Card Number Three
If you need to shoot this shot use a high left  and try to
hit the bottom rail just before the object ball.  This
eliminates the scratch risk. Roll the ball.   
Card Number Four
You must use a cue tip above center, one quarter left,
soft Force Follow Stroke, The cue ball needs to rush to
the long rail, then spin down for the second ball.
Card Number Five
If you make that one properly, you are in line to rack up
some points. Make a commitment to go across the
table and come off that second rail. Use a follow stroke
with high right.
Card Number Six
We are not really employing a Punch Stroke completely.
We are driving through the cue ball, holding the cue tip
on the cue ball a little longer and allowing the cue ball to
creep out for a nice easy shot on our second ball.
Card Number Eight.
The key is the first ball, not so easy. I deliver a strong
quick Snap Draw on my stroke to make that first shot. I
use one cue tip low right.
Card Number Seven
Stop the cue ball right there and accept a cut shot on
my second ball. The lesson is to not play position when
you already have position.
Card Number Nine.
Most of the shots are the ones you see in games of
eight ball and nine ball. They are cinch shots. I want
you to be comfortable with just making the ball. On this
one, use a little above center english and just roll the
ball in the corner pocket. Use a follow stroke on all
money balls.
Card number Ten
Use your best Follow Stroke. Focus on going past
the side pocket for easy position on your second
ball. As in all shots, make sure you visualize it to its
finish.  I don't look at the position for the second
shot. I look at where I want the cue ball to end up.
Feel the speed.
Card Number Eleven
This shot should be part of your practice routine as we
need to develop the sense of feel on all draw shots.  
See if you can do this card three times. You will be
amazed at how much pressure you feel on the third
attempt and how pressure takes away your instincts.
Card Number Twelve
How hard is it for us to scratch? Seems like an easy
thing to do. On this one, if you are playing
Performance Pool with a friend, you will go for this
shot two times and rack up some points. If you are
not slightly above center you may stun the cue ball
and not complete the assignment.  
Card Number Thirteen
Now I am teaching you about how subtle these shots
can be when you miss position on the first ball. This
card has some great lessons built in. Go to the rail and
come back out for the second ball. Make sure you
make the first ball or position is a mute point.   
Card Number Fourteen
The lesson here is very important. At first you may
have some trouble with this card. It looks like you
can't hold up the cue ball to stay on the other end of
the table. You can do this. It is all in the stroke. I
focus on the sound and have not trouble. It is a
great lesson.  
Card Number Fifteen
The stroke has everything to do with this shot. Most
player will miss the shot as they attempt to stun the
cue ball up table for the second ball. I want you to
make up your mind you will not miss this shot! Let your
final focus be to pocket the ball and take your chances
with shape.  
Card Number Sixteen
Use high left on this shot and make sure you deliver
a nice force follow stroke that has some "stun" built
in. You need to bounce away from the long rail and
then spin for position on the second ball. You will
shot a lot of rail shots in Performance Pool.  
Card Number Seventeen
One of the most important skills you will need in this
game is the ability to be committed to the stroke you
are using. This shot will do that for you as you will not
succeed if you are not totally committed. Snap it off
with a great draw stroke. Follow through on this one.
Card Number Eighteen
One of the most important skills you will need in this
game is the ability to be committed to the stroke you
are using. This shot will do that for you as you will not
succeed if you are not totally committed. Snap it off
with a great draw stroke. Follow through on this one.
Card Number Nineteen
Sometimes we need to bank a ball so our position on
the next shot is secure. It would make me very happy
to know you are willing to try this one twice. I must
confess, if I make it the first time, I don't try it again.
Use a little outside english and good table speed.
Card Number Twenty
This is one of my practice shots. Use a nice snap back
draw stroke with total commitment. All shots need to
be delivered without any fear and this one will teach
you how to let your stroke work for you. Trust your
stroke. That is the only way to put this ball into the
corner pocket.
Card Number Twenty One
If you want to test the quality of your cue this is the
shot to shoot. If you have any concerns this shot will
reveal it to you. Make sure you use a little outside
english so you won't push the ball. Believe you will
make it. Do not approach a shot like this with fear. Let
your stroke work for you.
Card Number Twenty Two
This is another of the "must makers" we play without
playing position for another ball. We focus on the spot
and trust our stroke. I like to use a little above center
hit here. I pay attention to the edge of the object ball,
pretending there is no rail. Never hit the rail first.
Card Number Twenty Three
If you fail on this card you should attempt to choke
yourself into a coma. You have a big pocket here.  The
lesson here is to think about your thought just before
you strike the cue ball. "A single thought will divert the
arrow from it's course" Focus on success with this shot.  
Card Number Twenty Four
Don't be fooled by this one. It looks easy but we can
mess it up. You will use a slight out side below center
hit on the cue ball and deliver some snip elements to
your stroke. This is to kill the cue ball. If you don't have
the "kill" in your stroke you will go to far.
Card Number Twenty Five
This is an excellent shot to master the third stage of
Pocket Billiards, Cue Ball Speed. These cards are
designed to help you get through the four stages of
pool. Send the cue ball to the bottom rail and feel the
spin you need to get the proper track line back for the
second ball.
Card Number Twenty Six
You must have a clear understanding where the track
line of the cue ball is going. You are the one who
controls this with your stroke. You will learn that there is
a certain sound that happens when you are able to go
across the table and come back to hit those two balls.
Card Number Twenty Seven
You will need to play safeties if you hope to win
tournaments and matches. In the old days we went for
banks only to end up with another bank but today we
play a safe. Master cue ball speed and  put the object
ball behind the nine ball and the cue ball up table on
the bottom rail.
Card Number Twenty Eight
I have used this safety many times to win games. Hit the
object ball thin and bring the cue ball back across the
table. The object balls slides up table and comes to a
stop just before the side pocket, making it hard to bank
or cut up table. This is a straight pool safety.
Card Number Twenty Nine
In the old days before TM (The Monk) I would thin cut
this into the corner pocket. More than not, I left it
hanging. When I made the ball I sometimes scratched
as a wild ride with the cue ball spells trouble. Other
times I ended up with a bank shot on the nine. Play
safe with this one.
Card Number Thirty
This safety was the first one I learned and when I came
upon it I missed it. The reason was I had not taken the
time to practice safeties. Use your best punch stroke and
stop the cue ball in its tracks behind that object ball,
sending the other object ball three rails to the corner.
Great safe.
Card Number Thirty One
You must practice the double bank back to the bottom
rail. It is not automatic. Work on this shot until you
master it. It is not high percentage to win games with
bank shots. There are times when we need to do that
but not in this instance we must double bank it safe.
Card Number Thirty Two
If you attend one of my workshops you will master this
shot because it teaches the stroke and cue ball speed.
You will not succeed with card number thirty two if you
have any stance defects. Use your punch stroke, crisp
and you will float back to the other side for an easy
shot.
Card Number Thirty Three
You can see that as we go through the 20 point cards
you will be required to use stroke and cue ball speed.
Both of these skills will be tested in this shot. Use
inside english and spin down for a shot on the next
ball. Your shape has to be real good or its two rails for
the last shot.  
Card Number Thirty Four
Do not allow the cue ball to touch the opposite rail.
This is a classic snip draw shot. In the snip draw we
"kill the cue ball and throw the object ball". Use low
right, snip through the cue ball and watch it die before
it hits the rail. The low right throws the object ball to
the left.
Card Number Thirty Five
I call this card "Be Free". If you are up tight about the
thought of scratching or simply miss hitting the object
ball you will not succeed. You need to be free. I tell my
opponent that one of us are going to win on this shot.
Me if I don't scratch and him if I do. I will make the shot.
Card Number Thirty six
This is one of the hardest shots in Performance Pool. It
is all in the sound. A real nice crisp snap on the cue
ball with give you two rails and a shot on the next ball.
It will never be an easy shot but a shot none the less. I
want you to master the tough shot for points, money or
a championship.
Card Number Thirty Seven
The Four Ball Exercise should become one of your
staples as you go about your training to acquire the
skills that will help you win matches. Each stroke calls
for a crisp committed punch stroke with some concern
for deflection. Use a little outside english to throw the
ball in.
Card Number Thirty Eight
There are two ways to shoot this shot. If you have a
real good cue you can snap it back across the table for
position or if your cue is average  you can use a follow
stroke and go forward. I go forward with my Schular
and snap it back and fourth with my Lascarma.
Card Number Thirty Nine
This shot will teach you how to add percentages of
another stroke into your primary stroke. You will be
using a force follow to go to the long rail and then
down for position. However you will need to add a
slight bit of punch in this stroke to bounce to the long
rail and down for shape.   
Card Number Forty
My favorite pattern. A little hint for you. On all of my
patters, both here and in The Lesson the first ball is
the most important. If you blow it on the first ball your
pattern will break down. Here you need to get healthy
shape on the second ball to complete the run out.
Card Number Forty One
This card really teaches you about cue ball speed. When
you came across your target zone you really need to be
in touch with your instincts. Here, if you go to far or come
up to short you will have a difficult time finishing your
run. Use a punch stroke on the first shot.
Card Number Forty Two
We all need to learn to go "up and down". This is a shot
that has killed many pool players. The secret is in the
sound and feel of your stroke.  Once you get that, you
can sense how hard to hit the shot. If you use the wrong
stroke you will not be able to use your instincts.
Card Number Forty Three
Now it is time for a gut shot. At first I dreaded a shot like
this and now I simply put it in the pocket using my "be
free" mentality. One of us is going to win on this shot. I
will make it. If I don't scratch I win if I scratch you win.
Use a slight punch stroke just above center.
Card Number Forty Four
As you will see in the clip this is a snap back draw stroke. I
use to call this the "explosion" shot I need to explode on
the cue ball to get the three rail shape it calls for. If your
draw stroke is pure you will kill the cue ball. Make sure you
have a little punch in your explosion.
Card Number Forty Five
I think this pattern is the toughest of all the cards. I
really follow through on the first shot with low outside
english. It is not pure draw. There are some explosion
elements to this shot. Almost always you get a new
look at the second shot each time you
use this card.
Card Number Forty Six
You have a choice here to go forward two rails for shape
or snap across the table. What ever stroke you favor will
be the one you use. On good days I snap back and forth
as I have more control of that stroke. When I am not
hitting the shots well, I go forward and take my chances.
Card Number Forty Seven
High right with a nice crisp stroke so you hit the long
rail, then the bottom rail and then float into position for
the second ball. Don't try to go up and down. Once you
get a feel for the stroke you are able to get into the
zone almost every time. This is a very important shot to
have.
Card Number Forty Eight
Here you control the track line with a punch stroke. You
must use outside (running) english to go three rails and
break up those two balls. You can do this consistently
when you have the stroke. I use this shot in exhibitions
so I can demonstrate the value of the 4 Strokes of Pool.
You can own a complete set of
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DVD for just $19.95.
This is a special offer.
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                                                                                         SCORE SHEET                                                
                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                 
CARD 1               CARD 2               CARD 3                   CARD 4               CARD 5                  CARD 6               CARD 7          CARD 8               CARD 9               CARD 10
TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                    TRY #1                TRY #1                   TRY #1                TRY #1            TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1        
      
TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                    TRY #2                TRY #2                   TRY #2                TRY #2            TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2        
                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                 
CARD 11            CARD 12             CARD 13             CARD 14            CARD 15            CARD 16             CARD 17            CARD 18            CARD 19              CARD 20        
TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1              
TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2              
  
                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                              
CARD 21             CARD 22            CARD 23             CARD 24           CARD 25              CARD 26            CARD 27             CARD 28            CARD 29              CARD 30     
TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1             
TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2             
      
                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                 
CARD 31             CARD 32             CARD 33            CARD 34             CARD 35             CARD 36            CARD 37            CARD 38             CARD 39             CARD 40       
TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1           
TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2    
      
                                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                 
CARD 41            CARD 42            CARD 43             CARD 44             CARD 45            CARD 46            CARD 47             CARD 48             CARD 49             CARD 50      
TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1                TRY #1          
TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2                TRY #2          
  

     
                              
Give this a try and see what kind of an over all score you can posts.
On all five point cards you have the option of going for it three times. You must succeed on the first two tries in order
to qualify for a third attempt. Successful effort gets you 30 pts.

On all cards you are welcome to a second attempt. If you failed the first time you still have the second attempt as
your option. If you fail the first attempt you record 0 in your box. If you fail the second time record - the card value. If
you make the first attempt record that score. If you fail in the second attempt you will lose the card value, thus end
up with 0 points for that attempt.
                                                                         
Two other players and myself got together and tried our hand at the fifty two card shots here in Performance Pool.
Mike Houpert   1025
David Rowell    860
The Monk          605
If you decide to go through the fifty two cards you should inform me and then be honest and post your score.
I played a match the other day with a player who was almost a ball better than me. We played a race to seven. I won four
games during the set where I faced several Performance Pool shots. I ended up winning the set seven to two. I was so glad I
was willing to play the fifty two cards several times. When the shots came up I was ready.

When you have a deck of cards you can compete with friends. In fact, you can compete with me on line. This game is exciting
because you never know what kind of hand you are going to get. Deal out seven cards and the pass two to your opponent
while he/she passes two to you. Then you try to get the most out of the hand that was dealt to you. Performance Pool is great
fun and it teaches you about this game. You always get to perform when you play this game. No one can shut you out.
All five point cards can be shot three times. 1st successful
attempt gives you five points. Second successful attempt
gives you ten points and because you were successful the
first two times you can go for it on the third attempt which
would give you a total of thirty points. If you miss your first
attempt you get 0. If you miss your second attempt you get
minus 5 and DO NOT GET A THIRD CHANCE. If you fail on
your third attempt you lose twenty points.
On all ten, twenty and twenty five point cards you can go
for it twice. If successful on first try you get the point value
of the card. If you succeed on second try you double your
points. If you fail on the first try you get 0 and if you fail on
the second try you get minus the card value. On second
attempts you lose the card value.
If you draw a safety card you need to play a safe so that
your opponent cannot make the shot. If the opponent
makes the shot, you lose the fifteen points.
Card Number one.  
Focus on the spot and use your trust skills to deliver a
great stroke.
Card Number two
Make sure that you hit center ball or slightly above the
center.
     PERFORMANCE POOL SPECIAL!!!!!
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training manual. By The Lesson get the other one FREE
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RULES OF THE GAME
You are welcome here at the Monks
Performance Pool Center.


Welcome my friend to the wonderful world of
Performance Pool. Go through these card shots
and develop your skills. When you learn these
shots you will possess a strong stroke which will
help you win more games. I am happy you are
here. Use the score sheet at the end of this page
to measure your skill level. Click on the links so
you can see each shot performed.