Playing Off The Rail: A Pool Hustler's Journey (Book Review)

If your bookshelf resembles mine, there are at least a dozen books on the game of billiards on it. Most of them are filled with table diagrams or psychological insights into the game. These are great for improving your game, but they don't do much for you when you want entertainment. Sure, you can pop in The Hustler of The Color of Money in your DVD player for the umpteenth time. But what if you want a great story of what it's really like being a pool hustler on the road (without having to watch Paul Newman's thumbs being broken) ? Then you need to get a copy of Playing Off The Rail: A Pool Hustler's Journey by David McCumber.

McCumber is a talented SF Bay Area writer turned pool stakehorse for the purpose of experiencing what most of us just dream about: going on the road. The story follows him and his player as they hustle their way across the United States and Canada. Their journey is filled with moments of glory, grit, and a few dangerous scrapes as they encounter a cast of characters ranging from Johnny Archer to a myriad of small town hustlers eager to earn a few bucks from unsuspecting players. One thing soon becomes apparent which is that the life of a hustler is grueling and oftentimes unglamorous, offering cheap hotel rooms and sometimes even cheaper hustles. McCumber illustrates these frustrations with perfect clarity, but doesn't drag the reader down with the details. Witty banter and biting sarcasm between the two companions are enough to make you smile and keep reading to find out what happens to them in the next town. Their next game is always a surprise and can range from a high brow Canadian snooker club to a US national tournament. The fact that the author is also an avid pool player himself is critical, so just the important details about the games and the hustling nuances filter through.

This book is a great read that reveals a glimpse into the road hustler's life without having to leave your local pool hall. If there's one lesson to be learned, it is that being a good hustler doesn't just take talent and a knack for gamblng, it takes heart. I suppose Walter Tevis said the same thing, but sometimes you need a second opinion.

I got my copy from:Amazon.com

Joe Porper 2x2 Signature Cue Case (Product Review)

I recently got two new cues and needed a case for them. My requirements were: something discreet (not too flashy, not too bulky), something that would secure 2 butts and 2 shafts and something not too pricey (under $150).

I looked at hard box (suitcase) type cases first because I like the neat design. Unfortunately, a lot of these look (and are) cheap. Not all of them are bad though. The nicest one I found is the Lucasi 2x2 which has great construction. Since actual specs for these cases is hard to find, I guesstimated the dimensions to hold 4 cue halves in a line was going to be too bulky for my taste (requirement one: discreet). I felt a soft "pouch" case was another alternative, but it didn't offer enough protection (requirement two: secure). So, my only choice was to get a "tube" style case which are currently in vogue. Despite today's popularity of cue cases with lots of studs, rivets, zippers, engraving and hand tooled leather "bling", I wanted something more understated but still functional.

After looking at cases ranging in price from bargain $50 to custom $700+ exotic designs, I opted to get the "Porper 2x2 Signature Cue Case" which is vinyl with a hard foam core. The internal tubes are tapered to fit two butts and two shafts snugly. I personally prefer this over other tube cases that let your cue jostle around, even if the tubes are padded. The cross section is square, so it looks like smaller than conventional 2x2 oval tube cases. Sewn into the case are two generous pockets which are useful to keep a cloth, wallet, cell phone and your favorite tip tool with room to spare. It has a handle which conveniently locks down the shoulder strap when you want to carry rather than wear it.

My only gripes about this case are that the lid is hard foam and since I use join protectors, the cue extends even higher inside so securing the lid is a very snug fit. I was afraid of scratching the cue finish, but the foam seems to "break in" enough not to cause any harm. My other gripe is the form of the pockets - they're sewn in as neat rectangles, but because they are made of pliable vinyl, they morph to odd shapes toward the top. Fortunately, they're still soft enough that if you fill them up, they find their intended rectangular shape. It's a minor aesthetic issue that is easily remedied.

The list price is $78 for the case and I got mine off eBay for around $50. I wouldn't mind paying full price because this case looks neither cheap nor flashy and it protects my new cues. For my current needs, it's the perfect case.

Check out this case and others at www.porper.com

Guaranteed Improvement Indeed (Book Review)

I received this handy little spiral bound book in the mail a few weeks ago from Joe Tucker, professional pool player and inventor. Now before you wave your hand and pass on this "training aid", just hear me out.

Guaranteed Improvement consists of a series of drills, shots and exercises to gauge and improve your skill level. That's it. No gimmicks. Just shoot the shots, tally the results and repeat.

What I like about Guaranteed Improvement is that there's a way to gauge your skill level for different exercises and and rank yourself on a scale of: D, C, B, A, Short Stop and Professional. Now, there has been some critique of the accuracy of the rating system and Joe himself agreed that this is not meant to be an exact measurement. After all, you are by yourself practicing with a book - how accurate do you expect it to be? Nevertheless, the book excels in helping you identify your weaknesses, improve upon them and track your progress.

The book itself is about 5"x8.5" and is spiral bound, so it's easy to carry and open flat. The words "PLEASE DO NOT DISTRACT PLAYERS PRACTICING" is printed on the back, which I find a bit amusing but I could see some use for if you're constantly being interrupted. I appreciate the unassuming design and "no frills" nature of the book. You definitely won't be embarrassed bringing into your local hall.

As of now, the book ships with a DVD. I got an advance copy of the DVD and I have to say that I think it's an essential companion to the book. Joe's instruction is casual but precise, reminding me of a personal pool coach. Emphasizing the important points and leaving the work to you. Joe runs through the drills so you can see how they are done. The only mild negative point for me is the alien-voiced animated cue ball character introducing each drill segment. This is just my personal taste and it doesn't detract from the excellent instruction material. After watching the video, I can't see using the book without watching it first.

I bought my copy of Guaranteed Improvement from: www.joetucker.net

Where the Pros Are, Sometimes

There is a great web site to check out if you're a pool player and that is AZ Billiards.

They've got more than 50 articles on game play written by professional pool players and writers alike. They've also got some billiard news, but the main draw for me are their forums. As with most forums, everybody goes by some made up nickname. But, hidden behind most of the names on this site are touring professional players, custom cue makers, and a populus that is generally very experienced and willing to offer up insight into the game. And just like any local pool hall, there are some that have less patience with "newbies", so if you want advice, it pays to be nice.


For anybody not on the professional circuit, the forum is a great opporunity to participate in discussions with the folks you see playing on TV. However, the pros aren't always around since they're, well, playing pool most of the time. And maybe they aren't quite as geeky as the rest of us. Nevertheless, AZ Billiards is a great resource to learn about the game and equipment.

I bought my first custom cue from a cuemaker there!

Willie Mosconi World of Pocket Billiards (Video Review)

I purchased a copy of Willie Mosconi's World of Pocket Billiards out of curiousity and watched it lastnight. Since the show was produced decades ago and caters to a general audience, I figured it would just be neat just to watch the greatest pocket billiard player of all time talking about the game.

The first thing that struck me was the outdated format. From the clothes to the cheesy backdrop to the scripted banter, I found myself questioning if this was going to be worth an hour of my time. Things picked up when Willie got to the table and started explaining the basics of forming a bridge, stance, banking, caroms, etc. All familiar stuff to what's found in his little red book, but interesting to see him explain it "live".

Things got really interesting when Willie proceeded to talk about 14.1 pool and playing position. He ran two racks like they were nothing and ended up in perfect position to break a third. I found I was actually learning a few things just listening to him talk through his thought process and watching him pocketing the balls with ease.

While you aren't going to learn as much as you would from a dedicated pool instruction video (like Byrne's or Grady's), you might pick up a few other lessons just watching a class act like Willie Mosconi bring a level of respectability to the game and make it all seem like child's play. A true great that is a pleasure to watch.

The video is out of production, but you can usually find a copy off of eBay. Here's a link to it on Amazon

A Pool Player Isn't So Hard to Find

If you're like me and have a hankering to shoot pool but don't really have more than a few friends who you can call, there is hope.

Thanks to Billiard Roster, we have the ability to find other pool players in our local areas to play with. Better yet, Billiard Roster is a free player directory. Finally, I can stop scouring craigslist and hanging at the local pool hall waiting for someone to start hustling.

I happened across this site and while it's still very new (there are less than 50 players at this time), it's a free site and it'll only be a matter of time before it's teaming with activity.

So, get your profile and you might just find a good pickup game, or one might find you!