Buying a Billiards Table

Buying the right billiards table is not difficult; however, you must consider a few things before and after you make the purchase. The price, its size and space, who will own the table and how it will be used, are all factors when you choose the table. Once you have the table in your house, you must take care of it so it stays new and strong over the years.

There a many types of billiards tables in stores, so when you go out and shop for one, you must be sure your home is ready for the table's arrival. To do this, you must choose the best room in your home for the table, generally a room with plenty of space. It does not matter if you or our friends plan to play games on it, space is everything, you do not want the table near a corner; the table should be in the center of the room. You must also know the room's door size because if the table is already assembled when it arrives, you are going to have trouble squeezing it through a narrow door. No matter what kind of table you get, if you want one similar to the pros, you should get a table with BCA on it.

You can buy your billiard table in a few ways; you can use a newspaper, billiards store, classifieds ads, or eBay. All of these methods are great to use, but if you plan to use eBay, you should consider a few thing before placing a bid. On eBay, you cannot actually see the table up close to examine it, you just have to trust the picture and the information the seller typed in the description. This is not a problem with newspapers, stores and classifieds ads because you can get the address and visit the table on location. You can, however, search eBay based on your location and only get results for sellers that live nearby. Once you found a local auction, email the person, ask if you can stop by and see the table yourself and if you are happy with the table, you can place the bid.

Billiards table prices vary; the most expensive tables are antiques, which cost $15,000 or more; general tables are much cheaper with prices from $500 to $5000. Before you choose a table, you should consider a few important things to help you get the most out of the purchase without spending a lot of money. If the table is for your kids, you really do not need an expensive high quality table because they will not play on it a lot. For kids, you should visit a retail store to find tables to suit them; the best kind is the type of table that is sold in a box that you must assemble yourself. An actual billiard table can also be purchased from a retail store; however, you should visit stores that have knowledgeable retailers to help you pick the right table. If you are a serious billiards player and you want a table to improve your skills, you are going to have to spend a bit more money; however, you can get a good used table to save cash. To find a used table, you could run a classified ad about 7" in the newspaper, or even better, you can ask around to find someone that inherited a table. Some people may have inherited a billiard table and may not want it due to its size and the space it takes up. If you find someone in your area that inherited a table, do not buy it until you hire a billiards mechanic to inspect the table; the mechanic will also help you move it. Finally, if you only want to buy one table that will last forever which will also decorate your home, the best type to buy is a hardwood table.

If you want to buy a billiards table, plan who will own the table and how it will be used before you start searching.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Billiards

Billiards Table-Cheap or Expensive

Choosing the right billiards table is all about price and quality, however, you generally do not have to buy the one with the most expensive price tag. Each type of table such as a cheap table, an economy table, a popular brand table and a top quality table have advantages and disadvantages, so choose wisely. The price range might be your deciding factor, so if you have some extra cash, try to get the table that suits you and you will enjoy your purchase a whole lot more.

Cheap billiards tables are found in many department stores, however most of them are designed for kids. These types of tables do not use real slate, because if they did, the cost of the actual slate would raise the overall price. Instead of real slate, these tables use perma slate or sometimes honeycomb as the table's surface; these tables would not please an experienced billiards player. When you purchase a cheap table, it is generally boxed unassembled and you must assemble it yourself; actual billiards tables have to be assemble by a billiards mechanic. These tables do not last long, they generally last a few years and their price range from $700 to $800 without installation and if you hire someone it assemble it, its $1000 to $1200.

Economy tables cost $1200 to $2000 and they use actual state on the surface, however they have a few minor problems. This type of table is made in garage type workshops, so if you visit one of these places and someone tries to convince you that one-piece slate is better than three piece slate do not believe it. In addition, some economy tables do not use oversize sized slate, which is a term for slate that extends below the rails. This is important because some people may like to sit on a billiards table, so if a table does not have oversize slate, it could be a problem. When a person sits on a table that has oversize slate, the table will support the weight; however, a table without it will start to wobble over time. Billiards tables that wobbles will make the rails miss align; this unbalances the table, which makes it impossible to play.

Popular brand tables offer great style and they last a longer time, but some brands may have cheap materials somewhere on or in the table. While this may not seem like a problem, these materials can indeed make your table weaker depending on where you put it. The basement is not a good place for a table that has artificial materials because the change in temperature may make the table deform. The cost of the popular brand tables range from $2000 to $3000.

The final table you can buy is a top quality table; these tables cost $3000 or more and you generally get the best materials and styles along with a long-term warranty. A high price tag does not always mean you are getting the best table, so shop around and compare prices before you make your purchase.

Each type of billiard tables has features to suit every type of player. No matter if you choose a cheap table or an expensive one, always shop around for a better price.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Billiards

Billiards - Learning How to Play

The game of billiards is not difficult to understand and with practice, you can win your first match within a few hours. There are different types of billiards games; however, there are simple ways to learn each one so you can join in while you are at the billiards hall. You need advance training if you want to play like a pro player and once you have all the skills, you will be able to win a billiards championship.

Reading a how-to book is a simple way to learn the game of billiards. Bookstores have many types of these books; however, some authors may write the steps in a way that is tough for beginners to understand. If you want to read through a billiards help book without being confused, you have to choose the right one. To find the right type of book, you have to research before you go to the bookstore and the best way to do this is to ask some billiard players for their options.

A billiards forum is a great place to get options. Just get a username and start a topic that asks everyone about the best billiards beginner's self-help books. After you have posted your message, you should get plenty of responses; after you read their suggestions, research the book titles in a search engine and choose the one you prefer. You can also visit a billiards hall to ask some of the players about books they read as well.

There is another way to learn the game of billiards without actually reading a book. Besides, some of the techniques you read in a book may not be clear unless you see someone actually doing them. To get a better understanding of the different types of billiards techniques, you should watch a billiards how-to video. A video is an excellent guide and you should buy one along with a book if you want to really increase your billiards knowledge. If you don't prefer reading how-to books, that's ok, you will still get some good advice watching the videos.

If you want to be a pro player, you need to hire a qualified BCA trainer to teach you. An instructor will tell you exactly how to stand, how to hit the ball and how to improve your skill level. If you are not a fast learner and you don't want to give the instructor a hard time during your training, you should practice beforehand. You can ask a friend from a local billiards hall to visit your home and show you the basics if you own a billiards table in your house.

If a BCA instructor has trained your friend, you will know exactly what to expect when your personal trainer arrives. This will make things much easier for you and your instructor, and you can finish your training a lot faster. If you do not want to hire someone to teach you, you can always go to the billiards hall and watch other people play and take notes. If you keep returning with a pen and paper, someone will notice you are trying to learn the game and might offer to teach you.

Billiards can be learned in a few ways; you can buy a book or video that other players recommend, hire an instructor, or watch a few games and take note at the billiard hall.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Billiards

Billiards - More Than 8-Ball Pool

8-ball is the most popular billiard game in the world. It is so popular, that 8-ball pool is almost a synonym for billiards. However, 8-ball is only a part of a one big happy family of billiard games.

8-ball pool, 9-ball pool, snooker, one pocket, balkline are all cue sports games. They all share a rectangular cloth-covered table, a long cue stick, a set of balls and an ambition to score, but they differ in their rules, objects, and even their terminology.

Generally, billiard games divide into two types: pocket billiard games and carom billiard games. Pocket billiard games, usually referred to as pool games, are the type of billiard played on a table that has six pockets. In pocket billiard games, the players aspire to sink the balls into the table pockets, according to specific games rules.

Carom billiard games, on the other hand, are played on pocketless tables. Only three billiard balls are involved in the carom games. The purpose of the players in most carom games is to maneuver their cue ball so it will carom off the other two balls, again, according to the specific requirements of the game.

8-ball pool is a pocket billiard game. Other popular pocket billiard games include 9-ball pool, 14.1 continuous (formerly known as straight pool) and even snooker. Snooker is the most popular cue sports in the UK. Even though snooker is played on a pocketed pool table, it is not governed by the same association that administrates pocket billiard rules. Therefore, pocket billiard general rules do not apply to snooker.

The equipment used in snooker games is also different from the one used in pocket billiard tournaments. For example, the snooker table is a bit larger than the standard pool table plus its pockets are narrower. The terminology used in both billiard games is different as well. While pool players' goal is to "pocket" the "object balls," snooker players aim to "pot" the "red" or the "on-ball."

Josephine Thunder is a professional writer who focuses on the online gaming industry including online billiards, online backgammon, chess and other games. Josephine commonly writes reviews of online gaming sites (including pool sites such as http://www.play89.com for example), articles on history of games and more.

Billiards Chalk

Billiards chalk is one of the most important accessories in billiards. Billiards players apply chalk to the tip of the cue stick between every shot. This is done in order to increase the friction coefficient of the cue tip, which, in turn, prevents the slippage between the ball and the cue tip. As billiards chalk forms a good coating to avoid miscues, it offers players a secure feeling when attempting critical shots. Billiards chalk can provide the right friction, spin and grip - factors that contribute to a satisfactory playing experience.

During the late 1800s, carbonate of lime, better known as blackboard chalk, was used on the cue tips. The problem with blackboard chalk was that it made stains on the billiard fabric. Therefore some proprietary compounds having a silicate base are used for manufacturing billiards chalk nowadays. These ingredients include silica, aloxite, and color pigments. Carbonate of lime is not used anymore. These ingredients are mixed in the right proportion and converted to round or square cakes using a hydraulic press that can apply a pressure of 15 tons. After this process, the cakes are placed on racks to dry. Compared to softer pieces, harder chalks function better.

Billiards chalk is usually green in color. Now this is available in a variety of colors including brown, charcoal, purple, plum, navy, copper, and in colors to match the pool table felt. Only a thin sheet of chalk should remain on the cue tip when applied.

There are many popular brands of billiards chalk available on the market. The features of this chalk differ greatly from brand to brand. A problem with low-quality chalk is that it can have an adverse effect on both cue tips and hands, if used continuously. High humidity might damage the billiards chalk and make it less effective.

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Billiards Chalkboards

Billiards chalkboards are one of the accessories used to keep track of the scores of a billiard game. The names of the players are entered along with their scores on this chalkboard. Any other comments can also be displayed on this board. As electronic scoreboards are fast replacing billiards chalkboards nowadays, the chalkboards are now mainly used for wall decoration in game rooms.

There are a number of manufacturers who produce and sell a wide variety of billiards chalkboards. You can select the appropriate chalkboard that suits your poolroom. Billiard chalkboards come in unique handcrafted models that are valuable additions to the overall room decor. Most of them come with mounting options and wooden frames with resin designs. Custom designed chalkboards made according to the client's specifications are also available in a variety of finishes.

Today, billiards chalkboards and quaint chalkboard signs are commonly seen in restaurants, bars, business establishments, and pool halls or any place where beer drinkers and pool players gather. For this reason, handcrafted billiards chalkboards have great demand in the market. For antique lovers, this is an excellent investment. A painted wooden chalkboard will look great on any wall. Chalkboard signs are now used for menu display in restaurants and kitchens. They are also used to display messages and information in offices and homes. Often these are sold with complimentary color chalk.

Many of the online services offer high quality art works at competitive prices as well as price match guarantees and discounts. Online deals will help you to compare different patterns and styles offered by various shops.

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Billiards FAQs

Billiards is a fast growing leisure sport played on a billiard table, with a stick known as cue stick, usually 58 inches in length, and weighing 18 to 21 ounces. The cue stick is used to hit the balls, moving around the table.

1. What are the benefits of playing billiards? Billiards is a game that increases eye-hand coordination, focus and concentration, and even practical application of physics and geometry.

2. What are the essential equipment required for billiards? Balls, rack, table, cues, mechanical bridge, scoreboard, mirror lights, dart boards, and chalk.

3. What is the standard size of a billiard table? Billiard tables are available in four basic sizes. They are 7 foot (39 inches by 78 inches), 8 foot (44 inches by 88 inches), oversized 8 foot (46 inches by 92 inches) and 9 foot tables (50 inches by 100 inches). These names refer to the interior playfield dimensions.

4. What are cue balls? In billiards, cue balls are the balls that a player strikes with the cue stick. These are made from ivory, wood, and various synthetic materials. Today, phenolic resin is also used for manufacturing these balls.

5. What is Billiards chalk? Billiards chalk is one of the most important accessories in billiards used to reduce the friction between the cue shaft and the bridge hand caused by perspiration.

6. What are the essentials needed to decorate the billiards room? Billiard clocks, posters, billiard signs, CD holders, movie stills, sports figurines, wall art, decorative furniture and cabinets, chalkboards, and pool table lights.

7. What is the difference between pool and billiards? In pool, there are 16 balls including one black, one white, seven red, and seven yellow. Billiards involves only three balls: one red, one black, and one white.

8. What is the Billiard Congress of America (BCA)? Billiard Congress of America is a national nonprofit organization located in Colorado. It is the governing body that controls the billiard industry.

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