Keller, Bob

Pool Instructor and Influencer

Bob Keller, widely known as “Shortstop On Pool,” is a professional billiards instructor, author, and content creator dedicated to the art of Straight Pool (14.1). Based in Colorado, Bob has earned a reputation for his deep technical understanding of the game and his ability to break down complex patterns into clear, actionable instruction. Bob is an expert player with over sixty 100-ball Straight Pool runs to his credit including a high run of 206. His expertise was notably recognized when he assisted John Schmidt during his historic 820-ball run, acting as the primary witness, racker, and analyst for the feat.

As a teacher, Bob focuses on helping players of all levels master the nuances of pattern play, break shots, and cue ball control. He has successfully bridged the gap between traditional pool wisdom and modern instructional methods through his YouTube channel and his comprehensive book, A Shortstop On Straight Pool. His approach emphasizes a structural and analytical view of the table, proving that with the right discipline, players can continue to reach new personal milestones at any age.

For those looking to elevate their game, Bob offers a variety of specialized training tools at his website, www.shortstoponpool.com. “The Right Way” is Bob’s presentation of John Schmidt’s mastery of Straight Pool in an online course of 13 videos that also includes a shot-by-shot analysis of John Schmidt’s historic 626 ball run. Bob’s “Ghost” products - Ghost Align, Ghost Aimer, Ghost Bridge and Ghost Target – are popular among pool players of all skill levels looking to improve their game.

April 28, 2026

John Schmidt w/Bob Keller - Part 5 (The Finish at 820: The Near Miss, the Nerve, and the Legacy)

The final episode brings the drama home. With the number climbing, the pressure building, and history within reach, John Schmidt and Bob Keller take us through the closing stages of the 820 run and the decisions that still linger in the mind afterward. This is where the discussion turns to the final racks, the unconventional moments, the nerve required to keep going, and the emotional reality of coming so close to even bigger numbers. John reflects on the shots he would and would not choose in m...

Guests: Schmidt, John , Keller, Bob

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April 28, 2026

John Schmidt w/Bob Keller - Part 4 (How 820 Happens: Break Balls, Patterns, and Pure Straight Pool Genius)

In part four, the series shifts into the pure mechanics of greatness. This is where John Schmidt and Bob Keller begin unpacking the actual run in a way straight pool lovers will savor. They discuss break balls, key balls, rack patterns, cue-ball precision, manufacturing insurance balls, and the many little recovery shots that separate a big run from a broken one. What becomes clear very quickly is that 820 was not a clean, carefree stroll. It was a living, breathing puzzle solved one rack at a t...

Guests: Schmidt, John , Keller, Bob

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April 21, 2026

John Schmidt w/Bob Keller - Part 3 (The Mind of an 800 Ball Runner)

Part three gets inside John Schmidt’s head, and it may be the most revealing episode of the series. John talks candidly about self-doubt, aging, criticism, pride, and the internal switch he flips when it is time to chase a giant number. He explains that for him, straight pool is no longer about trying harder or focusing harder. It is about seeing the game so clearly that entire racks begin to unfold almost automatically. Bob Keller confirms that point in unforgettable fashion, saying there are o...

Guests: Schmidt, John , Keller, Bob

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April 21, 2026

John Schmidt w/Bob Keller - Part 2 (Inside the Setup: How John Schmidt Built the Perfect Straight Pool Storm)

What does it really take to run 820 balls? In part two, John Schmidt and Bob Keller pull back the curtain on the conditions, equipment, routines, and tiny details that made this historic straight pool run possible. This is the laboratory episode. John walks us through the Gold Crown table, legal five-inch pockets, Simonis cloth, Predator Arcos balls, modern chalk, donut rings, polished balls, fatigue mats, Hoka shoes, and even the nutritional routine that helped him feel stronger and fresher tha...

Guests: Schmidt, John , Keller, Bob

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April 21, 2026

John Schmidt w/Bob Keller - Part 1 (The 820 Ball Run: Why He Came Back)

On this special five-part series of Legends of the Cue, we welcome straight pool great John Schmidt back to the show after his stunning 820-ball run, with Bob Keller joining us as the man behind the camera, the rack, and the support system that helped make it happen. In this opening episode, John explains why this run almost never happened at all. After the emotional weight of his 626, the backlash that followed, and Jayson Shaw’s run past his number, John says there were many days he wished he ...

Guests: Schmidt, John , Keller, Bob

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