This book explains how pool hustlers use sharks to bend and break the idea of sportsmanship. Their tricks are exposed in detail - including specific instructions on how to respond. Some of these sharking tricks are amateur hour only - commonly seen among bar-bangers and teenage shooters. The sophisticated and slick tricks are also described. These are all meant to be mental distractions designed to help you lose games and money. To play competitive table billiards, it takes more than good pocketing and positioning skills. It takes a keen awareness of your opponent and his actions. If he is a hustler, this book gives you the tools to recognize and stop anything he does.

Most sports use statistics to evaluate skills. For example, basketball counts free throw attempts versus successes. In the pool and billiards cue sports, there is no clear system to statistically evaluate player skills and abilities. This book provides that objective evaluation system for pool and billiards players. This book's sole purpose is to provide players with an objective evaluation system. Every shooter can use their test scores to determine how good (or bad) they are on a wide range of shooting and playing skills. There are tests specifically for pool tables and tests for billiard tables. These are Cue Sports Progressive Test Groups - designed to determine the player's exact skills in controlling two balls - the Object Ball (OB) and the Cue Ball (CB). The book is divided into two levels: Intermediate and Advanced. Each Test Group starts with an easy shot, followed by more difficult tests. Each test is shot several times and scored. Each test score in the group is added up. The scores can be compared to previous attempts or in competitive challenge shootouts. Included are instructions on how to use a Referee to setup and track test results. Referees are very helpful when you want to challenge other shooters someplace else on the planet, such as another city or country. This scoring system can be used in several ways: Skills Measurement - The test groups identify current playing skills with actual results. The testing process uses multiple attempts that remove the luck factor and reveal reality. Self-Knowledge - Because the test groups strip away fuzzy personal assumptions, the player can make more intelligent table decisions. Personal Training Program - Test groups with low scores identify what areas must be improved. A personalized skill development program can be developed, based on results. Competitive Skills Comparison - Using these test groups, players can compare their individual skills. Competitions can occur in person or (with referees), internationally. This can be done within in a casual competition or formal tournament environment. There are free Personal and Tournament PDF log books on the web site. Use these to enter test scores and save the file as a history of your efforts.