In the United States, the Billiards Congress of America. You can join the BCA as an individual. The annual membership is $25 and includes the rule book and a quarterly newsletter.
BCA 1700 So. 1st Ave. Eastdale Plaza, Suite 25A Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 351-2112 Web page: http://www.bca-pool.com/ BCA email: bca@netins.net
In Japan, the Nippon Billiard Association.
NBA Maruhuzi building 5F, 1-10, 3-chome, Sinbasi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105 Japan; Tel: +81 3 3593-2543; Fax: +81 3 3593-2545
(Anyone have information for other countries?)
1993 Official Rule Book. ISBN 1-878493-03-5 Published by the Billiards Congress of America. Official rules for 11 carom and 16 pocket billiard games. Lists world's championships and records . . . specs on official playing equipment. 128 pp/5-1/2x8-1/2. $3.80 from Saunier-Wilhem Company (see below) or you should be able to get it from the BCA.
"The 99 critical shots in Pool", written by Ray Martin. ISBN 0-8129-2241-7, suggested retail price is US$ 14.00 (Canada: $19.50) (It starts out assuming you know nothing about pool, and by the end of the book (if you work through all the shots presented, you will become a VERY good player.))
"Standard Book of Pool and Billiards," by Robert Byrne. $16.95. ISBN 0-15-614972-9 (This is a detailed description of some of the more complex aspects of the game, including English, spin, and throw. Includes rules and strategy for several games, including at least a hundred diagrams of three-cushion billiard shots).
"Mastering Pool," by George Fels. $12.95. ISBN 0-8092-7895-2 (Warmly recommended to straight pool players)
"Advanced Technique in Pool and Billiards," by Robert Byrne, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich publishers, ISBN 0-15-614971-0. $16.95 (A collection of Byrne's articles from Billiards Digest, revised and updated. It includes sections on pool, billiards, and sidelights of the various cue sports.)
"Byrne's Treasury of Trick Shots in Pool and Billiards," by Robert Byrne (Trick and fancy shots from the last 200 years, documented and explained.)
"The Science of Pocket Billiards," by Jack H. Koehler. $22.95 paperback, $26.95 hardcover. (Has a good double-elimination tournament format description)
"Winning One-pocket," edited by Eddie Robin. (Lots of shots, breaks, moves, an entire chapter devoted to banking systems and methods.) Order from the author at: Billiard World Publishing, P.O. Box 12357, Las Vegas, NV 89112-0357 About $33 including shipping. (Nevadans pay 7% tax) Robin also has a new book out titled "Shots, Moves, and Strategies."
"Upscale One Pocket," by Jack Koehler, the author of "The Science of Pocket Billiards." Order from: Sportology Publications, 25832 Evergreen Road, Laguna Hills, Ca 92653. Cost is $14.95 plus $3 shipping. Recommended by Bob Campbell.
"Illustrated Encyclopedia of Billiards" by Mike Shamos. (almost certainly the most thoroughly researched book on the terminology and history of cue sports ever written.)
General mail-order suppliers
Cornhusker Billiard Supply
Lincoln, Nebraska
1-800-627-8888
1-402-423-8888 (Can't use the 800 number in Europe)
1-402-423-5964 FAX
The Billiard Library (now wholesale only)
1570 Seabright Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90813
1-800-245-5542 or 310-437-5413
1-310-436-8817 FAX
Saunier-Wilhem Company
3216 5th Avenue 1605 Center Point Road 2707 S. Elm-Eugene
Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Birmingham, AL 35215 Greensboro, NC
(412) 621-4350 (919) 272-3412 (919) 272-3412
Billiard Fanatic, 1-800-910-4437, free catalog. No comments yet from rec.sport.billiard readers about this one.
US Publications
Billiards Digest
Luby Publishing
Suite 1430
200 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60604
US rate: $18/year, six issues
phone: 312-341-1110
Pool and Billiard Magazine
109 Fairfield Way
Suite 207
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
12 issues per year
phone: 708-893-7828
National Billiard News
P.O. Box 807
Northville, MI 48167
12 issues per year
phone: 313-348-0053
Cue Sports Journal
3575 Alameda Avenue
Oakland, CA 94601
(510) 532-7100
FAX: (510) 534-0202
All About Pool
717 South Main Street
Bradford, Ma 01835
12 issues per year
$22
508-469-9311
UK Publications
Pot Black Magazine
Skillion Commercial Centre
Angel Road
Edmonton
London N183BP, UK
WORLD WIDE WEB
The BCA home page