If nothing else you should gain a valuable new perspective on how to look at table layouts and that alone will be worth the purchase price. If you can just study 10 shots a week, master them and memorize them, your game will take a huge leap by the time you finish the book. The biggest thing I took away from this book is confidence that I now knew how to deal with certain shots that my opponents most likely wont know. Plans changes with every hit of the cue ball so its important be able to change your strategy during the match. He comes from the same school of thought that dictates that you don’t move the cue ball any more than necessary. Ray is a big proponent of keeping things simple.

He explains how to hit each shot, what english to use and how hard or soft to hit the cue ball. He has an impressive background in straight pool that shows in his shot selection. Ray does a great job of illustrating shots that come up allot more than you think and shows you the best way to deal with them when they do. I remember thinking all he was doing was introducing 30 shots or so and showing different variations of them, but that simply isn’t the case. At first glance you may think that Ray has pulled a fast one on you. I tell him, “You got the answer, its been sitting on your shelf for over a year!” This book wont make you a better player, but it will tell you what you need to know to make yourself a better player.ĭo you ever sit and watch other players (good ones) and say “Wait a minute, how did they make that shot?” Well, chances are that the answer is in Ray Martins book. I know a guy that bought this book and still asks me how to play a certain shot. What surprises me the most about this book are the people who buy it, read some of it and put it on a shelf to collect dust without ever really giving it a serious effort. This book has been around a long time and it continues to be at the head of the pack as far as instructional materials are concerned.

His “just the facts” approach to instruction is a breath of fresh air. Ray Martin is a no-nonsense kind of guy and it really shows in his book. This book should be required reading for anyone that wants to improve their game.

99 critical shots in pool ray martin