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

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 - Early History 1600 - 1674

In this article we'll be picking up our history of billiards from 1600 and working our way until 1674.

It really wasn't until 1600 that billiards began to be noticed to a great extent. The first writings and references to billiards could be found in the works of Shakespeare such as Antony and Cleopatra. The most popular passage of this reference was when the Egyptian queen suggests to her handmaiden, Charmian, "Let's to Billiards." This was from Act II, Scene V.

Even though the game was embraced by all European royalty, it was only in France that the game spread to every level of society from the very rich all the way down to the lowest commoner. Outside of France it was purely a game of nobles. It really wasn't until the reigns of French Kings Louis XIII and Louis XIV that the game spread throughout Europe.

The difference between these kings and those that came before them was not just their love for the game of billiards, it was their expectation of others to, not only join them for a game, but also to show a certain level of play. In other words, they loved the competition and they were willing to accept it from wherever it came. These games were not just amusement to these kings. These were games that could make or break political careers, much like politicians of today being seen in public events with people of influence in order to strengthen their chance for election. To play a king and to play well was a show of respect, not only to the king but to the whole country. Even monarchs when they came to visit were judged by the respect that they showed for the game.

Well, this had a kind of snowball effect. Most likely to keep in favor with France, the game of billiards exploded all over Europe. Skilled players were recruited by royal families in order to teach them and their children everything there was to know about the game. From this, rivalries developed and royal tournaments were played. What started out as a pastime was now turning into a sport. This craze eventually spread to the cities where tables popped up in taverns and inns. And just like in France, the game spread to every connecting village and town all over Europe.

A book by Charles Cotton called the Compleat Gamester, was published in 1674. It contains some of the earliest descriptions of English sports and pastimes. Even though the book is mostly a study of rules and equipment of the game, it does give one a very good idea of just how important this game had become all across the land and also marked the distinction between the classes of the times. The truth is, just as the newest fads of our time dominate magazines and publications, billiards at that time was as popular and important in European society as any game that has come along since anywhere.

In the next article in this series we'll be picking up where we left off at 1674.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Billiards

Pool Table Lights Guide: How To Light Up Your Game

The proper pool table lights is critical to playing your best game of pool. The ideal pool table light fixture is attractive, unobtrusive, and provides just enough illumination without creating a glare. Choosing the right pool table lights for your home need not be difficult. Just keep a few points in mind.

The Best Pool Table Lights for the Job

The most effective pool table lights cover the entire length of the table. Measure your pool table before you start shopping. The majority of pool table lights fixtures available have multiple globes in order to direct several points of light at the table, usually two, three, or four globes. Multiple globes on your pool table lights fixture also help to eliminate any glare. Some fixtures contain multiple globes within one larger fixture.


Traditional vs. Contemporary Pool Table Lights

Pool table lights come in a wide variety of styles and finishes. Traditional, Victorian, Tiffany-style lights are popular pool table lights. These fixtures, modeled after designs by the famous glass artist, Louis Comfort Tiffany, are made of small panes of glass joined with lead piping. These colorful glass pieces are put together to form all manner of designs, logos, and slogans.

Tiffany-style pool table lights are available in one long shade with several bulbs inside the globe or in multiple shades along a single, metal bar. They may be elaborate, multi-color showpieces or relatively simple, one-color pool table lights fixtures.

Other traditional fixtures of pool table lights come in black or brown wrought-iron fixture with alabaster glass shades. Most often the pool table lights fixture is crafted into a scrolled design with multiple glass shades. This style of light fixture is also widely available in bronze, brushed pewter, and brass finishes. pool table lights made from ooden fixtures, too, can lend a warm and homey touch to your poolroom.

Contemporary pool table lights can give your room a clean, sleek, modern look. Bar pool table lights in chrome and brass with simple, smoked glass shades can create such a look. Some pool table light fixtures insert a vibrant touch by adding green, red, and blue colored glass shades.


Something a Little Different

Customize your pool table lights by adding a college or professional sports logo. Tiffany-style lights often incorporate the logo into the glass motif whereas solid glass shades can be etched with your favorite teams logo. Cheer on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, the Colorado Avalanche Hockey team, or the New England Patriots right from your recreation room.

Military logos are also popular designs for pool table lights. The Marine Corps, Navy, Army, and Air Force insignia are all available, both in Tiffany lights and in solid etched glass shades. Also consider Jack Daniels logo pool table lights or perhaps one with the Harley Davidson logo.


The Technical Stuff

Installing your pool table lights should be relatively easy for the weekend home remodeler. There must be a secure place onto which to mount your pool table light fixture and that it has its own separate electrical box. As with any electrical project, turn off the electrical current before you start working on mounting your pool table lights.

The correct light bulbs go a long way to ensuring your pool table lights fixture is safe as well as creating the right mood. 60-watt bulbs are recommended although some of the pool table lights with multiple shades might look better with 40-watt bulbs instead.
Where to Shop
The Internet has made shopping for pool table lights much easier. A typical search yields hundreds of online retailers of pool table lights. Browse through thousands of pool table lights, right in the privacy of your home. Many Web merchants even offer free shipping and live online customer service. Expect to pay from $150 for simple bar pool table lights to over $1000 for an elaborate Tiffany-style light fixture.

The right pool table lights can give your poolroom that ambiance of casual elegance or rustic charm that you desire as well as providing the lighting necessary to play your best game of pool. Shop carefully; consider all your options, and youll enjoy your pool table lights fixture for many years to come.
Richard Aubin is the publisher of the bi-weekly pool playing tips newsletter, full of tips, tricks and practical advice you can use to improve your pool game. Get his free 7 day consistency and concentration course - Visit http://poolplayingtips.com