Let’s face it; we would all like to be able to sink balls into pockets on a smooth pool table like a real professional in front of strangers at a pub or local pool club. Well, maybe here is your chance. We have compiled a list of the top pool films for you to get tips and pool techniques from. All you have to do now is watch, learn and put into practice what the celluloid professionals do on a pool table. Let’s see if it works for you.
Hurray for The Hustler
This is one of the best Hollywood takes on the ‘art of pool.’ Starring the mega acting duo of Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason, they take on respectively the superb roles of Fast Eddie Felson, a confident challenger who pits his pool shooting skills against the mighty veteran pool master, Minnesota Fats. With memorable pool match ups at one of New York’s finest Billiards Halls, Ames Billiards, this is a film packed with technique and hints for any pool player wanting to improve their game. What’s more, with the legendary pool king himself, Willie Mosconi, behind the techniques displayed by Newman himself, you can be guaranteed a perfect master class. So what are you waiting for, hurry up and watch The Hustler.
Show me The Color of Money
As with all classics, there is a sequel and in this pool film, Paul Newman returns as Fast Eddie Felson, who takes on more of a mentoring role with a young Tom Cruise playing the part of Vincent Lauria. Directed by the talented Martin Scorsese, pool shooting doesn’t get any better than the Nine Ball Classic Tournament in Atlantic City, where Cruise and Newman show off their cuing skills. Again with real professionals behind the scenes such as Michael Sigel, Steve Mizerak and Keith McCready, this is a lesson in how to play pool that you will never forget.
Bite the Baltimore Bullet
The learning curves are steep when you are learning something new and that is what you will see on the pool table when you watch this classic pool film starring James Coburn as experienced pool veteran Nick Casey, also known as the ‘Baltimore Bullet.’ In this film again the lessons learnt come from the relationship between the pool master and his protégé. Together they use their pool skills to take on the Deacon, played by Omar Sharif, an ex con who will not rest his arm on a pool table for less than $5,000. Like all great pool films, real pool professionals work with the actors to make their shot making look perfect and this film is no different with many top pool players playing cameo roles in it. Packed with hints and tips from the greats, this is one film that will make your pool skills go off with a bang.
Hungry for Pool Hall Junkies
A more recent film about the mastery of pool sees Mars Callahan play pool shark Johnny who after an explosive split with his manager leaves the pool world only to come back to return to his hustling days to play a match for money and his life. Packed with high drama and insightful pool techniques the tricks were devised and taught by the legendary Robert Leblanc. So let’s hope this film has wetted your appetite for learning pool tricks that will make people hungry for more of your pool performance.
They say that practice makes perfect and by watching these classic pool films over and over again, you are certain to pick up some of the techniques to make you a pool player to be reckoned with.
Lucas Conner is a blogger who believes that by watching some of the greatest pool related films, you should be able to pick up some tips and advice on how to score on your local pool tables. Most of these films show pros making cameo appearances so you can be sure that you are learning from the best.
Photo Credits: Wikipedia
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Excellent post. Hustling is the deceptive act of disguising one’s skill in a sport or game with the intent of luring someone of probably lesser skill into gambling (or gambling for higher than current stakes) with the hustler, as a form of confidence trick. It is most commonly associated with, and originated in, pool (and to an extent other billiards-family games), but also can be performed with regard to other sports and gambling activities. Thanks for sharing.