Pool Coach Larry Nicholson on Fundamentals, Practice, and the Learning Journey

What makes pool such a great game isn’t just making balls—it’s the life lessons you learn along the way.

In this episode of the Lucky Breaks Podcast, Sue sits down with longtime PBIA/CSI instructor and trick-shot artist Larry Nicholson, who shares how a childhood belt buckle and a target drill shaped his cue-ball control, why performance anxiety is part of every competitor’s journey, and how real improvement starts with humility and solid fundamentals. Larry explains the difference between playing and true practice, why focused 10-minute sessions can beat hours of casual play, and how decision-making and strategy expand once mechanics are sound. He also points listeners to PBIA resources for finding qualified instruction and reflects on pool’s welcoming community for all players.

00:00 Resilience Lessons

00:16 Meet Larry Nicholson

00:53 Belt Buckle Origin

02:07 Position Play First

03:02 Trick Shots Warning

03:53 League Nerves

05:51 Failure Builds Greatness

07:04 Learning Without Coaches

08:41 Fundamentals Before Strategy

11:30 Humility To Improve

14:19 Thinking Outside Box

17:19 Practice With Purpose

19:50 Playing Versus Practice

21:26 Building Evaluation Plan

22:29 Remote Coaching Follow Ups

24:20 Adult Learning In Layers

25:03 Drills Versus Skills

27:01 Building Your Lesson Plan

27:48 Testing With BU Exam

30:09 Side Spin Comfort Zone

31:03 Embracing Discomfort Wins

34:03 Pool Is Lifelong Mastery

34:46 Finding Certified Instructors

38:18 Magic Eight Ball Jeanette

40:04 Why Pool Community Matters

41:17 Final Thanks And Sign Off

Scientific American Article: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-works-what-doesn-t/

Dr. Dave’s Billiard University Exam: https://billiarduniversity.org/testing/exams/

Where you can find our guest:

Official Website - https://TrinityBilliards.com

YouTube - Trinity Billiards - YouTube

FaceBook - Trinity Billiards School - FaceBook

Email: larry@trinitybilliards.com

Professional Billiards Instructor Association (PBIA) - www.playbetterbilliards.com

American Cue Sports (ACS Instructors) - https://americancuesports.org/find-an-instructor

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀:

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#luckybreakspodcast #pool #billiards #podcast #poolpractice #amateurpool #poolplayers

This episode of the Lucky Breaks Podcast host Sue Lueder interviews Coach Sean, a Las Vegas-based PBIA and ACS Level 1 instructor who is dedicated to both the local and junior pool scenes. Sean shares his remarkable "origin story," transitioning from a truck driver to a professional instructor after deciding to take the game seriously only a year and a half ago. Despite being a self-described "infant" in the sport at the time, he tells the incredible story of how he accidentally entered a pro event and took second place in Scotch doubles alongside 15-year-old phenom Savannah Easton.

We dive deep into the Las Vegas pool community, exploring the unique "chip tournament" scene and the famous venues that make the city a global hub for the sport. Sean also opens up about his mission to transform the future of pool by working with the Billiards Education Foundation (BEF) to create collegiate scholarship opportunities and a path to the Olympics. He advocates for expanding access to the game by moving equipment into community centers and schools, ensuring the next generation can learn outside of the traditional bar environment.

00:00 Welcome And Intro

00:39 Sean Pool Origins

02:04 Science Of Pool

02:45 Moving To Vegas

03:22 Accidental Pro Event

07:00 Rio Westgate Awakening

11:02 Vegas Pool Culture

13:24 Leagues And Ratings

15:41 Ultimate Pool Format

17:05 Juniors Scene Spark

17:59 Teaching Kids Pool

18:32 Commentary Booth Nerves

19:10 Juniors Inspire Passion

20:10 Olympics and Paralympics Push

21:34 College Pool Scholarship Path

22:40 Changing Pool’s Image

23:39 Access to Tables

26:01 Starting Young Players

28:37 Vegas Junior Qualifier

31:40 Lessons and Coaching

33:43 Magic Eight Ball Finale

https://www.texaspoolmovie.com/

Hey Play Billiards toy billiard table for kids

Where you can find our guest:

Register for the 2026 Nevada Junior 10 Ball State Championships - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSebWM3aEWoOkQCtwI5VQCjErx5_h48w7nX5Eft7jlug21iHIQ/viewform

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PoolPlayersAcademy

Youtube - https://youtube.com/@poolplayersacademy

Inquire about Pool Instruction (702) 720-6364

Book a Lesson: https://calendly.com/poolplayersacademy/bookalesson

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/luckybreakspodcast

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/luckybreakspodcast

YouTube - www.youtube.com/@luckybreaks-podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckybreakspodcast/#

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@luckybreakspodcast

📧Email - luckybreakspodcast@gmail.com

✅Guest Sign Up - Apply To Be A Guest or Suggest A Topic

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#luckybreakspodcast #pool #billiards #podcast #poolpractice #amateurpool #poolplayers