Issue No. 42

Welcome

The Difference between Winning & Losing

I have traveled this journey for over 20 years and I have taken my share of stumbles. Most of the times, it has been the inner game that has caused me to trip and fall.

As time passed by, and my experience grew, I learned how to handle the set backs this game is sure to bring. Now I share this with you in my weekly newsletter.

To teach one at the expense of his experience would make me the worst of masters. All I can do is Point the Way for you.

You must travel on by yourself, but you are not alone.

In my weekly newsletter I focus my articles on you the player, rather than the mechanics of the game. I desire to give you hope, strength and optimism for your future in this game.

One line, one word, one thought may be the difference between winning and losing. My articles are designed to open your eyes to new and exciting concepts in the game of pocket billiards.

The Science Of Tough Shots

When you are faced with a tough shot, you should not be concerned with making the ball.

When you do the twelve-ball exercise in “The Lesson” you will know what a tough shot is. If we focus our mind on the ball going in the pocket, we may not be able to deliver the committed stroke this shot calls for.

It’s like hitting a home run. If you swing for the fences, you pop the ball up to the infield. When you line up for the winning shot, you need to be concerned with the quality of hit.

The cue tip going through the cue ball is the only place where anything happens. The rest of the action is a result. Be one with the cue tip going through the cue ball.

You must place your feet in the proper stance so you can deliver a quality hit on the cue ball. You must be in proper alignment if you are to stroke the cue through the cue ball. You must follow your pre-shot routine and do not deviate.

If your only concern is the quality of your stroke you will increase your chances of success. If you are concerned with the score, you will forget about what it takes to score.

To often we get preoccupied with results. We look at the final elements of the shot. We see the pocket and forget the stroke. We see the fences and “swing and a miss”.

Let’s say it all together now.

“See the shot
Know the stroke
Shoot the shot”.

If we can keep it this simple we will have greater success. It is a simple as that.

A new weekly column by The Monk

Look for this special section each week. I am going to share some very important material regarding consistency. Here is my first report.

We develop consistency by having one complete mind set. After all, we act, we think, we perform out of our mindset. We need to become I Came to Win players in everything we do. “I Came to Win” should be our constant expression. It will reflect all of our actions from this day forward.

We need a solid pre shot routine. Set up an easy shot and then go through your pre shot routine. Stay in your stance until all the balls have stopped rolling. If you miss a shot, don’t reach out and grab a moving cue ball. Get in the habit of waiting until the ball has stopped rolling before you take a step.

When you stay with your pre shot routine, you make more balls. Let go. Prepare to shoot the shot and let go of the results. Do not concern yourself with success for failure.

You may make the shot. You may miss the shot. You are not sure which will happen. But you are sure of one thing. You will look good shooting the shot. Do this on all shots and you will find your consistency becoming more consistent.

Check Your Values To Be Consistent

Ken asked the questions. “When I am on, I will beat some master players. But when I am off, I can’t hit the broad side of a barn. Why is that”?

Consistency has to do with our values at the time we perform. Our mind set drives us to act, think and perform. So when we feel right, our performance is enhanced. When we are down however, or full of doubts we turn in a sub-par performance.

Consistency also has a lot to do with your over all skills. If you have a solid foundation to your game, you will execute the shots in a consistent manner.

Most of the inconsistent players I work with have missed out on some vital training during their developmental years. They skipped over parts of the complete experience and are trying to win with just three quarters of a game.

For instance, if you have never mastered the four strokes of pool you will be trying to control the cue ball with English or cue tip position and not your stroke. If you are “on” you can get away with this but when you are “off” you won’t be able to deal with the deflection, throw or squirt you get with an off line cue ball hit.

The best way to develop a consistent game is to cover all the fundamentals in steps. Make sure you have a complete game. In the end, you need to see the shot, know the stroke, and shoot the shot.

The Masters of Art in Pocket Billiards

This is a home study course. You train at home.

• No more traveling expenses to visit an instructor.
• No more three-day lessons filled with information.
• No more ‘half measures’.

I am accepting students in my unique home study program. You will train at home, and still have The Monk as your personal trainer for one entire year!! If you take longer to make it through this material, we will stay with you. Success is our only option.

Master each of the twelve separate lessons and you become the master. Let The Monk take you through this twelve-lesson program.

The Monk is involved in every single lesson from start to finish.

For a full report on this program, email The Monk today at

Finding the right cue

So much has been said about which is the best cue on the market today. I swear by my Schular cue. Sammantha swears by her Downey custom cue. Why would we have such a difference in opinion? It is because of our size and physical make up.

Have you ever taken a cue off the rack and found a wonderful hitting cue? I have and if it is my home pool hall, I will mark the cue because not all cues hit alike and I will want to use that same cue again.

A perfect cue is balanced just for you. When you find one, it is mostly due to luck. I have had several great hitting cues. I bragged about them so much my students bought them out from under me.

Often times we will buy a cue and then try to make it work. We invested a lot of money in the cue, so we want to shoot with it. If it is not the right cue for you, it will never be right for you. It is not the proper fit for your size and style. Our cues should be personal and when you find the right one, do not sell it for any price.

There are some cue makers who continuously deliver a great hitting cue. They know balance, and quality of wood. The reason a Tiger shaft hits so well is because it is made in pieces. Tony wants to control the entire assembly of the shaft so that he can guarantee the quality of hit.

Some cue makers understand this and go to great lengths to buy the right wood. If it fits, and you like the cue, buy it and keep it.

Samm's Side Pocket Starts Next Week…….

Sammantha will share her special training with you in her own column.

Take Five From The Monk

Click on the link and begin your unique training here and now.

I am making the cd’s available on line. For the next few weeks I will be recording some new material. You can learn while you drive your car. Learn while you lay on the beach. Learn while you are working at your desk. The cd’ program is very helpful in mastering the inner game of pocket billiards.

The Four Strokes of Pool
Changing the Script
The 101 Laws for Success
Changing the Script (subliminal)

Listen and learn while you drive.

May All the Rolls Go Your Way

The Monk