Rack ‘Em Up!: A Q& A with “The Pocket Book of Pocket Billiards” Author Mike Vago

Mike Vago is the brilliant mind behind The Pocket Book of Pocket Billiards, an amazing package that amounts to an entire pool table, complete with balls, cue stick, and over 30 games—and is still small enough to fit in your dad’s briefcase (*ahem* Father’s Day!). Our own Craig Popelars chatted with the inspired designer—over a tiny game of billiards, naturally—about his favorite game, how he’s beating the competition, and, of course, MLK’s awesome trick shot.

Pools halls traditionally are tough places with shady characters like the one in the Michael Jackson “Bad” video. You seem to run a pretty clean establishment.
If the shadiest character in your pool hall is “Bad”-era MJ, it’s probably a pretty safe place to hang out. Worst case, you’ll get caught in the middle of a dance battle. The book is actually even less dangerous than that.

What’s the most difficult shot to execute?
In real pool, jumping the cue over another ball is probably the toughest trick shot. In book form, the toughest shot is sinking two balls at once while playing on a copy of Ulysses with holes drilled in the corners.

You’ve included over 30 games in this package; which one is your favorite?
Killer’s a lot of fun because you can play with any size group. And Impulse Killer’s even better, because the cue ball never stops moving. It’s tough to get four or five friends crowded around the book, passing the cue stick around quickly enough to keep things moving, but that just adds to the fun.

A brand-new pool table can cost $3,000. You’ve priced yours at $15.95. Are you concerned that Brunswick sees you as a serious threat to their market share?
I think we’re pretty much in direct competition. Massive piece of furniture for your game room? Novelty book that fits in your coat pocket? Let’s face it—you’re either buying one or the other, and I’m offering the much better deal.

If you could invite three famous people over to your house for beer and a rousing night of pool, who would they be?
First and foremost, Paul Newman. No one did more to popularize the game in the 20th century. Plus, he’s just one of the all-around coolest guys of all time. Second, Martin Luther King. You don’t think about him just hanging out and shooting some pool, but we found a great photo we couldn’t make room for in the book of MLK doing a behind-the-back shot, playing against some friends. Third, Mark Twain. There’s a photo of him in the book in his billiards room; it was his writing room by day, and then at night he’d have his friends over to drink and shoot pool. In fact, let’s invite everyone over to his house! I’d love to say I accidentally got chalk on the original manuscript for Tom Sawyer!

Mike Vago is also the creator and author of the bestselling The Miniature Book of Miniature Golf. He’s a graphic designer who has also written for New York Press, The Stranger, and Artvoice. He lives with his family in New Jersey.