Philip Capelle - Play Your Best Pool

National Billiard Publications:

Play Your Best Pool by Phil Capelle is the most thorough book on playing pool ever published. Every shot you can think of is discussed. It is clearly written and illustrated, and contains a huge amount of practical information to help you deal with improving and enjoying your game. This is a book to study and use. You'll love it.

Tom Shaw, Pool & Billiard Magazine

This one is one of those rare books from which you can actually learn something. Highly recommended.

George Fels, Billiards Digest

Play Your Best Pool tops all previous how to books. Capelle...has compiled a thorough volume that is must reading for beginner, intermediate and professional players.

The National Billiard News

If you can only buy one pool instruction book, get this one.

The American Cueist

Champion Players:

Phil Capelle's knowledge of 8-ball and 9-ball strategy is particularly impressive.

Buddy Hall, Two Time World Nine Ball Champion

Play Your Best Pool by Phil Capelle is without doubt one of the best billiard books on the market. It is a must for all billiard enthusiasts at any level of play.

Allison Fisher Three Time World Nine Ball Champion

After working with Phil on our book, Mike Masseys World of Trick Shots, I came to appreciate his perfectionist nature his and attention to detail, qualities that are present in Play Your Best Pool and the other books he has written.

Mike Massey Member of the BCA Hall of Fame

I just hope that you realize how much your books and your hard work inspire people. Thanks for giving poolplayers including myself around the world some hope and inspiration.

Tony Robles 2004 BCA Champion, Instructor

Play Your Best Pool definitely has my vote! Never have I seen a more complete, detailed and easy to read book on pool. I've looked for advice on my weak spots and found help. Thanks Phil, for your thorough job. God Bless.

Robin Dodson, Two Time World 9-Ball Champion, BCA Hall of Fame

You can really profit from Phil's research. He has done his homework and come up with all A's.

Lou Machine Gun Butera, Member of the BCA Hall of Fame

Reading this book is like playing several good players. You'll learn all their trade secrets. Anybody that plays Nine Ball should read this book.

Jay Swanee Swanson, Winner of Four Major Nine Ball Titles

I am convinced that it is the most in depth book on pool there is. It is beneficial for all players; pros and amateurs alike. Thanks again Phil.

Tommy Kennedy, 1992 U.S. Open Champion

I found Play Your Best Pool full of valuable information and instruction. This combined with the hundreds of detailed diagrams makes this book a must if you're looking to improve your game.

Darlene Stinson, W.P.B.A. Top Ranked Touring Professional

Industry Experts:

Kudos to Phil Capelle! Play Your Best Pool is perhaps pool's most complete, readable and practical teaching book!

Paul Gerni The Ambassador of Pool, World Trick Shot Champion

There's no better book for 8-ball and 9-ball strategy.

Michael Shamos, Curator of the Billiard Archive

A truly awesome piece of work.

Bob Henning, Author, Cornbread Red

Destined to become a classic.

John McChesney, Chairman, Texas Express Promotion Group

From the vivid, artistic cover to the last page, this book puts a grip on the reader and teaches key instructional points to advance anyone from the ranks of novice to the highest level of performance.

Tom Dr. Cue Rossman, World Masters Trick Shot Champion

Pool Instructors:

Play Your Best Pool is a great book for beginning through intermediate level players and even offers something for advanced players. I always like for my students to use this book as a primer for our training sessions.

Todd Fleitman BCA Certified Instructor and Consultant

Play Your Best Pool is mandatory reading for all of my students. The accurate diagrams and attention to detail put the book in a class by itself.

Roy Yamane BCA Master Instructor

When a student is going to buy just one book, it should be one of Phil's.

Tom Simpson - BCA Master Instructor

"Phil Capelle's contribution to the literature on pocket billiard instruction can help beginning players as well as advanced players looking to improve their game.

Wayne Whiting - BCA Certified Instructor

I am extremely impressed with Phil Capelle's instructional books, I recommend them to all my students as a "MUST HAVE" for their billiard library.

Lisa DAtri - BCA Certified Instructor

"Phil Capelle's books are the most informative and comprehensive instructionals to be found. I always recommend them to my students as their primary training and reference manuals."

Roger Long - BCA Advanced Certified Instructor

Having read just about every book that was ever written about pool; I find your books to the best and recommend them to my students all the time.

Bob Leblanc - House Pro, Jillians, Boston

Play Your Best Pool

Secrets to Winning Eight Ball and Nine Ball

Revised Edition

By Philip B. Capelle

Copyright 2005 By Philip B. Capelle

Smashwords Edition

Published by:
Billiards Press
228 Park Ave. S. #94307
New York, NY 10003

All Rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by an information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of quotations in a review.

ISBN 978-0-9898917-1-4

Cover Illustration by David Harrington.

This book is dedicated to pool players everywhere who share my passion for the sport, and who are always seeking to play their best pool. May our quest for excellence in pool continue.

Writing and producing this book was a constant reminder of the value of teamwork, and of the joy of being associated with people who shared my enthusiasm for the project. I was very fortunate to have them on my side. I would like to thank all the people mentioned below and any others who I may have missed for their help with this book.

The revised edition of this book simply would not have happened without the help of Janet Tedesco. She remade all 400 plus diagrams, typed in the entire text, laid out the book, and was otherwise helpful in countless ways. It was a true pleasure to work with her on the book from start to finish. Thank you Janet so much for such an awesome job.

Chris Donnelly was largely responsible for the production of the original version of this book that laid the groundwork for the book you are now reading. Chris spent untold hours at the computer and was always one step ahead with suggestions for improving the book. Shirley Donnelly continuously evaluated the book while offering suggestions for its improvement. Thanks also to Chris Donnelly, Jr. and to Sean Donnelly.

For the first edition, Linda Hunt cheerfully typed the majority of the text. Susie Massard provided invaluable editing assistance and support for the project Melinda Snyder enthusiastically worked nights on the computer.

David Harrington was responsible for the beautiful artwork on the cover. Jim Taylor of Taylor Made Videos provided the camera work for the photos. Danny Kuykendall allowed us the use of his poolroom for the photos.

A special thanks to BCA instructors Roy Yamane and Bob Jewett. Roy helped with ideas on league play and photography. Bob kindly allowed me the use of data from his tests on the throw effect on cut shots. Thanks go to Ted Mazac, who conducted a valuable study for the chapter on aiming for this new edition. Thanks to Jerry Moreno for his knowledge of the game, and to Karen Latham and Vicki Schultz, who offered several ideas for improving the book. Mike Murad offered advice on the project while Scott Melsinker helped test some of my theories.