| CHAPTER
1 - Fundamentals |
Grip
Bridges
Stance
Stroke
Short Course In Fundamentals
 |
2
4
11
18
24
|
|
| CHAPTER
2 - How to Aim |
Preshot Routine
Contact Point
Cue Ball at Contact
Pocketing A Shot
Margin for Error
Cut Shots
Fullness of the Cut
Target Size
Where to Aim in the Corner Pocket
Shooting Balls Down the Rail
The Feel Method
All Shots are Straight
Setting up a Ghost Ball
Watching Your Errors
Dispersion Patterns
Visualizing a Channel to the Pocket
Visualizing a Line of Cue Balls
Contact Induced Throw
Contact Induced Throw at Forty Degrees
Contact Throw at Long Distances
Different Degrees of Contact Throw
|
28
29
29
30
30
32
33
33
34
34
35
36
37
37
38
39
39
40
40
41
42
|
|
| CHAPTER
3 - Shotmaking |
Basic Shotmaking
Missing Shots - Why it Happens
Cut Shots
Measuring the Cut Angle
The 90 Degree Test
The Distance Principal on Cut Shots
Cut Shots Angles
Pocketing Down the Rail Cut Shots
Spinning Cut Shots in with English
Frozen to the Rail Cut Shots
Close Together Cut Shots
Side Pocket Shotmaking
Combinations
How to Shoot Combinations
Combos And the Margin for Error
Four Combinations Shots - Degree of Difficulty
Ball in Hand Combinations
Frozen Combinations
How Throw Works
Three Ball Frozen Combinations
Rail First Kick Combos
Rail First Two Way Combos
Bank Shots
How to Measure Bank Shots
How Speed affects Bank Shots
How English Affects Bank Shots
Typical Short Rail Bank Shots
Typical Long Rail Bank Shots
Three Uses of Outside English
Three Uses of Inside English
Crossover Bank Shots
Multi-Rail Bank Shots
Carom Shots
How to Pocket Carom Shots
Dead Carom Shots / Throw Caroms
Easy Carom
Touch Cut vs. Easy Carom
Rail First Frozen Carom
Billiards
The Theory of Making Billiards
How to Alter the Cue Ball's Path
How to Pocket Three Billiards
Cutting in Billiards with Centerball
Cutting in Billiards with Centerball (2)
Dead Billiards and Throw Shots
Rail First Billiards Using Draw and Follow
Draw Back Billiards
Rail First Shotmaking
How to Pocket Rail First Shots
Aiming Fail First Shots
Using your Cue to Measure Rail First Shots
Rail First Thin Cut Shots
Miscellaneous Shotmaking
Cue Ball Frozen to the Rail
Jump Shots
Curve Shot
Push / Throw Shot
Frozen / Frozen Shots
Two Combo Bank Shots
Four Assorted Shots
|
44
44
46
46
46
47
47
48
48
49
50
51
54
54
55
55
56
57
58
59
60
60
61
61
62
62
63
63
64
65
66
67
68
68
69
70
70
70
71
71
71
72
73
73
74
75
76
77
77
78
79
79
80
80
81
82
82
83
84
84
|
|
| CHAPTER
4 - How to Use English |
Shooting Down the Vertical Axis
The Six Positions Using English
Throwing Balls in with English
Outside and Inside English
Allowing for Deflection
Deflection Test Results
Deflection and Throw
Missing Shots Because of Throw
Missing Shots Because of Deflection
How Curve Affects Aim
Throwing in Shots Around Obstructions
Pocketing Balls with English
How English Affects the Cue Ball of the Rails
A Short Course on English
Rules of Thumb
|
86
88
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
97
98
99
100
100
|
|
| CHAPTER
5 - Position Play |
Basic Position Play
Stop Shot Slight Angle Stop Shots
Ball in Hand Stop Shots
Force Shots
Fine Tuning Force Shots
The Draw Shot
The Affect of Stroke Force on Angled Draw Shots
Draw Off the Side Rail with English
Drawing up the Side Rail with English
Back to the Rail Draw Shots with English
Force Draw
Power Draw
Nip / Draw Shot
The Jack-Up Draw Shot
The Follow Shot
Follow Shot Drills
Force Follow
Soft Follow Shots
Nip Follow Shots
Straight-In Cheat the Pocket Follow Shots
Follow with English
Principles of Position Play
The Principles in Action
Speed Control
Ideal Angle and Distance Equals Position
Know the Shape of Position Zones
Play Natural Shape as much as Possible
Right Side / Wrong Side - The Master Key to Playing Position
Allowing for a Margin of Error
When to Play Area Shape
Enter into the Wide Area of a Position Zone
Playing Down the Line of a Position Zone when Possible
Ball in Hand Shape
Play to the Long Side when Possible
Use Rail Targets
Avoid Scratching
Plan Your Route - Avoiding Obstructions
Play the High Percentage Sequence
Plan for Three Balls at a Time
Keep the Cue Ball away from the Rail
Survey the Table before Shooting
Pay Attention to Details
Use Your Imagination
Play Your Game
Playing Position off One Rail
Drawing the Cue Ball Down the Table
The Kill Shot
The Soft Draw Creeper Shot
Slight Angle Force Shot
Force Shots off a Side Rail
Side Pocket off the Rail Position
Side Pocket Inside English Follow Shots
Side Pocket Cut Shots off the End Rail
Using English off the Rail
Getting a Better Angle with English
Multi-Rail Position
Two More Two-Railers
Two Rail Inside English
Follow Shot
Power Two Rail Follow
Two Railer with Draw and Force
Basic Three Rail Position
Four Rail Position
Inside English Three Railer
Three Rails with Inside Follow
Three Railer with Outside English and Draw
Around the Table
Thin Cut Cross the Table Shot
Twice Across with Inside Follow
Drawing Across the Table Twice
Inside English off the Rail
Draw Shot Up and Down the Table
Around the Table Three Railer
Side Pocket Two Railer
Side Pocket Three Railer
Side Pocket Shape Using Inside English
Four Rail Side Pocket Shape
Balls Near The Pocket
Balls Deep in the Jaws
Playing Shape with English
Draw Shots on Balls Near the Pocket
Using Rail First Position on Pocket Hangers
Back to the Rail Follow Shot
Change of Direction Follow Shot
Variety of Position Plays
Playing Up Close to get an Angle
Using Tangent Lines to Control the Cue Ball
Hit or Miss Using Tangent Lines
Playing Shape on the Short side
Cheat the Pocket for Shape
Thick or Thin will Alter the Cue Ball's Path
When to Play the Extra Rail
The Lag shot
Go Rail First to Gain an Angle
Avoiding Balls coming Across the Table
Frozen / Frozen Position Plays
Bumping Your Next Ball into Position
First Rail Target Zones
Playing Position Down the Length of the Table
Using the Side Rails for Position
Playing Position off Other Balls
Drawing Off and Object Ball for Position
Using Balls as Backstops
Backstops - Part Two
Playing Shape off Combinations
Combos with the Balls near the Pocket
Combos with a Ball in the Jaws
A Checklist of Common Mistakes
|
103
103
104
104
105
106
107
109
110
110
111
111
112
112
113
114
115
116
116
117
117
118
119
120
122
124
126
127
128
130
132
133
134
135
136
138
140
142
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
153
154
155
155
156
156
157
157
158
159
159
160
160
161
161
162
162
163
163
164
164
165
165
166
166
167
167
168
168
169
170
171
171
172
172
173
174
174
175
175
176
176
177
177
178
179
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
187
188
189
189
190
|
|
| CHAPTER
6 - Eight Ball |
What Can Make You a Winner
Assessing the Table
Your and Your Opponent's Balls are Easy
One Group is Easy - The Other is Hard
Assessing the Trouble Spots
The 8-Ball is in a Precarious Position
Strategy
The Big Mistake - The Failed Runout
Winning a Lost Game
Tightening the Screws
Saving Balls for a Specific Purpose
Let Your Opponent do the Dirty Work
Creating an Edge;Making It Tougher for your Opponent
Setting up the Rack
Taking Care of a Trouble Ball with Ball in Hand
Breaking Open Balls with Ball in Hand
Offensive Play
Basic Pattern Play
Simple Pattern Play
Easy Runout Patterns
Medium Tough Runouts
Advanced Pattern Play
A Tough but Runnable Pattern
Run Killers - What Could Stop Your Run?
Clearing Out an Area
Up and Down the Table
Three Balls at a Time
Three Balls at a Time (II)
Proper Sequence
Plan B - Changing a Runout
End Game Position - Weaving Through Traffic
Saving a Key Ball
Consider all Six Pockets
Two Balls to the Same Pocket
Near Pocket vs. Far Pocket Shape
Using an Easy shot to Play Difficult Shape
Don't Break Up Balls Unnecessarily
Playing Tough Position on Purpose
Playing for a Roll and Position
Playing for a Roll on a Breakout
Defensive Play
Stake Your Claim - Then Play Safe!
Missing on Purpose
Hooking Your Opponent
Soft Hit Safety Play
Keeping a Blocker in Place
Lagging the 8-Ballon a Tough Shot
Unblocking Pockets and Playing Safe
Plan B - Abandoning a Runout
Blocking Pockets
Playing Defensive Position
Shotmaking
Gamewinning Shots
Using a Carom to Remove a Blocker
Lining Up Banks Through Traffic
Breaking Balls Apart
Nudging Balls Apart
Breaking a Tight Cluster on the Rail
Keeping an Insurance Ball
Blasting into a Poorly Broken Rack
When to Break up a Cluster
Kick Shot Strategy
Which Ball to Kick for
The Lag Shot Kick Shot
Soft Kick Safety
Kicking at a Group
The Forced to Kick Shot
Break Shots
The Control Break Shot
Breaking to Make the 8-Ball
|
192
193
193
194
195
196
197
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
239
240
241
242
242
243
244
245
246
247
247
248
249
250
251
252
252
252
|
|
| CHAPTER
7 - Nine Ball |
Shotmaking
Winning Nine Ball
Adjusting to the Competition
Nine Ball Strategies
Planning to Break a Cluster
Don't Break Balls That Don't Need to be Broken
When to Play a Tough Combo
Moving a Trouble Ball
Breaking Up a Cluster in Traffic
Playing for a Roll on a Breakout
When to Ride the Money Ball
When to Pass on a Combo
Playing Two at a Time
Knocking a Ball Closer to the Pocket
Trouble Balls in the Middle of the Table
Winning with the Three Foul Rule
Evaluating the Layout
Easy Runout
A Tough Rack that can be Run
Potential Run Stoppers
Potential Run Stoppers (II)
Weighing the Options: Offense vs. Defense
No Possible Runout
Play the Table; Don't Force the Issue
Position Play / Patterns
Playing for Three Balls at a Time
Playing for the Correct Angle
The Importance of Speed Control
Pattern Play
Advanced Pattern Play
When to Play Straight-In Position
The "Out Shot" - Getting in Line
The Last Three Balls
The Importance of the Last Three Balls
Going the Extra Rail for Position
A Difficult Three Ball Run
Push Out Strategies
Push Outs
Push Out Principles
Push Out Strategies
Pushing Out to a Shot
Sucker Shot vs. Smart Safety
Beware of the Easy Hook
Get the 9-Ball out of the Pocket
Free Shots - Accepting Them
No Good Push Out - The Forced Kick
Push Out to a Tough Shot
Shoot In an Easy 1-Ball
The Break
Goals for the Break
The Break Stroke
Setting up the Shot for the Break
Where the Balls go on the Break
Safety Play
What is a Safety?
Required Skills
How Much Ball to Hit
Stopping Distance of the Object Ball
Thin Hit vs. Bank Shot
Leaving Tough Shots
Drag Draw from a Distance
Inside English Kill Shot
Soft Follow Hook Shot
A Situation to Avoid
Using a Holding Ball
No Shot Thin Hit Safety
Hook Zones
How to Determine the Side of Hook Zone
Frozen Hook Zones
Multiple Ball Hook Zones
Two Rails to a Hook Zone
Double Bank Hook Shot
Three Rail Hook Shot
Freeze Against the Object Ball
Pass on Tough Combo
Ball Near Rail Create Large Hook Zones
Three Rail Thin Hit Safety
Thin Hit Hook Behind a Ball
Cluster Racks offer Hook Shots
Thin Hit Safeties
Large Target Safety Plays
Thin Hit Double Cross Safety
Down the Side Rail Safety
Thin Hit with a Soft Touch
Thin Hit with a Ball in Hand
Setting up the Rack
Set up a Combination
Getting Easier Position on the Next Ball
Breaking up Clusters
Running Out to a Hook
Pass On Shot
Thin Hit Double Bank Safety
Pass on an Easy Shot that Leads Nowhere
½ Shot / ½ Safety
Thin Cut shot Safeties
Safety Cross Corner Bank Shots
Cross Side Bank Safeties
Long Rail Bank Safeties
Cross Table Bank / Hook Shot
How to Play Kick Shots
Notes and Strategies on the Kicking Game
Improve Your Skills with Kick Pool
Short Rail Kick Shot Target Size
Kick Shot Approach Angle
Trapping the Object Ball
Size of Kicking Channels
Kick Routes
Kick Shot Safeties
Soft Hit Safety Kick
One Rail Safety Kick
Sticking the Cue Ball with Follow
Sticking the Cue Ball with Draw
Avoid the Open End of the Table
Kicking with Speed and Accuracy
Splitting the Cue Ball and the Object Ball
Kick to Hit
The Triangle Method
Using English to Avoid other Balls
Difficult to Aim Kick Shots
Curve Kick Shots
Kick to Pocket
Kicking Balls in Using the Triangle Method
Kick Shots Along the Rail
The Power Ride Kick shot
The Forced Kick Shot
Short Rail Kick Shots
Adjusting Your Aim on Kick Shots
Playing Position on Kick Shots
Sucker Kick Shots
|
254
254
256
257
257
258
258
259
259
260
260
261
261
262
262
263
264
264
264
265
265
266
266
267
268
268
269
270
271
272
273
273
274
274
275
275
276
276
277
278
279
280
281
281
282
282
283
283
284
284
285
286
288
289
289
290
291
292
292
293
294
294
295
295
296
296
297
298
298
299
299
300
300
301
302
302
303
304
305
306
306
306
307
307
308
309
309
310
310
311
312
313
313
314
314
314
315
315
316
317
317
319
320
321
322
323
324
326
326
326
326
327
328
328
329
330
330
331
332
332
333
333
334
334
335
335
336
337
337
|
|
| CHAPTER
8 - The Mental Game |
Realizing Your Potential with a Positive Attitude
Confidence
Concentration
Self Image
Metal Toughness
Excuses
The Luck Factor
Opponents
Self Talk
Goals and Hurdles
Dealing with a Slump
The Mental Side of Pocketing Balls
How to Make Pressure Shots
Spiritual Pool
|
340
341
342
343
344
345
347
347
349
350
351
352
355
356
|
|
| CHAPTER
9 - Competitive Play |
Opponents
Sharking
Tournaments
Preparing for a Tournament
Winning Tournaments
The Score
Hill - Hill
Tactics
Money Games
Money Management
Format
Spotting
Backers
Playing Conditions
Hustles and Shark Moves
League Play
Competition
Getting Involved
|
358
360
362
363
363
364
367
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
376
376
376
|
|
| CHAPTER
10 - How to Improve |
The Learning Curve
The Learning Sequence
Mastering Change
Setting Goals
Working with an Instructor
The Pyramid of Excellence
The Champion's Checklist
Sources of Knowledge
|
380
382
383
384
385
386
388
389
|
|
| CHAPTER
11- Practicing Pool |
The Stroke
Perfecting Your Stroke
Perfecting Your Stroke (II)
Straight-In Shot Stroke Check
Down the Rail Straight-In Shot Drill
The "Field Goal" Drill
Shotmaking Practice
Progressive Cut Shot Drill
Progressive Distance on Cut Shots
Blocking Part of the Pocket
Side Pocket Shotmaking
Position Play
Speed of Stroke Drill
Progressive Distance - Stop, Draw, Follow
Varying the Hit on the Cue Ball
Zig Zag Drill
Zig Zag Drill (II)
Side Pocket Circle Drill
One Corner Pocket Drill
Ball in Hand Runouts - Ball
Ball in Hand Runouts - Nine Ball
Varying the Size of Shape Zones
Ball in Hand - Choose the Best Route
Safety Practice
English
Pool Games that can Improve Your Play
Eight Ball
Nine Ball
Rotation
Bank Pool
Straight Pool
One Pocket
|
392
394
396
397
398
399
400
401
401
402
402
403
404
405
406
407
407
408
408
409
409
410
410
411
411
412
412
412
412
413
413
414
|
|
| CHAPTER
12 - How to Buy Equipment |
Tables
Room Size Requirements
Items for Your Home Pool Room
Table Care
Cue Sticks
Selection Criteria
Choosing a House Cue
The Shaft
Maintaining Your Cue
The Tip
Cue Cases
Accessory Items
Jump Cue
Break Cue
Tip Maintenance
Special Glasses
Practicing Your Aim
Practicing Your Aim and Stroke
Cue Maintenance
|
415
417
417
418
418
419
420
420
421
422
424
425
425
426
426
426
426
426
427
|
|
| Appendix |
Playing on Bar Tables
Recommended Books
Where to Play
Publications
Glossary
About the Author
For More Information
|
430
431
433
434
435
442
442
|
|
Table
of Contents for
