Encyclopediaof Pocket-Billiards JohnnyHoliday Illustrationsby the Author CoverDesignandDrawingsby PaulBrunette Jo-NedLtd. Port Richey,Florida 1977 CONTENTS WhyADedication AsIKnewHim ToBegin Instructors TeachingStory StyleandFundamentals TheGenius Equipment AsItIs LengthyExplanations RedJonesCue-Ettes Grip ThinkOfIt Bridges FormingBridges Facts TheUniversalStance DevelopingYourStance AsToldToTheBoys Banks English Strokes Sighting Let'sPlay ShootingThrough FollowandDrawStrokes TheFallacy ShortandLongShots ThrowShots KilltheCueBall Control272 BasicPositionPlay MentalPicture 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 15 16 18 19 21 22 23 30 33 34 37 42 45 47 50 53 57 58 59 61 65 68 71 73 74 80 Toorderthisbookbymailsend$5.95to Jo-NedLtd. P.O.Box #1 Port Rickey,Fla. 33568 TocontacttheAuthor usethesameBox#, sendself-addressed stampedenvelope Businessfirmsorotherorganizations withestablishedcreditmaysend purchase-orderandbebilledafterdelivery. Copyright 1977 byJohnnyHoliday LibraryofCongressCatalogCardNumber 76-21431 Allrightsreserved,including the right to reproduce this book,orportionsthereof,inanyformexceptforthe inclusionofbriefquotationsinareview PublishedbyJo-NedLtd. 1st Printing, 1977 PrintedinU.S.A. CONTENTS WhyADedication AsIKnewHim ToBegin Instructors TeachingStory StyleandFundamentals TheGenius Equipment AsItIs LengthyExplanations RedJonesCue-Ettes Grip ThinkOfIt Bridges FormingBridges Facts TheUniversalStance DevelopingYourStance AsToldToTheBoys Banks English Strokes Sighting Let'sPlay ShootingThrough FollowandDrawStrokes TheFallacy ShortandLongShots ThrowShots KilltheCueBall Control272 BasicPositionPlay MentalPicture 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 15 16 18 19 21 22 23 30 33 34 37 42 45 47 50 53 57 58 59 61 65 68 71 73 74 80 Point,Lines,Angles Talk Study Story EnglishStudy It'sAboutTime ReadingTheTable Story GameTime GrinStory SafetyPlays WeHadAFriend Energy BreakShots Talk PointLines Stories Self-Study TrickShots Remember Finalis:TheActualStrokes UsedintheRunningof106Balls GreatGreenEagle 81 90 92 103 108 110 111 120 125 139 148 154 156 157 173 174 181 182 195 202 204 205 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards INTRO JohnnyHolidaytheauthoroftheEncyclopediaofPocket-Billiardshaswritten a perfectcompanion tohis well known book Pocket-BilliardsPosition-PlayforHi-Runs. TheauthenticitythatdistinguisheseveryJohnnyHoliday book isnot achievedin any casual fashion.Mr.Holidayspends a good yearonresearchforeachbook. Hiswasthefirstbook everpublished that simplified the science of position-play with theuseof the diamonds. Now once again he introducesanewconceptofteaching,notonlyforthenew student,butforall. Thisnewconceptisknownaspoints,linesandangles,andis adaptabletothegameofthreecushionbilliards.Itrevealsthe natureofhisthinking. Hehaspreparedwhatisthemostreadable,conciseandyet comprehensiveworkeverpublishedonthesubject. What theauthor hasdoneistonarrow his focus to just pocket-billiards,and to expand his explanations to cover all aspects, both theoreticalandpracticalinasimplemanner. Heiscontroversialonmanyfundamentalsthathavebeen handeddownfromonetoanotherwithoutbenefitof facts,even thetitleintriguesonetoglimpseofwhat'sinside. Undoubtedlydestinedtobeinthehomeofeveryserious mindedstudentandadvancedplayerinashortperiodoftime. Hisisnotabook that youwill put on your shelf to gather dust, youwill want torefer toitagainandagain,evenshouldonebea non-player. 3 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards Totellthecompletestoryofthisbookortheauthorwould requireanotherbook.Tolistsomeof his achievementsreadslike anadventure. I'lllistafewofthem.InstructorofCelestialNavigation, AthleticInstructor,Professionalboxerandpocket-billiard player,Guitaristandboatcaptain. Itwasmy pleasure toseehim in action when he played five 150 pointgamesin1973.Hecompletedtwogamesintwoinnings each,andhadrunsof95,102,and126inthethreeremaining games. Theserunswereaccomplishedonatoughtable.Thisisthe sametablehe challengedoneof theU.S.open players to a special matchgameonawinnertakeallbasis,buttheplayerdeclined. Aprojectofthisenormousscoperequiresanintimate knowledgeby theauthorsothatthelaymen follows attentively in hisfootsteps. JohnnyHolidayisanartisticandmostunusualskillful instructor,onethathasgivenmeovertheyearsagreatdealof pleasuretoknow. NEDSKINNER 4 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards PREFACE IncompilingthisbookIhavetriedtogivethenewand advancedplayer the correct type of information to enable them to improvetheirgame. Ihavedealtwiththemanyfundamentalsneeded,plus explaining themanner in whichonedevelopshis own individual stance,notauniversalone. The title of the book explains that I deal with teaching the game fromthebeginningtoitsend.Thebasicsofposition-playis described in detail, it continues in a step-by-step procedure to the techniqueoflearningthehighlyadvancedpoint-lineandangle systemdevisedbyme. The book is a lucid guide that adds to the enjoyment of learning themanyfundamentalsneverpublishedpriortothisbook. Thetextofexplainingdiagramshasbeenkeptshortandina simplemannersothatitcanbeunderstoodbyall. Frommy yearsof playing and teaching,I have seen numerous promising players remain stagnate due to carelessnessor relying onadvicefromafriendwhoisinneedofinstructionshimself. Books, articles and professional instructors tell you what to do, butthey don't tellyouHow.I not only tell you what to do,I tell youHow. Many refuse to change,yet it is theonly thing that has brought progress. Withtheteachingmethodsthatprevail,studentsarere-quiredtosolveproblemsforthemselves.Fortunately, timesare a'changin,andwithmybooksonthesubjectmatter,thisis a'cominaboutfast. Itismy earnest desire that all enjoy reading and absorbing the knowledgecontainedinthisbook. Whilecompilingthebook,mythoughtsdriftedtothemany millions of tables in private homes, and of children-teenagers and mothers,thereforestories that are humorous but do not relateto thesubjectmatterhavebeenincluded. 5 "WHYADEDICATION" Many reasonsexist thatcompelsone to write a dedication, and all are valid.I recall writing one with these words,"If you cannot learntoplaypocket-billiardsafter thestudyof thisbook,maybe youshouldsellorgiveyourcueaway." Thatofcoursewassaidin jest.Butwhenonepurchasesthis book,noreasonexistswhyonecannotmasterthescienceof the game. Whenthestudyhereiniscompletedandyoucontinuetohave difficultylearning,perhapsthen it wouldbebest tosell your cue, orgiveitaway. Thisbookpresentsfundamentals,principlesandconcepts neverpublishedbefore;thenthereareover170illustrations packedinto210pagesthattakethestudent through thebasicsas nootherbookdoes,itcontinuesintotheadvancedtechniqueof learningthescienceofthegame. Forclarityanddetailthey'rethebestI'veseenanywhere.The bookisdividedintomanysections,withcomments,factsand storiesforalltoenjoy,pluscontroversialsubjects. EverythingandI've only hinted at someof the subject matters involvedispresentedclearlyandcomprehensively. Infact,if thiswasnotthebestbookI've ever seenon learning thegameofpocket-billiards,Iwouldnothavewrittenit. Mywifeagreeswithme,mysisteragreeswithme,thereforeI dedicatethisbooktothem. 6 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards ASIKNEWHIM Twolargeroundprotrudingblueeyes,ajollyredfacethat remindsmeofSantaClaus,andahappysmileabouthim whenever my position for the next intended object ball was to his satisfaction. Yes,that isasI remember him, my teacher and good friend in pocket-billiards. Hewasarathershortbarrelchestedmanof approximately5 foot6inchesinheight,buttome,aman10foottall. WheneverIfalteredposition-playforanother object ball,he'd spring to his feet and tell me to re-set the same shot, then in a soft voice he would explain the manner in which the play should have beenexecuted. Today,I still see hislarge blue eyes circle about as he outlined theprocedureneeded. He wouldexplain thattheobjectball was tobeplayedwith a particularstroke,sothatthecueballcaromoff theobjectball wouldstrikeadesignatedpointonthecushion,thisinturn allowedthecueballtotravelaparticulartracklinetoa predeterminedlocation. Somehow it always did exactly what he said it would. To me, at the time,itseemedamiraclehappened. AstimepassedIcametounderstandwhatthiskindman impartedtome.The knowledge gained from his instructions was thebeginningoflearningthescienceofpocket-billiards. All this transpired in 1925, now in 1975 I still see a jolly red face withlargeprotruding blue eyes circling and looking down on me wheneverIerr. Hisname? Well,notmany will recall it, but I'll never forget it. HarryHart Mayherestinpeace 7 Encyclopedia of Pocket-Billiards TOBEGIN Prior to delving into the subject matter, a word of appreciation isinorder to the many thousands who have purchased my book Position-Play for Hi-Runs since its publication in 1973, and to the manywhohaveexpressed themselves to me with such wonderful unsolicitedtestimonials,Ithankallof you. Oneof the first stepstowardslearning tobecome proficient in pocket-billiardsishavingthewilltobeseriousif any degreeof skillistobeattained. Another beginning is to start in the proper manner, for to begin improperlythechancesofreachingone'spotentialbecomes limited.It must berememberedthat the road to success depends uponthefoundationinallendeavors. The foundation of pocket-billiards begins with the studyof the table,thisincludesthetwentydiamondsplacedstrategicallyon topof thesixrails. To master this technique, and to acquire the knowledge needed inpocket-billiards,thetablemustbeunderstood.Thisthen becomesthe first fundamental.Itis the structureof all position-play. Whenstudentsoradvancedplayersbecomeawareofthis knowledge,theybecomeintentonlearning. Prior to the publication of my book Position-Play for Hi-Runs, no book simplified the science of position-play with the use of the diamonds,or themethodneededtoexecute the variousstrokes. Oftenwhengivinglessons,mystudentshavebeenamazedat the ease and simplicity with which,after a suggestion or two from metheyhavebeenabletoplaypositionfor anotherobjectball that,priortomysuggestionseemedimpossibletothem. Thereisnothingintricateaboutlearningthescienceof position-playorstroking,itmerelyisamatterofteaching studentsproperly. 8 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards INSTRUCTORS The most important asset to a student is the instructor.It is his responsibilitytoimparthisknowledgeandexperiencetothe studentuntilheunderstands. Thereareinstructorsinallsports,andthousandsseektheir service,yet,inpocket-billiardstherearefewwhodeemit necessarytoseekthisservice. Thissortof viewisridiculous;thegameof pocket-billiardsis withoutadoubtthemostscientificofallsports. Throughouttheworldtherearelargernumbersofpeople playingthisgamethananyothernationalsport. Whenstudentshaveabsorbedthe knowledge contained in this book,itdoesnotinfer thattheyallbecomechampions.Though all students become knowledgeable, it is the one who executes the playproperlymostoftenthatbecomesthechamp. The twenty diamonds placed strategically on top of the six rails werenotplacedtherebychance,norforornamentalpurposes, butrathertheresultofgeometry,definedaspoints-linesand angles,andthatispreciselywhatposition-playisallabout. Another feature of the diamondsbeing, they help the player to predeterminethedirectionof thecueballtracktoalocationon thetableforhisnextintendedobjectball. Theprincipalapplicationofthediamonds,orpointlinesand anglesareforsolvinganypositionproblem,thereforetheyare arrangedforanessentialpurpose,andextremelyprecise. Knowingthetechniqueofpredeterminingthepointlineand angleforpositionisthedifferencebetweenwinningorlosing. Position-playisnotguesswork,feel,ornaturalability,noris one born with this knowledge. There are players who adapt faster thanothers,butmakenomistakeaboutit,position-playisan exactscience. 9 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards TEACHINGSTORY Themethodof teaching that was/iscan best be explainedwith astory. In theyear1966Ienteredabilliardroom where I hold the hi-run recordof 243 balls to this date on a 4 x 9 table with 4 inch pockets. After theusual greetings toold friends, I noticed a professional friendofmineinstructingastudent,thatis,he wasatthetable pocketingballswhilethestudentstoodcloseby.Nowords were beingexchangedbetweenthem. Thissilencecontinueduntilthe instructor had run 39 balls.At thispointthestudentaskedaquestion,andtomy surprisewas toldnottointerruptuntiltherunwascompleted. The student complied with the request, and when the run ended at52ballshewalkedtowardshis instructor, no doubt to inquire aboutsomepointsthatwereofinteresttohim,butwhenhe approachedthemasterhewastoldtoselecta table andpractice foratleasttwohourseverythinghehadobserved. This was the end of the lesson. I came to the conclusion that the instructorhadaonehourpracticesessionforhimself,whilethe studenthadthepleasureofpaying$20.00toobserve. Therewasnoteaching.Itremindedme of a private exhibition game at $20.00 a seat for spectators.Many stories such as this can betold,butIbelieveyougetthepoint with thisonetruestory. 10 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards STYLE&FUNDAMENTALS In the past few years many students have asked me to define the differencebetweenthem. Styleisdefinedasmovementsofdoingsomethingingrand fashion,orwitha flare of thedramatics. Fundamentalsaremovementsthatarenecessary toexecutea play nomatter what the player may have in mind.The difference then isthat style is an individual mannerism, while fundamentals areanecessity. The player who lacks style, but masters all fundamentals is a far more effective player than the stylist. To acquire both requires the will for perfection, and the only player I ever knew who possessed bothof thesequalitieswasRalphGreenleaf. Tomasterallstrokes,thestudentmustunderstandthatthe fingerswristforearmbicepsanddeltoidmusclesarere-sponsiblefortheexecutionofthem.Fordifferentstrokesthese muscles function differently,but what remains constant is the fact thatineveryshot,thesesamemusclescontroltheactionof the stroke. Allplayersdonotusethesamemusclestoexecutethesame stroke.Thisisexplainedingreaterdetailunderthesectionof strokes. 11 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards THEGENIUS Thefollowingwordsaretoelaborateonaprevioustouched uponsubject.Irefertothefactthatnooneisbornagenius, naturalorgiftedplayer,thoughsometimes it seems they were.All areborn,andallmustlearn,andthebrighteryoubecomethe moreyouhavetolearn. Itisinterestingtonotethatallgreatchampionsofpocket-billiardswere/aregreatthreecushionexperts.Anoftdebatable subjectastowhichgameisthemostdifficultisansweredinthis manner. Pocketchampionshavewonthepocketlesstablecrownmany times,whileno three cushion champion ever won the pocket title. Thethreethatmightbementioned,AlfredoD'Ora,Thomas HuestonandJohnnyLaytonwerefirstpocketchampions. Tothosewhomaynotbeawareof thevarious typesof players amongprofessionals,thefollowingwillenlightenthem. Thefirst typeis the position-player, the knowledge he possesses allowshimtopositionhiscueballclosetohisnextobjectball. Thesecondtypeiscalledapocketman.Thenameisderived duetohisability topocketanobjectballunsurpassedby noone. Thepocketmancontrolsthecueballtosomeextent,butnotin themanneroftheposition-player. Thepocketmaninmanyinstancesisata greater distance from hisnextobjectball,andhisknowledgeofdiamondsislimited, andininstancescompletelyvoidofthem. Tosumitup,thepocket manreliesonhisability topocketan objectballnomatteritslocation. Butshouldhissharp eyes begin to fade, he no longer is a threat. Indayswhenmatchgameswereplayedon5x10tableswith Ainchpockets,thepocketmancouldneverwinatitle. 12 Toclarifythoughtsoftheknowledgepossessedbythegreats fromtheyear1887tothepresent,itrequiresashortresume. ThefirstgreatchampionwasAlfredoD'Ora.Thisfine gentlemancapturedthepockettitle16times,thennotbeing satisfiedwithonetitle,hesought thepocketlesstable crown,and needlesstosay,hecapturedit10 times,quite a feat.It has never beenduplicated. ThesecondgentlemanwasJohnnyLayton,consideredby manyasthegreatestofallthreecushionchampspriortoan accidentthatpreventedhim from regaining his former ability, but healsoheldthepocketcrownfirst. Priortomasteringthediamondsystem,Hoppetheworld's greatestthreecushionbilliardchampionofalltimewas consideredjustafairplayer. ThomasHuestonwasapocket-champpriortowinningthe pocketlesscrown.ThenextgentlemanRalphGreenleaf needsno introduction,hestillremainsahouseholdname. Greenleafpossessedbothstyleandfundamentals.Themany storiesabouthimareworthrepeating,noonetiresofhearing themagainandagain. Worldchampion14 times until he passedaway at the early age of47,thishandsomemaninhisfirstandonlyattemptforthe pocketlesscrownfinishedthird. Rememberthisallbeganin1887,and toconclude the subject, thegreatestofthemall,WillieMosconi.Whenonebeginsto comparehimtopresentday players,keepinmind that hisgrand averageof15.85 is for a 2000 point game, and an average of 19 for a1350pointgame. Theseaveragesweremadeon tableswith noroundededgeson the slateof the inner pockets, asis customary today. I could write abookabouthim,but that'sanother story.A not too well known factconcernsacontestwithHoppeatthreecushions,yes,you guessedit,wonbyMosconi.Whatmoreistheretosay. 13 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards Tothislist the name of Irving Crane must be included, to me he representsthelastof the great position-players.It is my belief had hecompetedfor the pocketless crown, his efforts would have been rewardedmanytimes. Thereareothersthatcanbementioned,suchasTaberski and Rudolph,buttodosowouldrequiremanypages. Thepurposeof all thisis to enlighten the readers that the use of thediamondsbythegreatshasbeenknownandappliedtotheir game,butneverreleasedbythemforthepublicuntilthe publicationofmybook,Pocket-Billiards,Position-PlayforHi-Runs. Torepeatmyself,Iknowsomeadapt faster thanothers,Ialso knowthatnooneisbornwiththisknowledge. In yearsgone by whenMosconi was22 or so, his game was not themostoutstanding.Butafterhistourofover100gameswith Greenleaf,itdoubled. Withdiagramsillustratedprecisely,andexplanationsthat teachproperly,all can improve, not all can become a Greenleaf or Mosconi. Thedaysof looking inaweata professional controlling his cue ballisover.Thescienceof thegame aspresented by me changes allthathasbeen.Thesecretskeptexclusivelybyprofessionals thesemanyyearsisnowanopenbook. TothispointIbelievethefactsstatedprovebeyondadoubt thatchampionswhopredominatedfor many years, were/are very knowledgeableinallaspectsofthegame. Inconclusion,Ihopethisreviewwillremindallthatthe fundamentalsneededtofurthertheirgameisworthwhile. Certainly,manyothersubjectmatterscouldbecovered. Tothispointthewritinghasbeenjustthat,withnowork involvingthestudent,butthetransitionfromthegeneraltothe particularmustsoonbemade. 14 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards EQUIPMENT I do not intend todiscussrepairing a table, installing new cloth orrepairingacue.Theknowhowtoaccomplishtheabove requiresqualifiedtradesmen. I do intend to let you know that all billiard tables come in many sizes.Theyaretwiceaslongastheyarewide.Thestandard professional table being 4l/2x 9, though tables can be purchased in varioussizesfrom3x6to5x10. Mostallgoodtablesconsistof aslatebedapproximately1to 1inchinthickness.Tablesarecoveredwithafeltcloth preferablycoloredgreen,thoughcolorscomeinGoldBlue Red. Theacceptedheightofatablefromthefloorbeing30to31 inches.Tablelightsshouldconsistofatleastthreeeightfoot fluorescentlightsataminimumheightof35inchesabovethe tablebed. Mosttableshave20pearldotscalleddiamondsplaced strategicallyontopof thesixrails,and are purchasedwithfixed rubber cushionsattached to them, this allows the balls to rebound quietlyandwithelasticity. Objectballsarenumberedfrom1to15andcomeinvaried colors.Thecueballisalwayswhite. Pocket-billiard balls are 2 1/4 inches in diameter, three cushion balls being 23/8inches, all other essentials will be discussedas you progress. 15 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards ASITIS Themanylettersreceivedbymerequestingmyopinionon subjectmattersastothevalidityIplaceuponthem,leavesme withonlyonealternative,andthatis,togive a direct and truthful answerasbestIknow,nomatterthequestion. InallrepliesItell itasit is,notas someone wouldlike to hear it.Ihavereadarticlesbyself proclaimedimportantpeoplewho continuetousethetermpool. Whensomeonepersistsinaterminologyhecannotdefine,I knowhisonlyoutlookin life is for himself,not towards the game. Withoversixtymillionpeopleparticipatinginthissport, includingeightmilliontablesinprivatehomes,thetimehas arrivedtodiscardegotistsandyokelswhobabble,andthen seek tobecomeleaders. Todaywiththegameof 9ballatitsheight,many players who don'tbelongareknownasprofessionals.Butbycareful observation,youwillnote thattheoutstanding players are all top position-playersofthegame14.1 Withthepocketingof only 9balls,many lesser players areapt towinatournament. PriortoAndreSegovia,theguitar wasstrictly a "plunk-plunk" boxwithsixstringsusedtoplaysimplechordstructures. ButSegovia,thegreatestplayerofthisinstrumenttheworld haseverknown,transposedtheworksofBeethoven,Bach, Pucciniandothergreatcomposerstoconformtotheguitar. With theknowledgehepossessed,allhaschanged.They said it couldn'tbedone.Whensomeoneintroducessomething new,the skepticsarethefirsttocondemnit,thoughtheyhaveno understandingorknowledgeof the transformation,this applies to anythingnew. Tobecomeproficientonemustunderstandwhyacueball travelsaparticular track toapredeterminedlocation.Thisisnot guesswork,itisa science that isalsoapplied to the game of three 16 cushionbilliards. In thestudy of Celestial Navigation there are two books known asBowditchandDutton,combinedtheycontainover3,000 diagramsni t r at ed precisely, to do otherwise the navigator could beonethousandmilesfromhisplanneddestination. Thisalsoappliestothegameof pocket-billiards, though some maythinkotherwise.Rememberatableistwiceaslongasitis widethereforeitpresentsgeometriclinesthatcanbesolved,no matterthelocationofthecueballortheobjectball. Position-playinpocket-billiardsrequirestheplayertounder-standcarom-one-two-threecushionbilliards to some degree. This notbeingastudyofthreecushionbilliards,theneedtoknow more is not necessary, though when one knows more he possesses greaterknowledge. Whenaplayerremainsstagnantsomethingiswrong,that somethingiscalledknowledge.Buttrytoeducateonewho believesnofaultexistswithhisgame.Nottoolongago,Jack Nicholas was having some difficulty with his golf game.He wasted notimeinseekingtheadviceofacompetentprofessional instructorwhocorrectedhisnewlyacquiredfault,butheaven forbidapocket-billiardprofessionalseekinghelp. Onedayin1973anoldtimeprofriendFrankGrassonand myselfwerewatchingtheU.S.openfinalswithoneofthe principalspreparedtoexecutearearbreakshot. Thesetupwassothatonlyaslighthitcouldbemadeoff the outsideendball.Iremarked that the shot wasidentical toonein mybook(Position-PlayforHi-Runs)andcalledforasofthit, otherwisethecueballcouldendupin thesidepocketor closeto thebottomshortrail. "Wellloandbehold!" the shot wasexecutedwith force and the cueballlocateditselfoffthebottomshortrail. Thatplaycosthimthegame.Rememberanythinhitoffan objectballallowsthecueballtotravelfurtherthanmany anticipate. 17 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards LENGTHYEXPLANATIONS Therearetimeswhen1believemyexplanationstoolengthy, whenthisoccursIdevotemytimetoreadingbooksofothers. Theremarksthatfollowdonotrefertoallbooks,butthereare toomanythatleavemewithsubjectmattersunanswered. Itis thenI am convinced lengthyexplanationsare necessary to enlightenstudentswhatisbeingexplainedtothem.Remember studentshavenoknowledgeoffundamentals. Whenstudentsaretoldtostrikeacueball(nomatterthe stroke)andusea follow-through motion on all shots,I sometimes wonder howanovicecanrelate that towhatactually takes place. Whenstrokesdonotrelatetotheactionrequired,thereisno identity.Thepurposeof a studentinstructional book is that it be understoodbyhimandtheprofessional. Manystudentshavemailedmediagramsrequestingmy opinionastotheiraccuracy.Theonesreceivedbymewere definitelyconceivedbysomeonenotqualifiedtoillustrate.How cananyonelearnwithinaccurateillustrations? Irecallreadinganarticleinthepastof someonewhotriedto comparethevoiceteacherwhocannotsing,toapocket-billiard instructorwhocannotplay.Theinferencewasmadetoexplain thatinstructorsneednotknowhowtoplay thegame toteach it. Whenoneseekstoexplaintheirqualifications,theyalways refertothevoiceteacherwhocannotsing.Thistomeinfers the factthattheynotonly lackintelligenceandability,butthattheir knowledgeofmusicislimited. Iknowmanyself-proclaimedprofessionalswithselfimagina-tivebignameswhocannotplayorteach,andinthelongrun dependuponassistancefrom friends,orarticleswritten by others tosolvetheirproblems,thenbragabouttheirgreatnessand believeit. Though oneisagreat playeritdoesnotnecessarily follow that he possessthequalities to teach,nomatter the name. Unqualified instructorsaredetrimentaltothegame. 18 ThePasadenaCue-Ettesfrom thePasadenaBilliardLounge in St.PetersburgFla.are a welcome addition tothe pocket-billiard playingcommunity.Composedof five youngladies,rangingin from14to21,theyhavebeenamazingbilliardveterans,as well asmakingnewconvertsfor the game,with their exhibitions of some50fancyandtrickshots. They are the brain childof RedJoneswhohasbeen active as a professionalplayer,instructor,refereeandroomoperatorfor almost50years.Organizedinlate1975theCue-ettes'primary objective was twofold; first to entertain the public, and second to promotethegameofpocketbilliards.Theyhaveplayedexhibi-tions allovertheSoutheast for variouscity,county,staterecrea-tiondepartments,colleges,fraternalorders,veteransorganiza-tions,condominiumcomplexes,publicbilliardroomsand numerouscharitybenefits.Inadditiontheyhavemade3televi-sionappearanceswhichledtotheirplayingatthe1975annual conventionof theBowling andBilliardInstitute of America in the DisneyworldcomplexatOrlando,Fla.Theywillalsoappear in specialexhibitionsbeforethe1976BilliardCongressof America U.S.Open championshipsat theSheratonHotelin Chicago,111. Sufficetosaytheirscrapbookreflectsnothingbutpraisefor theirexpertiseatthebilliardtableandtheladylikemannerwith whichtheyconductthemselves.Theypractisedailyandarenow concentratingon improving their14.1pocket billiard game.I am proudtosaythattheirprimarytextbookismybook"Position PlayforHi-Runs."Ihavealsobeenmonitoringtheirprogress towardsmoreadvancedplayandpredicttheywilladdtotheir individuallaurelsastheybegintournamentplayinthenear future. MembersoftheCue-ettesareDawnMarieLoose,14,high schoolstudent;LitaWeingart,17,high schoolstudent and mem-ber of the National Honor Society Academically; Judy Curtis,17, restauranthostess;CindyProsser,19,boatrefinishingoperator, andVickieAndrewsSeroor,21,housewife. Aspiringpocketbilliardplayerscouldwelltakeacue(nopun intended)fromtheCue-Ettes.Itisagamethewholefamilycan playwith a highdegreeof challenge,self satisfaction,andrecrea-tion. IS EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards CUESOFTHEPROS It is interesting to note that most professionals use a cue that is almostidenticalinweight,shaftthicknessandlength. Theweightpreferredvariesbetween 19 to 21 ounces. The shaftdiameterfortheshortstubbyfingerstobe12to12 millimeters, the long slender fingers prefer a shaft between 13 and 13 mm,totallength58inches. Mostallpreferwrappingsofcottonduetoitsabsorbing qualities.ThetippreferrediscalledaFrenchElk tip.Thisis a ratherhardtipandrequireschalkoften,butitalsohasgood qualitiesinthatonceshapeditmaintainsitselflonger. When your cue requires a new tip, it is best to seek the service of abilliardroomproprietor. To the many who might be interested in my cue, the following is a fairlyaccurate description.Starting from the top of the tip to a pointapproximately12inchesback,thediameteris13 1/4 millimeterswithnovariations. This gives the same feel to the fingers of the bridge hand when a slightextensionisneededforward. Ipreferacueweightof 21ouncesandadvise my students to purchaseoneofthatsameweightorclosetoit. Though not spoken of to any degree, weight definitely improves ones stroke. The added weight when compared to a19 ounce cue steadiesthestrokeof manyplayers. To clean your shaft from grit,dirt and powder, do not use sand paper.Idonotrecommendit. Enter any hardware store and purchase a sheet of crokers cloth. Thismaterialnotonly removesthepowder buildupandgrit, it alsoleavesitsmoothandglossy. PersonallyIneverusepowder,myhandsneversweat,but to those who do, a bag mixture of powder and resin that bowlers use can be purchased in any bowling establishment, it is more efficient thanpowder. Periodically the entire cue should be polished with a good hard wax.Thiscanbepurchasedinmostallretailstoresthatsell billiardequipment.20 encyclopediaofPocket-Billiards GRIP Prior to discussing where and how to grip the butt end of a cue (the bottom thick end), it is important to know that no matter the stroke,orwhataplayerintendstodo,itisthebuttendthat executesallstrokes. Thereforeitisofgreatimportancetoknowwhydifferent positions arepreferable.I have heardit saidthatthe position of the grip isunimportant.To answer such a remark would entail a ratherlengthydiscussionof weightsandforces. Knowing the butt end is the controlling factor of all strokes, the properlocationthenbecomesavitalfundamental. Goodcueshaveabalancepointapproximately18inches upwardsfromthebuttendof thecue. To locate this point, place the cue across your finger and adjust it until it balances itself.This determines the starting point of the grip-Tobegin,grip thebutt3to4 inchesbelow thebalance point, thereisagoodreasonforthis. The earlylessonsfor students are designed for short shots and shortstrokes.Theshorterthestrokethemoreaccuratethe delivery. WhenyouseeatopprofessionalinactionsuchasIrving Crame,takenoteof theextensionofhisshaftfromthebridge handonbothshortandlongshots,plusthegrip. The pressurerequiredtogripthebuttissimilar toholding an emptycup.Theillustrationdemonstratesthepinkyoff thebutt completely. The thumb and first three fingers grip the butt lightly, not in avicelikegrip. The third finger is curled around the butt in a relaxed position. This is as it should be, it allows the muscles to function subject to the stroke required. it 22 HeadinLine Stance:Headandeyesoverthecue andinlinewithyouraim. HeadinLine Themechanicalbridge EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards BASICBRIDGE Thebasicbridge will be usedmostly during your playing days, thereforetimeshouldbedevotedtomasteringthisfundamental. Thisbridgeissimilartoanystructualbridgeinthatitmust be solid.Toomanyplayersneglecttoconcentrateonforming just suchastructure. Toformthebridgeplaceyourhandflatonthetablewithall fingersslightlyapart,then raise your index finger andmove your thumbandmiddlefingertowardseachotheruntiltheyare parallel. Inthismaneuverdonotmoveyourfourthandpinkyfingers. Toaccomplishthis,pressdownwardwithyourfingers.The next stepistoplacethecueshaft over your thumb and middlefinger, thendrawyourforefingerandthumbtowardseachotheruntil theymeet. Asthismoveisbeing accomplished, your thumb will rise from thetablebedapproximatelyto 3/4 inches.Atthatpointyou haveformedthebasicbridge. Repeatthisprocedureagainandagainuntilyouareableto formitwithoutanydifficulty.Takenoteofthepositionof the middlefingerafterthebridgeisformed. FOLLOWBRIDGE Thebasicbridgeisaveryversatileone.Toadjust your bridge handforthefollowbridgesimplyformthebasicbridge,then drawyourfingersinwardtowardyourself untiltheheightof the cuetipispointedabovethecenterofthecueball. Undernocircumstancesdoyoulowerthebuttendto accomplish this. The cue in all of these movements must remain as leveltothetableaspossible. 30 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards DRAWSTROKE Formthebasicbridge,thenextendyourfingersforward(this lowers the bridge) until your cue tipisbelow the center of the cue ballDonotraisethebuttendtoaccomplishthiseffect. VEEBRIDGE Thepurposeof thisbridgeistoavoidtouchinganobjectball when thebasicbridgecannotbe formed.It occurs when an object balliscloseto,orfrozentothecueball. Thisbridgeissimilartoanuprightriverspaninthatyour fingersmustbein an upright position with your thumbextended upwardsandout,thisallowsthecueshaft toglide between your thumbandforefingerwithstability. The first stepis toplaceyour fingers on the bed of the table and formtheveebridge. Thenextmoveistosetthecueshaftinposition.Thestroke required for all vee bridges must be a smooth one, no jabbing and noenglish. Thegriptobeapproximately3to4inchesforwardofthe balancepoint.Theexplanationforthis move is in the vee bridge exercise. CLOSEDRAILBRIDGE Placeyour handflatonthetablerailandraiseyour forefinger. Slideyour thumbover until it touches your middle finger. Now place the cue along side your thumb and middle finger, then lower yourforefingeroverthecueuntilitcomestorestontherail. Repeatthissameprocedureanumberoftimestoacclimate yourselftoformingthisbridge. Thereareotherpositionsof railbridges,butatthisparticular timetheyarenotneeded.Asyouprogressandparticipatewith otherplayers,theywillautomaticallybeformedbyyouwithno difficulty. 31 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards FLATHANDBRIDGE Thoughit'sthesimplisttoform,itisthemostdangerous.It shouldneverbeusedwhenaforcefulstrokeisneeded. Placeyourhandflatonthebedofthetablewithyourfour fingersslightlyapartandyourthumbplacedclosetoyour forefinger. Thenextstepistodraw your four fingers inward until your cue israisedtothepositionrequired.Thethumbisthenpointed upwardsandoutwardtosupportthecue. FLATHANDRAILBRIDGE Thisissimilar to the flat hand bridge. The picture demonstrates itclearly. MECHANICALBRIDGE It isusedprimarily toreach the cue ball when its location is out of your reach.The arm of the bridge is to be placed flat on the bed ofthetablewheneverpossibleandheldfirmly. The gripon thecueis tobe heldclose to the butt end with your thumbandfirsttwofingersinaforwardposition.Toelevate the mechanicalbridge,turnitonitsnarrowside.Thisisdone when anobjectballisclosetothecueball.Itsuseis similar to the vee bridge. Whenaddressingthecueball,yourheadmustbeover the cue and in a direct line with your aim.The cue shaft to extend forward ofthemetalarmsimilartoashortshot. Themostimportantthing toremember whenusing thisbridge isnottooverstroke,ortoelongateyourstrokeonthefinal delivery. 32 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards FACTS Most all instruction books stress the importance of a center ball hitthengoontoexplaintothenew studentstanceposition playenglishandallsortsof strokes,thisin a few pageswithno methodofteachingthesefundamentals. Ibelieveitlogicaltoapproach thesubjectmatterstep-by-step, with diagramsandillustrations,plus text that helps the student to understandwhatitisyouareconveying tohim,andHow hecan succeedindevelopingthesefundamentals.Picturesaloneisnot theanswer. Thefundamentalsbeyondhiscomprehensionwillnotbe discussedatthistime.Most everyone isimpatient,they all desire immediateresults,thereforeit isimportantthatthestudent study andpracticealldiagramsasillustrated. Tobecomeproficientitrequirestotalconcentrationplusthe will to succeed. The diagrams are illustrated precisely.My method of teachingisanewconceptforlearning.Theoldinstructional methodsarepasse,timemarcheson. I guessthebasicproblem for most players when they encounter positionproblemsisthefear of hitting the shot itself.But this fear stemsfromafeelingof inadequacyfirst,theyhaven'tevaluated thesituationsothatthey'renotconvincedoftheshotthey're tryingforistherightone. Secondly,theydon'tknow thecorrect techniques to hit the ball high,loworwithleftorrightenglish.Thirdly,theyhavenever practiced the shots concerned.To understand and learn,I can't do theplayingforyou,butIcaneliminatethefear. Toencourageandhelpyouachieveyourgoal,thefollowing words are to be remembered.Have positive thoughts.Confidence, notover-confidence.Determination.Confidenceinpocketing your objectball.Confidenceinselecting yournextobjectball.Be constructiverather thanskeptical.Be definite.Beconcernedwith playingthetable,notyouropponent.Butaboveall,have confidenceinyourability. 33 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards STANCE Thisisaverycontroversialsubject.1don'tknowoftwo professionalswhohavetheidenticalstance.Howthencanone basicstancebeinterpretedtoall studentsas theuniversal stance? Thecorrect stance is one that helps you to be perfectly balanced andcomfortable,with your headand eyes over the cue and in line withyouraim. Toacquirethisstance,studentsrequireillustrationsthatare precise,andtextthatexplainsHowtoadjusttoastancesuitable toyou. Amajorfaultwithmanyplayersistheirtendencytoemulate someonetheyadmire,when theyshouldbedeveloping their own talents. Whenahabitisformedtheeffort tocorrectitbecomesalmost impossible. To substantiate what1 say concerning the one universal stance, twoofthegreatestplayersofalltime,WillieHoppeandRalph Greenleaf hadthemostunorthodoxstanceeverseenin the game. Myonly commentis,I'm glad no one tried to introduce the one universalstancetothem.Thisappliestoallsports. Mostallbooksdescribe thebasic stance,thisbookI'm glad to reporthasnobasicstance.Itdoeshavemystance,onethat conformstome.Thedescriptionofitisshort. Istand approximately one foot from the table subject to the cue balllocation,withmyleft foot atapproximately a10angle, my rightfootislocatedfootbackata15angle.Thisposition allowsmetobendforwardfrom the waist and align my head over thecueandinlinewithmyaim. Theimportantmovementinmystanceistheplacingofthe rightfootbacktoapointthatallowsmetopositionmyselfas stated. 34 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards Toomanyplayersneglecttoextendtheirfootbacktoapoint thatallowsthis,theyseemtofavor(unknowingly)anupright position.Theplayer whohasdifficulty in sighting properly would dowelltoexperimentwiththisprocedure. Whenaftermanyhoursofapplyingthecorrectivemeasures suggestedinthisbook,andthestudentcontinuestohave difficultyinadaptingtoaproperstance,he/sheshouldconsult aqualifiedprofessionalinstructor. Theinstructorhastheknowledgeandcapabilitiesof adjusting andcorrectingthestudentsfaults. For as the bridge hand on the table requires rigidity, so does the stance.Thereistobenoswayingof thebodytocompensate for animproperstance. Allcorrectivemeasuresrequirethecompletemovement of the body,thisincludesyourfeet. Ihavewitnessedtoomanyplayerswhoresorttoswayingthe body when their stance does not coincide with their aim; take note of thisfactasyouobserveotherplayers. 35 876 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 678 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards DEVELOPINGYOURSTANCE Diagram1: The student having completed the study of the basic fundamentalswillnowbegintodevelopandmasterthem. Withtheplaying of each ball, the student is required to readjust his stance, in this manner he becomes accustomed to repeating the procedureneededtoacquireastancesuitedtohim. Thedifficultywithanyendeavoristobegin.Placesixballs numericallynumberedonthe table asillustrated.I haveplaceda cueinlinewithobjectball1andthetopcornerpocket. Placeyour cueexactlythesameway by positioning yourself in therearofthecue,bendforwarduntilyoucandetermineif the cue,objectballandcornerpocketareinlinewithyouraim. When you believe they are, try to hold the cue as best you can in thatalignmentwhileplacingyourselfalongsideofit. Irealizeyourfirstfewattemptsmaynotbe successful, but with constantpracticeyou'llgetthehangofit. Thebasicbridgeandtheshortstrokeistoapplyforthis exercise.Inplayingball1,shoulditstriketherightlongrail,it indicatesyourstanceneedstobeadjustedwithashiftofyour bodytotheright.Shoulditstrikethetopshortrail,thenashift totheleftisrequired. Inadjustingyourstancethereistobenoswayingof thebody. Thisexerciseistocontinueuntilyoupocketallsixballs.The shaft extensionforwardof thebridgehandto be approximately 5 inches,andthegriponthebutt3to4inchesbelowthebalance point. Whileaddressingthecueball,repeatthephraseforwardand backfourtimes,thendeliverthestrokewiththewordforward andthrough.Thestrokingprocessmustbearhythmicone,no hesitationistotakeplace.Thisisveryimportant. 37 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards Diagram2isacontinuationofadjustingyourstance.Italso acclimatesthestudent to adjust himself at variouslocations about thetable. Whenyou believe your movements in positioning yourself to be morepositive,trytostepthepaceup. Basically it issimilar to your first diagraminthat 6 balls are to beplacedalmostintheidenticallocations.The exceptions being balls1-6,thesetwoballsareplacedapproximately4inches off thelongrailsandmustbeplayedwiththerailbridge. Remember short shots,short strokes, all of the diagrams to this pointhaveshortshots,nomatterthedistancetheytravel.Each ballistobeplayedinapocketwithacorrespondingnumber. Thisconceptofteachingwithillustrations,explanations,and thenumberingofdia-mondshasneverbeen introducedtothepublic priortomybooks. Itisamethodof teachingdevisedbyme, andImustsay,itisthe besteverwrittenonthe subject.Iteachthe scienceof thegame as it hasneverbeentaught. 8 38 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards Diagram3:Asstatedinprecedingtext,thefirststeptowards becomingproficientatpocket-billiardsistomakeupyourmind thatthegamemustbeplayedseriously. Theproperstanceenablesyou tostrokeproperly andtodirect thecueballtowardsyoursightof aim.Byconcentrating totally thesoonernewfoundskillscanbemastered. We begin by placing 9 ballsas illustrated.Balls1678 are to beplacedoff therailsapproximately four inches.Thediagram isdesignedtohelpthestudentadjusttothevariousbridgesand stancesrequiredinplayingthegame. Eachnumberedballistobepocketedinapocketwitha correspondingnumber. Thebridgerequiredforeachshotisasfollows.Ball1rail bridge,ball2basic bridge,ball3mechani-calbridge,ball4basic bridge,ball5mechani-cal bridge,balls678 railbridgeandball9 mechanicalbridge.The bridgessuggestedareto be usedregardlessof the objectballlocation. 7 39 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards Diagram4:TheVeebridgeisyourfinaldiagramofbridges neededtoproceedwithyourstudies.Youaretopocket each cue ballinitsdesignatedpocket. Ihave left this exercise last for a very good reason, it is the most difficultbridgeofallwhenattemptingtopocketanobjectball. Amethodof helpingoneself whenconfrontedwiththistypeof shot(thoughit'snotinfallible)exists. Whileaddressing thecueball,themotionof the stroke extends fromthehiptotheforwardpartof thewaist,when one elongates thestroke,itallowsforanerraticthrust. When players are confronted with the vee bridge they raise their arm toa point wellabovethe hip while maintaining the same grip onthebutt.Thisalterstheirnaturalstanceandstroke. Butwhenthegripisbroughtforwardbythreetofourinches, thenaturalstrokeismaintained. Towitnesswhathasbeensaid,observeother playersandtake noticeofthisaction.Inthisexecutionthestrokemustbea smoothone,donotattempttoapplyenglish. ThemethodIemploywhenusingtheveebridgeistofirst addressthesightoftheobjectball,thenthecueball. Thediagramhasfourveebridgeplays.Whileaddressingthe cueball shouldyouaccidently touch eitherball,the penalty is the lossofonepointandyourturnatthetable. 40 401 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards ASTOLDTOTHEBOYS Ithasalwaysbeenmyconviction thatsome formof humor be injectedtodisruptthecontinuousdroneofstudy.Workisthe greatestthingintheworld,butweshouldalwayssavesomefor tomorrow. Overtheyearsmanyclassicstorieshavebeentoldaboutthe greatsinpocket-billiards,theonetobe toldnowis a companion tothem. Priortobeginningthisstory,ashortresumeof"shortstops" mustbe told.Thewordshortstopis a term applied to players that arebelow thelevel of top professionals, but of course this thought neveroccurstothe shortstop, who believe their talent equal to the best.Itmattersnothowoftentheyaredefeated. Shortstopshavevariedreasonsfortheirdefeats,notfora momentdotheyconsidertheirknowledgeofthegamelimited. Thelengthyexplanationsof theirlossesreflectthefactthatthey actuallyofferexcuses. Manyremarksexpressedby them are "Gems".I'llquotea few. "IfIhadonemoreshotI'dof wonthegame"(though hehad at least20). "He made a lucky kiss shot and ran out." "I never played on such a lousy table"(this is the same table he won many games on)."Mycueisnogood,I'mgoing togetridof it."(Thisisthe same cue that broughthimmany victories)."Thenext time I play him,I'llbeathimeasy,hewasluckythatIhadoneof mybad days"(againsttopprofessionalshe'salwayshadbaddays). There aresomany "Gems" told by shortstops one could write a bookonthem.AllthisistoinformyouthatHarryHartmy teacherlistenedtothissortofconversationagainandagain. 42 43 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards the cueball and" at thispointHarry decided he needed a drink of sodatoquenchhisthirst. Whenhereturnedheremainedsilentuntilthesilencebecame unbearable.Atthispointsomeonecriedout,"Whatthehell happenedHarry?" That wasthecuehewaitedfor,andwith anair of contentment continued."AsIwassayingbeforeI wasrudelyinterruptedby a bottleofSoda,1beganaddressingthecueballanddecidedto applya moderatestrokeinpocketing my game ball," again Harry stoppedtalking,itseemedhehadnointentionofcontinuing. Thisof course was ashe planned it. The tension began to build, andoncemorea voicecriedout, "Get the hell on with it, what the hellhappened?" Harry seemedtobe smiling as his large blue eyes twirled about, andtheninaharshvoicehereplied."I'lltellyouwhatthehell happened.Ihitthedamnobject ballandtomy surpriseit split in two,onehalfgoingintothepocket,theotherhalf remainedon the table.The refereehesitatedinrendering a decisionas this was anewexperiencetohim. Thecrowdbegantowhisperinunison,untilitseemedas though they wereshouting,when suddenly thereferee silenced all andannouncedhehadarrivedatasolutiontothisproblem. Hisverdictstatedthat,inviewof thefactthatonehalfof the ballwaspocketed,Iwastoreceivecreditforthathalf,butthe otherhalfbeingonthetable,Iwastolosemyturn. NowI'velostmany games,though I never expected to lose that one."Yes,Ilostthatgamebythescoreof125to124" Needlesstosayeveryone joinedinthelaughter.Tothis day,I stillhearHarrytellingthatonetoallshortstopsupthere. 44 45 Encyclopedia of Pocket-Billiards ENGLISH Itisknownbymanynames,suchas,spin-slide-twistandof course english.The diagrams illustrate the various points to strike thecueball. Thereisnomethodofexplainingthecorrectamountforany given shot. The book only suggests the approximate amount toapply, this helps the student to experiment with all diagrams until desiredresultsareobtained. Manyfactorsexistthatpreventonefromsuggestingtheexact amount.I'lllista fewof them.Makeof cueballrailheight and elasticityofthecushionsclothdampnessstrokeslateand otherailmentstoonumeroustoellaborateupon. Whenenglishisappliedtoacue ball it effectsthe cue ball and objectball. Tobecomeagoodplayeritisnecessarytounderstandthe functionofit.Theabilitytomasterfundamentalsismore importantthanapplying justenglish; approximately 75% of shots requireoff center hits on the cue ball, and as you progress you will cometorealizethisfact. Whenyoudelvefurtherintothescienceof position-play,you willcometounderstand that it is the stroke that controls the cue ball,nottheenglish. Thediagramsillustratethelocation of points to contact the cue ballwithanassortmentof hits,theyaretobestudiedcarefully. Noexplanation will be givenat thisparticular timeconcerning theapplicationof english.Mymethodof teachinginjectsitwhen youhaveprogressedandnotbefore. Theillustrationsaretobeusedasareferenceguidewhena diagramsuggeststheamountof englishtoapply,therefore, when aplaysuggests1/16more or less of english, you are to refer to the illustrations. Rememberanytrackofacueballthatisalteredfromits naturaldirectionisnotacenterballhit,Isaythisregardlessof whathasbeensaidtothisperiodintime. 49 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards STROKES Thefirststroketobediscussedisthecenterballhit.Mostall booksstressthishitastheonemostoftenusedinplaying. Atthisparticulartime,Iconcurwithallof them.Butasyou progressthetermcenter ball hit will have an addedmeaning. No lengthyexplanationisneededatthistime. STICKSHOT Ihavereceivedmanylettersfromstudentsinformingmethey arestymiedbythisfundamentalduetothelackofinformation, thoughtheyhavereadmanybooks. Myfirstthoughtwasthattheyprobablymisunderstoodthe explanations.Butafterresearchingthesubject,Ihadtoagree withthem.Iknowmanybooksexplainwheretostrikethecue ball,butnoneexplainwhattakesplaceintheexecutionofthe stroke. Thisdoesnotinferthatnobookexplainstheaction.Itdoes mean1haven'tbeen able tolocateany book that does.Istand to becorrected,butuntilthen,Iconcurwithmystudents. Allstrokesmusthaveanamethatsuggeststheactionrequired toexecutethem,andthestick-shotisnoexception.Thename stick-shotbyitselfimplysnothing. Toexecutethisstrokestudentswillunderstandwhatis expectedof them whenthey aretoldtoapply asnapstroke.This indicatesaforwardsnapofthewrist.That'sallthereistothe stroke,itisexactlywhatmusttakeplacetoexecuteit. Whenyoufirstattemptit,placetheobjectballandcueball approximatelytwofeetapart,thenstrikethecueball1/16of a cuetipbelowcenter. Asyouprogresslengthenthedistanceuntilyouareableto controlthestrokefromoneendof the tabletotheother.As you lengthenthedistancethecueballrequiresalowerhit,plusa harderstroke. Mypleasureisdelvingintolittleknownfacts,provingtheir accuracyandsharingthisknowledgewithothers.50 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards FOLLOWSTROKE To master this stroke strike the cueball cue tip above center. Thisisaccomplishedbydrawingyourfingerstowardyourself untilthedesiredheightisachieved. Thestrokecallsforaforwardthrustof thewrist.Themotion mustbealooseonewithallmusclesrelaxed. Thisstrokediffersfromothers.Mostallstrokesrequirethe musclestobecometautwhenexecuting them,butnot thefollow stroke. Thereisanarticleinthebookthatexplainstheactionof musclesandtheir relation to all strokes further on in your studies. DRAWSTROKE Thisstrokemustbemasteredifone intendstobecomea good player. Toexecutethisstrokestrikethecueballonecuetipbelow centerandapplyasnap-backstrokeof thewrist.Manyplayers havedifficultywiththisparticularstroke.Tomeitisavery controversialsubject. Allinstructorsrecommendstrikingthecueballonecuetip belowcenterandtobesureandapplyafollow-throughmotion. Theyallimplythatthisimpartsareversespintothecueball, whichineffectcreatesthedrawstroke.Thisconcepthasno foundation. Thetermfollow-throughasappliedtothegameisusedmuch tooloosely,notonlyinpocket-billiards,butinothersportsas well. Thedrawstrokeexercise furtheroninyourstudiesdelvesinto thiscontroversialsubjectwithfactsthatallcanproveto themselvesastotheauthenticityofwhatIsay.Iknowallwill enjoyreadingthesubjectmatter. 51 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards PUNCHSTROKE Thisin all likelihoodis one of the most widely used strokes. All professionalsknowofitanduseit,butsomehowithasbeen omittedininstructionalbooks. Butasinallstrokesthereisawaytodescribetheaction requiredtoexecuteit. Thenamepunchstrokeimpliestheaction,it'sexecutionis similar toafast job,suchas a boxer delivers, and can be executed withorwithoutenglish. To acclimate yourself to this stroke, strike the cue ball1 /16 cue tipbelowcenterwithasnapstroke.Donotbecomeconfused betweenthesnapstrokeandthesnapbackstroke.The applicationof englishaltersthedirectionof thecueballwhenit contactsarail. SPINSTROKE Thisisanotherstrokethathasnever beenexplainedthorough-ly. Nomattertheamountofenglishappliedtoa cueball itspins. Butthenamespinstrokediffersinthatitallowsyoutoapply morespin tothecueball than the normal procedure of applying 1 cuetip. Many timesplayershaveremarked that,I apply more spin to a cueballthanwhatnormallytakesplace whenothersexecutethe samestroke.Iinformthemofanoldphraseoncespokenof frequently. It goesthis way,"a twistof the wrist." The twist enables one to applyagreaterspintothecueball.Towitnessthis,thestudent muststandin the rear of the instructor or anyone that can execute thestroke. Theobjectistoobservethemotion of thewristasthestroke is beingexecuted.Refrain fromlookingattheobjectball or the cue 52 Encylopedia of Pocket-Billiards ball that's not the place where the action occurs. Ihave taughtmanyplayersthisstroke.Remember aleft twist for left english and a right twist for right english. SIGHTING Theimportanceofsightinganobjectballcorrectlycannotbe overstressed.Itisoneof themostimportantfundamentals.The successof all playerstopocketanobjectball depends on sighting itproperly. Thediagramsareprovidedtohelpyoutounderstandthe printipleofthisfundamental. Thepathof thecueball contactpoint advancedtothesightof theobjectball(dot)demonstratesthepointsthatmustcontact eachothertopockettheobjectball. Let us assume the sight of the object ball requires a 1/8 hit, this means 1/8 of the cue ball is to contact the sight of the object ball. This procedure of sighting must be applied to all shots, for they all presentsightingpoints. A feather typehitdenotesa very thin hit.It means the edgeof thecueballistostriketheedgeoftheobjectball. Thediagramshavebeenillustratedtoimpressuponyouthe valueandtechniqueofsighting.Eachshotpresentsadifferent sight,butallareplayedwiththeidenticaltechnique.Ihave refrainedfromexplainingthetrackofthecueballatthis particulartime. The needtoaddconfusiononlyretardsone'sprogress.Itis the instructor'sresponsibilitytoinstillconfidencetothestudent. Whatneedstobeunderstoodatthistimeistheprincipleof sighting,andtheprocedureneededtoaccomplishtheimpactof bothsightsthatisrequiredtopocketanobjectball. In playing any object ball, the sight is to be looked at constantly untilyouhavedeliveredyourstroke. 53 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards Thethreestepsrequiredtosightproperlyare,first,sightthe objectball,secondly,positionyourself properlyandaddressthe cueball,thirdly,shouldanycorrectivemeasuresbenecessaryto yourstancedonotswayyourbodytocompensateforit. The swaying of the body distorts your line of aim, but when you adjustyourcompletebodytherigidityof thestanceisrestored, andyourlineofaimcorrected. Makenomistake,alltopprofessionalssightprior toplaying a shot.At times youwillnotnotice this for top players sight as they seemtobesizingupothershots,or justwalkingabout,butno matterwhattheyseemtobedoing,you canbe assuredthatthey havesightedtheirnextobjectball. Allplayershavetheirownindividualityandsowillyou. Thestudentwould do well to remember that to sight properly it requiresyourheadtobeoverthecueandinlinewith your aim, thereforetheproperstanceisnecessary. Toadjustyourstanceshouldyouhaveproblemsinsighting correctly,extendyourrightfootbacktoapointthatallowsyou tobendforwardatthewaist. Attimesthismoveimprovesone'sabilitytosightproperly. Remembervisionisonlyapartof thegame,oneneednothave perfectvisiontoplaywell. Whatmaybeforgottenis the fact that many shots are pocketed byusingasimpleprocedureofsightingtheanglebetweenthe pocket,objectballandcueball. Remember whenpocketing anobjectballyousightitfirst,this then is your first sight.Thelineof thepocket towards the sight of theobjectballformsanangleofequaldegreestowardsthecue ball. Byadjustingyourstancetoconformtothisangle,theobject ballcanbepocketednotetheanglesintheillustrationsfor Sighting. 55 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards LETS PLAY Thisisyourfirstattemptatpocketinganobjectballwiththe cueball.Itisthebeginning. To arriveatthispointsuggeststhat you are prepared to further yourknowledge.Inviewingthisdiagram,remembertosight the object ball to the top right corner pocket, then sight the cue ball to thesightoftheobjectball. Afterthesepreliminarysteps,positionyourself inlinewiththe cue so that your aim will deliver the cue ball to the sight needed to pockettheobjectball. Place6ballsasillustrated.Tracklinesshowthedesignated pocketforeachball. Toassistyouinadjustingyourstance,Ihaveplacedacuein line withthecueball,objectballand the top corner pocket.The twodotssignifythecontactpoints. Beforeyoubegin,remember tobendforwardatthewaistuntil yourheadisoverthecueandinlinewithyouraim. -Shouldyouencounterdifficultyinsighting,extendyourright footbacktoapointthatallowsyoutoaimmoreprecisely. The sightingof anobjectball is no different than sighting a rifle inthattheheadisovertherifleinlinewiththeaim. .,Adjusting toa correct stanceisa. continuing effort and must be workedonuntilitbecomesanaturalthingtodo. :Thebasic bridge is tobeusedandbeing a shortshot,theshort strokeistoapply.Thegripistobeheldlightlywiththethumb andfirstthreefingers,thepinkyistobeaspicturedinthe drawing. Thewristmotionistobealoosemovement,andtheforward andbackphraseistobeapplied.Strikethecueballclosetothe center,besurethatyourbridgehandremainsonthebedof the tableuntilthestrokeiscompleted.Thisisveryimportant. Your eyesarenotat fault when you miss, it's your stance.Use a softstroke. 57 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards SHOOTINGTHROUGH Thediagraminformsstudentsof theprocedure used to execute position-playwiththeuseofthediamonds. Thismethodofminehasbeenacclaimedthegreateststep forwardevertaken.Themanytestimonialsreceivedbymefrom allpartsofthecountryattesttothis. Ihavehadmanyrequests toexplain thiscompletesystem as it applies to the gameof three cushion billiards.There is no need to complywithanexplanationofit,asacompletebookonthe subjectwouldbeneeded. The diamondsas applied to that game is well known, but I have incorporatedthehighlyadvancedpoint,lineandanglesystem devisedbymeintothis book,andwhenproper-lyunderstood,itbe-comesa simplified meth-odoflearningthe scienceofposition-play orthreecushionbil-liards. Theplacingofthree cueballsdemonstrates theprocedure.Though allthreeballscontact thecushionatdifferent points,theyallshoot throughthediamondas theextendedtracklines illustrate. 58 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards FOLLOWEXERCISE Toexecutethisstroke the basic bridge is tobe used.Strike the cueballcueabovecenter,besuretouseasoftstroke. Themethodofraisingthecuetothepositiondesiredis accomplishedby drawing the fingers of your bridge hand towards yourselfuntiltheheightrequiredisreached. Thepurposeof thisdiagramistwofold.First,todevelop your follow stroke;secondly,todevelopspeedof stroke and control of thecueball. Asyouprogress,youaretoconcentrateonspeedof strokeso thatthecueballstopsatthetrackarrowforeachshot. Theeffortneededtobecomeagoodplayerrequirespractice sessionswithtotalcon-centration. Yournextexerciseon page60takesinthe learningofthedraw stroke.Butbeforeyou becomeinvolvedwithit, readtheFallacyfirst, this isonpage61. Afteryouhavecom-pletedthereading,re-turntothestudyofthe drawstrokeonpage60. 59 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards DRAWSTROKES Whenexecutingthedrawstrokethegriponthebuttmustbe heldloosely,thewrististoswinginarelaxedmotion. Noneofyourmusclesaretobetautuntilthetipofyourcue strikesthecueball.Thecueshaftistobeheldsnugly,andyour bridgehandis toremainon thebedof the table until the stroke is completed. Ball1requires cue tip below center, ball 2 one cue tip, ball 3 1/4 cue tip. Byelevating theamountof englishfrom1cue tip tocue tip below center thereversespin isreduced.In each play thecueball istoreturntotheasteriskmark. Nowallthiswillnot justhappen,youwill havetoexperiment with yourstroke,andthe pointtocontactthecue balluntilyouacquire thespeedof stroke need-ed. Remember,applythe snap-back stroke, do not placetheobjectballor cueballfurtherthan illustrateduntilyou masterthesedistances. 60 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards 61 THEFALLACY Thefallacyof thefollow-throughasappliedtoevery strokein pocket-billiards. Whenthedrawstroke,stickshot,punch strokeandothers are executed,manyfactorsareresponsible,suchasfingers,wrist, forearm,bisceps anddeltoidmuscles.In the execution all of these musclesbecometaughttosomedegree. Toproveapoint,enteranybilliardroomin the country, then select a player or twowhocannot execute the draw stroke.Every roomhasatleast1or2suchplayers. Nomatterhowoftentheystrikethecueballbelowcenter,or howforcefulastroketheyapply,they alwaysfailintheir efforts, why?Theremustbeanexplanation. Ionceaskeda professional to explain what takes place when he executesthestroke.His answer was a classic.It went along these lines."Ican'texplainwhatIdo,allIknowisIdoit." Now ananswer suchasthathasa familiar ring to it.It reminds me of an oldsaying:"He knows so little and knows it sofluently." Intoday'sworld,allcanknowwhattakesplacewithallstrokes. Themuscleactionbetweenafollowstrokeanda drawstroke, orstick shot,andI couldgoon,isas different as day fromnight. Whenastudentistoldtoapplyasnap-backmotiontohis stroke,heunderstandswhatmusttakeplace. Thewordsnapindicatesa forwardsnapof thewrist,when the wordbackisusedinconjunctionwithit,theexplanationis completed.It explainstheactionneeded, andthat is exactly what transpiresin the executionof the draw stroke, be it the muscles of thewristorthefingers. Mostallinstructionalbooksof learningadvisethestudentto strikethecue ball belowcenterandfollow-through on the stroke. Thisthey say impartsareversespin to the cueball which in effect createsthedraw.Thetermfollow-throughisthrown aroundtoo loosely.Asstatedinprecedingtext,many playersstrikethecue :balllow,butwithnoresults. EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards Thefollow-through theory rates a story that occured in the year 1878.Inthatyearitwasconsideredafactthathorseswhile runninghadatleastonelegonthegroundatalltimes.This theorywashandeddownfromgenerationtogeneration untilH. E.Muybridgethewellknownartistandphotographerplaceda numberofcamerasatintervalsaroundaCaliforniaracetrack, andphotographedhorsesinfullgallopwithallfourlegsoff the ground. Thisrevelationproved that what had been accepted as fact, was inrealityonlyabelief.Thisalsoappliestothefollow-through beingappliedtoeverystroke.Thewordanditsmeaning as used inpocket-billiardscontradictsitself,and until someone thinks of anappropriatename,Imustrefrainfromusingitloosely.I believemybookof explanationstobeamorescientificmethod. Todescribestrokes,thestudentmustbetoldoftheaction required,thewordsfollow-throughdescribesnothing. Nomatterthebookorname,theyallreadalike,follow-through,follow-through,andfollow-throughonallstrokes.This remindsmeofaprimerbook,whichineffectisrepeatishly teachingachildtoread. The follow-through isdemonstratedin all books, including this one.Notethe extensionof theshaftafter thestroke is completed. Canyouvisualizeanyonebeingtoldtodrawacueballthatis approximatelythreeinchesfromtheobjectballwiththefollow-throughstroke? 62 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards Toexecuteanystrokestudentsmustbetoldoftheaction required.Itisnot merely the low hit that creates the draw,nor is itthefollow-throughmotion,itisthemuscles. Toexperiencetheactionofmusclesinvolvedindifferent strokes,strikethecueball with a follow stroke, just a short follow of 4 feet,then execute the draw stroke and have it return the same distance. Repeatthisafewtimes,thensatisfyyourself as tothedifferent musclesinvolvedinbothof thestrokes.Theyareasdifferentas themoonandthesun. Whentwostrokesaredifferenttheycannot be calledthesame, nor be executedalike.They must be namedsubject to themuscle actionrequired. :Ibelieveif someoneresearched theoriginof the words follow-throughasappliedtopocket-billiards,he woulddiscover that the term wastaken fromanoldEnglishbookon the strokes involved Withthepocketlessgame. EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards SHORT-LONGSHOTS Shortshotsaretobeplayedwithshortstrokes.Thismeans yourcueshaftistoextendnomore than5inches forwardof the bridgehand, andyour grip tobe held approximately 3 to 4 inches belowthebalancepoint. Allshotsata distanceof three feetor lessare tobeconsidered shortshots,regardlessofthedistancetheytravel. Longshotsrequireanextensionforwardofthebridgehand from5to6 inches.The gripon thebutt to be held back to a point thatcompensatesfortheaddedextensionforward. Whenaddressing thecueball your stroking must be a rhythmic one.Repeat thisphrase as you address the cue ball, forward back, forwardback,forwardback,forwardandstrike.Donothesitate orelongateyourfinaldeliverystroke. Theelongatedstrokeisresponsible foran erratic delivery,and thereasonwhyplayersmisslongshotsandbreakshots. Aconfusingpointtomeiswhyplayersneglecttosightobject balls.Inobservingaverageplayerstheyseemtoignorethis fundamentalcompletely. Whenafootball quarterback is prepared to release the football, hemustsightthereceiver,oraparticularlocationpriorto releasingthepigskin. Thebaseball batter or fielder must sight the ball, be it coming at thebatterorthefielder.Whatcompelspocket-billiardplayersto believetheyneednotcomplywiththisfundamental,whenthey must hit an object ball 2 1/4 inches in diameter that might have to travel 7 feet and then drop into a pocket opening of from 4 7/8 to 5 inches:IsupposeI'llneverknow. 65 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards HITTINGTHESIGHT Contrarytowhatonemaythinkorsay,mostshotsarenot pocketedwith center ball hits.There is no point in telling players thatall they needdoisthink mostly in terms of striking a cue ball center. Thecenterballhitasexpressedby most instruction books is a far cryfromtherealityof whattakesplace in playing position for anotherobjectball. Thesooneroneunderstandsthatthescienceofthisgame entails learning what actually takes place, the sooner skills can be acquired. When someone strikesa cue ball close to center, the inference is madethatacenterball strokewasapplied,no matterthecaromoff the objectball. Onpage201,Ihave enteredtheactual strokesusedintherun-ning of106 balls. I know youwillfinditvery interesting. Toreturn tothis exer-cise, placeobject balls as illustrated,thenpocket eachballwithadraw stroke,thecaromof the cueballistotravelthe trackline. 66 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards RAIL SHOTS Tonameoneshotthatplayersfearmost,itwouldhavetobe therailshot.Thequestionaskedmostlybystudentsis,"doyou strikethecushionandobjectballsimultaneously?" Ialwaysreply in this manner.The rail is not a playableobject, thereforepretendnorailexists. Lets assume the object ball is1/4 inch off the rail, how would you playtheshot?Thereisonlyoneway,sighttheobjectballthen playit. Norailwasconsideredinthislastplay,andnorailneedbe consideredfortherailshot.Theimportantfundamentalto rememberisspeedofstrokewhenplayingrailshots. Placeobjectballsas illustrated,thenpocket eachballbystriking the cueball1/16below center.Afteryousuc-ceedinpocketingthem, resetthesameshotsand playthemwithfollow strokesandshortdraw strokes;besuretousea mediumstrokeforall rail shots, be it now or in thefuture. 67 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards THROWSHOTS When two or more balls are touching each other, they are called frozen.Play1demonstratestwoballsfrozenandinadirect line towards the topshort rail.By striking ball3 (head ball) the throw istotherightasdashesillustrate. Whentheheadballofanytwofrozenballsishiton theright, thethrowistotheleft,alefthitreactstheopposite.The applicationof english toa cue ball creates the same effect upon an objectball. Here'saphraseforallthrowshots.Leftgoesright,rightgoes left. Play 2 demonstratesthreeballs in tandem.When three or more balls are alignedas illus-trated,nothrowcan takeeffect. Play3:By applying 1 cuetipenglish left to the cueball,theobjectball canbethrowntothe right.In this type of shot thenormalsight is to be discarded.Thecueball istocontactthedoton theobjectball. 68 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards Diagram2: The illustration showsballs 4 and5in a direct line towards the bottomshortrail,withball3frozentotherightofball4.No matter thenumberof ballsinthis cluster,ball5 can be pocketed bymerelystrikingtheheadball(2). Inthissameplay,cueball2isatalocationthatneednot contacttheheadball,bystrikingball6thethrowwilltake. Theprincipalofallthrowshotsdependsontheheadball having asolidchain reaction tothecorrectside of any two frozen balls. Play2illustratestwofrozenballs,1and2with nosolid chain whenplayingwithcueball3,therefore no throw will take effect. Butwhenthecueball is located in the area of diamond1 off thelongrightrail,the throw will takeby mere-lystrikingball7.Itcan plainlybeseenthatthis playhasasolidchain. Re me mbe rt hi s phrase,leftgoesright, andrightgoesleft. EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards Diagram1: Thoughtheshotsillustratedseemtobe throw shots,they're not. Thetwosetsoffrozenballspresentopportunitiestopocketthe objectballandscattertheclusterofballs. Rememberwhentwoballsarefrozenandinadirectline towardsthepocket,thesight tocontact issimilar tosighting one objectball. Theruleofrightgoesleftandleftgoesrightalsoappliesto thesesetups.Dashesindicatetheendresultshouldyoucontact anyoneoftheseshotstotherightorleft. Toknow theamountof throw toany twofrozenballs,set up a numberof thematvariousdistances,then experimentby striking them with thin hits to almost full hits.Do not use a constant speed ofstroke,varythem. Rememberthatasoft hitallowsforagreater throw,thesharphit nar-rowsit. 70 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards KILLTHECUEBALL Thisisatermexpressedbyprofessionalswhenadifficultcut shotisplayed,andtheintentistoretardthereboundof thecue balloff therailtosuchan extent thatthe words "kill the cue ball" areused. Thediagrampresentstwosuchshots.Theyaretobeplaced approximatelyoneinchoff therails.Positionmustbeplayedfor eachbreakshotball. Thelinesindicatetheexactlocationof thecueball andobject ball;bynotingthedirectionofeachlineasitpertainstothe diamonds,theexactlocationcaneasilybedetermined. Playbegins withobjectball1.Keep in mind that english affects the directionof thecueballandobjectball,and that right throws leftandleftthrowsright. Theconcentrationrequiredtoexecutetheseplaysshouldbe appliedtoallshots,includingtheeasyones.Thewordconcen-tratewillhaveaddedmeaning after you successfully execute these shots. Thisissaidforaverygoodreason;theshotsinvolvedarenot simpletoexecute,theyrequirespinningthecueballexcessively, plusaimingatasightcontrarytotheusualsightingprocedure. Ihaveplacedsightingdotsoneachobjectballtohelpyou. Thesesightscanvarysubjecttotheamountofspinapplied. Here'sanotherhelpfulsuggestion.Whenapplying thestroke, a twistofthewristcanbeapplied,theaddedtwistallowsfora greaterspin.Twistrightforrightenglish,leftforleftenglish. Theseshotsrequireverysoftstrokes.Takenoteof thecurva-tureof thecueballtrack asittravelson its way towardsthe sight oftheobjectball,thiscurvemustbecompensatedfor. Whenyoucanexecutethespinstroke,yourknowledgeof throwshotswillvastlyimprove.Withthestudyof diagrams and explanationsprovidedinthisbook,allcanbecomeknowledgea-ble. Thewishtoattaindependsonthewill,notthewish. EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards CONTROL-2-7-2 NomatterhowmanybooksImightwrite,nonewouldbe completewithoutthisveryimportantdiagram. Themanylettersreceivedbymeexpressingthehelpderived fromthiscentertablecontrolof thecueball isbeyonddescrip-tion. Nootherdiagramhasbeencommenteduponmorethanthis singleone. Thereasonbeing,asexplainedtomefromtestimonialsre-ceived,isthatithelpstremendously in learning speedof stroke, control of the cue ball, and the technique of soft stroking. As you progress,youtoowillrealizetheimportanceof thisonesingle exercise. Placethecueballas illustrated,thenstrikeit withonecuetipenglish left,thecueballisto stopwithinthedotted area.Thisareaisap-proximately12 inches in diameter. Stayatthisforape-riodof10minutes,then goonwithyour studies, buteveryso often return toit,thepurposebeing toremindyoutobrush up on your soft stroking. 73 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards BASICPOSITION-PLAY Diagram1:Tounderstandandmasterthetechniqueof position-play,itrequiresthestudenttostart from thebeginning. Thisdiagramillustrateswhythecueballtravelsaparticular pathortrack.Rememberposition-play as explainedin thisbook isascience,notguesswork,or theusual hap-hazardmethodsof yesteryear.Andas such, it can be understood and mastered by all. Readingthe table.Thisisa term expressedby professionals.It meanslookingatagroupofballsanddeterminingthecorrect methodof pocketing them so that the cue ball ultimately will be at theproper location for thebreak shot ball. This is the science that mustbeunderstoodtoachievehi-runs,andasstated,iscalled readingthetable. Thebookhasmanysuchdiagramsthathelpthestudentto learnthishighlyadvancedscience.Butfirstthebasicsof it must beunderstood. Placetheobjectballsasillustrated.Thenpocketball1witha drawstrokebystrikingthecueballcuetipbelowcenter. Whencountingthediamondsfromthesidepockettothetop rightcornerpocket,thetotalnumberof diamondsincludingthe cornerequals5.Whenbisectingthe5diamondsyoufindthat diamond2ontheleftlongrailbecomesthebisectingpoint. Thedrawstrokeallowsthecueballtoreturntodiamond2 whereitrebounds and follows the track to the track arrow. This is theprocedureusedtopredeterminethetracklineof acueball. 74 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards Diagram2: Tocontinue thestudy andscienceof position-playwith the use ofthediamonds,Ihaveprovidedanumberofdiagramswith illustrationsandexplanationstohelpyoutounderstandthe principalofusingthemforposition-play,thereforedonotskip overthemlightly. Placeobjectballsandcueball asillustrated, then strike the cue ball1cuetipbelowcenterusingadrawstroke. Thecueballistoreturnandtravel thetrack totrackarrow for positiononball 2,which is then played in the bottom right corner pocket. Inobservingthediagram,note that thediamondsareinvolved in predetermining thelocationof the cueball.When counting the diamondsonthelong rightrail,thebisecting point on the left long rail iseasilydeterminedand thelocationofthecue ballpredetermined. Takenoteof the angle (A),itwillbecomean importantpartofyour lessons. 76 Diagram3: Tobecomeproficientatpocket-billiards,theapplicationof english must bemastered.Theuseof english is tobe applied only whenneeded. Placethecueballandobjectballsasillustrated.Position-play isrequiredforball2tobeplayedinthebottomrightcorner pocket. The drawstrokeis to be used to allow the cue ball to return and travelthetrackasillustrated. Toaccomplishthis,applycuetipenglishbottomleft,then applyadrawstroke.Dashesindicatethe track when too littleor toomuchenglishisapplied. In all shots,concentrateon the area you intend to strike the cue ball.Don'tmaketheer-rorof playing a shot and forgettingwhatwas done,butaboveall, keepyoureyesonthe objectballsight. 77 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards Diagram4: Acueballisasphere,andassuchtravelsagreaterdistance thanmanyplayersanticipate. Theapplicationof english has a two fold function. The first one istoadjusttoatracklineyoupredetermined.Thesecondone concernsspeedofstroke,togethertheyteachcueballcontrol. Placeobjectballsandcueballasillustrated.Inthisplaythe trackistobealtered.Thisisaccomplishedby applying1cue tip englishbottomrightwithadrawstroke. Whenthecueballreturnstotheleftlongrailafterpocketing ball1, the right english applied to the cue ball attempts to travel to theleft.Rememberrightgoesleftandleftgoesright. The english not only alters the track, it also retards the speed of thecueball. 78 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards Diagram5: Thisisyourfinaldiagrampriortobeingintroducedtoanew conceptofteachingfromanyotherpublishedmethod. Place allballsas illustrated, then strike the cue ball with cue tipenglishrightcenter.Useaverysofthit,astheintentisto positionthecueballforyourbreakshotball. Having receivedanumber of requeststodefine a carom, I have decidedthatabriefexplanationwillcleartheair. Thehitoff anyobjectballcreatesacarom;thecaromoff any ballformsanangle,itisthisanglethatdirectsthecueballtoa designatedpointonthecushion. Priortopocketinganobjectball,you shoulddecide the direc-tionthecueballwilltravel,itthenisamatterforyoutoadjust yourstroketowhatyou deemnecessaryto achieveyourultimate goal. 79 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards MENTALPICTURE Pocket-billiards is a mental game, as well as physical. The need to develop fundamentals requires the student to master the mental aspectofthegame. Visualizing is also an important part of the game, it erases guess workandstimulatespositivethinking. Inplayinganyshotyoumustconcentratetotallytovisualize theoutcomeofaplay.Whenaplayerconcentratestotally,he functionsundertensionandcompetitionwithmuchmoreease. Hebecomesrelaxed,butmostimportanthemakesaccurate decisions. Oneof themostintriguingquestionsaskedinpocket-billiards is,whatsecretsdoprofessionalshave toaccomplish their hi-runs. Theanswer is, what are your faults? What is impeding your hi-run potential?Canitbeyourstance,sighting,strokeormentalatti-tude? Iwouldliketopointtosomethingallprofessionalsdowhen facedwithaposition-play.First,notice their facial expression as theysizeuptheshot.Theyappearpreparedtoexecutethe play, butonlyvisually. Whattakesplaceisthementalprocessthatisnotdiscernible. Whatthey'redoing isvisualizing the track of thecueball in their mind. They see themselves executing the shot, and they see the cue balllocateitselfatapredeterminedlocation. Tomaster thistechniqueonemust first learn the fundamentals. Thelearningof this willnothappenovernight, it requires months ofstudyandpractice,noquickmethodexists. Remembernomattertheshot,themental processalways goes on.ThereforeIrepeat,whatareyourfaults?Itisbesttoknow themandtoworkoneliminatingthem. Inconclusionletmesaythatyourgamewillimprove,your knowledgewillincrease,andyourhi-runoutputwilldouble. Whenthisoccurs,therewillbesheer joyinplaying thegame, foritthenbecomesadelighttoyou. 80 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards SCIENCEOFPOSITIONPLAY Points,Lines,Angles: Toallwhodesiretolearnthescienceof positioning a cueball foranotherobjectball,thetableandapplicationof englishplus strokesmustbeunderstoodandmastered. Itisimportanttoknowthetableandspeedandanglesof the balls andball movements, plus being aware of what kind of stroke andenglishwilldoexactlywhat. Mostplayerslosepositionbecauseofproblemswithenglish; they losepositionbecausetheir stroke doesn't really know how to dowhattheywantittodo. Toplayeffectively,onemustthinkof solvingaproblem prior toplayingit,once? strokedit'stoolate. Theattitudeofmanyplayershasbeenoffeel,instinct,and confidence.ThoughIagreewiththem,butonlyaftercorrect knowledgehasbeengained,andneverapartfromknowledge. The top professionals must know exactly where the cue ball will carom to,, and know that 1/4 cue tip english bottom right will give themsomethingdifferentthan1cuetipbottomright. Thiskindof knowledgegivesconfidenceandnotthe other way around.Theattitudethatinstructionbooksaregoodonlyfor those who lack natural talent and feel and instinct, know not what theyspeakof. Thesubjecttofollow isastudyof allthathasbeensaidtothis point.Tolearnrequiresonetothink.Nosubjectcanbeunder-stoodifonerefusestostudy. Mostpeoplearesmarter than they thinkontwo levels; smarter thantheybelieve themselvestobe,andsmarter than they habitu-allyallowthemselvesto function.Those whohavethedesire and willtolearn,will. Tostudyonlyinplaceof participatingandactionisasbadas notstudyingatall.Itisthesameasreadingaboutlifebutnot livingit. 81 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards POINTS,LINES Thisnotbeingastudyingeometry,thewordsoneequalsthe angleofincidentandtwoequalstheangleofreflectionwillbe discarded.Wordssuchaspoint-linesP.L.,angles-A,pre-lines linesofparallel-L.P.andpredeterminedlines-P.D.willbe substituted. Diagram1illustratesthecueball about to pocket ball1in the sidepocket,whenitdoes,thecaromofftheobjectballtravels towardsdiamond6on the topshort rail.Themoment it contacts therailitisknownasthepointline. Diagram2illustratesthereboundtravelinginthedirection of diamond1ontheright long rail.When it strikes therail it forms theangle-a-andthebeginningofthepre-line. Diagram3:Priortoexplainingthisdiagram,thefollowing wordsareimportanttoremember.Mostallpointlinesandpre-linesinthegameofpocket-billiardsformlinesthatarealmost parallel.Itisthepre-linethatdeterminestheP.D.line. Wenowreturntodiagram3whichillustratestheendofthe pre-lineatdiamond7ontheleftlongrail,andthebeginningof theP.D.lineindashes. Byknowing the direction of any pre-line, you can determine the beginningof theP.D.line,andthefinallocationof the cueball. This fact isknown toyou because thepointline is responsible for thepre-line,andasstatedpreviously,mostpoint-lineandpre-linesformlinesofparallel. Thismayseemabitconfusingatfirst,but withthepracticeof thesediagramsandexplanations,youwillinashortperiodof timerealizethevalueoftheseinstructions. 82 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards As stated from the beginning,thisisnot a method of teaching asindayspast,itisascientificstudylongoverdue. Inasportthathasapproximatelysixtymillionplayerswith eight million tablesinprivatehomes and the numbers increasing each year, something different and new had to be made available. With this vast amount of people engaged in playing this game, a bookofhigherlearningwasneeded.Thisbookwaspublished withthatinmind. Thoughthestudyofpointslinesandanglesisashortone concerningdiagrams,themanyinterpretationsthatcanbede-visedwouldrequireacompletebookonthisonesubject. The study of this method includes the need to interpolate plays fromalllocationsaboutthetable.Thereforeonecanreadily understand that it erases theneedforacomplete book. 85 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards Diagram5illustratesadifferenttracklinewiththeidentical methodofpredeterminingthefinallocationofthecueball. Itcanclearlybeseenthatthepointlineandtherebound formedtheangle-A.This angle determines the starting point of thepre-line.Remembermostpointlinesformanglesofalmost equaldegrees. Knowingthis,youcanpin-pointthebeginning of the pre-line. Before going any further,it isbest todigest whathas been said to thispoint. Diagram6illustratestracksof acueballwhenstrokedwith a center ball hit, cue tip and 1/4 cue tip of english; remember the speedofstrokemustremainconstant. Whenacueball isstroked softly it widens the angle, the sharp hitnarrowstheangle.Thestudent shouldexperiment with num-erousstrokes. Theneedto jotdownthetracklineandenglish appliedto the variousstrokesasareferenceguidewillbeinvaluabletoyou. Therearetimeswhen thediamondscannot apply to a position-play.Whenthisoccurs,thepoint,lineandanglesystemis to be used. Byunderstandingbothmethodsofobtainingpositionfor anotherobjectball,youbegintomakehi-runsfrequently. 86 EncyclopediaofPocket-Billiards Diagram 7 is a study of an extended point line. This is called an interpolateddiamondplay.Itmeansthatthenaturalcaromoff theobjectballhasbeenaltered. When interpolated position-plays are executed, the direction of thepre-linechanges,itnolonger formslinesof parallel, the pre-linetravelsawayfromthepointlinebutthiscan'becalculated with constant study. All angles can be thought out, no matter what one intends to do.Note that lines1and 2 form lines of parallel.This determines your P.D. line. I have provided two diagrams for you to study, one shows an interpolatedplay,theotherillustratesadiamondplay.You can plainlyseethattheinterpolatedplaydoesnotformlinesof parallel, while the diamond play does. Your homework consists of placing the correct markings to everylineandangle toidentify the meaning of them, this includes linesofparallelnomatterwheretheyoccur. By checking diagram 5 on page 79, you will note that the carom offofball1travelsonlyafewinchestoformapointline.