Pool and Billiards by Amy Wall and Francine Crimi

• Billiards Basics
• Preparing to Play
• Know Your Table
• Importance of the Cue Stick
• The Object Balls and Rules They Roll By
• Aim, Contact, and Collision
• The Art of English
• Position Play
• Essential Shots
• Shots for Sticky Situations
• Trick Shots
• Rules of Basic Pool
• Straight Pool
• The Game of Eight Ball
• Nine Ball: The Game of the Pros
• Snooker: A Different Kind of Game
• Carom Billiards
• Other Pool Games
• Honing Your Skills
• Pool Halls: Etiquette and Sportsmanship
• Billiards Resources

Buy This Book »

So you've picked up a book on pool and billiards. This either means you're a little curious, or maybe you recently played a round of eight ball at a friend's house, or maybe you just want to get your feet wet before you plunge into a whole new realm of entertainment, recreation, or dedication (after all, it's not just a game, but a serious sport!). Maybe you've seen the tournaments and exhibitions on ESPN and you're wondering what it would take to be that good. Or maybe you just don't want to feel too self-conscious when you head off with your friends to a local pool hall. If you can relate to any of these scenarios … this is the book for you.

What you'll find in The Everything® Pool & Billiards Book is exactly that: everything you ever wanted to know in a nutshell. You have the game instructions at your fingertips, and, after you put this book down, you will be able to fully understand the tools, tricks, terminology, and social etiquette of the pool halls and even get a taste of what the professionals know.

Perhaps you'll find that one of the most fascinating parts of the book is all the history. Each section will give you an idea of just how old the game is. You'll learn all about the origins of the game, its evolution, and why it is so popular today. Not only will you be able to see and experience how much fun billiards is, you'll see it as a science, an art, and a professional sport. You can't say that about just any game!

To make your way through the book, you don't have to run out right away and buy all the equipment — that can get very expensive, so it's a good idea to play the game first and know just how much you like it before investing in a table or any accessories. The book will guide you through every step of the purchases when you're ready for that, but first, it will just explain what everything is and how to use it. You'll also learn where you can find the tools and where you can play the game without spending much money at all.

Chances are you do know a little bit about the game even just by sight. What you're ready to learn now are the intricacies of how the equipment and the games actually work together. Any concerns or fears you had before? Don't worry; the book explains it all to you. You won't put the book down with the instant ability to play, however — that only comes with a lot of patience, practice, and earned confidence. But you'll come away with a lot more knowledge than you had before and you'll easily be able to get yourself moving on the road to years of fun and games — and who knows, maybe you'll even find yourself in a professional tournament at some point.

Dream away … anything is possible and everyone has to start somewhere, so why not right here … with “everything” you ever needed to know?