Lessons from a paid BCA instructor are not the best way to improve your game. If you are thinking about buying a cue and ask a Lucasi dealer his opinion, he will probably try to sell you a Lucasi. However, if you want an honest, "I'm not going to make a dollar and neither will my buddies opinion", keep reading.
The great thing about pool is that there are so many of us who absolutely love the game and are excited to share our knowledge and experience with others at no cost. You will spend at most 6 hours with a paid instructor. They will argue here that you will gain years of advanced knowledge, that your stroke will improve, you will be videotaped, etc., etc. There was one guy on here talking about how he can draw and stop the cue ball after his wonderful experience. You can learn that in five minutes.
Videos: (Accu-Stats) Get a few Accu-Stat videos and study them (Efren Reyes, Buddy Hall, Archer, etc.). You’ll notice that each player has a different stance, stroke, aim, etc. But also try to find the things they have in common (basic fundamentals), and then consider adapting your game to the player(s) that most fits your style. It’s like an artist or musician who says, “I was inspired by [name goes here]”.
Lessons: (local room owners and top players) Sure, the room owners may get a few dollars in table time and the top players may want you to pay their table time. But these guys will be around the next time you stop by and the paid instructor will be gone. If you want lessons, there are room owners and local top players that have vast knowledge of billiards and will help you with your stroke, stance, etc. from the basics to more advanced material.
Then, for “seasoning”, play in local tournaments and play your friends or other equally skilled players for a few dollars. This should give you a good all-around experience and improve your game (in time) and remember that it will take time.
