Byrne's Complete Book of Pool Shots: 350 Moves Every Player Should Know (Paperback)

by Robert Byrne (Author) "While this book is aimed mainly at players who can already handle a cue fairly well, there is always the possibility that it will fall..." (more)
Key Phrases: Byrne's New Standard Book, Courtesy Heinrich Weingartner, Byrne's Advanced Technique (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
The game's preeminent writer (his Byrne's New Standard Book of Pool and Billiards, first published in 1978, has been a top seller for a quarter century) returns with his trademark blend of succinct sentences, dry wit, and sound advice. In some ways, the concept is similar to Ray Martin's The 99 Critical Shots in Pool (1982); by mastering the most commonly occurring shots, players will learn to recognize their variants in game situations. Byrne, however, does Martin one better--or perhaps 251 shots better--by including esoteric moves that represent the most advanced applications of the physics involved. This staggering collection--including caroms, billiards, rail-first shots, tickys, and masses--is not for the rank beginner. There is scant information on how to hold a cue or how to stand while shooting. But any player with a reasonably consistent stroke will find engaging exercises here. Even better, the chapter on fouls provides ample fodder for spotting hustlers (Byrne notes that this information is provided "for your protection, not so that you can start a life of crime yourself."). Keir Graff
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
"It's simple -- without this book you'll start losing to people who have it. No matter how much you think you know about pool, you don't know this much." -- Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Harvest Books (October 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0156027216
• ISBN-13: 978-0156027212
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #40,067 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's an arms race. You need this weapon to keep up., January 29, 2004

By	Thomas E. Simpson "Beat People with a Stick!" (Virginia, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Byrne's pool books & videos have set (and raised) the industry standards for many years now. As a professional pool instructor, I read everything I can, and have strong opinions about what's actually worthwhile, correct, and genuinely helpful. Byrne's new book has moved to the TOP of my list of books I recommend to my students, from a playing perspective (this is not a science book). I don't care who you are, you don't know all the stuff in this book. And if you're at a level where you know a good percentage of what's in this book, you're also at a level where learning even one useful new thing is worth the price of the book. If you've been playing for a while, this book will open your eyes to a lot of new possibilities and understanding. If you're in your first year or two, you might do better by first focusing on fundamentals of form (find a good instructor) and getting a grasp of how balls behave and why (look for Byrne's videos - Volumes 1 & 2). You don't know what you don't know. Now, with this book, those who have read it will know many things you don't.

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great billiard book for all skill levels, October 20, 2003

By	David C. Kraus "Stereo Lover" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A former city of Cincinnati, College and military Amateur Champion, I've spent a good part of my life walking around a pool table. And I've played all the important games from One-Pocket and Bank Pool to Nine Ball and Straight Pool. More recently, and in semi-retirement, I decided try and take my game to a new level. That meant learning a few new tricks. There's no other author on the game of pocket billiards who knows more tricks than Robert Byrne. If you think you have a good handle on the sport, think again. You are guaranteed to advance your game if you follow the tips in Byrne's book. Now I know why he's in the Billiard Congress Hall of Fame. Now I've got to go practice what I've learned...

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow thats a lot of shots, January 21, 2006

By	Dan (Flanders, NJ) - See all my reviews

I've been a fan of Byrne for a few years now, but I never really appreciated the scope of his knowledge until reading this book. I think that it would literally take at least a decade to master everything in this book. Many of the shots are completely impractical except as trick shots, but they're still fun to try and the skills acquired can't hurt your game. I found his safeties and rail-first shots to be the most useful to me so far.
This book definitely intended for more experienced players (playing for about 1 year or more). If you are new, buy Byrne's Standard Book of Pool and Billiards first and work on the drills found in there.