The Science of Pocket Billiards [Paperback]

Jack H. Koehler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1995

The Science of Pocket Billiards covers the entire spectrum from basics to the most advanced concepts of pool. There are 262 pages (81/2 X 11) crammed with information along with 33 photographs and 277 illustrations to help clarify the material presented. The occasional player can skim through the book and learn enough for a lifetime of casual play while a serious student of pool can study this book for months or even years and continue to gain valuable knowledge.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... purchasers will get a large tome full of information that has never been written about at such length." "Nothing like it is available in any language." -- BILLIARDS DIGEST MAGAZINE, December 1989

"About one year ago I read a classified ad touting a new book on pool, "The Science of Pocket billiards" by Jack Koehler. I ordered the book and received an autographed copy within a week. A year later I still could not put it down after re-reading portions numerous times. I finally had a book that held nothing back, exposed some of the myths on pool and used a scientific approach to getting at the facts." -- BILLIARDS TABLE TALK, January 1992

"From intermediate to advanced professional, Koehler provides information that is invaluable." "The reader comes away with the impression that this is solid factual information, not just another opinion from someone who plays well but can not teach." "If you want the most out of the game, based on factual information, Jack Koehler has written a text that is required reading." -- CUE & NEWS, September 1992

"I have no hesitation in asserting that his (Koehler's) contribution to billiards, backed up as it is with empirical data, is monumental. If we don't take him seriously, there's a real risk his valuable discoveries will be forgotten for another century." -- BILLIARDS DIGEST MAGAZINE, February 1992

"Subjectively and, I hope, objectively, I think "the Science of Pocket Billiards" by Jack Koehler is the best". -- POOL & BILLIARD MAGAZINE, August 1994

"The Science of Pocket Billiards covers an incredible amount of ground. Not only do you get the fundamentals, you also get advanced insights and nuances." "Particularly impressive is the way The Science of Pocket Billiards seems to cover all the details." -- POOL & BILLIARD MAGAZINE, December 1989

"Well, hold on to your hats! "The Science of Pocket Billiards" is now on sale. I've been reviewing this book for a while and have come to the conclusion that it is definitely THE BOOK to buy." "This is the best book I have ever read on the subject of pool as it explains things in a way I can believe in." -- ON THE SNAP MAGAZINE, November 1989 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Author

I am a scientist by profession. During my career I have authored more than twenty published scientific reports. My books on pool are the result of more than 40 years of observation, participation, and experimentation. In my books I focus on scientific reasoning as opposed to unverified opinion in developing and explaining the concepts of pool. Although scientific principals are followed, the books are written in easy to understand layman's terms. My constant underlying objective is to present knowledge that will improve the readers pool game. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Sportology Pubns; 2 edition (July 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962289027
• ISBN-13: 978-0962289026
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,289 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Individual Sports > Billiards & Pool

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comparative Evaluation, July 1, 2003

By 

Dan Beno (Menominee, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Science of Pocket Billiards (Paperback)

I have a large collection of books on pool. I not only collect then, I read them from cover to cover. I go to the table and test every concept, drill, stance, stroke, and practice routine that the author discusses in each book. After all this reading and studying I have come to the conclusion that Jack Koehler's book THE SCIENCE OF POCKET BILLIARDS is the best book ever published on the subject of pool.
Since I have all this pool knowledge all my pool friends come to me for advice about various aspects of pool. If the question is about bank shots, I refer them to Jack's book. If the question is about deflection, I refer them to Jack's book. If the question is about rail shots, combination shots, or practically anything else about pool, I refer them to Jack's book. In summary, the answer to practically any pool related question can be found in the book THE SCIENCE OF POCKET BILLIARDS.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A little dry, but worth the effort!, October 5, 2000

By 

Dave Lewis (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Science of Pocket Billiards (Paperback)

This is perhaps one of the best refernece books on what is acutually going on when a ball is struck on the pool table.

Koehler has decent organization, clear examples, and perhaps too much in the way of genuine scientific analysis in this book. But it is still one of my favorite refernces when trying to understand what I need to do to make the cue ball and object balls move in a specific way.

Without a doublt it belongs in any serious player's library.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best single book, February 27, 2004

By 

Jeff Pike (Mechanicsville, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Science of Pocket Billiards (Paperback)

I have a large portion of the books availabile on the subject. This is the best single text, and it is my favorite of the lot. It discusses nearly every facit of the game in no nonesense terms. You will learn in "matter of fact" terms why you miss shots, which shots have the largest margin of error, how to allow for error, and much more.

Everything from basic technique to banking and kicking systems is discussed. This book can be easily understood by the layman. Pool players can be a superstitious bunch. It's hard to get a good player to explain exactly what has to happen in order to make a shot. If you want to take the "voo-doo" out of pool and shot making, then this book is for you. I highly recommend it to all pool players.