In the world of pool and billiards, Robert Byrne's books, hundreds of instructional magazine articles and six videotapes (shot on sound stages in Burbank and Hollywood, California), have established him as the preeminent teacher and commentator. As a player, he has won tournaments in almost every form of the game. He finished third in the National Professional Three-Cushion Championship in 1977 held in North Hollywood. In 1999, he won both the National Amateur and the National Senior billiard tournaments.
In 1994 on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, he received the Industry Service Award from the Billiard and Bowling Institute of America, an honor previously bestowed on Willie Mosconi, Paul Newman, and Jackie Gleason.
His contributions to billiards and pool were recognized when he was awarded the greatest honor in the sport: induction into the Billiard Congress of America’s Hall of Fame. The honor, for Meritorious Service, was bestowed on July 21, 2001, at the Las Vegas Hilton at a banquet closing the annual world billiard trade show. He was inducted with many-times world billiard champion Raymond Ceulemans of Belgium.
"In my forty years in the game, I've never met anyone with Bob Byrne's contacts with top players around the world, his knowledge of the technique and history of the game, and his writing ability. His books are crammed with inside secrets and curious lore."
-- E. J. Pilotte, former President, Billiard Federation of the USA