Phil Capelle?
- Thread starter Pete
- Start date
I am reading "A Mind for Pool" right now and it has some really good stuff in it. Very good book.
There is some interesting analysis of pro 9 ball matches in Capelle's 9 ball book. And also some rules of thumb that might seem obvious, but are useful to simplify the game. Just a couple of examples of basic principles he highlights that I like to keep in mind are ... if the ball's far from the rails, make an extra effort to play position into the shot, rather than across the line. And if you must go across the line of the next shot, use the wide side of the position zone, rather than getting too close to the ball. Plenty of useful stuff in there ...
cigardave said:
I think he meant "Capelle on 9-Ball". I haven't read them, so I can't comment on usefulness, but it seems he's written three books containing 9-ball, "Play Your Best Pool", "Play Your Best 9-Ball", and "Capelle on 9-Ball: Archer vs. Reyes". I would guess that if you're looking for 9-ball, "Play Your Best 9-Ball" seems like it would be the most complete.
-Andrew
In my opinion Capelle's books are the best general instructional books out there. Byrne's are good but they are mostly a catalogue of shots. Capelle goes into interesting detail about all aspects of the game, gives solid advice, and is an entertaining read for a pool nut. His sections on fundamentals, which I believe are in all of his books, are the most complete I've seen on the topic.
Andrew Manning said:
"Capelle on 9-Ball" is actually a combination book/dvd. You get the complete Accu-Stats DVD of the match (edited for Capelle's purposes) with the commentary by Bill Incardona and David Maddux.
In addition to that you get a small book that goes rack by rack and shot by shot what happened in the match. Great shots, ordinary shots and mistakes.
Also on the DVD is an analysis of 25 or so critical shots in the match. Capelle uses slow motion, etc. to highlight the key elements.
This package is far and away the best training tool for someone who is wanting to play in tournaments and learn from the pros.
I was skeptical when I bought it, but I have watched/read it about 5 times in the last couple of months. Outstanding.
I hope he will get a chance to do more of these in the future.
I liked Capelle's books. I've read PYB Pool, PYB 9-Ball, A mind for Pool, and Capelle on 9-Ball-Archer vs. Reyes.
The 9 ball book is well worth it. I used to read it at lunch every day or in the can. I found that just randomly opening it up and studying a few shots here and there really added to my knowledge. Good 9-ball is about repeating patterns over and over. You first have to be aware of those patterns. This book certainly outlines a great number of standard position routes, safes, etc. Definitely worth it. Also, the Archer vs. Reyes match is fantastic. I really haven't spent much time with the accompanying book or with the commentary section, I just like watching the match over and over.
KMRUNOUT
The 9 ball book is well worth it. I used to read it at lunch every day or in the can. I found that just randomly opening it up and studying a few shots here and there really added to my knowledge. Good 9-ball is about repeating patterns over and over. You first have to be aware of those patterns. This book certainly outlines a great number of standard position routes, safes, etc. Definitely worth it. Also, the Archer vs. Reyes match is fantastic. I really haven't spent much time with the accompanying book or with the commentary section, I just like watching the match over and over.
KMRUNOUT
I found his books to be among the best. I just received a post card that he is comming out with a new book, "Practicing Pool" with a pre pub price of $24.95.
The problem I find with his books is it is very easy to overlook stuff and take some of it for granted. After reading a few times I will read something and then realise that the problem I was having was answered in the book but I never noticed it or applied it.
The problem I find with his books is it is very easy to overlook stuff and take some of it for granted. After reading a few times I will read something and then realise that the problem I was having was answered in the book but I never noticed it or applied it.
i have "play your best 9-ball" and i think it's a great book. the biggest compilation of greatest shots ever made followed by notes on what is to be learned from such shot. not to mention it's supremely entertaining to read. the only book that surpasses that comes to mind is ray martin's "99 critical shots".
berlowmj said:
Phil was a fairly decent player around L.A. for a number of years. He used to play in all the local tournaments prior to launching his writing career. All the older players (like me) know Phil and respected his game. He has many years experience playing before he ever wrote anything. Not a pro speed player by any means, but a solid B player.
What Phil had was a clear understanding of the nuances of the game and was able to articulate that in book form. And he is a good enough pool player to know that of which he speaks. Thanks to his excellent books on Pool, Phil has acquired widespread respect in the industry, far beyond the respect he earned previously as a "shortstop" pool player. Good for him is all I have to say.
He is yet another example of a poolplayer that found his niche in the industry, without having to rely solely on making balls.
not to sound like i'm promissing something but my geme jumped up about a ball after i read play your best 9 ball. alright actually it took a month or so actually it went down (i was thinking too hard) but then it jumed up about a ball
Capelle & A-Zers
I really appreciate his great detail. I have accumulated a number of books & sometimes find it useful to read several authors' treatments of the same aspect of the game & then attempt to formulate some synthesis & consensus. A-Z ers come to the rescue, when I run into conflicting or ambiguous analyses. You accelerate my learning curve. I still have so many levels to go. Thank you!!!!!
jay helfert said:
I really appreciate his great detail. I have accumulated a number of books & sometimes find it useful to read several authors' treatments of the same aspect of the game & then attempt to formulate some synthesis & consensus. A-Z ers come to the rescue, when I run into conflicting or ambiguous analyses. You accelerate my learning curve. I still have so many levels to go. Thank you!!!!!
You must be kidding. Although he covers most of the strategy in the game of straight pool, his book is full of mistakes. For example, he will refer to ball C in a diagram, yet there is no ball C in the diagram. He does something like this on almost every page ! I found it very frustrating to tie his text and diagrams together. The number of mistakes was simply inexcusable. I don't understand why somebody would go to the effort of writing a complete book and then be so lazy as to not proofread it. What a legacy of mistakes.dmgwalsh said:
I have play best 9b and would encourage its purchase to any player of the game: in addition to shot selection, there are methods to rate yourrself and others, mental prep for the big day and many sections where he goes into detail re: a pro's shot selection...well worth it, and that was a helluma sentence.