Byrne's New Standard Book Of Pool And Billiards Paperback – July 15, 1998

I purchased this book the first time in about 1993. That was an earlier edition I purchased at a book hall due to rave reviews from some of the best pool players in Minnesota. I was asking how they got so good and they asked me if I had read this book. I bought a second copy (hardcover) from Amazon a few years ago as my original copy was loosing pages from the binding being so dry and having been read so many times. (by myself and friends and relatives I loaned it to) The hardcover copy was the earlier edition and I loaned it out but didn't get it back. I bought this one because Robert Byrne updated the book.The new updated version has the same great instruction that the earlier edition did but with new content and corrections made.Honestly I have read the first part of the book about 15 times over the years and have read the entire book at least twice. The second part is on 3 cushion billiards which I do not play. (though the information is relavant to cue sports with pockets) I found that for 14 or 15 bucks I needed a readable copy that wasn't going to lose pages onhand if I was going to continue to play pool. I have videos and other pool related books but this book is considered the bible or the best starting point by many pool players.Byrne has a unique style that is consisent throughout the book. His sense humor is somewhat dry and keeps it interesting but it is a technical book that gets to the point. I learned about throw, masse, how to make bank shots, how to adjust your aim for english and many other aspects of the game from this book. It is not a book that you read through once like a novel.The new edition covers trick shots, collecting pool memorabilia and more specific advice on how to win at eight ball and nine ball than the original edition.These days when people ask me how to improve their game I ask them if they have read this book. If they have read this book then I would suggest watching Jerry Briesath's video and possibly reading this book some more.Of coarse nothing helps your game more than practice and playing against players who are better than you but there is a lot of knowlege to be gained from books and videos. The game is a game of skill but knowing the physics of how balls interact with each other and the table would take much longer to learn without a book like this. Improve your knowlege of the physics of the game and you can rapidly improve your game.I highly recommend buying a reading this book. Read it some more and loan it to a friend.

Good reference book.

I had already read through the treasury of information in this book previously but stopped shooting pool for a few years. Once I got back into the game I could not locate the book and had no hesitation in getting a new copy. Having read many books on billiards including Phil Capelle's 'Play Your Best Pool' and Ray Martins '99 Critical Shots in Pool' (two of the other world class instruction must-haves) Byrne's is clear, to the point and informative for players just starting out and has information for the experienced player as well. I feel that Byrne's 'New Standard Book of Pool & Billiards' needs to be in every person who is looking to improve in this great game's library along with the two previously mentioned titles. Happy Shooting and you can't go wrong with this purchase.

nice book with useful illustrations .. you will get good benefit if you work on practicing the principles and theories in this book .. around half of this book focused on straight pool which is now become of low popularity.

Excellent introduction for beginners or for those of us returning to the game after 45 years.

gave as a gift to one of my teammates

Bought this for my girlfriend who is great at pocketing balls but has a lot to learn about cueball control. Of course, she hasn't read any of it but I did LOL! I really believe this book has helped me elevate my game to a higher level. I set up the shots that are diagrammed and explained and have a good time with it. I also enjoy the practice drills which really force you to focus on your craft. The portions on object ball throw (including frozen balls) has probably been my favorite of all (so far). Very happy I bought this book [for my girlfriend ;)]

half the book is written text. the other half is drawings. mostly talking about set up shots, like if the balls are situated like this then shoot like this. that kind of thing.