Best Billiards & Pool Books of 2025

The book "101 Fun Things to do in Retirement" is an entertaining and humorous guide to life after work. It encourages readers to break free from convention, embrace their passions, and have fun in their retirement years. The book is an excellent gift for anyone who loves life and laughter, and it's a great read for those who want to enjoy their golden years to the fullest. The author's irreverent and outrageous tone makes the book stand out from other retirement guides. Overall, it's a must-read for those looking to add some fun and excitement to their retirement.

The 99 Critical Shots in Pool is a classic guide to the game written by world champion pool player Ray "Cool Cat" Martin and co-author Rosser Reeves. The book offers over 200 illustrations that show the proper technique, form, and approach to shots. Martin, a Billiards Congress of America Hall of Fame inductee, shares his secrets for playing winner's pool. The book was revamped and redesigned by Times Books, taking a cue from the millions of young Americans who have rediscovered pool. Overall, this guide remains one of the most authoritative and unique books on the game, offering valuable insights for both beginner and advanced players.

Byrne's Complete Book of Pool Shots: 350 Moves Every Player Should Know is a comprehensive instructional guide for billiards players of every skill level. Written by renowned billiards expert Robert Byrne, the book offers readers 350 cleverly diagrammed moves to improve their game and get ahead of their opponents. From tickys and double-kisses to jump shots and diamond systems, Byrne covers all the aspects of the game. Although not for the rank beginner, any player with a reasonably consistent stroke will find engaging exercises here. The book's chapter on fouls also provides ample fodder for spotting hustlers. Overall, this book is a must-have for serious billiards players who want to take their game to the next level.

Byrne's New Standard Book Of Pool And Billiards is a comprehensive guide to cue games that has been updated and expanded with new material on strategy in eight- and nine-ball, trick shots, and billiard memorabilia. The book is designed to help improve the skills of both novice and experienced players alike, complete with detailed diagrams and photographs. Robert Byrne, a champion player and writer in the world of cue sticks, provides readable advice and detailed diagrams for how to play individual shots, including trick shots, strategies for eight- and nine-ball, and rules for the major pool games. Overall, this book is a must-have for any billiards or pool player's shelf and is an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve their game.

Billiards: The Official Rules and Records Book is a comprehensive guide to all things pocket billiards, containing detailed instructions for various games, including Nine Ball, Rotation, Snooker, and Carom. The book includes the official rules of billiards from the Billiard Congress of America, the governing body of professional billiards in the United States. The beginner-friendly chapter offers professional tips on basic techniques and strategies, and a glossary of billiard terms and a summary of BCA billiards champions are also included. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning about or improving their skills in pocket billiards.

Pool & Billiards For Dummies is an essential guide for players of all levels. It covers everything from the rules and strategies of the games to how to set up a pool room and choose the right equipment. The book is packed with practical, step-by-step tips accompanied by dozens of photos and line drawings. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned pool sharp, this book has something for everyone. It includes advanced pool techniques and trick shots to help you play like a champion. Overall, Pool & Billiards For Dummies is a must-have book for anyone who wants to improve their game.

Pleasures of Small Motions: Mastering the Mental Game of Pocket Billiards is a groundbreaking book that applies good science to the mental game of billiards. Bob Fancher, a psychotherapist and pool columnist, explains how the conscious and unconscious mind work together, provides drills to help players improve, and gives invaluable insight on competitive play. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in pool and the mental aspects of the game. Fancher's expertise on how the human mind works makes this book unique and a valuable resource for players at all levels.

Poolology - Mastering the Art of Aiming is a game-changer for pool players struggling to be consistent shot makers. In this second edition book, the author shares his breakthrough aiming method that teaches players how to aim any shot on the table and develop a feel for pocketing balls. The author experimented with various aiming systems and found that most don't work for most people. This book, published by Bookymonster, fills a gap in the market by offering a unique aiming system that can help players improve their game.

This revised and expanded edition of Basic Pool: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide is a must-have for anyone looking to improve their pool game. Written by Hall of Famer Arthur “Babe” Cranfield, the book covers everything from hand position to speed control, making it a comprehensive guide for beginners. The author Laurence S. Moy, a former college pool champion, adds his own insights to the book. The chapters on combination shots and straight pool are particularly helpful. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to up their game and impress their friends.

The Illustrated Principles of Pool and Billiards by "Dr. Dave" is an essential guide for players of all levels who want to master the fundamentals of 8-ball and 9-ball. With over 80 principles of the game presented through precise illustrations and photographs, readers can learn about grip and stance, basic shots, position play and strategy, bank and kick shots, and advanced techniques such as carom and jump shots. The book is organized for quick study and includes video clips, mathematical formulas, and additional resources available on the author's website. For those who prefer a technical approach, this book is a must-have primer.