Pool and Billiards For Dummies

Part I: Fundamentals of Pool.

Chapter 1: Arriving at the Pool Party.

Chapter 2: Getting Down: Building a Solid Stance.

Chapter 3: Handling the Cue.

Chapter 4: On Target: The Science and Feel of Aiming.

Chapter 5: Hit It: Creating a Solid Stroke.

Chapter 6: Playing Nice: The Etiquette of the Game.

Part II: Controlling the Cue Ball.

Chapter 7: Getting Control and Stopping the Cue Ball.

Chapter 8: Aim High: Incorporating Follow.

Chapter 9: Using Draw: Putting Backspin on the Cue Ball.

Chapter 10: The English Effect: Using Sidespin on the Cue Ball.

Part III: Taking Your Shots.

Chapter 11: Opening Shots: The Rack and the Break.

Chapter 12: Thinking Ahead: Position and Pattern Play.

Chapter 13: Shot-making: Tackling the Most Frequent Situations.

Chapter 14: Eying Combinations: Making Shots with Multiple Balls.

Chapter 15: Billiards and Caroms: Finding New Ways to Pocket Balls.

Chapter 16: Banks and Kicks: Making the Most of the Rails.

Chapter 17: Thinking Defensively: Playing Safe.

Part IV: The Games You’ll Play.

Chapter 18: The Magic of 8-Ball.

Chapter 19: 9-Ball: The Hustler’s Game.

Chapter 20: Pool’s Many Other Games.

Part V: Gearing Up.

Chapter 21: Equipment Check: Looking for Quality Tools.

Chapter 22: Pool Is Mental: Winning the Head Games.

Chapter 23: Drilling It Home: Practice Techniques.

Part VI: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 24: Mastering Ten Trick Shots.

Chapter 25: Overcoming Ten or So Common Problems.

Index.