Customer Reviews

Pool and Billiards For Dummies

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3 star:		(1)
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I own several pool guides: Robert Byrne's "New Standard" and "Advanced Technique," Philip Capelle's book, Matt Sherman's book, Jeanette Lee's guide and even "The Complete Idiot's Guide." However, this new guide is surprisingly among the best. It's highly readable, smart, and comprehensive, but also very technically accomplished--much more than I expected from a "Dummies" book. It is accessible enough for beginners, but sophisticated enough for people like me who have been playing for over 10 years. I highly recommend it.

I've been playing pool for a while, but am entirely self-taught. I thought I was decent until recently getting hustled by a guy with a toothy smile who smoked Winstons (yes, Winstons) the whole time we played. I know - if you don't know who the sucker is in a pool hall, it's probably you. Needless to say, I went home and ate an entire Jack's Pizza feeling sorry for myself.

My friends say I'm a (slightly) competitive person, so it's no surprise that to avoid that embarrassment again, I decided see what books were out there for learning about pool from some experts. I picked up this book since it was brand new (maybe it would have some new strategies that haven't been written about before?) and on sale (always looking for a deal).

Turns out to have been a great decision. First, it is structured very logically and easy to follow. Second, there is a lot of insight about the game (strategies, techniques, etc.) that the author makes super clear and easy to digest. And most importantly, you can immediately take these ideas to the table and see improvement. My friend has a table, and he and I have spent some time playing and practicing some of the techniques. He is a very good player, and was surprised to find that there were things in the book that even he could learn from - so I think this book has something for all levels of players.

This book has really piqued my interest in the game, and the things I've learned from it have inspired me to become more than just a casual player. And hopefully I can avoid losing my shirt to Dr. Teeth again...

Very clear pictures and text. Pretty instructive for a beginner with plenty of additional takeaways for someone looking to get serious about competing (or hustling). Would be great if there was a companion video, but the writing, instructions and drills are still really easy to follow.

wish for a better table of contents but man has this helped. I understand more games, strategies, and my technique has improved a lot.

I was surprised at how well written this book is. It is simplified and yet not really written for dummies. I like it and continue to pick it up to read.

I picked up pool when I retired and have been playing for about two years. In an effort to improve, I have purchased several books that were recommended by more experienced pool players. In each of them, I reached a level of frustration quickly because they were written by professionals who had long ago forgotten how difficult it is to build billiard skills.

Finally, I ordered Nicholas Leider's book and have not regretted it. Even with two years experience, I ended up reading the entire book, instead of skipping earlier chapters. I have read the book, practiced what it teaches and am applying what I've learned when playing. Within a month, I could see a difference in my play because I've begun to have a chance against players I formerly used to loose to.

I recommend this book to anyone who is a beginner or for someone, like myself, who has some experience but has difficulty in putting it all together. This book is direct, to the point but easy to understand and follow. I only wish I had purchased this book two years ago.

Y'all ever c'n dat startrek episode with Spock and JTK and Bones playin' Eight ball? Spock got all dem solids in all in one tern. He could write y'all a Eight ball fer dummys book. But this teeches yuh nuthin'. But it tought me a dern good thang 'bout da blue chock dat yuh put on duh q's.