instructional pool and billiards book

Illustrated Principles of Pool and Billiards (TIPOPAB) book

Instructional book for learning the principles and techniques of pool and billiards. The book covers everything from fundamentals (stance, stroke, aiming methods, etc.) to advanced techniques (sidespin, carom shots, jump and masse shots, etc.), and is appropriate for players of all levels.  The book is very well illustrated, including:

  • over 250 color photographs and illustrations
  • over 80 clearly presented principles of the game.
instructional video DVD

Illustrated Principles of Pool and Billiards (TIPOPAB) Instructional Video

Companion instructional video containing explanations, illustrations, and demonstrations of all of the principles and techniques presented in the book. Super-slow-motion video demonstrations, filmed with a special high-frame-rate camera, are also included.

  • 1 hour and 12 minutes of illustrations, examples, tips, and demonstrations.over 100 video demonstrations and super-slow-motion video clips.

high-speed-video DVD

High-Speed Video Magic (HSV) Instructional Video

Numerous narrated super-slow-motion video clips filmed with a special high-speed video camera. Sound effects are also included. Includes billiards and a wide range of fun science and physics topics including toys, balloons, stupid human tricks, and stupid animal tricks.  See the artistic beauty of the world in super slow motion. The billiards section focuses on:

  • rail cut shots
  • double hits detection and avoidance.
  • throw and spin transfer.
Tom Ross Complete Instructional Works CD-ROMs

Complete Instructional Works of Tom Ross (TR) CD-ROMs of Articles (not videos)

The entire collection of instructional articles written by long-time respected pool coach and instructional author Tom Ross.  The CD-ROMs include all 235 of Tom’s articles dealing with a wide range of pool and billiards topics, covering mechanics, shots, drills, and mental aspects.  The articles are organized into various categories and also listed chronologically. They can be viewed on-screen or printed from the CD-ROMs.


Video Encyclopedia of Pool Shots Instructional Videos

Video Encyclopedia of Pool Shots (VEPS) Instructional Videos

5-video series with coauthor Tom Ross, covering 750 shots in 50 different categories, including 250 useful “gems” of the game. Topics include: basic shot making and cue ball control, sidespin and position play; safety play and strategy; banks, kicks, and advanced shots; and skill and specialty shots. VEPS reveals all of pool’s “secrets” and covers every type of shot, principle, and technique important in the game.

from Gerda Hofstatter (WPBA professional; US, European and World Champion):
“VEPS is the most comprehensive work on the game of pool I have seen. It is extremely educating, concise, and entertaining. Everyone who loves pool and wants to improve their understanding of the game should study it.  I am recommending it to everyone I know.”

from Tom Simpson (BCA Master Instructor and ACS Level 4 Instructor/Coach):
“In my opinion, this is the greatest single resource for players ever created. Packed with knowledge, clear demonstrations, simple explanations, and good pool sense.”

Video Encyclopedia of Pool Practice Instructional Videos

Video Encyclopedia of Pool Practice (VEPP) Instructional Videos

5-video series with coauthor Bob Jewett covering over 175 drills and challenges in 30 different categories. VEPP is an organized and methodical training program and pool workout. It teaches you how to develop, assess, and track progress of skills in all aspects of your game. It is the most comprehensive collection of drills ever published. VEPP provides everything you need to elevate your game to the next level, and is an excellent companion to the VEPS series. VEPS shows you everything possible at the table, and VEPP shows you how to develop the skills required to execute the VEPS shots with confidence.


Video Encyclopedia of Eight Ball Instructional Videos

Video Encyclopedia of Eight Ball (VEEB) Instructional Videos

5-video series with coauthor Bob Jewett covering all of the skills, knowledge and strategy you need to excel at 8-ball. A perfect set for a serious 8-ball league player who wants to bring their game to the next level. VEEB covers game strategy, position play, CB control, combination shots, carom shots, kiss shots, cluster shots, kick and bank shots, throw shots, safety play, jump shots, the break, end-game situations, rules and fouls, and numerous run-out examples with detailed explanations. VEEB covers all intricacies of this wonderful game and will help you expand your repertoire of shots, become an effective offensive and defensive player, and learn how to run-out and win more often.

Video Encyclopedia of Nine-ball and Ten-ball Instructional Videos

Video Encyclopedia of Nine-ball and Ten-ball (VENT) Instructional Videos

5-video series with coauthor Bob Jewett covering all of the skills, knowledge and strategy you need to excel at 9-ball and 10-ball. A perfect set for a serious 9-ball or 10-ball league or tournament player who wants to bring their game to the next level. VENT covers breaking and racking strategy and patterns, basic game strategy, position play and sidespin, equipment differences, smart safety play, end-game situations, advanced principles/shots/strategies, and run-out examples with detailed explanations. VENT will help you break like a champion, control the CB better with sidespin, master safety play and defensive strategy, expand your repertoire of shots, and run-out and win more often.


Video Encyclopedia of Eight Ball Instructional Videos

Video Encyclopedia of One Pocket (VEOP) Instructional Videos

5-video series by Dr. Dave Alciatore and Bob Jewett covering all the skills, knowledge, strategy, and moves you need to win at one-pocket (1P). It is a perfect set for a new player who wants to learn the game or a serious one-pocket player who wants to bring their game to the next level. VEOP covers all types of offensive and defensive shots and moves, the rules and how to take advantage of them, the break, game strategy, useful kicking and banking systems, end-game strategy, the up-table game, and much more. VEOP will help you become a smarter player, expand your repertoire of shots, learn how to use the right strategies based on the ball count, and win more games and matches. And the series includes countless example shots and moves by top pros from the best 1P matches of all time.

System for Aiming With Sidespin (SAWS)

System for Aiming With Sidespin (SAWS) Instructional Video

SAWS is a new and more effective system for aiming with sidespin. It covers in detail how to compensate for cue ball deflection and throw, allowing you to aim sidespin shots accurately and consistently with confidence. And you can use any cue, any bridge length, and any shooting style. SAWS can also be combined with any existing cut shot aiming system. Topics include: back-hand english (BHE), front-hand english (FHE), parallel english (PE), natural pivot length, the SAWS BHE-FHE calibration system, and adjusting for throw. Also included are many game-situation examples of how everything is applied at the table.


Billiard Univeristy (BU) Instructional Videos

Billiard University Instruction Series (BU) Instructional Videos

3-video series with coauthor Randy Russell providing a methodical training program and pool workout. The BU Instructional Videos contain instruction on techniques and aiming systems that can help raise one’s game to the next level. The Instructional Videos cover important fundamentals including pre-shot routine, stance, and stroke; and they also cover the basics of cue-ball control, useful kick and bank shot diamond systems, and the break and other skill shot techniques. The Instructional Videos also offer advice and guidance concerning how to practice and learn strategies for achieving the highest scores possible on the BU playing-ability exams.

How to Aim Pool Shots (HAPS) Instructional Videos

How To Aim Pool Shots (HAPS) Instructional Videos

3-video series with coauthor Bob Jewett. HAPS covers cut-shot aiming systems, how to adjust for cut-induced throw, the basics of how to aim without guessing when using sidespin, and how to aim specialty shots including caroms, kisses, combos, rail cut shots, and elevated-cue shots. Also included are numerous simple but effective systems for aiming kick and bank shots. HAPS is the definitive reference for pool and billiards aiming systems … the aiming instructional videos everybody has been waiting for.


Got English? T-Shirt

“Got English?” T-Shirt

Cool “pool nerd” T-shirt illustrating and showing equations for the effects of squirt, swerve, and throw that occur when using sidespin (english). Wear it to show people how smart you are about pool physics, and point at it when you are trying to explain how to aim when using sidespin (or when an opponent misses a sidespin shot).


Dr. Dave Billiard T-shirts, Mugs, Caps, and Posters

Billiard-theme T-shirts, mugs, caps, and posters with a wide selection of colors, designs, and shirt sizes types, with shipping worldwide.

Dr. Dave Billiard T-shirts, mugs, caps

For additional info, testimonials and reviews, and excerpts, visit each product page.


Purchasing Advice:

FYI, the product descriptions, links and acronym definitions are above.

If you are not sure which product you want to start with, the best way to decide is to view the information and excerpts from each on the website. To do this, click on each product link above, and then click on each individual volume link. Detailed outlines and sample video clips can be found there.  After viewing this stuff, then you can better decide for yourself which product might be best for you. In general, a good approach is to start with the TIPOPAB book/video combo, then HAPS and SAWS, then the BU Instructional Videos, then VEPS, and then VEPP. And if you play 8-ball, especially in a league, VEEB is a must-have. And if you play 9-ball or 10-ball, especially in a league or weekly tournament, VENT is a must-have. And if you play one pocket, especially for action, or in tournaments, VEOP is a must-have.

Briefly, TIPOPAB provides a complete overview of important fundamentals and principles of the game, the BU Instructional Videos focus on mechanics and how to develop important foundational skills, HAPS covers how to aim every type of shot, SAWS covers how to compensate for cue ball deflection and throw, allowing you to aim sidespin shots accurately and consistently with confidence, VEPS explores every shot and game situation possible at the table, VEPP provides a complete pool workout of drills and challenge games to help you master the VEPS skills, VEEB teaches all of the skills, knowledge and strategy you need to excel at 8-ball, VENT teaches all of the skills, knowledge and strategy you need to excel at 9-ball and 10-ball, and VEOP teaches all the skills, knowledge, strategy, and moves you need to win at One Pocket (1P). The TRCD instructional articles focus on the mental aspects of the game. The tables below show the topics and skill ranges associated with each of the main products.

If you want to specifically work on important basic fundamentals, the following are the most appropriate: TIPOPAB, HAPS, and BU (recommended in this order).

If you want to specifically work on aiming and CB control, HAPS-I, VEPS-I, and VEPP-I (recommended in this order) provide comprehensive coverage of a wide range of aiming systems and CB control techniques.

If you want to specifically work on diamond systems for aiming kicks and banks, HAPS-III, VEPS-IV, VEPP-IV, and VEOP-IV (recommended in this order) provide comprehensive coverage of a wide range of systems, effects, and techniques.

If you want to specifically work on position play and sidespin (english), HAPS-I, SAWS, VEPS-II, VEPP-II, VEEB-II, and VENT-III (recommended in this order) provide comprehensive coverage of how and when to use sidespin, and how to use it effectively.

If you want to specifically work on pattern play and strategy, VEPS-III, VEEP-III, VEEB-I, VEEB-IV, VEEB-V, VENT-II, and VENT-V provide comprehensive coverage of how plan and execute effective run-outs.

If you want to specifically work on safety play and defensive strategy, the following cover this topic in great detail: VEPS III, VEPP-III, VEEB-III, and VENT-IV.

If you want to save money, discounted package deals are offered for multiple-set purchases (via the purchase pages for each DVD product). All the videos are also available online via the stream or download page.


PRODUCT

TOPICS COVERED

basics,
funda-mentals

aiming
systems

CB
control

sidespin,
position
play

drills

game
strategy

kick
and
bank
shots

advanced
shots,
techniques

TIPOPAB

X

X

X

X

 

X

X

 

HAPS

 

X

X

X

 

 

X

 

SAWS

 

X

X

X

X

 

 

X

BU

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

VEPS

 

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

VEPP

 

 

X

X

X

X

X

X

VEEB

 

 

X

X

 

X

X

X

VENT

 

 

X

X

 

X

X

X

VEOP

 

 

X

X

 

X

X

X


PRODUCT

SKILL LEVEL

beginner

lower
intermediate

upper
intermediate

lower
advanced

upper
advanced

professional

TIPOPAB

X

X

X

X

 

 

HAPS

X

X

X

X

X

 

SAWS

 

 

X

X

X

X

BU

 

X

X

X

X

X

VEPS

 

X

X

X

X

X

VEPP

 

X

X

X

X

X

VEEB

X

X

X

X

X

X

VENT

X

X

X

X

X

X

VEOP

 

X

X

X

X

X

And if you are a “pool nerd” and want show people how smart you are about pool physics, get a “Got English?” T-shirt and point at it when you are trying to explain how to aim when using sidespin (or when an opponent misses a sidespin shot).

Other Advice:

It can also be extremely helpful to take a course or lesson with a qualified and experienced instructor so he or she can help assess your game and help you work on the things that are most important for you to develop as an individual.  It is important to correct any bad habits you might be developing as early as possible.  Books and Instructional Videos alone can’t do this.  Dr. Dave offers individual private lessons throughout the year via Dr. Dave’s Pool School and 3-day intensive courses via the Billiard University Boot Camps. And lists of other recommended instructors and schools are also available here.