The Atlanta Billiards Show

I'm going to the Atlanta Billiards Show and hope to see you there! The lovely and kind Dawn Hopkins is running this one at the close of the month in fantastic Atlanta, Georgia.

Many fine exhibitors will be present including my friends from Bobble Ball, the CPPA, booksellers, cue makers and many more. A glorious amateur tournament and senior tournament will be held along with pro action.

I plan to be ringside covering the event for About.com. See you there!

The Atlanta Billiards Show

Billiards photo of Matt Sherman busting 'em open (c) Matt Sherman, licensed to About.com, Inc.

The Atlanta Billiards Show Action originally appeared on About.com Pool / Billiards on Saturday, September 4th, 2010 at 03:52:09.

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No Neck Pain Pool

Pool can be a pain in the neck! But it need not be.

As a reader wrote me this week:

I have not been playing much because of a sore neck. For the last three years I have been playing with the cue right under my chin to "sight up" the way the TV pros do.

--I'd be pleased to keep pursuing this with you and other reader until we solve this neck problem!

The pros stretch and practice many hours each day. The rest of us need to stand more carefully and a good stance should be easy on the neck, and strengthen, not weaken, the back muscles.

See the attached article and the subsequent tips!

No, No, No - Neck Pain Pool

Billiards photo of an unpained neck courtesy of Getty Images

Neck Pain Pool originally appeared on About.com Pool / Billiards on Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 at 14:50:03.

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Pool's Final Stroke

How does the pool amateur take the pro stroke of dreams? Pool's final stroke is best taken from the pro checkoff point.

The checkoff point refers to that final moment when the conscious shot planning has ended and the body is released on its own to perform the stroke. Just before the final stroke is taken, it is a-okay, all systems go, and the player pulls the trigger--best when no conscious thought is there to distract.

The best players are "in the zone" here by stroking without the interference of conscious thought. Try to play a few racks this week without any conscious thoughts regarding stroke, stance or even aim. Just watch your body do its thing.

Now transfer that "effort" to the final stroke only. Set up as normal, consciously planning your stance, aim, spin and speed in advance. Take regualr practice strokes, and just before the final stroke shut everything off again and trust your hand and body to do it for you! You might even need to tell you hand to "go!"

I think you'll be surprised at the results you get. Those of you who've used this technique, what do you think of it?

Pool's Final Stroke - Dead Zone Stroking

Billiards photo of a mad eye in concentration courtesy of Getty Images

Pool's Final Stroke originally appeared on About.com Pool / Billiards on Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 at 16:19:08.

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Pool TV

Did you see the Community episode last night?

True, NBC played two good ones last night, one about paintball and one mostly about pool. Joel Hale as the smarmy "Jeff Winger" gets into shorts to shoot pool, then skimpy briefs, then--well, very little is left to the viewer's imagination.

And when Winger bent a leg awkwardly across the table for a shot, it was one of the funniest (though grossest) pool jokes of all time.

Community takes a lot of risks on air, and often successfully. I will challenge almost anyone to a game of pool, but in the buff is another question!

A good "shot" of the game is shown online at CliqueClack.com, if you dare.

Pool TV And Pool Movie Classics

How To "Unstink" Pool TV

Select Pool Shows To Die For

Will Forte Is A Lousy Pool TV Commentator

Billiards photo of a non-naked pool shooter (c) Matt Sherman, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Pool TV originally appeared on About.com Pool / Billiards on Friday, August 27th, 2010 at 16:31:51.

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Pool Feet Fresh

Move that foot... not that way, this way!

A quick tip today on two errors that cause straight strokes to go awry instead.

Pool Feet... And They're Feeling Good For Pool

Photo of pool feet happy as clams courtesy of Getty Images

Pool Feet Funk originally appeared on About.com Pool / Billiards on Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 at 14:31:52.

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