About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

My assessment is simple--get this book, one of the better pool books now in print, and bring it to your home or local poolroom table to improve your game immediately. Each shot presented can be lengthened for more challenging plays but as presented will be more than adequate for sharpening the Eight Ball, Nine Ball or Straight Pool skills of any player.



Pros

• Bob Jewett and other knowledgeable contributors tested the shots and shot layouts.

• The shots are categorized and organized for ease of learning and the player's full advantage.
• Unlike some (most) pool books, Sand's is thoughtful, organized and without serious errors within.
• The clock system of english and spin as presented emphasizes safe, easy-to-control shots.
• Available at your convenience in printed, CD or e-book formats.

Cons

• There should be some flexibility in shot choices based on a player's temperament.
• In other words, there's usually more than one "correct" way to route a cue ball.

Description

• The book is mostly diagrams for you to shoot, which method of book pool players avoid like the plague.
• Why is this so? Do golfers ever improve who don't head for the practice green for putting and chipping routines?
• The bottom line is if you want an economical and practical drill book, this is it.
• There are so many shots boredom lifts by flipping around the book and doing shots at random! Still good for your game.

Guide Review - Review Of Cue Ball Control Sheets - Pool Books Reviews

From the book itself:

"This book is meant to be taken to your practice table. There are setups that will require some practice to master. Some of these setups have to be done just to prove to yourself that you can do it. The key to mastering this material is developing a set of speeds that you can apply intentionally and at will."

Amen to that, readers. The best pool books are meant to get out of the realm of theory and toward a real usage at the table. Hey, i'm not embarrassed to bring a book to the tables if it gives me that winning edge at my next match.
Another point may sound as a mere cliche to readers of this website but it's true... "Control of the cue ball is really easy to learn--when you finally realize you need to know how to precisely hit it with your cue tip."
The author, Allan Sand, is a highly experienced BCA and ACS instructor, two designations I particularly respect as BCA typically offers the best playing rules while ACS is up-and-coming with instructors and players alike for quality conditions of match and league play.
Each book page offers a cheat sheet for successful playing on a common billiards situation. Each layout has a cheat tip or two for solid results. Learn to master and manage the cue ball to your best advantage. Each situation is adaptable for handling similar and related shot opportunities.
The clock system of cue ball aim is used throughout, emphasizing safe regions of the cue ball to strike and informing the player of exactly where to hit the cue ball to maintain control of ball placement. It's good stuff (and frankly better than much inside what passes for pool books lately) and few players would go wrong with Sand's chosen method.

Added to the clock aim system, the player dials in the correct speed for the stroke (familiar speeds that translate to distances like "the distance from one end of the table to the other and back" or the "distance to go up to the short rail and back", offerings of mostly soft and medium strokes that get the job done well. Wise advice is even given on super-short, super gentle wrist strokes, creating devastating safety and other plays at will.

Working through all the many shots presented, your cue ball control will be, as the book says, "Awesome." I have no doubt that many average players as well as many advanced players would benefit greatly from using this and Sand's other pool books at the tables.

Use Allan Sand's Table Map Library Online For Free
My Review Of Sand's "Advanced Self-Testing Book"
My Review Of "The Psychology Of Losing"