Eight Ball Billiards

The game that began as a nobleman's sport has evolved into a barroom staple. But make no mistake the game of billiards, and each of its offspring, still retains that noble spirit.

While proper billiards is rarely found in average clubs, a number of game variations have become popular with the pub and club set. One of the most popular tournament-style billiards games is "eight ball". In eight ball billiards, one set of numbered balls is split between two players. One players shoots for balls 1-7 (also called "solids" or "low balls") and the other plays balls 9-15 ("stripes" or "high balls"). The first player to pocket all of his or her balls, and then legally pocket the eight (black) ball, is declared the winner.

Eight ball is an easy game with very few regulations. There are however, a few rules to keep in mind:

* When calling shots in this eight ball billiards, it is not necessary to indicate the pocket and ball when the shot is clear. If attempting a bank or combination shot however, you must declare your intention before proceeding to shoot.

* If the ball you are shooting jumps off the table, the shot is considered foul. At this time you can choose to accept the table and take a shot, or shoot again with the cue ball placed behind the head string.

* On your turn, your shot is only legal if it hits a group of your own billiard balls and either pocket a numbered ball, or cause a numbered ball or the cue ball to end up in a pocket. This does not apply to shots declared "open", or to break shots.

* After a break shot, if no ball was pocketed and no group of balls determined, the table is still considered to be open. In other words, if a player breaks and sunk neither stripes nor solids, the table remains open.

* A game may be acknowledged as a stalemate when six turns (three for each player) are taken consecutively and the next shot will result in the loss of the game. At this point, the game is re-racked, and the original breaker takes the break shot again.

Consult an official rulebook for a more concise description of all the rules to eight ball. To play a successful game you must be willing to learn and follow the rules, and retain the noble spirit of billiards.
Jennifer Brown writes for several web sites, on sports and recreation and recreation and hobbies subjects.

Billiards - Cue Construction

In this article we'll focus on the last piece of billiard improvements which is the cue itself.

Cue construction, even in the early days, was more an art than a science. Billiard cues, even going back to the early maces, were probably the most artistic of all the items associated with the game itself. Early maces were hand carved ivory and inlaid jewels and gold. They were probably worth as much as the whole table itself.

With the advances made in industry in the 1800s cues were not only made beautifully but they could now be mass produced in a variety of styles. Probably the greatest cue manufacturer of the era was B. Finck Company. It was said that their cues in both beauty and quality was unequalled by anyone. Their cues were used by the finest players in Europe. Eventually they became the largest cue manufacturer on the continent.

By 1879 Finck had more than 160 cues in its catalogue. They made both one and two piece cues in many designs and styles. They even made cues that were designed for specific games and for all levels of society, from the lowest commoner to the highest in royalty. They also specialized in what were called "cues for kings." These cues were extremely expensive, made with inlaid gold and very rare gems. Most of the cues were actually purchased by the kings as more of a status symbol and were very rarely used in actual play. Finck also created custom cues which were awarded as prizes in various tournaments across the land.

Since Finck, many other famous cue makers came onto the scene including Britner, Rambow, Paradise, Balner, Martin, Szamboti and Balabushka. All of these companies, even today, make cues that are considered a symbol of excellence and are valued as true treasures.

There are many variations in the cues that are made. They are dictated by the game itself. For example, billiard cues are stiffer than pool cues because billiard balls are heavier than pool balls. Other variations include the type of wood that is used which will determine how light or heavy the cue itself is, as some prefer a heavier cue to a lighter one.

A good part of the reason that billiard cues were able to be made so well and attractive was the art of marquetry, which is the art of making designs or pictures with thin pieces of wood, shell or other materials. This art has been a part of billiard cue making almost right from the beginning. Floral, geometric or other inlaid designs have greatly added to the beauty of tables and cues. Precious gems and metals have also been used in this art. Even the art of "finishing," which Stradavari used on his violins, was also used on cues and tables.

The truth is, one of the main reasons for billiards popularity is the beauty of the game pieces itself.

In our last article in this series we're going to show how billiards made its way to America.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Billiards

A Beginners Guide to Billiards

Billiards is a universally popular indoor game that is enjoyed by people of all ages and both sexes. Traditionally, billiards is played in bars, clubs, pubs, and specials pool or billiard halls. However, more and more people are realizing the benefits and entertainment value of having a billiards table and games room within their very own home. This makes a great addition to any home, adding a touch of relaxation and atmosphere where any member of the family can escape the trials of everyday life for a short while. And with so many different billiards games to play, you can enjoy this entertainment year in and year out.

There are a number of different billiards games to choose from, but before you play these you need the necessary equipment. Apart from getting a good quality pool table that you can enjoy for many years to come, you will need the billiards balls and a good pool cue. You need to be able to use the correct movements and hone your skills to master billiards, so it may take a lot of practise before you become adept at this game however, you can have great fun with billiards even when learning to play and practising the shots.

A Brief History

Billiards is a hugely popular indoor game today, with countless fans that either go out to establishments to play these games or those that have their own billiards tables and pool rooms within the home. The game actually became popular in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in England. Gaming establishments known as pool rooms began to incorporate one or two of these billiards tables but they became so popular that soon they became the main feature of these pool rooms, and they became known as pool tables.

Pocket Billiards

Pocket billiards is played on a pool table with holes known as pockets in which to shoot the billiards balls. There is a pocket on each corner of the table and then one on each side, making six pockets in all. In all pockets billiards games, the object of the game is to shoot the balls into the pockets, although how and where you shoot the balls can vary from game to game. Below is a rundown of some of the most popular pocket billiards games:

8 BALL
This is one of the most basic and popular types of pool games, and is played by old and young, male and female, all across the world. With 8 ball fifteen balls are used, each of which is numbered. Player one is assigned balls one through to seven and player tow is assigned balls nine through to fifteen. The object of the game is for each player to try and pot all of his assigned balls. The first player to pot all of his balls can then try and pot the 8-ball. If he manages to do this without also potting the cue ball (the ball with which he is potting the other balls) then he wins the game.

9 BALL
This is another very simple form of billiards, and is an excellent starter game and ideal for those learning or practising their billiards skills. With this game there are just nine numbers billiards balls along with the cue ball. Each player has to shoot at the lowest ball in order to try and pot it, and as each lowest number gets potted the players move to the next one until the final ball, number nine, has been pocketed.

SNOOKER
This is a hugely popular game in England, where pool first originated. This particular variation of the game originated in the British Forces. Snooker is played with 21 coloured balls and one cue ball. The majority of the 21 balls used in snooker are red fifteen in all. The remaining six balls are each of a different colour, including one pink ball, one brown ball, one blue ball, one green ball, one yellow ball and one black ball. Each ball represents a different score when it is pocketed, with the lowest score going to the reds at one point each. The other ball scores range from 2-7, the highest being the black ball. Players must pocket a red ball before going on to pocket the coloured balls, and all coloured balls must be pocketed in order of value, so the black ball is always potted last.

STRAIGHT POOL
In this variation of the game, you use fifteen numbered balls and a cue ball. In this game the balls can be potted in any order. However, there is a twistthe player must specify which ball he is going to pot and which pocket he is going to shoot the ball into. Once fourteen of the balls have been pocketed and only one is left, the fourteen potted balls are places back on the table. The player then has to pot the final ball whilst breaking apart the racked up fourteen balls.

ONE POCKET
Like straight pool, this game is played with fifteen numbered balls and a cue ball. With this game one of the players must select a corner pocket from the foot of the table. The second player is given the remaining pocket from the foot of the table, and both players have to aim to shoot into their own pockets. Points are awarded for each ball that you pot into your own pocket, and points are deducted for potting a ball into your opponents pocket or for potting the cue ball.

ENGLISH BILLIARDS
This game is played with just three balls, and scored can be notched up in three different ways. The first way is by deflecting your ball off another ball and into a pocket. The second way is by hitting the ball and striking the other two balls. And the third way is by hitting the ball and knocking one of the other balls into a pocket.

General rules of the game

Most pocket billiards games involve a certain set of rules, although these should be checked against the regulations of each individual game. Some of the generalised rules include the following:

Racking balls: This must be done using a triangle, with the apex ball at the foot spot. All other balls should be racked behind the apex and should be tightly packed so that they are within the triangle and touching one another in a perfect triangle formation.
Striking the ball: The cue ball should be struck using the tip of the cue, otherwise the shot can be classed as a foul.

Pocketing the ball: If you do not pocket the ball then you are not allowed another shot and the next shot goes to your opponent until he also fails to pocket a ball, at which point it is your turn again.

Pocketed balls: A pocketed ball is that which is shot from the table bed into a hole (pocket) on the table and remains there. If it rebounds back on to the table it cannot be classed as a pocketed ball.

Ball positioning: The center (base) of the ball is what determines its final position.

Foot placement: In order to shoot a ball without fouling, the player must have one or both feet in contact with the floor. The footwear must also be taken into consideration and must be standard in size, shape and height.

Moving balls: A player cannot shoot a ball that is in motion without it being classed as a foul. This includes the cue ball and the object ball. A stroke cannot be counted until all balls have stopped moving.

Cue ball: If the player pots the cue ball, this is counted as a foul. Also, if the cue ball hits a ball that has already been pocketed, this is also classed as a foul.

Contact with balls: Any contact with object balls with anything other than the cue ball is a foul. Also, any contact with the cue ball with anything other than the cue tip is classed as a foul. This can include contact through hands, clothes, elbow or any other object or body part.

Jumping the ball: If a player intentionally strikes the cue ball below the center and causes it to jump in order to clear another ball, this is classed as a foul. Striking upwards and causing the cue ball to jump from the table bed is also considered a foul in most games.

There are a number of different billiards games to choose from, but before you play these you need the necessary equipment. Apart from getting a good quality pool table that you can enjoy for many years to come, you will need the billiards balls and a good pool cue. You need to be able to use the correct movements and hone your skills to master billiards, so it may take a lot of practise before you become adept at this game however, you can have great fun with billiards even when learning to play and practising the shots.

A Brief History

Billiards is a hugely popular indoor game today, with countless fans that either go out to establishments to play these games or those that have their own billiards tables and pool rooms within the home. The game actually became popular in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in England. Gaming establishments known as pool rooms began to incorporate one or two of these billiards tables but they became so popular that soon they became the main feature of these pool rooms, and they became known as pool tables.

Pocket Billiards

Pocket billiards is played on a pool table with holes known as pockets in which to shoot the billiards balls. There is a pocket on each corner of the table and then one on each side, making six pockets in all. In all pockets billiards games, the object of the game is to shoot the balls into the pockets, although how and where you shoot the balls can vary from game to game. Below is a rundown of some of the most popular pocket billiards games:

8 BALL
This is one of the most basic and popular types of pool games, and is played by old and young, male and female, all across the world. With 8 ball fifteen balls are used, each of which is numbered. Player one is assigned balls one through to seven and player tow is assigned balls nine through to fifteen. The object of the game is for each player to try and pot all of his assigned balls. The first player to pot all of his balls can then try and pot the 8-ball. If he manages to do this without also potting the cue ball (the ball with which he is potting the other balls) then he wins the game.

9 BALL
This is another very simple form of billiards, and is an excellent starter game and ideal for those learning or practising their billiards skills. With this game there are just nine numbers billiards balls along with the cue ball. Each player has to shoot at the lowest ball in order to try and pot it, and as each lowest number gets potted the players move to the next one until the final ball, number nine, has been pocketed.

SNOOKER
This is a hugely popular game in England, where pool first originated. This particular variation of the game originated in the British Forces. Snooker is played with 21 coloured balls and one cue ball. The majority of the 21 balls used in snooker are red fifteen in all. The remaining six balls are each of a different colour, including one pink ball, one brown ball, one blue ball, one green ball, one yellow ball and one black ball. Each ball represents a different score when it is pocketed, with the lowest score going to the reds at one point each. The other ball scores range from 2-7, the highest being the black ball. Players must pocket a red ball before going on to pocket the coloured balls, and all coloured balls must be pocketed in order of value, so the black ball is always potted last.

STRAIGHT POOL
In this variation of the game, you use fifteen numbered balls and a cue ball. In this game the balls can be potted in any order. However, there is a twistthe player must specify which ball he is going to pot and which pocket he is going to shoot the ball into. Once fourteen of the balls have been pocketed and only one is left, the fourteen potted balls are places back on the table. The player then has to pot the final ball whilst breaking apart the racked up fourteen balls.

ONE POCKET
Like straight pool, this game is played with fifteen numbered balls and a cue ball. With this game one of the players must select a corner pocket from the foot of the table. The second player is given the remaining pocket from the foot of the table, and both players have to aim to shoot into their own pockets. Points are awarded for each ball that you pot into your own pocket, and points are deducted for potting a ball into your opponents pocket or for potting the cue ball.

ENGLISH BILLIARDS
This game is played with just three balls, and scored can be notched up in three different ways. The first way is by deflecting your ball off another ball and into a pocket. The second way is by hitting the ball and striking the other two balls. And the third way is by hitting the ball and knocking one of the other balls into a pocket.

General rules of the game

Most pocket billiards games involve a certain set of rules, although these should be checked against the regulations of each individual game. Some of the generalised rules include the following:

Racking balls: This must be done using a triangle, with the apex ball at the foot spot. All other balls should be racked behind the apex and should be tightly packed so that they are within the triangle and touching one another in a perfect triangle formation.
Striking the ball: The cue ball should be struck using the tip of the cue, otherwise the shot can be classed as a foul.

Pocketing the ball: If you do not pocket the ball then you are not allowed another shot and the next shot goes to your opponent until he also fails to pocket a ball, at which point it is your turn again.

Pocketed balls: A pocketed ball is that which is shot from the table bed into a hole (pocket) on the table and remains there. If it rebounds back on to the table it cannot be classed as a pocketed ball.

Ball positioning: The center (base) of the ball is what determines its final position.

Foot placement: In order to shoot a ball without fouling, the player must have one or both feet in contact with the floor. The footwear must also be taken into consideration and must be standard in size, shape and height.

Moving balls: A player cannot shoot a ball that is in motion without it being classed as a foul. This includes the cue ball and the object ball. A stroke cannot be counted until all balls have stopped moving.

Cue ball: If the player pots the cue ball, this is counted as a foul. Also, if the cue ball hits a ball that has already been pocketed, this is also classed as a foul.

Contact with balls: Any contact with object balls with anything other than the cue ball is a foul. Also, any contact with the cue ball with anything other than the cue tip is classed as a foul. This can include contact through hands, clothes, elbow or any other object or body part.

Jumping the ball: If a player intentionally strikes the cue ball below the center and causes it to jump in order to clear another ball, this is classed as a foul. Striking upwards and causing the cue ball to jump from the table bed is also considered a foul in most games.

Reno Charlton is an experienced freelance copywriter and an award-winning childrens author from the United Kingdom. You can read more of her informative articles on pool tables and billiard accessories at http://www.pool-and-billiards.com.

 

How to set up the perfect billiards room

If you enjoy relaxing over a game of billiards at the local bar, then what could be better than having your very own billiards table at home? Your home is the place in which you want to relax and enjoy life without having to think about work and other hassles, and if billiards is your thing then it makes sense to have your own table, which you can enjoy whenever you like. With your own billiards table at home, you can invite friends around for a few beers and a few games, or you can simply brush up on your billiards skills in the comfort of your own home.

If you are thinking of getting your own billiards table, the first thing you need to decide is where your table is going to go. The perfect solution is to create a billiards room, where you can create the perfect look, atmosphere, and ambience to complement your billiards table. Of course, having a large home and a room going spare would be ideal, but not many people have this luxury, so the next best thing is to make room. Depending on the size of your home and your family you could relegate another room, such as a little-used dining room or even a large basement. A few changes in dcor, colour, lighting and furnishings can make this into a perfect billiards room environment.

If you dont have a room that you can convert, you may want to think about building on your property. A proper games room such as a billiard room can make a fantastic addition to the home, and not only will you get hours of enjoyment and delight from this addition but it could also add value to your home. You can get some excellent prices these days when it comes to extending your property, and if you have building skills you may want to have a go at it yourself. Even a large conservatory can make an excellent place to have your billiards room.

Wherever you decide to have your billiards room, you need to ensure that it will serve the purpose. You need to have room for your pool table and for necessary accessories that will give your billiards room the right ambience and look. You also need to have room to freely move around, so dont be tempted to go for a room that can just about squeeze in your pool table with very little room for anything else, including the players!

Accessorize, furnish and light it up

The key to the perfect billiards room is to have the right billiards accessories, furniture and lighting as well as a suitable space. You can get some fantastic accessories these days, so you can make your billiards room really individual and unique. You will need to look at the more fundamental accessories as well, such as:

Cue sticks
Pool cue racks
Pool table covers
Pool table lights
Other pool table accessories

Other pool table accessories include essentials such as ball racks, table felt, table hooks, chalk and brushes.

In addition to the essential products, you will find a range of really cool furnishings and accessories that are perfect for your billiards room. You can get billiards clocks, framed posters of famous pool players, pool coat racks, billiard room signs, beer signs (to add to the authentic setting), ashtrays, mugs, towels just about anything you can think of.

Furniture and dcor for your billiards room will largely be a matter of personal taste. However, your room will look so much cooler if you can stick to the billiards room theme. You can get an excellent range of furniture to select from these days, and you can enjoy giving your room a great look with:

Wooden or metal bar stools
Spectator chairs or stools
Pedestal table and chair sets

Coupled with accessories such as billiard prints, neon signs, cue racks, and the other fantastic items available these days, this can give your billiards room just the right appearance to make it the perfect place to relax and hang out.

Lighting is another very important consideration, and this can make all of the difference to the look and atmosphere of your billiards room. You can select from a wide choice of billiard room lighting, such as swag & bar lights or stained glass lights. Again, the choice is your and should depend upon the rest of your dcor. It is important to also consider wall lighting as well as lighting for above your billiards table. In addition to the wall and table lights, you can add neon signs to the walls, which will add a really great touch and authentic atmosphere to your billiards room.

Why have a billiards room?

There are many ways in which a billiards room could enhance your home and your life. If you enjoy a game of pool down at the local bar, then having access to your very own billiards room will be a dream come true. You can invite your friends round to play a game or two, and make your billiards room in to a real entertainment center for the whole family. Some great reasons for having your own billiards room include:

Spending more time with the family: Its not always easy to get quality time with the family, and there arent all that many places in which the whole family can get together and enjoy themselves without paying a fortune. Your new billiards room will provide the perfect environment, where you, your partner, the kids, and even granny can relax and enjoy the atmosphere, fun and relaxing ambience that will surround you.

Giving the kids access to some fun: Most kids live to play games like pool, but generally cant get into bars and play like adults can! If you want to give your kids something to do, and you would rather they were at home in the evenings rather than wandering the streets, your billiards room is the perfect solutions. Your kids can invite their friends around from time to time, and they will all be thrilled to spend time in your cool billiards room.

Enjoying being the host and entertainer: If you like to have friends around, then the billiard room will be a fantastic addition to your home. Having dinner parties will never be the same again, and you can all retire to the billiards room for a few games, a couple of drinks, and to listen to some music. You can even enjoy a few pre-dinner games and even if youre not inviting friends around for dinner, they will be delighted to come around simply for a game of pool and a couple of beers.

Increase the value of your property: A well designed games room could really add value to your property, as these rooms are becoming more and more popular. People like nothing more than having a space in which they can relax and enjoy themselves, forgetting about everyday hassles, and this is what you will be giving them with a billiards room.

Enjoy your new billiard room

Once you have got your billiard room fully kitted out and decorated, you will be ready to reap the rewards with years of fun and relaxation with family, friends, even alone. You can use your new billiards room to entertain, enjoy quality time with others, brush up on your billiards skills, enable the kids to learn how to play, and to have a great time with the important people in your life.

Billiards is a universally popular game, and people wont fail to be impressed with your fantastic new billiards room. This will be a place where you can get away from it all no more having to slope off to the local bar for a couple of beers and a game or two; you can simply go to your billiard room and enjoy a game whenever you want to. You could even have a well-stocked mini-fridge in your billiard room filled with beers or soft drinks, so you can enjoy a cold drink as you play a relaxing game of pool.

If you are thinking of getting your own billiards table, the first thing you need to decide is where your table is going to go. The perfect solution is to create a billiards room, where you can create the perfect look, atmosphere, and ambience to complement your billiards table. Of course, having a large home and a room going spare would be ideal, but not many people have this luxury, so the next best thing is to make room. Depending on the size of your home and your family you could relegate another room, such as a little-used dining room or even a large basement. A few changes in dcor, colour, lighting and furnishings can make this into a perfect billiards room environment.

If you dont have a room that you can convert, you may want to think about building on your property. A proper games room such as a billiard room can make a fantastic addition to the home, and not only will you get hours of enjoyment and delight from this addition but it could also add value to your home. You can get some excellent prices these days when it comes to extending your property, and if you have building skills you may want to have a go at it yourself. Even a large conservatory can make an excellent place to have your billiards room.

Wherever you decide to have your billiards room, you need to ensure that it will serve the purpose. You need to have room for your pool table and for necessary accessories that will give your billiards room the right ambience and look. You also need to have room to freely move around, so dont be tempted to go for a room that can just about squeeze in your pool table with very little room for anything else, including the players!

Accessorize, furnish and light it up

The key to the perfect billiards room is to have the right billiards accessories, furniture and lighting as well as a suitable space. You can get some fantastic accessories these days, so you can make your billiards room really individual and unique. You will need to look at the more fundamental accessories as well, such as:

Cue sticks
Pool cue racks
Pool table covers
Pool table lights
Other pool table accessories

Other pool table accessories include essentials such as ball racks, table felt, table hooks, chalk and brushes.

In addition to the essential products, you will find a range of really cool furnishings and accessories that are perfect for your billiards room. You can get billiards clocks, framed posters of famous pool players, pool coat racks, billiard room signs, beer signs (to add to the authentic setting), ashtrays, mugs, towels just about anything you can think of.

Furniture and dcor for your billiards room will largely be a matter of personal taste. However, your room will look so much cooler if you can stick to the billiards room theme. You can get an excellent range of furniture to select from these days, and you can enjoy giving your room a great look with:

Wooden or metal bar stools
Spectator chairs or stools
Pedestal table and chair sets

Coupled with accessories such as billiard prints, neon signs, cue racks, and the other fantastic items available these days, this can give your billiards room just the right appearance to make it the perfect place to relax and hang out.

Lighting is another very important consideration, and this can make all of the difference to the look and atmosphere of your billiards room. You can select from a wide choice of billiard room lighting, such as swag & bar lights or stained glass lights. Again, the choice is your and should depend upon the rest of your dcor. It is important to also consider wall lighting as well as lighting for above your billiards table. In addition to the wall and table lights, you can add neon signs to the walls, which will add a really great touch and authentic atmosphere to your billiards room.

Why have a billiards room?

There are many ways in which a billiards room could enhance your home and your life. If you enjoy a game of pool down at the local bar, then having access to your very own billiards room will be a dream come true. You can invite your friends round to play a game or two, and make your billiards room in to a real entertainment center for the whole family. Some great reasons for having your own billiards room include:

Spending more time with the family: Its not always easy to get quality time with the family, and there arent all that many places in which the whole family can get together and enjoy themselves without paying a fortune. Your new billiards room will provide the perfect environment, where you, your partner, the kids, and even granny can relax and enjoy the atmosphere, fun and relaxing ambience that will surround you.

Giving the kids access to some fun: Most kids live to play games like pool, but generally cant get into bars and play like adults can! If you want to give your kids something to do, and you would rather they were at home in the evenings rather than wandering the streets, your billiards room is the perfect solutions. Your kids can invite their friends around from time to time, and they will all be thrilled to spend time in your cool billiards room.

Enjoying being the host and entertainer: If you like to have friends around, then the billiard room will be a fantastic addition to your home. Having dinner parties will never be the same again, and you can all retire to the billiards room for a few games, a couple of drinks, and to listen to some music. You can even enjoy a few pre-dinner games and even if youre not inviting friends around for dinner, they will be delighted to come around simply for a game of pool and a couple of beers.

Increase the value of your property: A well designed games room could really add value to your property, as these rooms are becoming more and more popular. People like nothing more than having a space in which they can relax and enjoy themselves, forgetting about everyday hassles, and this is what you will be giving them with a billiards room.

Enjoy your new billiard room

Once you have got your billiard room fully kitted out and decorated, you will be ready to reap the rewards with years of fun and relaxation with family, friends, even alone. You can use your new billiards room to entertain, enjoy quality time with others, brush up on your billiards skills, enable the kids to learn how to play, and to have a great time with the important people in your life.

Billiards is a universally popular game, and people wont fail to be impressed with your fantastic new billiards room. This will be a place where you can get away from it all no more having to slope off to the local bar for a couple of beers and a game or two; you can simply go to your billiard room and enjoy a game whenever you want to. You could even have a well-stocked mini-fridge in your billiard room filled with beers or soft drinks, so you can enjoy a cold drink as you play a relaxing game of pool.

Reno Charlton is an experienced freelance copywriter and an award-winning childrens author from the United Kingdom. You can read more of her informative articles on pool tables and billiard accessories at http://www.pool-and-billiards.com.

 

Pool Tables - Fun For The Whole Family

Did you know that the first pool tables made an appearance in nineteenth century horse racing betting- poolrooms? Strange but true...though at that time the game was known as Billiards and tables were put up there for people to kill time between races. Because the game was set up in 'pool rooms', it was eventually named pool.

In those days pool tables looked a lot different from their present Avatar. They were just ordinary tables where the balls kept rolling off (Didn't they see it coming?!) To handle this problem wooden railings of about 4-6 inches wide were added to the sides and viola! You could shoot pool like never before! Later the table went through further modifications, customizations and improved over the years to evolve into its current form. Though Pool or Billiards as it was known then, has always been seen as a "bad boys' " game, it is today one of the most popular sports across the globe.

If you too, are looking out for a good quality table, settle for nothing less than a solid hard wood with a slate surface. We recommend slate over veneer or wood because it levels perfectly and offers a smooth playing experience. Whether you want a standard size 8 feet X 4 feet table or a tournament 4 1/2 feet 9 feet one remember to check the quality of the surface fabric, which could be either wool or a woolen blend.

Slate tables could burn a hole in your pocket with prices starting from above $ 950 but nonslate is more affordable hovering around $350. Again this varies according to the size and the quality of wood and other materials used. To make life easier, try online auctions and stores to get a good price and no-hassle shipping. There are also always great deals going on online, so don't rush into buying one without shopping around first.

Ken Wilson for http://www.pooltable-information.com