Grab your cue and explore the depth of billiards in these pages, revealing the game’s true spirit.
Discover the blend of skill, strategy, and soul that defines mastery on the green felt through this essential reading list.
Embark on a journey to finesse your game with the finest billiards books selected.
Best Billiards Books:
- Byrne’s New Standard Book of Pool and Billiards
- The 99 Critical Shots in Pool
- Pleasures of Small Motions: Mastering the Mental Game of Pocket Billiards
- Byrne’s Complete Book of Pool Shots
- Pool and Billiards For Dummies
- The Illustrated Principles of Pool and Billiards
- Capelle’s Practicing Pool
- The Pro Book: Maximizing Competitive Performance for Pool Players
- A Mind for Pool: How to Master the Mental Game
- Play Your Best Pool
- Running The Table: The Legend of Kid Delicious
- The Bank Shot and Other Great Robberies
Table of Contents
- #1 Byrne’s New Standard Book of Pool and Billiards
- #2 The 99 Critical Shots in Pool
- #3 Pleasures of Small Motions: Mastering the Mental Game of Pocket Billiards
- #4 Byrne’s Complete Book of Pool Shots
- #5 Pool and Billiards For Dummies
- #6 The Illustrated Principles of Pool and Billiards
- #7 Capelle’s Practicing Pool
- #8 The Pro Book: Maximizing Competitive Performance for Pool Players
- #9 A Mind for Pool: How to Master the Mental Game
- #10 Play Your Best Pool
- #11 Running The Table: The Legend of Kid Delicious
- #12 The Bank Shot and Other Great Robberies
- FAQ
#1 Byrne’s New Standard Book of Pool and Billiards
- ✍️ Author: Robert Byrne
- 📆 Year Published: 1998
- 📘 Genre: Strategy and Coaching, History
Explore the essential elements of pool and billiards with Robert Byrne’s authoritative guide. This updated classic offers a comprehensive look into every facet of the game, from basic principles to advanced techniques.
Whether you’re a beginner seeking solid groundwork or an enthusiast aiming to refine your skills, Byrne’s wisdom in cue sports serves as an encyclopedic reference. With instructive illustrations and clear explanations, this book stands as a pillar in the billiards world, guiding players through the science and art of the green felt with unmatched expertise.
#2 The 99 Critical Shots in Pool
- ✍️ Author: Ray Martin and Rosser Reeves
- 📆 Year Published: 1977
- 📘 Genre: Strategy and Coaching
“The 99 Critical Shots in Pool” is your road map to excellence in the realm of pool. Champion player Ray Martin teams up with Rosser Reeves to share the game-changing shots that every player should know.
The book breaks down complex techniques into understandable segments, making it an ideal companion for players at all levels. Illustrated for clarity and precision, this guide is designed to enhance your game by revealing the secrets to mastering the cue ball and planning your table strategy with confidence.
#3 Pleasures of Small Motions: Mastering the Mental Game of Pocket Billiards
- ✍️ Author: Bob Fancher
- 📆 Year Published: 2001
- 📘 Genre: Strategy and Coaching
Unlock the psychological aspects of billiards with “Pleasures of Small Motions” by Bob Fancher. This insightful book delves into the mental discipline required to excel in pocket billiards, emphasizing the subtle yet crucial elements that separate good players from great ones.
Fancher, a practicing psychotherapist, and avid pool player, provides readers with strategies to enhance focus, overcome anxiety, and develop a winning mindset. Ideal for players intent on improving not just their physical technique but also their mental approach to the game, this book is a unique exploration of the inner game of billiards.
#4 Byrne’s Complete Book of Pool Shots
- ✍️ Author: Robert Byrne
- 📆 Year Published: 2003
- 📘 Genre: Strategy and Coaching
Robert Byrne strikes again with “Byrne’s Complete Book of Pool Shots,” a treasure trove of 350 moves to guide players through nearly every imaginable scenario on the table. It’s an indispensable manual for novices and seasoned cue artists alike.
Byrne’s clear instructions and detailed illustrations navigate the reader through the complex world of bank shots, combinations, and kiss shots with precision and wit. Evolving from the foundation laid in his earlier works, Byrne continues to enlighten the billiards community with this definitive collection of pool wisdom.
#5 Pool and Billiards For Dummies
- ✍️ Author: Nicholas Leider
- 📆 Year Published: 2010
- 📘 Genre: Strategy and Coaching
Dive into the world of cue sports with “Pool and Billiards For Dummies” by Nicholas Leider. Ideal for beginners and intermediates, this guidebook provides a clear pathway to understanding the basics and beyond.
From selecting the right equipment to learning the rules of various games and mastering essential techniques, Leider’s engaging writing demystifies the sport. This book is a friendly tutor for those seeking to get their cues chalked and their shots straight without getting snookered by the intricacies of the game.
#6 The Illustrated Principles of Pool and Billiards
- ✍️ Author: David G. Alciatore
- 📆 Year Published: 2004
- 📘 Genre: Strategy and Coaching
Unravel the mechanics of pool with Dr. Dave’s “The Illustrated Principles of Pool and Billiards.” This comprehensive resource is packed with scientific insights, practical advice, and detailed diagrams that bring the physics of billiards to life.
Whether you’re looking to understand the nuances of spin, speed, and collision, or simply want to improve your shot-making and table strategy, Dr. Dave’s methodical approach makes complex concepts accessible to players of all skill levels. Elevate your game with this visually engaging and educational guide to pool and billiards.
#7 Capelle’s Practicing Pool
- ✍️ Author: Phil Capelle
- 📆 Year Published: 2006
- 📘 Genre: Strategy and Coaching
Transform your pool practice sessions with Phil Capelle’s “Capelle’s Practicing Pool.” As one of the most respected instructional authors in cue sports, Capelle emphasizes the importance of targeted, effective practice for game improvement.
This book offers a variety of drills and tips designed to sharpen your technique, enhance your shot-making abilities, and develop strategic thinking. It’s an essential handbook for players committed to achieving excellence through disciplined practice and is cherished by billiards enthusiasts eager to make every stroke count.
#8 The Pro Book: Maximizing Competitive Performance for Pool Players
- ✍️ Author: Bob Henning
- 📆 Year Published: 2003
- 📘 Genre: Strategy and Coaching
Step up your competitive edge with “The Pro Book” by Bob Henning. Tailored for serious players aiming at the professional level, this book dives deep into advanced strategies, precision cue ball control, and high-pressure competitive scenarios.
Blending technical knowledge with strategic insights from his own experiences, Henning equips readers with the tools needed to compete at the highest levels. Packed with drills and wisdom gleaned from the professional circuit, this manual is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to carve out a space in the realm of competitive pool.
#9 A Mind for Pool: How to Master the Mental Game
- ✍️ Author: Phil Capelle
- 📆 Year Published: 1999
- 📘 Genre: Strategy and Coaching
Conquer the mental challenges of pool with Phil Capelle’s “A Mind for Pool.” This book tackles the often overlooked psychological components of cue sports, offering insights into concentration, emotional control, and the art of competition.
Capelle, known for his expertise in billiards strategy and instruction, provides readers with a roadmap to developing a tougher mental game. Understanding the vital link between mindset and performance, this book is a must-read for players striving to keep their cool under pressure and outsmart their opponents on the mental battlefield.
#10 Play Your Best Pool
- ✍️ Author: Phil Capelle
- 📆 Year Published: 1995
- 📘 Genre: Strategy and Coaching
“Play Your Best Pool” positions itself as the ultimate guide to reaching your full potential on the green felt. Authored by Phil Capelle, a leading authority on pool instruction, this book covers essential tactics, offensive and defensive strategies, and the intricacies of position play.
It’s a comprehensive tutorial designed to elevate the reader’s game, providing insights that are applicable from the local pool hall to the high-stakes tournaments. Capelle’s book is an invaluable addition to any billiard player’s library, bringing together years of knowledge in an accessible format.
#11 Running The Table: The Legend of Kid Delicious
- ✍️ Author: L. Jon Wertheim
- 📆 Year Published: 2007
- 📘 Genre: Biographies and Autobiographies
Immerse in the adventurous life of a pool hustler with “Running The Table: The Legend of Kid Delicious” by L. Jon Wertheim. This true story follows the larger-than-life character, Danny Basavich, known as Kid Delicious, on his incredible journey from an overweight misfit to one of the most feared pool sharks in America.
Wertheim captures the essence of the underground pool circuit with rich detail and entertaining anecdotes. Readers are treated to a world of high-stakes games, colorful personalities, and the sheer thrill of the hustle—a page-turner for both billiards fans and lovers of a good underdog tale.
#12 The Bank Shot and Other Great Robberies
- ✍️ Author: Minnesota Fats with Tom Fox
- 📆 Year Published: 1966
- 📘 Genre: Biographies and Autobiographies
Join the enigmatic Minnesota Fats in “The Bank Shot and Other Great Robberies,” a memoir that reveals the life and times of one of pool’s most iconic figures. With co-author Tom Fox, Minnesota Fats (Rudolf Wanderone) recounts his legendary exploits, from serendipitous bank shots to elaborate hustles.
The book offers a glimpse into the golden age of pool and the colorful characters who dominated the scene. Full of wit, charm, and candid storytelling, this autobiography is not just a tribute to a bygone era of billiards but also a celebration of a remarkable personality who left an indelible mark on the sport.
FAQ
What are the best Billiards books of all time?
“The 99 Critical Shots in Pool” by Ray Martin, “Byrne’s New Standard Book of Pool and Billiards” by Robert Byrne, “Play Your Best Pool” by Phil Capelle, “Pleasures of Small Motions” by Bob Fancher, and “Winning Pocket Billiards” by Willie Mosconi are the best Billiards books of all time. These classics cover various aspects from shot-making to the mental game.
What is the best Billiards book for adults?
“Pleasures of Small Motions: Mastering the Mental Game of Pocket Billiards” by Bob Fancher is the best Billiards book for adults, delving into the psychological aspects of playing pool proficiently.
What are the best books for Billiards fundamentals and strategy?
“The 99 Critical Shots in Pool” by Ray Martin and “Byrne’s New Standard Book of Pool and Billiards” by Robert Byrne are the best books for Billiards fundamentals and strategy, providing essential tips and techniques for players of all levels.