'Books'
Pool Wars by Jay Helfert
Pool Wars –autographed copies
On the road to Hell and back with the
World’s greatest money players.
Lifetime pool player/promoter/enthusiast, Jay “Toupee Jay” Helfert — and I recite his nickname with affection — has taken us on a fun ride through what I call the Golden Years of pool and pool hustling. Jay’s misspent youth turns out to be our good fortune, as he has chronicled many of the events that have heretofore have been known only to the participants. Pool has never received much air or tabloid space, so many of our exploits have stayed alive only through word of mouth, or the efforts of a few lonely billiard writers, myself included of course.
So climb aboard and see what it was like to navigate throughout the shady shark-infested war zones of Chicago’s Bensingers, New York’s 711, LA’s Big Mama’s, Hollywood’s Ye Billiard Den, and so on, with the best players/hustlers of that generation.
Autographed copies $19.95 plus shipping
Hustler Days
Hustler Days by R A “Jake” Dyer –autographed copies
There are some very complimentary reviews of this book, made by some very competent, accredited book reviewers. Throw ‘em all out the f’in window. What the hell do they know about what R A “Jake” Dyer wrote? How could they possibly know how right on Dyer was in his chronicling of the old Wild West days of pool hustling? I know. I was there, and I knew and played with the people he was talking about. I read the book and was amazed at the accuracy of his observations about the players, many of whom he had never met. Usually books like this, written out of mainly research, are trips through fantasy land, rife with hyperbole and exaggeration. I’ll be damned if Dyer didn’t get it pretty much right. I endorse this book completely. Forgot about what those square johns have got to say about it, just listen to me. The book is filled with Jersey Red, Minnesota Fats, AKA New York Fats, and Wimpy Lassiter. What else do you need to know?
Autographed copies, $19.95
Freddy the Beard Bentivegna
The following is a “professional” review that I (the Beard) can live with:
Minnesota Fats was a brilliant pool player, but he was even better at lying about his past. Wimpy Lassiter, the gentlemen hustler, started playing at age seven and for the rest of his life lived for the rush of victory and high stakes. Violent and determined, Jersey Red made and lost a fortune at the table.
With a passion for the game evident on every page, R.A. Dyer’s Hustler Days takes us through the smoky bars and the late nights where a win was just as dangerous as a loss.
Readers will embrace Fats, Wimpy, and Red—the fool, the poor-boy-done-good, and the hustler with a heart of gold—as their stars rise and fall. Complete with a glossary of pool terms, a list of tournaments, and profiles of other top players, this is the definitive book on a time when pool was king and those three player, its princes.
The Hustler and the Champ
The Hustler and the Champ by RA “Jake” Dyer–autographed copies
From Booklist:
In 1978, Minnesota Fats played Willie Mosconi on ABC’s Wide World of Sports. Fats was the most famous pool hustler in the world; Mosconi was the best pool player in the world. Where Fats was funny and lovable, Mosconi was flinty and unlikable—a match made in ratings heaven. The two embarked on a brief career together: while Fats entertained the audience, Mosconi won the matches. Dyer, the author of Hustler Days (2003) and a columnist for Billiards Digest, puts the events in historical context—lots of it—using the men as symbols of the long-running war between the soul of the game and its corporate image. It’s a great concept, and Dyer’s indefatigable digging unearths some gleaming nuggets. His you-are-there prose style can overreach, however (he writes “he would have said” too often), and he repeats key points the reader already understands. But for those who love pool for all the “wrong” reasons, Dyer is indispensable. After all, the name that became synonymous with pool was not that of clean-living Mosconi—but lying, cheating, overeating, unforgettable Fats.
Autographed copies, $19.95
Keir Graff
Banking With The Beard – Secrets of a Master Banker
Banking with the Beard, by Freddy Bentivegna, is an instructional work of art. Increase your game from the Knowledge within this book. It’s easily read, even for the novice.
(all copies autographed)
Traditionally, top after hours players were very tight lipped about divulging any ‘how to’ secrets. The hustler’s credo has always been never show your true speed, let alone give up any trade secrets that might come back to beat you! That’s one of the things that is unique about this book, because it comes from the genuine article. A veteran of countless action matches, from the ‘practice table’ at Johnston City to Chicago’s legendary Bensinger’s poolroom, Freddy came up through the school of hard knocks, against many of the best bankers of all time.
This is top quality instruction from a rare source: a top after-hours player, and he doesn’t hold back in sharing his hard-earned and valuable knowledge. Along with that, Freddy is one of the most entertaining and articulate legends of pool, with plenty of real life experience to both enliven and legitimize the advice he shares.
Sample pages from “Banking With The Beard”
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THE BEARD IN CHINA
The Beard’s bank pool classic, Banking With The Beard, has been released in Mainland China in a translated edition. 5000 copies have been distributed in Beijing.
The GosPool of Bank Pool
This is the second book by “The Beard”, and not only is it instructional, but is packed with stories, and photos as well.
(all copies autographed)
The GosPool continues the “Beard’s” instruction for banking with more than 100 new pages of bank shot information. The GosPool also entertains with fascinating tales and anecdotes of hustlers on the road. Included are interesting stories about Minnesota Fats, Harold Worst, Bugs Rucker, Eddie “the Knoxville Bear” Taylor, CornBread Red, and many other top players Freddy knew and competed against. If you want to learn more banks and you like pool stories, this book is for you. There are many pictures of legendary hustlers along with Freddy’s critique of their action.
Sample pages from GosPool
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the Eight Ball Bible – By R. Givens
The critically acclaimed “Eight Ball Bible” is quite simply the best 8-ball book ever written. It provides illustrated instruction for every major aspect of high-speed 8-ball from safety play to the mental skills needed for championship competition. Players at all levels can improve after reading it. Concepts are clearly explained with over 460 diagrams. Players will either win using “The Eight Ball Bible” strategies, or be defeated by them. 283 pages.
(all copies autographed)
ROAD PLAYER: The Danny DiLiberto Story by Jerry Forsyth
A lifetime of stories from the vibrant memory of Danny DiLiberto, one of Accu-Stats Video’s most popular commentators. DiLiberto was one of the fabled road players, beginning with the Johnston City Hustler’s Tournaments. He excelled in four sports: baseball, bowling, boxing, and pool. Boxing was his first love, but his own hands could not stand the power of his blows. He was forced to quit because he punched so hard that he kept breaking the bones in his hands. Pool gave him the greatest fame and that’s what this book is about. From Las Vegas to Hollywood to the smallest towns on the most distant highways, this is the life of the roadman. A gambler’s tale in his own words.
(all copies autographed)
Excerpt from my book, The GosPool According To The Beard:
“Most Talented Pool Player: Probably Danny Diliberto from Buffalo, NY. Danny could run over 200 balls and was undefeated in 14 pro fights (12-0-2). Diliberto was an AA minor-league baseball player and a 200 average bowler who once bowled a perfect 300 game. Danny had a phenomenal throwing arm. He could throw a golf ball farther than anybody in the world. Danny could make a field goal on a football field with a golf ball by throwing it 100 yards through the goal-post uprights. He won the money doing that at Johnston City, IL. in the ’60s. Later, he trapped the late Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle at a Fort Lauderdale bar during Yankee spring training. Danny bet Maris he could throw a golf ball farther than Roger could. Diliberto won the bet from an amazed Maris by throwing the ball all the way across the waters of the Fort Lauderdale Causeway on Highway A1A. Roger didn’t even take his turn and tried to renege and call off the bet. Danny, who had a punch that could down an elephant, stood his ground and finally got paid.”
Joe Tucker’s “Guaranteed Improvement Book and DVD”
Joe now demonstrates all the shots and drills for you in what turns out to be one of the best instructional videos you’ve ever seen. It’s almost 2 hrs long and full of very useful information.The book contains 10 effective drills all based on a 100 point scoring system that helps keep practice competitive and the player motivated as he or she watchestheir score and skills constantly increase. The book is easy to carry and the comb binding allows it to lay flat on the table while you train. Whether you’re a pro instructor or beginning player, this book and DVD is for you.
THE PRO BOOK by Bob Henning
This book brings the latest advancements in training methods and techniques into pool. Intended for the competitive player, it will produce dramatic results in your game, if you put in the effort. Improve your ability to play using 130 reference shots, keyed into your memory with 16 primary shots. Expand your knowledge with reference safeties, kicks, kick safeties, and banks. Refine your table evaluation and pre-shot routines. Increase your mastery of peak performance with nutrition, mental training and conditioning. Organize your own training program for the physical, mental and emotional aspects of pool. If you are serious about competing at a higher level, this book is your ticket to getting there!
(all copies autographed)
The Advanced Pro Book
(all copies autographed)
THE ADVANCED PRO BOOK
Seven years of additional research from the author of The Pro Book, widely considered the most advanced training resource in pool. This new book covers five major areas of strategy and training techniques for the serious pool player: Honing Your Technique, Mastering the Shot Routine, Mastering Advanced Tools, Getting Your Game Out, and Match Strategy. This book contains advanced strategies and training techniques and is intended for the serious pool player. It’s a free standing book and the original Pro Book is not required to use it effectively, but being familiar with The Pro Book or The Pro Book DVD Series would be an advantage.
Train to execute advanced shots, position play, defensive play, banks and kicks.
Learn to get your best game out when you need it! Keep your focus under pressure!
Discover advanced strategies for the front, mid, and end games. Learn to take control!
Hone your technique to a master’s edge by using your own natural coordination! Increase your consistency by incorporating personal alignment, stroke and rhythm. Master the shot routine, visualization, and timing. Discover what is natural for you!