Product Description

The Science of Pocket Billiards covers the entire spectrum from basics to the most advanced concepts of pool. There are 262 pages (81/2 X 11) crammed with information along with 33 photographs and 277 illustrations to help clarify the material presented. The occasional player can skim through the book and learn enough for a lifetime of casual play while a serious student of pool can study this book for months or even years and continue to gain valuable knowledge.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #305307 in Books
• Published on: 1995-07
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback

CUE & NEWS, September 1992
"From intermediate to advanced professional, Koehler provides information that is invaluable." "The reader comes away with the impression that this is solid factual information, not just another opinion from someone who plays well but can not teach." "If you want the most out of the game, based on factual information, Jack Koehler has written a text that is required reading."

POOL & BILLIARD MAGAZINE, December 1989
"The Science of Pocket Billiards covers an incredible amount of ground. Not only do you get the fundamentals, you also get advanced insights and nuances." "Particularly impressive is the way The Science of Pocket Billiards seems to cover all the details."

BILLIARDS DIGEST MAGAZINE, February 1992
"I have no hesitation in asserting that his (Koehler's) contribution to billiards, backed up as it is with empirical data, is monumental. If we don't take him seriously, there's a real risk his valuable discoveries will be forgotten for another century."

Customer Reviews

Very thorough coverage suitable for all levels of player
I purchased this book as a total beginner to pool and it has really jumpstarted my learning process. Normally I'd have learned by trial and error and would eventually develop a 'feel' for it. This book explains scientifically, geometrically and physically what is taking place on the table so that I understand what it is I'm attempting to make happen. Feel will always be necessary, that's much of the fun, but understanding the logic behind each shot is a great guide and really helps me get back online when I lose that elusive feel.

Koehler's book starts with the basics of equipment and terminology and proceeds through technique, strategy, psychology and more. One thing that I really like is that the book offers many alternatives so that I can choose the ones that suit me best, or have options when my usual approach isn't available. The author offers some opinions on which might be a better choice but provides enough information on each to allow an informed decision.

Though I'm still a beginner I am confident that this book would benefit players of all levels. I've got a pool buddy (also a beginner) that lives a few hours away. I sent him a copy of this book so that I won't have an unfair advantage next time we get together!

Full of Details
This technical guide is full of tables and statistics, along with lots of tips to make you shoot a better game of pool.

Very comprehensive but technical
The book is very comprehensive going into a lot of detail and at times is very technical. There are lots of tables and statistics. However, it does a great job of explaining how the various aspects of the game impact the outcome of each shot. Things like cue ball and object ball movement, best cue stick positions for type of shot, how english and top and bottom spin impact cue ball placement, and much more. If you focus on the less technical aspects taught in this book you will come out with a much better understanding of how to shoot better pool. I'm still reading it but have learned alot and I consider myself a better than average pool player already. It is at times tough reading but you can get into it as deeply as you desire and several readings over time will glean more information.