Anthony Beeler learned not to overcomplicate things, and to look for simple things to do in high-pressure situations. Over the next few years I learned a lot from watching Ronnie play, but looking back I will never forget the time that he showed me just how important that it was to always play the percentage.
“Don’t overlook the obvious!” he said as he executed the shot. It was a very common sense, high percentage play. The truth is, I never thought about him using my ball to play a defensive shot. In fact, looking back on the situation, he did the only high percentage thing that he could have done. “At least you can hit it!” he laughed. I was in a trap. Ronnie had turned a losing proposition into a fighting
chance to win. I will always remember the disappointment I felt as I approached the table. I attempted to play some kind of a safety, but the sly fox had positioned me into no win scenario. When Ronnie returned to the table he pocketed the final two balls to win the tournament. The wise veteran had taken me to school. It was at that moment I began to understand a new concept. I had
Anthony Beeler is the 2017 Pool Instructor of the Year and is a former BCAPL National 9-Ball Champion. He has numerous top 25 national finishes and is one of only 8 ACS Master Instructors in the world. He is the primary author of the National Billiards Instructors Manual and has also authored the book Unstoppable! Positive Thinking for Pool Players. Anthony currently has the highest established Fargo Rating of any Master Instructor. He has won over 300 tournaments and has defeated numerous professional players in tournament competition.