By a show of hands, how many players reading this play in a pool league? Now, keep your hand up if you play outside of your weekly league area. I’m betting that a majority of you didn’t keep your hand up. Every day, players go into their local bars or pool rooms and compete against the local competition. Depending on the organization, some will go on to compete at a state, and national level. As you read this, you will notice I’m going to focus on two pool leagues. The A.P.A.

As you well know, I’m a Master Instructor that focuses a lot on mental game, so if you think you are getting a magical stroke tip here, this article may disappoint you. But if you want enhance the way you think and allow yourself to deliver more straight, smooth strokes, well then maybe I can be of assistance. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRACTICING AND PLAYING There are fundamental differences between practicing and playing. One of the major differences between the two environme

As a Master Instructor, I work with numerous students each year. One of the most popular topics in pool of late has been the discussion of how professional players aim. Many pros use the old ghost ball system, or aim through the aid of their memory from thousands of shots they have struck during their careers. However, the majority of professionals prefer to use some type of concrete aiming system. Aiming systems range from the very simple to the complex (Center to Edge). P

As a Master Instructor, I get the privilege of working with junior players of all ability levels. Some are among the best in the world and many are striving to become the best they can be. Mental coaching for junior player is perhaps the most rewarding work I do. Teaching a young player how to develop a positive mindset and watching them grow in both ability and confidence is great! I not only help them become better players, but it will also help them in school and other s

When you are to arrive at your goals in pocket billiards you need to know exactly what your goals are. You don’t walk up to the ticket counter and ask for a ticket to California. You must specify which city and airport you intend to land in. Many players start out in this game with no real goal. They play, pound balls and learn from other amatuers as they go along. If they do have a goal it is vague with no real way to measure it. “I want to see how good I can get” is not me

Pool is a game of ups and downs. Most pool players experience a slump at some time or another. Slumps occur when you play below your expected ability for a prolonged period of time. Most pool players do not know why they are playing badly, so they tend to look for solutions in all the wrong places. Sometimes this causes the player’s performance to drop even more. Often, the player falls deeper and deeper into despair. Pool players are often unable to break free from the chai

www.theroadplayer12.com As you know, I am always willing to help my fellow pool players. I have been doing that for thirty-five years. Instead of an article this time, I am going to make you work on your skill development. I have a great exercise for you. Shoot the nine ball and stop right there. It would be a mistake to think this is an automatic shot. There is something about this stop shot that gives players fits from time to time. Build good alignment skills with this sho

For pool players, we live in a day and age where there’s a plethora of varying products for the billiards enthusiast to choose from. We have low deflection shafts, phenolic tips, jump cues, break cues, cue extensions, billiards gloves, layered tips, etc. With all the gear to select from, it can be hard to determine what’s the best choice for the individual. In most cases (pun intended), players are proud to show you what’s in their cases. Many players I’ve seen have expensive

The iCue cue ball. This thing is so simple that it should have been invented a long time ago. Three quadrants that make it easy to see where you hit and how that stroke affects the cue ball. I keep one of these in my pool case and love having it on hand to teach others about English and how, what they apply affects the outcome of their stroke. The three different quadrants allow you to see simple apply and get results. The ball itself is an Aramith cue ball that has been las

The DigiCue is well worth the money and as a great price point of around $79.99. Considering the thousands of dollars that we as pool players spend on cues and cases this is a small chip in the bucket and really helps change your game once you understand what it is capable of. Your cue is your weapon of choice when you challenge the table. It’s extremely important that you know how to properly use it. There are a lot of training devices out there and many are gimmicks. Howev

Knowing the 4 main variables that affect bank shots such as contact point, force, English, & collision induced throw are one thing, but training your muscle memory is another. This drill provides my excellent practice routine covering virtually every type of common bank shot on the table. There are 135 total reference shots here. Not only do you train your muscle memory for pocketing different bank shots, but you also must get shape on the next ball. Diagram 1 shows each pos

NO BULL! James Hanshew Jump cue First, of I have to say that is was a pleasure working with James. As far as a cue maker goes he is on my top 10 list for quality. I had the pleasure of doing this product review on his jump cue. I honestly have started to classify jump cues in two different areas. There are normal cues which are for an array of shots but generally not for the super close up shots. Then there is the specialty cue like the Marty Carry, Dr. Popper, Black Magic,

Pool Tables is a newer site, and this is my review of them. This is an interesting site that I stumbled across that gives reviews on cues for all over the place. They are primarily an Amazon store but the reviews that they put out are what impressed me. I would like them to do more reviews on companies like Joss, Jacoby, Mezz, Predator, Southwest, and Balabushka. I think they have a good thing going and always can use the help to get their name out there. http://pooltablesfor

Years ago you kicked, banked or found your way around problem balls on the table. In today’s pool playing society, there are so many options and everyone has their own spin on things. I recently had the wonderful opportunity to test the Dr. Popper Jump Cue. I have tested many cues and jump cues alike. I have honestly found there to be a few different categories; some cue’s crossover and some don’t. With that being said, there are what I would call specialty jump cues like thi

I am truly impressed and amazed by this 12-year old’s list of accomplishments that it gives me hope that the sport is alive and well. Coached and motivated by his father, takes lessons from a billiard author and instructor and is sponsored by one of the biggest names in the industry, this young man is destined to be on a short list of the nation’s top players. Charlie Marshall Jr.’s accomplishments: First and currently the only junior player sponsored by Predator® Products, W

I first met Rich Kranicki a little over 5 years ago when my business partner, Al Tonelli, introduced me to him in our new pool room. “He’s a person of great interest with great ideas; gives lessons to a few guys too,” he said. Over the years, I discovered that Al was right – Rich did have ideas brewing with a couple coming to fruition. As a student of the game myself, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of discussing, dissecting and learning about the mechanics and physics of pool

I promised a friend, Ron Kirk, a few years ago that I would try to write a story about Pool, especially about our Pool Hall hangout in Glens Falls, New York, known by several names: Charlie’s, Jake’s, or its legal name, The Empire Billiard Lounge. Now, before I start the story, I feel I must write on why I have been hesitant. I lack a proper education. Yes, I have two years of college in Glens Falls and two more in Florida, but I never graduated from high school and cheated o

Pool is a game of ups and downs. Most pool players experience a slump at some time or another. Slumps occur when you play below your expected ability for a prolonged period of time. Most pool players do not know why they are playing bad, so they tend to look for solutions in all the wrong places. Sometimes this causes the player’s performance to drop even more. Often, the player falls deeper and deeper into despair. Pool players are often unable to break free from the chains

Turn the butt on the lathe using the butt taper bar. (figure 1) Figure 1 The points in the butt sleeve are looking good. (figure 2) (figure 2) The points in the forearm also look good. (figure 3) (figure 3) The butt of the cue will need a weight bolt and a rubber bumper. Drill the butt in about 6 inches with a long 5/16 drill. (figure 4) . (figure 4) Tap the weight bolt hole with a 3/8-16 long tap. (figure 5) (figure 5) Using a boring bar we bore a recess for the rubber bu

The game is 9-ball here. In Diagram 1, the cue ball is frozen to the 8-ball and their line of centers are aimed to miss to the right hand corner of the pocket. The 9-ball is on the same end of the table. How would you make the 8-ball and also get position for the 9-ball? Diagram 3 reveals that the answer is by using direction-induced throw. Remember that throw is counter-intuitive. Contact the cue ball on the right side of the line of centers of the cue ball and the 8-ball a