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BD House Pro
Tony Robles

A longtime teaching pro at Amsterdam Billiard Club in New York City, Tony has dozens of regional and national titles to his name, including the 2004 BCA Open 9-Ball Championships. He's a 7-time Tri-State Player of the Year, and has run 267 balls in straight pool.

Drills

• Circle Drill
• Run Three Balls
• Time to Play Safe?
• Rail Shots
• Draw-shot Progressive Drill
• Position: Three Choices
• Position: Progressive Drill
• Position: Progressive Drill II
• Position: Progressive Drill III
• Kicking, Part I
• Kicking, Part 2
• 1, 2, 3 Rails
• Cut Shots
• Pop Quiz
• Position: Four Square
• Ride the Rails
• Thirty’s a Crowd
• Channel One
• Avoid the Rails
• Stop on a Dime
• Spin Around
• Get in Line
• An Imperative Pair
• Going for the Kill
• All in One
• Speed Demons?
• The Right Way(s)
• Delicate Touch
• Banking Line
• Bottled Up
• Quick Draw
• Split the Pair
• Six Pockets
• Pull It Back
• Three in One
• Safety Dance
• Cowboy Up
• Spin Right Round
• Legal Cheating
• A Ball A Stroke
• Scenic Route
• Master Masse
• Duck & Cover
• Repeat That
• Got a Feeling?
• Let’s Kick It
• One & Done
• Side to Side
• Bend It
• Easy Does It
• Turning Back
• The Draw Back
• Spinning Class
• Under Control
• Six Stops
• Rainbow 9
• Side Show
• Middle of the Road
• Cluster Buster
• Aim to Win
• Rail to Rail
• Build a Bridge
• Back & Forth
• Hiding Spots
• Deadly Ground
• Off the Rails
• Inside Track
• Three Degrees
• Cross Here
• Frozen Ropes

Circle Drill

Try this if you need help with your shot selection in 8-ball or straight pool, or need to get in the practice of using shorter shots to keep the cue ball near the center of the table. Set up the balls as shown, with the cue ball in the middle, and attempt to sink them all in the available pockets. (If you’re a beginner, you can start with fewer balls and a smaller circle.) The cue ball can’t leave the circle or hit another ball after a shot. You’ll notice that applying draw (striking the cue ball below center) is a must, and that a little left or right English will help you steer around the circle. It’ll be easy to start with, but you need to think ahead for those last few balls.

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Since 1978, Billiards Digest magazine has been the pool world’s best source for news, tournament coverage, player profiles, bold editorials, and advice on how to play pool. Our instructors include superstars Nick Varner and Jeanette Lee. Every issue features the pool accessories and equipment you love — pool cues, pool tables, instruction aids and more. Columnists Mike Shamos and R.A. Dyer examine legends like Willie Mosconi and Minnesota Fats, and dig deep into the histories of pool games like 8-ball, 9-ball and straight pool.

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