Mastering the Game and the Mind: Inside the Teaching Philosophy of Anthony Barton Beeler

Mastering the Game and the Mind: Inside the Teaching Philosophy of Anthony Barton Beeler

Anthony Barton Beeler has built a career defined by discipline, education, and a deep love for the game of billiards. Born in Lebanon, Kentucky, and raised in central Kentucky, he grew up surrounded by a community that valued learning and perseverance. Those early influences shaped the person he would become, a respected instructor, author, and champion who has changed how the game of pool is taught and understood. Today, Beeler is best known as the founder of Beeler’s Virtual Billiard Academy, recognized as the first fully online school for cue sports instruction. Through his teaching, writing, and inventions, he has dedicated his life to helping others master not only the game but also the mental strength it requires.

Beeler’s educational background has played a major role in shaping his unique teaching style. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Campbellsville University in 1999, followed by a Master’s Degree from Eastern Kentucky University in 2002. Two years later, he completed his Rank I certification, also from Eastern Kentucky University. This strong academic foundation gave him a deep understanding of how people learn, a skill that later became a defining feature of his approach to billiards instruction. His years of study and experience in education helped him combine psychology, learning science, and structure into lessons that focus on mental precision as much as physical skill.

For more than twenty years, Beeler has worked in education, serving as the Director of Pupil Personnel for the Lincoln County School District in Stanford, Kentucky. In this role, he has managed student attendance, compliance, and district programs, responsibilities that require consistency and attention to detail. His leadership experience in education mirrors his teaching in billiards, where he guides players to approach the game with patience, self-awareness, and discipline. Beeler often says that success in pool begins in the mind, and his career reflects that belief at every level.

As a PBIA Master Instructor and an ACS Level 4 Master Instructor, Beeler has reached the highest ranks in his field. He has trained more than 31,000 students from around the world through both in-person and online programs. His Virtual Billiard Academy stands as a major innovation in cue sports, offering structured lessons and guidance to players who may not have access to in-person instruction. By building a virtual learning environment, Beeler has expanded the reach of billiards education to a global audience, helping students at every skill level learn from one of the best in the game.

Beeler’s success as a teacher is deeply connected to his own achievements as a player. He has competed and won at many levels of the sport, including the 2013 BCAPL National 9 Ball Championship. He has also claimed six regional titles and several local and national tournament placements. Among his many accomplishments are being named a 20-time Rack and Cue 9 Ball Champion in Campbellsville, a 13-time JR’s Pool Room Champion in Lancaster, and a 12-time Ace Billiards Champion in Danville. In 2023, he took second place at both the JT Fingers Memorial in Cincinnati and the Edmonton 8 Ball Open. His earlier victories include the 1999 Legends Kentucky State 9 Ball Championship in Elizabethtown, and his performances in the 2013 and 2014 BCAPL National Championships earned him top placements and recognition as Kentucky Player of the Year for two consecutive seasons.

While Beeler’s own achievements are impressive, his greatest pride comes from the success of his students. Over the years, he has coached some of the best emerging talents in cue sports. His students include Sam Ryno Henderson, a two-time BEF Junior National Champion, and Janet Atwell, a professional player on the WPBA Tour. He has also trained multiple Junior National Champions, BCA National finalists, and regional champions such as Ricky Evans, winner of the Kansas City Open, and Cal Boll, champion of the Gunslingers Tournament. Beeler’s ability to connect with students and understand their individual learning styles has helped him build a legacy as one of the most respected instructors in the sport.

Beeler’s impact extends far beyond the pool table. His contributions as a writer, speaker, and media personality have made him a familiar name among cue sports fans and professionals. He was named Billiards Instructor of the Year by SPM Magazine in 2017 and later received the title of Instructor of the Decade for 2010 to 2020. His teaching methods and philosophy have been featured in Billiards Digest and other major publications, and he has appeared on the covers of two billiards magazines. As a columnist, he has shared his insights through instructional articles in SPM Magazine, Billiards Buzz, On The Break News, Pool and Billiard Magazine, and Inside Pool Magazine. His writing focuses on both the technical aspects of pool and the mental side of performance, helping readers strengthen their understanding of the game.

In addition to his writing, Beeler has become a trusted voice in video instruction. His series “Do You Want to Play Like a Pro” began in 2017 on YouTube and continues to educate thousands of viewers. He has also collaborated with McDermott Cues for his instructional series “Anthony Beeler Instructional Pool Lessons,” launched in 2019. These projects demonstrate his commitment to bringing high-quality coaching to players everywhere. Beeler also maintains an IMDb profile for his on-screen appearances related to billiards education, further highlighting his influence in both teaching and media.

His passion for innovation has led him to design several tools that are now used widely in cue sports training. Among his inventions are the Vision Center Trainer, the Shot Angle Calculator, and the Stroke Trainer. Each tool is designed to help players improve their accuracy, aiming, and stroke control. These creations show Beeler’s understanding that great performance comes from both physical and mental alignment.

Beeler has also authored several books that focus on self-improvement and technical mastery. His published works include Unstoppable! Positive Thinking for Pool Players, Unstoppable! The Core Shots of Pool, Angles as a Second Language, and Do You Want to Play Like a Pro? A Pictorial Guide to Playing Your Best Pool, released in 2025. Through these books, he encourages players to believe in their potential and approach challenges with focus and optimism.

Living in Kentucky, Beeler continues to balance his dual passions for education and billiards. He is the only PBIA Master Instructor with a Fargo Rating exceeding 700, a distinction that highlights his rare combination of playing excellence and teaching expertise. He is sponsored by McDermott Cue and Diamond Billiard Products, companies that share his dedication to promoting professionalism in the sport. Outside of his career, Beeler values his role as a father. He is the only child of Jacob and Mary Lee Beeler and enjoys spending time with his two sons. His older son Cameron is a senior at Campbellsville University, while his younger son Carson is completing his final year at Casey County High School in Liberty, Kentucky.

Through every stage of his journey, Anthony Barton Beeler has shown that mastery in billiards, like mastery in life, is about more than perfecting a shot. It is about focus, patience, and learning to think with purpose. His work as an educator, coach, and innovator continues to shape how players see the game and themselves. With every lesson and every book, Beeler reminds the world that the true measure of success is not just in winning but in the discipline and mindset that make it possible.