Tom Simpson

Tom Simpson Tom Simpson, the founder of the National Billiard Academy, was an accomplished author, inventor, and instructor who dedicated his life to the game of billiards. In his "Ask The Master" column, he partnered with PoolDawg to solve readers' personal billiards mysteries. With over 40 years of playing experience and 20 years as an instructor, Simpson's technical expertise was unparalleled. His ability to explain the game's complexities made him an invaluable resource for players of all levels. Recognized as one of the world's premier instructors, Simpson was an ACS Top Level 4 Instructor/Coach and one of only nine PBIA Master Instructors worldwide. Through his National Billiard Academy, he directly helped thousands of players improve their game and trained hundreds of new instructors. The academy, based in Columbus, Ohio, also offers 3-Day Weekend Intensive Clinics at pool rooms across the country. To learn more about the academy or its clinics, visit their website. Tom Simpson passed away in 2016, but his column continues. If you have questions you'd like answered, email them to "Ask The Master," and we will ensure they get answered.

  1. Should I Use a Low Deflection (Squirt) Shaft?

  2. How Pool Cue Shaft Taper Affects Performance

  3. Does Pool Cue Length Really Matter?

  4. How To Control Jump Shots

  5. How Can I Make More Thin Cut Shots?

  6. Does Tip Hardness Affect Cue Ball Spin?

  7. Tips To Find The Center Of The Cueball

  8. 5 Helpful Billiard Games to Play When Drills Get Stale

  9. How to Shoot Straighter: Correcting the Vertical Axis Perception Error

  10. Loosen Up: How Too Much Tension Can Affect Your Game

  11. How To Draw The Cue Ball Farther And With Precision

  12. Mastering “Squerve”

  13. Aiming Systems

  14. Lesser Known Billiards Games

  15. A Guide to Pool Glasses

  16. Old Dogs and New Tricks

  17. Tip Drill Troubleshooting: Why Isn’t The Cue Ball Coming Straight Back?

  18. Pool Table Evaluation Checklist

  19. Waiting for Your Match

  20. 10-Ball Break

  21. Tips to Improve My Break Shot?

  22. Weight on the Bridge Hand?

  23. Is There Such A Thing As Draw Induced Throw?

  24. Does Table Size Affect Kick and Bank Shots?

  25. Where Should I Be Looking During My Stroke?

  26. How Can I Master the Stop Shot?

  27. Advice for “Straight In” Shots

  28. Difficulty Shooting To The Left Side?

  29. Where Is The Best Spot To Break From?

  30. What Are The Angles For “No Miss” Bank Shots?

  31. Suggestions For Improving My Stroke?

  32. How Can I Prevent Choking?

  33. Advice To Avoid Scratching The Cueball?

  34. What Pre-Shot Decisions Need To Be Made?

  35. How Can I Stop Twisting My Wrist?

  36. How To Deal With Poor Playing Conditions?

  37. What Are The Tricks Pros Use to Stay Focused?

  38. How Much English is Too Much?

  39. Ask the Master - Submit Questions to a Professional Billiards Instructor

  40. Will Not Playing Seriously, Hurt My Game?

Items 1 to 40 of 43 total

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