A Mind for Pool: How to Master the Mental Game [Paperback]

Philip B. Capelle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1999

To realize your full potential at pool you've got to master the mental game. A Mind For Pool gives you a complete course on the thinking side of pool. From the very first day that you pick up a cue your attitude towards things like practice, change, slumps and instruction all play an important part in your success as a pool player. The better you play, the more important the mental game becomes. In fact, when excellent players compete, the winner is most often the one who has learned to best handle the pressure, sharking, unruly crowd behavior and many other potentially game ruining factors.

A Mind For Pool reveals the erroneous thoughts that can undermine your developments as well as your ability to compete successfully. In every instance the book then goes on to show you a more constructive way to view the situation. In the process you will learn how to concentrate on your game, minimize the impact of bad luck, win tournaments and much, much more.

A Mind For Pool gives you 120 bite sized lessons on all facets of the mental game, each one a self contained unit. Each lesson is summarized by Capelle's Laws for Pool. You'll also find quotes from history's greatest thinkers that serve to reinforce each lesson. A series of 80 checklists enable you to easily evaluate all parts of your mental game. Icons point out tips, insights, warnings and pool facts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Capelle's new book covers all the non-physical elements of playing pool. That does include the mental game, as most people think of it. That is, the psychology of competitive playing and overcoming nerves, learning to focus, and handling bad breaks. But there's a whole lot more in Capelle's definition. Want to know how to handicap a game, negotiate a game, and how to evaluate spots? It's covered. From his first book we learned that Capelle values completeness and just as Play Your Best Pool was jam packed with great information so, too, is A Mind For Pool. The difference is that the first book concentrated on the physical side and this one gives you a handy reference to everything about the mental side of the game. The end result is that you'll get much more out of your game - more fun and more success - after reading this book. This is a book for all levels, from beginner to experienced player. Great graphics, too. Put it on your shelf (after reading it, of course) right next to Play Your Best Pool. -- Tom Shaw - Pool & Billiard Magazine, April, 1999

If you admired the thoroughness of Phil Capelle's "Play Your Best Pool", and it is one of the better self-published efforts the game has seen, wait until you get a look at his new "A Mind For Pool". It's close to 400 very well written pages on just about every conceivable aspect of the mental side of pool - and not a single diagram in sight. In fact, I find this book to be quite a writing accomplishment. It's elusive enough to discuss balls-on-table situations clearly with a minimum of words. When it comes to pool's cerebral aspects, however, those thoughts are quite a bit harder to nail down. Yet Capelle goes on correctly interpreting attitudes, good and bad, and perceptions and misperceptions - you can hardly quarrel with a single thing he says. -- George Fels - Billiards Digest, May 1999

There is something in this book for every player, whether beginner or expert, and you don't have to read the whole thing to find the parts that apply to you. The table of contents is highly organized and a cursory examination will easily direct you to the proper pages. It will be difficult for any pool enthusiast to thumb through this book without coughing up the very reasonable ... required to take it home. -- Bob Henning - National Billiard News, 1999

From the Back Cover

"All sports are about being able to control the mind which enables a talented player to become a champion at any level. This book combined with Play Your Best Pool covers everything any player would need to know to easily understand and enjoy the game. I highly recommend it to aspiring players who want to try to improve." - Allison Fisher, Three-Time World Champion

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Product Details

• Paperback: 306 pages
• Publisher: Billiards Pr (May 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964920417
• ISBN-13: 978-0964920415
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #276,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #46 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Individual Sports > Billiards & Pool

More About the Author

I became a golfer one summer day in 1960 when I was 12, and have been a big fan of the game ever since. I first remember seeing Jack Nicklaus play in person in 1963 at the Palm Springs Classic. I've watched the final round of all but three majors since 1960, and I own nearly every issue of Golf Digest and Golf Magazine dating back to mid 1962

I graduated from UC Berkeley in 1970 with a major in business and an unofficial minor in pocket billiards. I enjoyed a 15 year long career in finance during which I was the editor of a stock market newsletter, a stockbroker, a financial analyst, and a columnist for the Orange County Business Journal. My first book, Investing in Growth, was published in 1992. In 1995 I left the financial services industry and founded Billiards Press. I've since written eight instructional books on pool and a column for Pool & Billiard Magazine since May, 1996.

In 2001 Golf Digest conducted an essay contest on who is the greatest golfer, Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods. My entry planted the seeds for a number of projects on golf, and for my blog, capelleongolf.com. My first golf book, Tiger vs. Jack, has just been published. I look forward to writing about my two passions, golf and pool, in the years ahead.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book to learn about the 80% of pool you are ignoring, July 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Mind for Pool: How to Master the Mental Game (Paperback)

I've been playing for about 4 months and have really gotten into the game. I've bought a lot of books about how to "make this shot" or "what strategy to use in a game of 9-ball" but I didn't have a book about the mental side of the game. I picked up this book to fill that gap.

I read it and found some useful ideas but was a little disappointed that I didn't find more. A week after buying the book I entered my first tournament at a local pool room. I didn't do as well as I would have liked but couldn't understand why. That night I went home and looked through this book again. Suddenly it was like a totally different book. After having played in the tournament I realized what this book really teaches you: How to think about pool and your playing. If you are into playing pool seriously, you need this book. A great addition to your shelf.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The first quantum leap in your game, August 2, 2001

By 

"monroefreak" (Monroe, LA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Mind for Pool: How to Master the Mental Game (Paperback)

I am a nearly everyday pool player. Pool is ground zero for me. I have lost and gained many relationships because of my passion. But, since I've only played seriously for a year, I still am a true student of the game. I examine each book and video I find thoroughly from cover to cover picking things out that are useful and skipping through the stuff I'm already familiar with. When I purchased this book I was very pleased to see no descriptions on stance, grip, or physical technique. Everything covered was completely mental. Having already participated in league play and tournament play, I was already quite aware of the triumphs and dissapointments associated with winning and losing. But having those feelings brought to the surface and examined was a true revelation. Two months after completing the book I won the chance to comete in the Camel 8-Ball Singles Championship in Las Vegas. I took 9th in the nation, with much credit to this book. Losing in the second round, I was able to use the book's information to help come back strong all the way to my last match. And when I lost that last match for 9th place, I was able to recognize that I had done well, but that my mind in pool was still too immature to have done better without more 'luck'. Since then I have gone on to consistently beat my teachers and look for more challenging and experienced players and am more prepared now than ever to challenge them and learn from them.

If you are a true 'student of the game', then this book is a must have in learning how to be a better 'student'. Read it and you will realize your first quantum leap in your game and your life.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for players wondering about their game & progress., June 5, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Mind for Pool: How to Master the Mental Game (Paperback)

We recently bought this book at the BCA North American Pool Tournament held in Las Vegas. It was actually sold out the second day there and we had to order it to be shipped to us. Received it just recently and it is so sensible and 'down to earth' in the approach of why things in pool happen. It is written in common language that all pool players hear and say. Simple and concise it approaches all problems connected to the game. Everyone gets in a slump now and then, it deals with that. It deals with playing on a team, playing in tournaments, playing for money or just for fun. In reading this, you discover you're not the only person who feels this way, or wonders about your game being stagnant or progressing. It deals with practice, patience and addresses the fact that if pool was as easy as it looks, we'd all be Allison Fischer! Great Book for anyone wanting to sharpen their game with mental as well as physical skills.

That's why I'm ordering a second book, one for me and one for my husband.