Artistic Pool and Trick Shots
If you're a beginner, you can get started right away with some simple but head-turning tricks. If you're more experienced, you can expand your repertoire with a huge library of shots. When you think you're ready, consider competing in trick shot tournaments.
Introduction to Trick Shots
What are trick shots? What is artistic pool?
Trick shots (or artistic pool) are a challenging and entertaining discipline of pool, billiards, and snooker. Often, the balls do unexpected things like travel in near circles or make hard turns, or many balls are sunk in one shot. Trick shots also utilize props to give the shot an aesthetic appeal or add difficulty to a shot.There are two aspects to trick shots: the setup and the execution. The overall difficulty level of a shot is a combination of these. It is easier for a pool novice to concentrate on the easy execution shots, even if the setup is more difficult. This just takes patience and precision in setting up the shot. A more advanced pool player will have the skills necessary to execute some of the more difficult shots, adding spin to the ball or making it jump in the air.
Trick shots are broadly classed into two categories: artistic shots and skill shots. Artistic shots are those where the setup is more critical and multiple balls go into the pockets. Skill shots are those where the execution is more critical and certain spins must be added to the balls. Trick shots are further divided up into 8 disciplines for sanctioned tournaments -- trick and fancy, prop/novelty, draw, follow, bank/kick, stroke, jump, and masse.
Top Trick Shot Artists
The big boys of trick shots (no women yet!)
(left to right) #1-Tom Rossman, #2-Andy Segal, #3-Nick Nikolaidis
(left to right) #4-Sebastian Giumelli, #5-Eric Yow, Retired #1-Mike Massey
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- Eric Yow - Professional Pool Playing Attorney on ESPN2. Article in Clarksville newspaper: http://tinyurl.com/ericyow
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- 2009 Trick Shot Magic Semi-finals: ESPN2 Nov. 22, 4-7pm, Yow vs Guimelli, Nikolaidis vs Segal. Results: http://tinyurl.com/TSMresults
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- RT @insidepoolmag Pool & Billiards New Team USA Downs Team Europe in World Cup of Trick Shots http://bit.ly/4e1qpt
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- Team USA wins 2009 World Cup of Trick Shots! Congrats to Tom Rossman, Mike Massey, Andy Segal and Bruce Barthelette, defending their gold!
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- Any interest in live tweeting from the World Cup of Trick Shots at Mohegan Sun later this week? It could be arranged... Vote with a reply.
Trick Shot Resources
The must-have trick shots book for every beginner
Mike Massey's World of Trick Shots
This book is a fantastic resource written by perhaps the most famous face in trick shots. It diagrams and details around 170 shots, from the very easy to the very difficult, including finger pool, along with giving some fundamental instructions for understanding trick shots and tips on giving exhibitions. If you're serious about trick shots, you need to have this book!
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 11/14/2009) 
List Price: $19.95
Used Price: $5.28
2009 Masters Champion
Andy Segal wins the Masters for the 3rd time!
Upcoming Trick Shot Tournaments
If you can, check out these trick shot tournaments in person
- 2010 Masters Artistic Pool Championship March 18 - 21, 2010 at Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, PA.
Dr. Cue Classic Artistic Pool Tour (geared toward amateurs!):
- Dr. Cue Signature Artistic Cup III November 19 - 22, 2009 at The Bank Shot Bar and Grill in Laurel, MD
- No independent events scheduled.
2008 Dr. Cue Classic Artistic Cup
Commentary on Past Trick Shot Tournaments
Find out what happened at these trick shot tournaments
- 2009 World Cup of Trick Shots
- Results and recap from the 2009 World Cup of Trick Shots featuring Andy Segal, Bruce Barthelette, Tom Rossman, Mike Massey, Stefano Pelinga, Nick Nikolaidis, Luke Szywala, Ralph Eckert.
- 2009 Ultimate Trick Shot Challenge
- Recap of the 2009 Ultimate Trick Shot Challenge that took place Aug 18 - 21, 2009 at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.
- 2008 Dr. Cue Classic Artistic Cup II
- Not so much a commentary as full results from the competition.
- 2008 Trick Shot Magic
- Inside Pool presents this summary of 2008 Trick Shot Magic.
- 2008 Comet Billiards Classic
- Took place at Comet Billiards, Parsippany, NJ on Sept. 5-7, 2008.
- 2008 World Cup of Trick Shots
- Took place at Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT on Oct. 30, 2008.
Bloggers on Pool Trick Shots
Right now, what the bloggers have to say about pool trick shots
- Ballin Pool Trick Shots
- Intermediate Trick shots Category: Entertainment Tags: Pool, Ballin, Shots, Trick.
- TEAM U.S.A. DOWNS TEAM EUROPE IN THE WORLD CUP OF TRICK SHOTS ...
- The WORLD CUP OF TRICK SHOTS was held October 29 at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. Team U.S.A. claimed the title over Team Europe in the Fourth Annual international team competition in the sport of Trick Shots. The prize purse was $30000 ...
- Team USA Downs Team Europe in World Cup of Trick Shots | Billiard ...
- Team USA Downs Team Europe in World Cup of Trick Shots by InsidePOOL Staff The World Cup of Trick Shots was held October 29 at Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, CT, where Team USA claimed the title over Team Europe in the ...
- Amazing pool trick shots | Regent Snooker Lounge
- Amazing Pool Trick Shots medley by Inside POOL Magazine columnist Jason The Michigan Kid Lynch. See more at Music by Kevin Macleod....
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More Trick Shot Resources
Great instructional trick shot videos
Byrne's Standard Video of Trick Shots - Vol. III (video) by Robert Byrne
Byrne's videos present a lot of trick shots found in his book. Most of the trick shots are on the easier side and there's also some good hustler tricks that'll win you bets at your local bar or pool hall.
Amazon Price: $9.00 (as of 11/14/2009)
Byrne's Standard Video of More Trick Shots - Vol. IV (video) by Robert Byrne
The is the continuation video of Byrne's Standard Video of Trick Shots (Vol III). Also a wonderful video.
Amazon Price: $23.50 (as of 11/14/2009)
The Key to Trick Shots
Trick shot physics
All of this, unfortunately, is overly simplified as there are friction effects, but this is a great starting point. Be sure to check out Tim Chin's article on throw for tips and drills. He also has a new article on spin and basic ball setup.
Just Showing Off
The most popular trick shot
Presented with permission of Tim Chin. More trick shot tutorials and diagrams can be found on Trick Shot Tim. Diagrams are also available at 10 Billiard Trick Shots to WOW Your Friends.
Trick Shot Lenses
Get more information on trick shots
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Tim Chin
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Based in Boston, MA, this up-and-coming trick shot artist is currently ranked 20th in the world, an impressive feat in his young 3 year career as an artistic pool professional. In addition to competing, he spends a lot of time interacting with fans (...
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Pool Trick Shots Video Showcase
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Many people play pool, but not many people can do jaw-dropping trick shots on the pool table. This showcase is a display of the best artistic pool videos out there by both professionals and amateurs! Image used with permission of Trick Shot Tim.
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10 Billiard Trick Shots to WOW Your Friends
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So you can play 9-ball, so you can play 8-ball, so you can play 1-pocket. So what? Can you make the pool balls defy the laws of physics with every stroke? Can you impress people with mind-boggling moves? Maybe it's time to pick up a few tricks and hu...
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Books for the Pool Player: Biographies
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You don't know pool until you know something about the life of a pool player. In this lens, you'll find some of the bestselling biographies of personalities in the world of billiards. Some are light reading, some will put you into the dark world of h...
More Trick Shot Resources
To help improve your trick shots skills
Artistic Pool Trick Shot Templates
This is a useful disc to have to learn some of the setup shots that look very impressive. Seven shots are diagrammed and templates can be printed out so you can set them up on your own table. Each shot has a shooter's perspective and video too, along with tips on how to make adjustments for different tables. This will get you pocketing 7 balls with one shot with ease!
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 11/14/2009)
Byrne's Treasury of Trick Shots in Pool and Billiards
Byrne's trick shot book was maybe the first great collection of trick shots compiled in to one place. Some of the instructions are lacking, so there will definitely be some trial and error, but the diagrams are clear and there are great back stories to a lot of the shots. Highly recommended if you want to show off to your friends!
Amazon Price: $23.00 (as of 11/14/2009)
Trick Shot Links
Where to start learning trick shots
- Trick Shot Tim
- Free trick shot videos and tutorials. Hands down the best place on the web to learn (and watch!) trick shots. This site is run by the world-ranked professional trick shot artist Tim Chin.
- Artistic pool
- Brief history of artistic pool with amateur tournaments. Presented by Tom "Dr. Cue" Rossman.
- Artistic Pool and Trick Shot Association
- Professional players organization with tournament listings, rankings, shot program, and forum.
- Vincent Facquet trick shots
- Trick shot videos performed by Vincent Facquet.
- Wikipedia entry
- Wikipedia entry on trick shots with encyclopedic information on tournaments.
More Trick Shot Resources
Great pool trick shots stuff
Artistic Pool Manual
This is a great resource to have as it diagrams every single shot from the original professional shot program used in tournaments, complete with shooter-perspective views, videos, and what adjustments to make if you miss. If you want to enter the world of professional trick shots, this is invaluable!
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 11/14/2009)
List Price: $29.95
Used Price:
Kimura's "Mind Blowing" Trick Shots
This video is by the legendary Japanese trick shot artist Yoshikazu Kimura and it truly is mind blowing. This is fantastic entertainment for the trick shot enthusiast and will even impress non-pool fans. Trying to replicate all of these shots would take years, but would be very impressive.
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Keep Staring...
I may do a trick! Shirts for the trick shot artist
Keep Staring... Dark T-Shirt
Price: 21.99
Can you do trick shots?
Are pool trick shots your thing?
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- Smartshops Smartshops Feb 8, 2009 @ 9:15 am
- Great lens with lots of information! 5*s from your friends at Smartshops
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- AndrewGreen AndrewGreen Dec 11, 2008 @ 9:33 am
- Tried a couple of the shots. I think i might need a bit more practice. Thanks for the helpful vids.
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