The Kitchen God's Guide for Single Guys


Book Description

One evening, I came into the kitchen planning to microwave some left-over pizza. There he was - this kitchen god. (I’m serious, stop laughing.) He said he was kicked out of the cooking universe for gross abuse of something or other. (I think it was snorting curry or cinnamon.) Anyway, he made a deal with me to publish this book and help single guys eat better and save cash. There is a lot of basic information (shopping, supplies, tools, etc.). But more important, you will learn how to enjoy food that you make yourself. You will become an adventurer, an explorer and conqueror of meat, vegetables, and condiments.




The Kitchen God's Wife


Book Description

"Remarkable...mesmerizing...compelling.... An entire world unfolds in Tolstoyan tide of event and detail....Give yourself over to the world Ms. Tan creates for you." —The New York Times Book Review Winnie and Helen have kept each other's worst secrets for more than fifty years. Now, because she believes she is dying, Helen wants to expose everything. And Winnie angrily determines that she must be the one to tell her daughter, Pearl, about the past—including the terrible truth even Helen does not know. And so begins Winnie's story of her life on a small island outside Shanghai in the 1920s, and other places in China during World War II, and traces the happy and desperate events that led to Winnie's coming to America in 1949. The Kitchen God's Wife is "a beautiful book" (Los Angeles Times) from the bestselling author of novels like The Joy Luck Club and The Backyard Bird Chronicles, and the memoir, Where the Past Begins.




The FAQs of Pool & Pocket Billiards


Book Description

Welcome to the Fascinating World of Pool & Pocket Billiards! This is your best resource to learn about the sport of pocket billiards! Inside this book are the answers to hundreds of common questions about the Green Game: • FAQs about the Green Game • FAQs about gambling • FAQs about playing situations • FAQs about practicing • FAQs about playing equipment • FAQs about teaching & learning • Rules for 25 different pool games • Glossary of hundreds of pool terms




Basic Defense and Safety Fundamentals for Pool and Pocket Billiards


Book Description

There are two classes of pool players in the world. The serious shooter is dedicated to finding ways to gain better control how the cue ball rolls around the table. Most players enjoy pool because, well – it’s fun! This book is written for you guys. This is an introduction to the idea that defensive shooting is just as important as offensive shooting. Here is something to remember: there are no rules that require you to play stupid shots. When you have a table layout with a shot that is too tough, you really do not have to figure out some crazy way that the object ball MIGHT (maybe) get to a designated pocket. How about this as a simple solution? DON’T try to make the shot. Instead, shoot something that prevents your opponent from winning the game. If you do this, your opponent has a difficult situation. You can let him invent silly reasons to miss. You come back to the table with a good chance to win (or get closer to a win). Let him play all offense all the time. You play a few safeties and let him give you the opportunity to win. When this book falls into your hands, there is stuff you can use immediately. Besides the tips, there are techniques, exercises, and a few tricks that help you win more games. Yes, you can even use these to beat better shooters. Consider this book to be the digest version of the Safety Toolbox. A couple of hours of study, combined with some practice table time, and you are suddenly a tougher shooter. Let your opponents use the bar-banger style of calling fantastic hero shots, such as, “5 ball, four rails, off the 7 and into the side pocket.” This book will add some competitive maturity to your playing style. I don’t need to wish you good luck. This book and some of your time is all you need to begin winning more games. And here’s a useful benefit from the book – you don’t have to outshoot your opponent. Simply prevent him from winning.




Carom Billiards: Full Table Circle Patterns


Book Description

One of the interesting shot patterns is known as full table circle. These shots follow a clockwise or counter-clockwise path around the table rails. This book contains a large assortment of these types of shots. For each shot, there are two table layouts. The first is the ball positions on the table. The second is how the pro player made the point. There are two ways you can use these examples. First - as a mental exercise. Study the ball layout and the ball paths to determine how the shot was played. Second - as a table exercise. Set the balls up in the positions. Try to duplicate the shot. It may take only a few attempts, or a lot before you learn how to consistently score the point. You will do a lot of experimentation with different speeds and spins. The result will be a better understanding on how to play similar shots during your competitions. Enjoy the learning process and good luck!!




Carom Billiards: Around the World Patterns


Book Description

During competitions, many of the shots you see use a cue ball path known as "Around the World". Basically, the path is from a corner, across to the opposite long rail. From there, the cue ball goes to the short rail and then the other long rail. From the second long rail, the cue ball travels to the other, side corner. This collection of around the world shots provides you with a extensive variety of scoring solutions. For each shot, there are two table layouts. The first is the ball positions on the table. The second is how the pro player made the point. There are two ways you can use these examples. First - as a mental exercise. Study the ball layout and the ball paths to determine how the shot was played. Second - as a table exercise. Set the balls up in the positions. Try to duplicate the shot. It may take only a few attempts, or a lot before you learn how to consistently score the point. You will do a lot of experimentation with different speeds and spins. The result will be a better understanding on how to play similar shots during your competitions. Enjoy the learning process and good luck!!




Competition Training Exams for Pool & Billiards – Advanced Players


Book Description

ADVANCED LEVEL PLAYERS: This book provides an objective evaluation system for pool and billiards players. Test groups include progressively difficult shots. The testing process determines your current skills. A log allows you to compare previous efforts against current abilities. Scoring system can be for: 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 - players 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. ++++++++++++++ Included are Referee instructions for challenges between buddies. Competitions can be done against others anywhere on the planet. Select the Test Group for the players and compare scores. Enjoy the challenges as you improve your skills!!




Advanced Cue Ball Control Self-Testing Program


Book Description

If you think (or want to think) you are an “A” player, this book will either prove you are as good as you think – or demonstrate that you need to work harder. These series of layouts require excellent pocketing skills – and strong positioning abilities. For shooters who are seriously striving to reach that level, this book is a critical part of your training regimen. The sequence of these layouts either confirms your ability, or demonstrates a weakness that needs to be fixed. Every layout requires that you make the ball - then get into position for the next ball. Every layout shows the positions of the cue ball, 1 ball, and 2 ball. You only need to pocket the one ball, and then the two ball - very simple and easy to understand. But, these are not ordinary problems, every starting position for the cue ball and 1 ball was a problem facing a professional player in national and international competitions. Study this material in two steps. In the comfort of your home, review the layout, and carefully consider your options. How can you solve the problem? What speed and spin is needed? Are there multiple solutions? Write down your ideas. Then, take this to the practice table, and see if your solutions are possible. Learn from your failures, and make adjustments. And, once you learn how, repeat several times. It is very important that you can consistently make every ball. This book will be a challenge to your abilities, a source of many frustrations, and the joyful experiences of successful accomplishments. Enjoy the challenge and the satisfaction of success! ++++++++++++ After I wrote the popular “Cue Ball Control Cheat Sheets” book, several friends who are serious players, wanted something more difficult. Most billiard books and videos are for average players. There are very few books for advanced players. They need a significant challenge to their skills. This is that book.First, hundreds of hours of competitive matches were reviewed. Several hundred shots were selected. After a series of tests with strong “A” players, the system in this book was designed.




Cue Ball Control Cheat Sheets for Pocket Billiards


Book Description

Quickly learn critical cue ball control skills! These cheat sheet shortcuts save you years of trial and error! Each layout provides the perfect cue ball spin and speed for Precision Positioning! This is true table knowledge that will enhance your abilities as the Intelligent Shooter. There are many ways to get from one ball to another. These cheats and shortcuts will save you years of experimentation. You will learn the easy way to: • Enhance position play skills • Improve table competence • Increase Balls Per Inning (BPI) average • Build self-confidence & competence • Master cue ball control (follow, draw, & spin) • Achieve half & full table management skills • Predict cue ball paths & patterns




Why Pool Hustlers Win!!


Book Description

Wonder if you were hustled or sharked? This book explains how pool hustlers use various tricks (sharks) to bend and break the concepts 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, you need 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.