Welcome
Freddy “the Beard” Bentivegna grew up in Chicago, where he first took to pool in a neighborhood bowling alley that had a few well-worn pool tables. Later, he started to make trips to the shark-infested environs of Bensinger’s downtown poolroom. At first repeatedly sent home broke, Freddy eventually developed into one of the key players that ruled the roost in the ultra-tough action town of Chicago.
Freddy built a successful career putting a hurt on visiting players, and taking his game on the road; sometimes in stealth, but often in an open challenge to the best the country had to offer. After 50 years of competing against the best bankers and one pocket players in the world, Freddy “the Beard” Bentivegna has plenty of knowledge and stories and instructional materials to share. So surf around and get in on the action.
A new feature on this site will be a series of bank pool lessons that originally appeared in my columns on Inside Pool magazine. They will be available in the Free Pool Lessons page of this site, under Bank Pool. I did 16 columns in all. I will publish them all in the insuing weeks.
New Product Line: Phil Capelle’s line of pool instruction books, 9 Ball, 8 Ball, 14.1, etc.
Phil Capelle’s “Play Your Best 8-Ball” Book
This is the most recent book by Phil Capelle, pool’s most prolific instructional author. “Play Your Best Eight Ball” focuses on two primary goals: teach the reader how to think like an eight ball player and how to win consistently. The book’s eighteen chapters are divided into four parts to help you identify areas of interest. Part One-Getting Started, offers a course on the basics that includes tips on learning eight ball, different table sizes, and the rules. Part Two-Offense, is a 210 page course on all aspects of offense. Part Three-Strategy and Defense, is a 164 page course on strategic eight ball that emphasizes how to compete against players of all levels. Part Four-Improving Your Game, shows you how to practice.
$29.95 plus s&h
Phil Capelle’s “Play Your Best 9-Ball” Book
This is a big book with 480 pages and 470 diagrams. There are chapters on shot-making, breaking, position play, pattern play, running out, safety play, practicing, and lots more. Over 140 of the diagrams are of shots taken by top professionals in competition.
$29.95
Phil Capelle’s “Play Your Best Straight Pool” Book
Straight pool is undergoing a small renaissance, but it is unlikely to produce a best selling book. In other words, this third book by Phil Capelle is a labor of love. Billed as a complete course, this user friendly book has over 400 pages and 355 illustrations. There are chapters on Pattern Play, Break Shots, Cluster Management, Strategy, All About High Runs, and more! A good book.
$29.95
Phil Capelle’s “Play Your Best Pool” Book
This book has 400 illustrations on fundamentals, shot making, position play, etc. Over 140 of the 440 pages are devoted to 8-Ball and 9-Ball strategy, with good coverage of the defensive game. An excellent resource book for beginners and a valuable tool for intermediate and advanced players.
$29.95