Pool and Billiard Trick Shots

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 16 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #43 in Sports, #1,667 overall

Artistic Pool and Trick Shots

This lens is a collection of trick shot links and resources along with commentary and observations about trick shots, pool, billiards, and snooker in general. Included are upcoming tournaments, trick shot videos, and tutorial links.

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!)

The world rankings are determined by tournament participation and personal score in each tournament. Current rankings are determined by the Artistic Pool and Trick Shot Association.


(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

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 07/05/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $19.95
Used Price: $15.10

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

APTSA Tournaments:
  • No upcoming tournaments scheduled.
Past APTSA tournament results can be found here.

Dr. Cue Classic Artistic Pool Tour (geared toward amateurs!):
  • BCAPL National Artistic Pool Twin Shootouts May 10 - 16, 2009 at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.
  • VNEA International Artistic Pool Twin Shootouts May 22 - 29, 2009 at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.
  • ACS National Artistic Pool Twin Shootots May 31 - June 4, 2009 at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.
  • APA National Artistic Pool Shootout August 21 - 29, 2009 at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.
Independent Tournaments:
  • 2009 Extreme Trick Shots Championship August 23 - 28, 2009 at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.
  • 2009 Trick Shot Magic September 16 and 17, 2009 at the New York New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV.
  • 2009 World Cup of Trick Shots October 29 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.
Watch trick shots on TV. Check Pool & Billiard Magazine's TV schedule.


2008 Dr. Cue Classic Artistic Cup

Commentary on Past Trick Shot Tournaments 

Find out what happened at these trick shot tournaments

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

Pool Trick Shots with Partners : 1 Introduction
In this video, professional pool players Andy Segal and Bruce Barthelette explain and demonstrate some trick shots performed with two people. This video is intended for the intermediate to advanced player, since some of the skills ...
Midnight Pool (1.0.5) (Cracked IPA) - GU1337
The best 3D graphics ever for an iPhone pool game. - Seven welcoming American pool bars and seven colorful characters which will plunge you in a unique feisty atmosphere. - Challenge mode to learn all the most amazing trick shots. ...
Extraordinary PEOPLE...... | Gleez
Between the years of 1941 and 1957, he won the BCA World Championship of pool an unmatched fifteen times. Mosconi pioneered and employed numerous trick shots, set many records, and helped to popularize the game of billiards. ...
I Am Who I Am So There -
I sat by the pool for awhile with my feet all cooled off and then went in and played pool twice. Won once and lost once. There were some trick shots but they were done on accident so not sure if they count. haha. ...

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 07/05/2009) Buy Now

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: $43.90 (as of 07/05/2009) Buy Now

The Key to Trick Shots 

Trick shot physics

Shop PoolTableLights.com today!

It's important to know in what direction the balls will travel after hitting them. In general, if you hit the cue ball in to an object ball, the object ball will follow the line that connects the center of the two balls on contact. Similarly, if you two balls are touching (balls A and B), and the cue ball hits ball A, ball B will follow the line that connects the centers of balls A and B. But where will ball A go? Ball A will tend to follow the tangent line between the two balls, perpendicular to the line that connects balls A and B.

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.


Find diagrams and more details.

Just Showing Off 

The most popular trick shot

Possibly the most popular trick shot there is. This is a classic shot made popular by Steve Mizerak in a light beer commercial back in the 70's. Two balls end up going in the side pocket by the cluster, and then one each in the opposite side and two lower corner pockets. Meanwhile, the cue ball runs three rails around the table to get the last ball hanging in the upper left corner. Get the rest of the Just Showing Off tutorial.

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

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 07/05/2009) Buy Now

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: $17.25 (as of 07/05/2009) Buy Now

Trick Shot Videos 

Best of the best trick shot videos on YouTube


Tim Chin's Pool Trick Shots

Runtime: 3:37
82289 views
10 Comments:


Artistic Billiard

Runtime: 3:31
4108 views
10 Comments:

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 07/05/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $29.95
Used Price: $22.00

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.

Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009) Buy Now
List Price:
Used Price:

Keep Staring... 

I may do a trick! Shirts for the trick shot artist

Can you do trick shots? 

Are pool trick shots your thing?

Do you like artistic pool? Share your thoughts on pool trick shots here! Also, you can rate this lens at The Isle of Squid or even submit your own lens there.

Thanks for visiting this page! If you liked it, please take some time give props to this page by giving this lens a star rating at the top of the page. If you aren't a Squidoo member, you'll have to join Squidoo before you can rate. Thanks again and leave me if note, if you'd like.


C_Cameron wrote...

Love this lens! I played Mike Massey a game of 8-ball once... it was a very short game, lol. Great work, 5 stars!

ReplyPosted March 20, 2009

Smartshops wrote...

Great lens with lots of information! 5*s from your friends at Smartshops

ReplyPosted February 08, 2009

Lensmaster

panda wrote

If you are looking for new music, soft or games, you can find it on http://newfileengine.com/
It is the best search engine in the internet.

Reply Posted February 02, 2009

Lensmaster

pet9 wrote

If you need to download new movies and games, visit http://newfileengine.com/
It is the best file search engine in the internet.

Reply Posted February 02, 2009

AndrewGreen wrote...

Tried a couple of the shots. I think i might need a bit more practice. Thanks for the helpful vids.

ReplyPosted December 11, 2008

 
1 of 4 pages

New Orbitz! 

powered by Orbitz