9 Ball Book

[mechmat]

Ok, I though this is kinda vague but I'll try anyway. A few months ago I ran across a book about 9 Ball at one of the local bookstores. I seem to remember that the cover was kind of plain and it was the size of a brick. It couldn't have been less than 500 pages. The author's name didn't jump out at me, but I only skimmed it for a second then I had to leave, and haven't seen it since.
Anyone have any idea of the book I'm talking about? Is it worth getting? I couldn't even imagine what kind of information he could use to fill that many pages, but I know I don't know everything, so I thought maybe there's some huge, essential block of information about the game that I'm missing out on, lol. Does it really have good info or did he just fill it with hot air to try and sell more copies?

[skor]

A good instuctor will study you and will know what needs to be improved and/or to be teached, without reading 500 pages.
You'll get a better return for your money with an instructor.

[audiopro]

And of course Skor, being the wealth of information he is, will likely be glad to refer a few instructors in your area if you provide such geological information.. :)

[mechmat]

I know an instructor is better, I just wanted to know what if the book was any good. But if you can find me an instructor that can give me 500 pages worth of info for less than $30, I'm all ears (or eyes in this case).

[parrothead]

I like books, I went from an almost bottom of the barrel player to league MVP in a year with the monk books and some serious practice.

[bill190]

"Play Your Best Nine Ball" by Phil Capelle is very good.

But no book has everything. I find it is best to read several books, as well as ask questions on, and search the internet for, specific topics.

Also there are a *lot* books on pool, but very few will be available at any specific retail store or billiards store. Many are only available on the internet, some are only available from one or two internet web sites, some are only available from the guy who wrote it, some are out of print but can be found in used book stores, ebay, etc.

[audiopro]

Someone posted this link a long time ago, but I will post again. A bunch of great training vids you can download. They re not to advanced, but offer some of the basics that maybe you missed getting to an advanced point.. lol

http://www.engr.colostate.edu/~dga/pool/

[mechmat]

I think I found it on amazon. It's called 'Winning Nine Ball: As taught by the game's greatest players.' The author is George Fels. And I was wrong, it's 320 pages, not 500. The date says 1999 and I think it's out of print because nobody seems to have it. I'm not going to look too hard for it though.

[Rick]

Nothing is better than a good instructor. Normally you will get more out of a 1 hour session then any book out there. The difference is the book is not showing you how to apply it and won't have an instructor pointing out what you are doing wrong, or right. I think a video of yourself shooting some key shots is the best training aid out there. This will show what is wrong with your stroke and then you will have something for you and the instructor to work on.

[poolguy123]

I am completely self-taught-books, video, TV, local tournament watching and participation. Yes, I am an addict!

I am always amazed by the amazing lack of basic pool knowledge that most pool players exhibit. Read a book for crying out loud!

Not every book is right all the time, nor does every book tell you everything. But every book does have little treasure troves of information that you can use to improve your game. I have at least 8- maybe 10 pool books(Capelle, Byrne,Fels,Martin) I've read them all, cover to cover, and continue to go back thru them to refresh my memory(wish I had one!).

I will admit to one mistake I made with the first 3 or 4 books. You know those first 2 or 3 chapters in every pool book covering the basics/fundamentals- grip, stance, bridge, stroke- all that stuff I knew already? I just skipped lightly thru that until I got the "advanced" chapters? Pretty boring stuff.

OK- so I'm a slow learner. :( But after frustrating myself with missed shots for no reason I could put my finger on- I began to look at the basic chapters in a new light. I realized I had no pre-shot routine nor had I solidified the bridge,grip,stance stroke into a consistent repeatable process! The FOUNDATION of a good player!

I'm not saying I have it down perfectly now, because I still work on fundamentals constantly- but it has made major improvements in consistency- slumps rarely occur anymore- if they do, they are very short lived.

Yes, I agree, without ever having had instruction, that the whole process I have gone thru could probably be handled in one good month of instruction- but that does cost money- and pool being a leisure time activity makes me reluctant to part with the cash! I'm only saying that if you can obtain information and learn/practice to appy it- you can make great strides in your own game.

No such thing as too much information! If I could find the book referred to above with 320 pages about 9 ball- Id' buy it in heartbeat! Jim

[skor]

One of the biggest problem with learning from books or videos, is that if you do something wrong, there is no one around to correct you

[sanj]

books are worthwhile ,but you will learn a lot more from lessons.
Then you can go back to the books and consolidate.