube

 

[KWilliams]

Hear, hear!
While I’d like to think that’s what we’re all on this forum for, I’ve found myself sorely mistaken on more than one occasion

In any event, Phil Capelle wrote 25 years of articles for Pool & Billiard Magazine & is the author of 12 books on pool, & one on golf.

He is currently writing a book on pool that not only takes on team sports (MLB, NFL, NHL, & soccer) but also Individual sports i.e. Tennis, Golf & Chess, while using experts in neuroscience, psychology, and more than a dozen other fields to showcase why “Pool Is The Answer” (that’s the title) and how pool’s benefits help every human in ways not thought of or stated before!

My friend of blessed memory George Fels, GD rest his soul, columnist for Billiards Digest, had written more than a few kind reviews about his works, and if you knew George, he would not pay a compliment if it wasn’t merited especially from someone writing about pool- if anything, he was much more likely to dismantle a person for writing substandard work.

Nice to make your acquaintance here Arnaldo, and if you are so inclined, visit Phil’s site

Phil Capelle - Pool's #1 Instructional Author

Phil Capelle - Pool's #1 Instructional Author

www.billiardspress.com

buy one of his books or show some support.
Be well,
-CP

Which of his books do you recommend for beginners/guys without much table time?

 

[TheBasics]

Which of his books do you recommend for beginners/guys without much table time?

Personally, I'd get the Capelle's Practicing Pool. Has a flexible framework so that you can either start
from the Novice or great drills if you are upper level and want to sharpen a skill or skills.
I'd also recommend his "Play Your Best Pool".

hank

 

[Positively Ralf]

The Straight Pool Bible and The 99 Critical Shots is all I've ever read. Very simple but it gets to the point.

I do not know if many here have read it, but I've heard that A Shortstop on Straight Pool is an amazing book. The author is always putting up new YouTube videos regarding straight pool.

I've been meaning to pick up Mastering Pool/Advanced Pool by George Fels.

 

[TheBasics]

The Straight Pool Bible and The 99 Critical Shots is all I've ever read. Very simple but it gets to the point.

I do not know if many here have read it, but I've heard that A Shortstop on Straight Pool is an amazing book. The author is always putting up new YouTube videos regarding straight pool.

I've been meaning to pick up Mastering Pool/Advanced Pool by George Fels.

Positively Ralf, Howdy;

Both excellent books. I've read "A Shortstop on Straight Pool" and isn't really for beginners, Presumes
that the reader/student already knows the basics, ie. stance/stroke/aiming etc.

If you liked the Bible then you find the Fels book on the same plane, slightly different view points by still
leaning to the old school 14.1 as that how those two Gentlemen learned and played. The Shortstop's book
has the updated version of new school 14.1. All are excellent and I find myself going back to each for
refresher info.

hank

 

[Ratta]

Dr Dave s stuff you started with is a very good start!
Play Great Pool from Mark Wilson
99 critical shots in pool ( still an absolute gem!!!!)
Mastering Pool from my all time hero George Fels-- even if the game of 14.1 changed a bit- Imo the bible to get a GOOD understanding!
The Wagon Wheel Drill (original version - stoneold if you can get one- also a real gem!


Beside that- one or two clinics right at the beginning- with a really good instructor is gold worth. From my expirience that s a mileston for everyone who wants to start seriously playing pool. Here i can recommend Mark Wilson "blindly", and of course you can also contact Randy Goetlicher as well.

If you entered one of these really well structured technical bootcamps you can even get more out of the books I mentioned (or also otheres).


mental stuff- here my list would be far too long and not sure, if this is already the stuff you should be lookin for. At the beginning your own attitude is the key my friend- and YOU DECIDE what you want to start with.


best from overseas,

Ingo

 

[joelpope]

All great advice & worth spending time on, some of my favorite books especially all of the Robert Byrne's books.

Over the years I have given Ray Martin's "99 Critical Shots in Pool" to numerous people, in fact, I just sent a copy to my nephew last month. It is an old book but what I like about it is that probably half of these shots will come up during a regular 3-4 hour session of playing pool. Just a great basis to build a game off of. Also, pretty easy for a new player to understand and work through.

 

[hang-the-9]

APA 6

Then you can probably learn from just about any of the books past the basic stuff especially if that is APA 6 of 9 and not out of 7. Unless you have some disease that will keep you from playing or reading in the next few years, you can go through pretty much any instructional material. If you want to travel outside of books, Buddy Hall on 9 ball and many of the tapes by Bert Kinister are worth watching. Buddy's tapes set up some less seen tricky situations that he explains how to play along with explaining certain position paths that are more dangerous. I think his is one of the better tapes for clear content that is not half filled with "this is a draw shot, this is a stop shot" type of instruction, he gets right down to the shots and how to shoot them and why.

 

[hang-the-9]

Ok I’ll do that. No instructors near me but I watch a lot of you tube

What area are you in? There are usually better players in most areas that can help players out with watching how they play from an outside perspective. Unless you are in some large state in a corner away from the pool action and have a 2 hr drive to a real pool hall with good players.

 

[bbb]

What area are you in? There are usually better players in most areas that can help players out with watching how they play from an outside perspective. Unless you are in some large state in a corner away from the pool action and have a 2 hr drive to a real pool hall with good players.

i would add
nowadays virtual instruction is available from many excellent instructors if you have a table available

 

[GoldCrown]

Straight Pool Bible is very good.
Tom Wirth’s book is excellent. You’ll understand it more and more as you keep playing. Want to really learn and understand quicker take virtual lessons with him.

 

[billiardshot]

I found.... Come, Let Us to Billiards Away by Jack White and Dale Griffin (1990) to be excellent Book

new story on White https://www.recordgazette.net/news/...cle_a54fd3e2-db96-5764-8a82-90c30fefc5be.html

 

[TheBasics]

I found.... Come, Let Us to Billiards Away by Jack White and Dale Griffin (1990) to be excellent Book

billiardshot, Howdy;

You must have bought yours awhile ago price is now $124.98 on Amazon;

Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

hank

 

[Bob Jewett]

billiardshot, Howdy;

You must have bought yours awhile ago price is now $124.98 on Amazon;

Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

hank

It's a good book but at that price you could have a whole library of other good pool books.

 

[EDRJR]

Advanced Pool by George Fels

Amazon.com

You must read the first section on Straight pool to understand the process of elimination required for other games.
This book is the best at teaching shot selection. I have purchased this book 5 times. Every time I lent it out, I never got it back. My current copy is hidden in my closet now.

 

[TheBasics]

Advanced Pool by George Fels

Amazon.com

You must read the first section on Straight pool to understand the process of elimination required for other games.
This book is the best at teaching shot selection. I have purchased this book 5 times. Every time I lent it out, I never got it back. My current copy is hidden in my closet now.

EDRJR, Howdy;

Not doin' ya much good in there is it? chucklin'

hank