Pool and Billiards For Dummies

Practical, step–by–step tips for players of all levels

From snooker to carom to good, old–fashioned 8– or 9–ball, Pool & Billiards For Dummies reveals the tips, tricks, and rules of play, covering the variety of the ever–popular games that make up pool and billiards. This hands–on guide discusses everything from the rules and strategies of the games to how to set up your very own poolroom.

Gearing up find, buy, and maintain the cue that′s best for you and accessorize your game with chalk, racks, lights, and triangles

Get schooled on the fundamentals of pool find out how to build a solid stance; get a feel for aiming; and create a dependable, consistent stroke

Control the cue ball discover how to control the movement of the cue ball to make stop shots and incorporate topspin, backspin, and sidespin

Take your best shot follow instructions on tackling common shots, eyeing combinations, and playing offensively and defensively

Oh, the games you′ll play get the rules and strategies for playing 8–ball, 9–ball, multiplayer games, and professionals′ games

Open the book and find:

The differences between pool and billiards

Game–winning strategies no matter what version of the game is played

Helpful diagrams and photos

Drills for all skills

Games to measure your progress

The etiquette of pool

Coverage of the Ghost Ball System

The secrets of creating a powerful break shot

Tips on finding the right cue for you

Learn to:

Play by the rules and develop game–winning strategies for the most popular games

Hold the stick correctly and hit the cue ball properly

Play like a champion regardless of your experience

Perform trick shots to amaze your friends

Part I: Fundamentals of Pool.

Chapter 1: Arriving at the Pool Party.

Chapter 2: Getting Down: Building a Solid Stance.

Chapter 3: Handling the Cue.

Chapter 4: On Target: The Science and Feel of Aiming.

Chapter 5: Hit It: Creating a Solid Stroke.

Chapter 6: Playing Nice: The Etiquette of the Game.

Part II: Controlling the Cue Ball.

Chapter 7: Getting Control and Stopping the Cue Ball.

Chapter 8: Aim High: Incorporating Follow.

Chapter 9: Using Draw: Putting Backspin on the Cue Ball.

Chapter 10: The English Effect: Using Sidespin on the Cue Ball.

Part III: Taking Your Shots.

Chapter 11: Opening Shots: The Rack and the Break.

Chapter 12: Thinking Ahead: Position and Pattern Play.

Chapter 13: Shot–making: Tackling the Most Frequent Situations.

Chapter 14: Eying Combinations: Making Shots with Multiple Balls.

Chapter 15: Billiards and Caroms: Finding New Ways to Pocket Balls.

Chapter 16: Banks and Kicks: Making the Most of the Rails.

Chapter 17: Thinking Defensively: Playing Safe.

Part IV: The Games You ll Play.

Chapter 18: The Magic of 8–Ball.

Chapter 19: 9–Ball: The Hustler s Game.

Chapter 20: Pool s Many Other Games.

Part V: Gearing Up.

Chapter 21: Equipment Check: Looking for Quality Tools.

Chapter 22: Pool Is Mental: Winning the Head Games.

Chapter 23: Drilling It Home: Practice Techniques.

Part VI: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 24: Mastering Ten Trick Shots.

Chapter 25: Overcoming Ten or So Common Problems.

Index.

Nicholas Leider is Managing Editor of Billiards Digest magazine, for which he continues to write extensively on billiards play and game strategy.