Willie Mosconi's Winning Pocket Billiards (Paperback)

~ Willie Mosconi (Author) "As in most other sports, equipment for the playing of pocket billiards has undergone refinements through the years..." (more)
Key Phrases: struck object ball, upper right corner pocket, two object balls, Continuous Play (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Few players have left a more indelible mark upon a sport than the late Willie Mosconi. For nearly half a century, Mosconi dominated the game of pocket billiards, winning the coveted World Title fifteen times from 1940 to 1957 and pocketing a string of records along the way. His unparalled skill with the cue humbled opponents and astounded audiences worldwide.

In this timeless classic, Mosconi shares his expert advice on every facet of the game, from the essential fundamentals to more complex trick shots. Detailed diagrams and step-by-step illustrations guide beginners and advanced players alike through such basics as the selection of the cue; the proper grip, stance, and bridge; the stroke and follow-through; cueing the ball; and hitting the object ball. Players of any level can improve their game by following Mosconi's invaluable instruction on the finer points of combination and kiss shots, the proper application of English, and the speed of stroke. A section of practice drills encourages players to develop their skills toward mastery.

Mosconi was also renowned for making seemingly impossible shots with confidence and ease. Through diagrammed explanations, he reveals the secrets behind such shots as the "Machine Gun," the "Football Shot," the "Handkerchief Shot," "Jump the Rack," the "Railroad Shot," and more. With a bit of practice and patience, any player can play like the indomitable Willie Mosconi.

Includes a glossary of terms and official rules

From the Inside Flap

Few players have left a more indelible mark upon a sport than the late Willie Mosconi. For nearly half a century, Mosconi dominated the game of pocket billiards, winning the coveted World Title fifteen times from 1940 to 1957 and pocketing a string of records along the way. His unparalled skill with the cue humbled opponents and astounded audiences worldwide.

In this timeless classic, Mosconi shares his expert advice on every facet of the game, from the essential fundamentals to more complex trick shots. Detailed diagrams and step-by-step illustrations guide beginners and advanced players alike through such basics as the selection of the cue; the proper grip, stance, and bridge; the stroke and follow-through; cueing the ball; and hitting the object ball. Players of any level can improve their game by following Mosconi's invaluable instruction on the finer points of combination and kiss shots, the proper application of English, and the speed of stroke. A section of practice drills encourages players to develop their skills toward mastery.

Mosconi was also renowned for making seemingly impossible shots with confidence and ease. Through diagrammed explanations, he reveals the secrets behind such shots as the "Machine Gun," the "Football Shot," the "Handkerchief Shot," "Jump the Rack," the "Railroad Shot," and more. With a bit of practice and patience, any player can play like the indomitable Willie Mosconi.

Includes a glossary of terms and official rules

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (July 25, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517884275
• ISBN-13: 978-0517884270
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #606,046 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must read, February 7, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Farmington Hills, MI) - See all my reviews

Mosconi's Winning pocket billiards with a copyright date of 1965 might seem a bit dated... but it's a must read. It's advice from the master! It has pictures of Mosconi hitting various shots and graphics that, while dated, are very easily understood. The graphics are done with tape on the felt... indicating direction of the object ball and the cue ball.

I have recently gotten back into the game and can sink a few... but I learned new things in this book. Definately worth it!!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Words and pictures from the Master of pocket billiards, April 12, 2000

By	Jim Neely (Raleigh, North Carolina) - See all my reviews

I originally purchased this book when it was fresh off the press (at a cover price of $2.50).

Over the years, my pool game has had its ups and downs, but when I get into a 'slump', I get out "Winning Pocket Billiards" and go through the entire book as if for the first time. My game seems to undergo an immediate improvement!

I highly recommend this book for both beginners and "those that THINK they know it all"!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars He is the master after all., July 17, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This book really does not have a lot of content or instruction. If you really want to learn more about pool you'll find more in other books by less prominent pool players (ie, Robert Byrne, Phil Capelle), but he does make some very good points about the fundamentals. However, above all other things, Willie Mosconi is the greatest pool player to have ever lived and any serious pool player should read his book out of respect if nothing else.