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

One Pocket Billiards Game

One pocket billiards is the billiards answer to soccer, while 14.1 continuous billiards is the billiards answer to basketball?s horse. Requiring to shooter to specialize in specific types of shots, in on pocket billiards the table is cut from six pockets for shots to two open pockets. You don?t have to call what ball will go into that pocket but, you must call the desired pocket for your shot in one pocket billiards.

The desired pocket on every shot is the opponent?s target goal, and that is the similarity for one pocket billiards to soccer. Requiring somewhat of a defensive strategy in addition to the usual offensive strategies of billiards, each play is essentially defending a target pocket. If a player shoots a ball into one of the four other pockets instead of making a ball into the opponent?s target pocket, then the shot is declared something like "illegally pocketed ball".

The opponent receive a winning point total if a shooter accidentally pockets a ball in their own goal pocket, and then, they do indeed lose the game. The shooter would have pocketed over half of the total billiards ball into the opponent?s pocket only if they reach the object. The object is to get to eight balls pocketed in the target or opponent?s goal pocket. The shooter loses only if the shooter has six pocketed balls and his or her opponent has seven total and the shooter accidentally pockets a ball in his or her own goal.

Before starting the game, the two shooters should choose which pocket they wish to use as a target pocket. The breaking shooter is required to make at least one ball into the targeted pocket, and the balls are set up in the racking triangle at random. Also, is required that the shooter makes a contacted ball hit a cushion, to continue his/her turn as the shooter. The game is over if the target pocket is scored on eight or more times.

George Wood is a successful webmaster of many popular sites including elliptical trainers and blog site. If you want to read more about billiards, click over to George billiards site.

Billiards Equipment

Athletes in every sport seem to have their little quirks.

Basketball players massage the basketball before a game. Batters on deck at a baseball game wait patiently, swinging the bat over and over. While these may look like nervous habits, attention grabbing tactics or ways to entertain the fans, the athletes are really getting in tune with their equipment. By knowing the equipment they use, the athletes are able to play the game to their full potential.

It is no different in the game of billiards. Whether you are a seasoned expert in the game, or a first-time billiards player, you need to know the equipment in order to play the game.

True regulation-size billiard tables are about 4 1/2 feet off the ground, and the length of the table is approximately double that distance. The playing surface of regulation tables measure about 50 by 100 inches. Billiards tables do not share the same dimensions as regular pool tables, so billiards players who like to practice their technique at home or at a pub or community center need to remember these numbers. Some stores that offer billiards tables to rent or purchase might let you come in and pay to play billiards, but even those tables may not be regulation size.

Billiards is a very technical game involving many angles and a great deal of discipline. It's important to know the dimensions of the pockets you're aiming for. The angles of the corner pockets are roughly 142 degrees, give or take a few, and the side pocket angles sit at about 103 degrees. These numbers may seem completely meaningless, but in the game of billiards, understanding the geometry is as important as having the proper cue.

When it comes to the cue, the use of regulation billiards equipment is in the hands of the user. Billiards cues should have a 14mm wide tip, 40 inches long and weigh 25 ounces. The billiards ball should be around 5.5 to 6 ounces in weight and be 2 1/4" in diameter. The playing surface of the billiards table must flat, slightly raised (between .20 and .40 inches), and lightly cushioned to give the ball a little "English" when it's hit just right.

Like any game, billiards can be quite enjoyable when played by the casual observer, but it is serious business to the professional player. Billiards players who know and understand their equipment will surpass all others who play the game. Great billiards players are not created of raw talent, but developed from a true knowledge of regulation equipment.

While you may not see championship players swinging their cues, you can bet that they are perfectly in tune with their billiards equipment.

Dorothy Williams is a writer for several web sites, on recreation and family hobbies themes.

Billiards: Learn to Focus = Learn to Win

Trying to move up a level in any sport often means turning a losing habit into a winning habit. Quite often though a sportsperson will have the innate ability but cannot turn that natural talent into a winning formula.

Generally this is caused by a lack of focus, something that can easily be addressed. In billiards, pool and snooker this is a particularly important aspect of getting into the winning mould. How often do we hear players say "I took my eye off it" or "I just wasn't concentrating?" This is to do with focus and it can be caused by external factors both on and off the table.

Everything we do in our day-to-day life can have an effect on our focus and concentration. Many a time I have heard players in my local league claiming that they just did not play well in a particular match. It is very difficult to focus on a game like billiards when your mind is elsewhere, if you have had a bad day at work or home then this will affect your game. Billiards relies on focus and concentration and without them you may as well not turn up!

How can we try to regain this level of focus to allow us to play our match? It is a very difficult question and not one that has a finite answer; different people will deal with focus in many different ways. This guide offer's a number of solutions as to how to regain your focus whilst playing.

Pre-Shot Routine

To regain or even maintain focus and concentration during a game it is important to have your own pre-shot routine, a set of movements, or a mental checklist before you get down on every shot. If you get into your shooting position the same way every time you shoot then it allows you to concentrate solely on the job in hand and can cut out some of the many external factor's that may be going on around you.

Take a Break

In a match you can sometimes get frustrated when the "roll" does not go your way. I am a firm believer in the old adage that you make your own luck. Take a break from the table; get a drink, a toilet break, anything to refresh your mind. Come back to the table and on your next visit try to put all your efforts into the job in hand.

Re-hydrate

Although billiards is not a particularly physical sport it does take a large amount of mental concentration and calculation. Matches can go on for a long time in often very smoky atmospheres. With this point in mind it is important to re-hydrate regularly, billiards players often miss this factor. Water enables the body to function properly not only in a physical way but also mentally.

Ignore the Surroundings

I have been in a lot of matches where I have allowed my surroundings and what is happening on other tables to affect my focus and concentration. This can be other billiards matches, music or a particularly loud conversation. The best way to eliminate this external factor is to not allow your eyes to move from the table. Whether it is you or your opponent at the table your eyes should not leave the baize. This focuses your mind on the task and makes you mentally ready should your opponent make a mistake.

Eliminating external factors in your efforts to focus will greatly improve your game. This coupled with the will to win and the determination to improve will move your game to a sufficient level to achieve success.

Remember Learn to Focus = Learn to Win.r

P. Williams is the founder of American Pool Network a UK based pool tournament promotions company. He is also the brain behind APN-Leagues the UK's only national handicapped 9-ball pool leagues. He also operates Billiards Boutique A Pool and Snooker supply company.

Billiards - The Transformation Years 1845 - 1897

In this article we're going to continue our transformation years with the changes that were made in billiard balls to begin with.

The early billiard balls were made of wood. They were easy to shape, inexpensive and readily available. In the 1600s ivory billiard balls came into use. While they were more playable than wood they were very expensive and only the very rich could afford them. And while they were nice to look at they never were very dependable. They also took a very long time to make as the tusk softening process took almost two years. Ivory billiard balls could split or fracture easily if not made just right. New balls had to be broken in gently by being struck softly for the first couple of months.

Finally in 1869 an Albany chemist mixed nitrocellulose with camphor under high pressure. This resulted in a hard, shiny, mouldable substance he called celluloid. The man's name was John Wesley Hyatt and while he didn't know it at the time, he had just invented the world's first plastic. It was this discovery that led to improvements in billiard balls to this very day. In April of that same year Hyatt discovered "collodion," which was actually an early form of celluloid. The addition of collodion to the surface of the balls resulted in a hard and perfectly smooth surface. Unfortunately, the new balls could shatter under hard impact and manufacture of them had to be stopped until a fix for this problem was found. The discovery that solved this problem was celluloid. However, because of the problems with his earlier billiard balls, acceptance of these celluloid billiard balls did not come easily. However, this process did lead to the discovery of Bakelite and cast-phenolic resins which are the main components of billiard balls even to this day.

Then in 1892 William A. Spinks, a professional billiard player from Chicago, began working with chemists on the components of chalk. It was during one of his trips to Paris that he discovered a chalk like no other. He was impressed with the chalk's ability to grip during play and set out to invent a chalk that could grip even more. Finally in 1897 he was granted a patent for billiard chalk, which actually did not contain any billiard chalk at all. It was made up entirely of silica and axolite. This compound was crushed to fine powder and then air floated to achieve just the right fineness.

The effect of the new "chalk" on the game would change billiards forever. The grit actually took hold of the ball on impact in a way that had never been seen before. It also solved the problem of blackboard chalk which discolored the billiard cloth and even rotted the fabric. The original color of this chalk was green but eventually it was made in just about every color. This chalk greatly improved the performance of the cue tip and literally revolutionized the game itself.

In the next article in this series we'll take a look at cue construction during the transformation years.

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.

 

In Billiards Stop Looking For The System

The idea of a Billiards Nirvana, or the perfect aiming system is almost as extinct as the Dodo bird and thats a good thing. This article is excerpted from Billiards Basic Blueprint, an e-Book I authored to provide casual billiards players with a thorough grounding in this game.
There is no practical aiming system that will take you to the top other than feel. Systems slow you down. They take you out of rhythm and this can cause more problems than just missing the shot.

It is just as important to know where the cue ball goes after impact. You must have a second shot you can make.

Aiming systems are used as a crutch to help newer players learn where to aim on the OB, eventually developing feel. They can, however, hurt a player more than they help.

Watch billiards on TV. You will see that no top player uses an aiming system, they use feel. Years of experience do the aiming for them.

The best aiming system: LEARN TO SHOOT STRAIGHT. Shooting a straight on shot is the same as shooting a cut shot. Shoot straight at where you are aiming to, and if you are a somewhat decent player, the ball will drop.

The straight shot is your most important tool. You will rely on it over and over. It is what it takes to get a center ball hit on the cue ball. And that is what gets you to the impact point on a cut shot.

Once you can consistently hit a straight, you will find aiming is suddenly easier.

Feeling is not Guessing

Feeling only develops after consistent practice. It comes from shooting shots over and over again to provide you with an instinctive pattern and stroke.

I have been guilty of guessing for months and telling myself it was feeling. But even a good guess will not offset months of practice.

IMPORTANT! Set up a practice schedule to can maintain. It is nice to say Ill practice two hours a day, but if you cant keep that schedule, even if you settle on 10 hours a week, make it something that fits your schedule. Five hours a week is a lot better than shunting your practice aside.

We do this by letting things get in the way, like a good nights sleep, a special program on television, even too long writing and doing computer work.

Set a specific time for your appointment with the table and keep it. Make it a part of your daily schedule like brushing your teeth. It is that important to the future of your game.

Take the guessing out of your game, start developing feel. A Mantra to Repeat

While addressing the ball, separate your warm-up into three parts.

1. Survey the table and decide what you are going to do and get yourself into position.

2. Begin to address the ball by thinking aim, aim, aim. Really think about your aim.

Then pause and start the next phase stroke, stroke--actually change from thinking about your aim to thinking about your stroke.

3. Follow through as you strike the ball.

Separating thoughts of aiming from those related to your stroke will make your stroke smoother and more direct without last second adjustments.

Of course the follow through is the key to all shots.

Doing this little chant--aim, aim, aim, and stroke, Stroke, stroke as you prepare will make you focus on each aspect before striking the ball.

Half a ball better than none

The half ball follow angle is one of the most important tools for position play. Any time you have a close to half ball cut shot and the cue ball is rolling smoothly on the cloth when it hits the object ball, the angle at which the cue ball is deflected is very nearly constant. Knowing that single angle takes a lot of the guesswork out of such shots. Learn this angle through practice.

Physics too late at trigger time

Physics and systems may be useful for understanding and planning shots, but when it comes time to pull the trigger, trust your instincts. During practice, a careful, analytical approach will help you sort out what does and doesn't work for you, once you're in a match, the intense analysis must be put aside. Feel the shot and then make it happen.

Nix the Grazing

When playing a combination shot on a hanger, and that hanger is any ball but the nine-ball, try to keep the first object ball from grazing the rail on the way in. it greatly increases your chances of leaving the first shot in front of the same pocket, and enhances cue ball control.

For more help on aiming refer to Aiming Secrets of The Pros (Addendum III to Billiards Basics Blueprint).

About the author:
Reg Hardy, The Monks Apprentice, writes mostly on billiards topics, primarily for http://www.billiardscrossing.comWhere Good Players Get Better .. His Billiards Crossing website features over 160 billiards resources.
A 7-day Trial Membership is $4.95. Click Here ==> to set up a trial

Billiards Basics Blueprint is his latest e-Book. It will help you establish your game on a firm foundation.



Pot Odds Your Secret Poker Weaponian mcintoshPot odds is one of the most neglected aspects of Texas Holdem poker, especially by the beginner and intermediate player. Some poker beginners have heard the term and a few even have a basic concept of what pot odds are, but very few of these players know how to put them to good use in a poker game.

However knowing how to calculate and use pot odds is one of the crucial weapons that serious poker players have in their armory, one that most definitely separates them from the amateur.

Poker pot odds are often associated with complex mathematical calculations and the less serious player can feel overwhelmed at the prospect of tackling such a subject, but dont fret, do you really think that to be a serious poker player you need to be a genius at mathematics? Do you think all the poker pros are?

Well of course the answer is that they are most definitely not all geniuses, but what they do have is a method of calculating the odds quickly and easily to see if they are in their favor in any given situation. So lets look at a simple, basic way of calculating the odds, remember it needs to be quick and easy so that it can be worked out quickly and accurately in the heat and pressure of a poker game.

Poker pot odds can be broken down to this simple one liner:

If the odds of you getting the card you need to make your hand are less than the pot odds, you should bet.

There are two sides to this equation which I will try and explain, odds of you getting the card you need and pot odds. Firstly odds of you getting the card you need, this one is fairly easy to understand. Its best explained using the example of a flush or straight draw, so well use a straight draw to illustrate it.

Youre in a Texas Holdem game and your pocket cards are Q T, the flop is J 4 9. In order to make a straight you need to get either a King or 8 on the turn or river so you have eight possible cards that can make your hand, four Kings and four 8s. These are known as your out cards.

Youve seen five cards out of the deck, your own two pocket cards and the three flop cards. That means theres 47 cards you havent seen. So the odds of you getting the card you need are:

Cards that wont help you : Cards that will help you

Out of the 47 remaining cards, eight of them will help you and 35 wont, so the odds of you getting the card you need are 35:8 or 4.375:1. Now for the pot odds.

The basic formula is:

The size of the pot : Amount you need to put into the pot.

So if the pot is sitting at $100 and you need to bet $20 to call, your pot odds are 100:20 or 5:1.

In this case the pot odds (5:1) are bigger than the odds of you getting the card you need (4.375:1) so you should call the bet. This is known as getting "value" for your bet. If you are doing these sums quickly you can think of 35:8 as being about four and a half to one, its good enough for a quick calculation.

This is a simplification of pot odds and there are other considerations like will the players after you in the round of betting add to the pot? This would make your bet an even better proposition as it would increase the pot odds but it is of course an unknown factor.

Understand pot odds and you will take your game forward to the next stage and prepare yourself for the poker big league.

Article by Ian McIntosh of www.Love-Texas-Holdem.comCheck out the site for the latest information on Texas Holdem tournaments and freerolls as well as fresh weekly articles you can use for your site.
Please feel free to use this article on your website, newsletter or blog as long as this resource box is left intact and there's a live link to the site.

Antique Pool Tables

Antique pool tables offer extraordinary durability and playing qualities. They are highly durable compared to modern pool tables. The most important attraction of antique pool tables is its craftsmanship, which adds extra beauty to the game room.

Antique pool tables with heavy inlay of satinwood, three piece slate, six legs, remarkable 8 feet, 9 feet and 10 feet size and finest space allows excellent playability. Antique pool tables with multiple beams along the sides provide a simple look. These tables can be furnished with custom changeable rail set. Extensive inlay pattern uses seven different types of wood.

There are antique pool tables with sliding cabinet drawer to hold cues and balls. Oak wood surroundings with exceptional design give an excellent look. Some of the antique pool tables are constructed with satinwood, ebony and other fine woods. There are antique pool tables with Victorian design features with a remarkable light oak finish. Decorative moldings are used as accents on cabinet panels. Ivory and diamonds are used as sights in rails. Antique pool tables made with rosewood, mahogany and other wood finishes are also available.

Pool table prices fluctuate between $600 and $10,000. Some antique pool tables cost as much as $15,000 or even more. Supply of antique pool tables is low compared to other pool tables.

You can buy antique pool tables directly from the shops or can order online.

Sometimes a new table is about two-thirds the cost of an antique pool table.

Antique pool tables have a strong body and solid legs. The cabinet and legs of many pool tables are made of solid hardwood such as oak, maple, or walnut but some have particleboard construction with veneers or laminates.

Antique pool tables can be reproduced with new marquetry and veneers. But its dependability and collectible value is questionable. A lot of antique pool tables have remanufactured parts. Most of them are restored to original condition. People demand pool tables with minimum restoration. Antique pool tables are now highly in demand.

Pool Tables provides detailed information on Pool Tables, Pool Table Lights, Pool Tables for Sale, Used Pool Tables and more. Pool Tables is affiliated with Rules of Billiards.

Pool Tables: Which Type Should You Choose?

A pool table is a rectangular table. It has six pockets and consists of cushions bounding the playing area. The standard size of a pool table is 4 1/2 x 9. Wood is the major element in the construction of a pool table. Oak and cherry wood tables are preferred for professional pool players, while plywood or pine is recommended for other customers. The quality of wood contributes to the strength of a pool table.

Pool tables are purchased all over the world for a number of reasons. People buy pool tables for commercial purposes, for private recreation, for clubs and they are even purchased for pool competitions. These competitions can be announced at national as well as international levels.

Pool tables are available in varied shapes and styles to suit the requirements of the customers. Pool tables are inclusive of many accessories and parts, which complement to their class and quality.

The History of Pool Tables
The history of pool is quite debatable. The reason for debate is related to its origin. Some people believe it was invented in Persia, while the others believe that it was invented in England or France.

Pool was not played on tables in its earliest version. It was played on lawns. The purpose of the game was to knock over a cone-shaped object by shooting balls through a course of hoops.

The game was then played indoors on the floor. As a result of constant bending, players suffered from back pain. Then it was thought that the game should be played atop a table and this is how pool tables came into existence.

With the game shifted atop tables, another problem was faced by the players. The ball kept rolling off the tables. To solve this problem, wooden rails were attached to the edges of the pool tables, to keep the balls on the table.

In 1600?s rubber strips were added to the wooden side rails. These rubber strips acted as cushions for the balls to give them bounce, when the balls hit the edge of tables. To add to the comfort of players, a thin green wool cloth was used to cover the tables. This provided the players with precision and accuracy in their shots. The color green was used as the cloth as the games was initially played in grass.

Next the whole concept of playing pool changed. To make the game more interesting, two round holes were cut in the table ends. The purpose of the pool changed from knocking the cones over to knocking the balls into the holes. Underneath the pool tables were attached pocket size bags to prevent the ball from falling on the ground.

The pockets in the pool tables kept on evolving till the six-pocketed pool table was born.

Types of Pool Tables
Pool tables are available in many shapes, styles, sizes and colors. Generally pool tables are of three types: cost efficient style, finely hand crafted wood designs and designs of new age pools.

Cost Efficient Styles
Cost efficient tables are ordered and required for clubs, pubs and pool hall owners. These pool tables are used by club and pub owners to attract more customers to their place. Almost all public houses have pool tables today. These pool tables are cheaper than the other pool tables. These tables are readily available in the retail outlets. The material used in these pool tables is hard, but it gradually wears down.

Finely Handcrafted Wood Designs
These pool tables are in a class of their own. They are made for residential game rooms or private pool clubs. The pool tables are made to order and the purchaser gives the manufacturer the finer details of the desired pool table. The wood commonly used in these pool tables is cherry or oak. These tables have detailed cushions, corners and legs.

New Age Designs
These pool tables are especially made to suit the modern day quality and requirements. These pool tables can be made of glass, brass, wood or chrome. These tables have multicolored sides, legs and tops. Modern club and pub owners, clientele based office owners are generally the purchasers of these tables.

Pool tables are available for everyone, according to their requirements. The cost of a pool table also varies accordingly, with the cost being inclusive of the quality, class and type of the pool table.

 Olga Sen writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Pool Tables please visit http://www.pool-tables-guide.com/ and for additional Pool Table articles please visit the following article page http://www.pool-tables-guide.com/pooltable-articles/