Billiards - More Than 8-Ball Pool

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Electronic Billiards Scoreboards

At competitive levels of billiards, a scoreboard is essential for displaying the scores of each player. Electronic billiards scoreboards are the latest trend for displaying the scores in billiards. It is a fast, easy, and reliable way of displaying how much time the player has left for the shot or for pre-match warming up. The commendable feature of electronic billiards scoreboards is the accuracy of the displayed information.

Electronic billiards scoreboards have a housing comprising a scorekeeping display adapted for billiards. Digits are generally composed of seven-segment displays, large dot-matrix made of LEDs, incandescent bulbs, or other electromechanical flip segments. The display can add or subtract from scores automatically. There is a power switch for activating and deactivating the scoreboard display.

Electronic billiards scoreboards are mounted on the wall as they are the focal point throughout tournaments for players as well as viewers. The scorekeeping display gives you information such as player statistics, updated scores, average time, average score, winning percentage, important tournament information, and sponsor messages. It also gives information about the current game, and a list of all played games.

Most of these scoreboards come with voice announcer, game clock, control box, wall mounting devices, and laser sound effects. Automatic player change and handicapping options are other advantages. For accuracy and reliability, some of them use infrared puck sensors. Fixed and portable electronic billiards scoreboards are available. There are many companies that manufacture and sell the best scoreboard devices. Most companies offer warranties for their product. Online shopping is an ideal alternative to get quality electronic billiards scoreboards.

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Online Billiards

Now you can play live billiard games with your friends and other users online. This is a computerized version of the billiard game which lets you play in a multiplayer 3D realistic environment. These games are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is also an opportunity for you to chat online with people who share your passion and interests.

Like the real game, online billiards demands discipline, skill, and a great eye for all potential outcomes. There are many sites with a variety of billiards games which feature beautiful graphics, animation, and fun. With the development of web based graphic technologies such as Flash and Java, online billiards has become very popular. Carom 3D is an online multi-user billiard game created with special 3D graphic effects. It has interesting features such as straight pool, 6 balls, 9 balls, 8 balls, and exotic pyramid games. These are available in both single player and multiplayer modes.

Online billiards simulates billiard physics including side ball spin, realistic ball movements, back spin, forward spin, lights playing on ivory and bronze, exact cue shots, environmental effects, and curve ball trajectories. Some of these sites allow the user to play freely whereas some others who offer more sophisticated games demand a registration fee. Online billiard websites also provide tutorials on the game, which is a great help to the beginner.

There are certain online billiard sites where you can buy billiard and game room accessories at reasonable prices. Cue sticks, billiard tables, paintings of great billiard players are among the items you can buy. Online stores accept almost all credit cards.

Billiards provides detailed information on Billiards, History of Billiards, Rules of Billiards, Billiards Supplies and more. Billiards is affiliated with Pool Tables for Sale .

The Billiards Games Of Rotation Pool

Many of the billiards games get their basic principles of game play is the billiards game of rotation. The actual game of rotation is as challenging as any billiards game can be, even if seven ball, nine ball, and ten ball come from the basic idea of rotation. The player is required to hit the lowest numbered ball first in an effort to make more difficult shots, but, he isn?t required to call the shot that they wish to hit.

The rack is displayed like this: the number one ball on the tip, the two and three balls at the back corners, the fifteen ball being directly in the center of the rack. Based on the point value for each individual ball, scoring in rotation billiards requires that the point value is the number on the ball. A legally pocketed ball is a ball that is pocketed after a shot hits the lowest numbered ball on the table first, so the shooter gets credited for every legally pocketed ball on each shot.

Until the shooter does not legally pocket a ball, the player is entitled to continue shooting, every time a shooter pockets a ball legally. To accrue more points by pocketing high numbered balls than it?s opponent, is the player?s goal. Any shooter who gets 61 point at any time during the game, is declared the winner of the game, because there are 120 points available when totaling all 15 balls. To win in the rotation billiards there is no final shot needed, the only purpose of the game is to score more total points than the opponent.

Very similar to many other sports, rotation billiards is required of you to simply outscore your worthy adversary. Is easier to understand for newcomers to the game, but also, it does demand skill for dreaming up shots that can first hit the lowest numbered ball on the table before pocketing a ball.

George Wood is a successful webmaster of many popular sites including cycling 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 - 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

Billiards - The Transformation Years 1674 - 1800

In this article we're going to cover what is called the transformation years of billiards starting with 1674 and working our way up to the year 1800.

By the year 1674 the game of billiards was still very similar to the version played on the ground. The only significant change was moving the game itself to a table. However, in the next 100 years, changes to the game would come quickly which would make the game look more like the modern version that we play today. The elements of ground billiards would slowly disappear altogether. What would replace these elements are those which made for some very different variations of the game itself. The games became more complex and required a great deal more skill.

In the 1700s began what is referred to as the transformation to the modern game. The innovation which probably changed the game the most during this time was the creation of the billiard cue. Makeshift cues had been used until this time. It was actually the mace that led to the creation of the cue stick and ultimately to the disappearance of the mace altogether. Players began to use the narrow end of the mace to make their shots and because of this discovered a new way of playing.

Prior to this, the mace had always been used to "push" the ball forward, kind of like a miniature shuffle board stick. The narrow end had always been the handle. The new way of holding the mace to make shots came from the difficulty of making shots where the cue ball was pressed up against the cushion of the table. Thus the narrow end was better suited for making these shots. By turning the mace around and shooting with the handle, players discovered an immediate improvement to their accuracy and control.

With the invention of the cue came other improvements such as leather tips, chalk, slate beds, fine cloth, rubber rails and standard sizes for tables. Better cushions made for better shot making. This began the birth of "carom" games that started in and swept across France. Gradually as time went by, billiards was looked at as a scientific game as well as a game of skill. The rules of the game, which included the equipment used, began to become standardized. By the mid 1700s billiards had spread from Europe throughout the whole world.

With the market and demand for billiards increasing at an alarming rate, a demand for standardized rules, tables and equipment had to be met. This of course led to big business. Manufacturing plants of tables and equipment began to pop up like daisies. Everyone was trying to get a piece of this ever growing market, which included merchants, investors and even kings.

Once again, monarchs competed with each other, not only to make the best tables and game rooms but to grab the largest piece of the marketing pie that they could get. Many craftsmen and merchants actually worked for kings trying to capture as much of the market as they could. Some would specialize in making quality cushions while others would concentrate on cue sticks. Others would work exclusively on designing tables. Importers would spend fortunes trying to get the finest materials in which to make the table cloths. It was this industrialization that forced many of the changes that the game had undergone. After all, with every new innovation and improvement that meant more sales as everyone had to have the finest billiard set up that they could get. This was now big money. Innovations that caught on big meant profit for a lifetime.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Billiards

The Making of a Billiards Champion (Series III of V)

The Angel" Broadhurst

Stun Strokes
Once your fundamentals are correct and you are shooting with a straight and level cue, you need to master the stun stroke. This shot is the most important shot because it gives you a reference for cue ball positioning.

Straight-In Stun Stroke
When you hit a stun stroke on a straight in shot, it will produce a stop shot. In other words, the ball stops as soon as it makes contact with the object ball. Factors that influence this are a blend of the following; cue tip location, force, follow through, and quickness (the amount of time it takes the cue tip to accelerate through the ball).
There are an infinite number of blends of these variables that produce a stop shot. For example, you can use 4of follow through with a small force OR only 1of follow through with a large force to produce a stop shot. Play with these variables until you can manipulate each one and still get the same cue ball position. Measure your follow through by placing a ruler beside your cue tip. Then, vary the distance between the balls. Once youve mastered a stop shot with 1 diamond or 12 of distance, keep increasing it by another 12. The more distance you have, the more forward rotation or high english the ball picks up before it strikes the object ball. So the greater the distance, the lower you must hit the cue ball to produce a stun/stop shot.

Stun Stroke at an Angle
Once again, place the object ball 12 away from the cue ball. But this time, put the cue ball at a 30 degree angle, so that you are aiming at half the ball to pocket it. Use the same stun stroke, and the cue ball will travel straight down the tangent line. This is the line that is perpendicular to the object ball at 90 degrees. The harder or quicker you hit the ball, the further it will travel down the line.

This is the first step in predicting cue ball position. DO NOT move on to the next article until you are comfortable shooting Straight-In Stun Shots and Stun Strokes at an Angle at different distances. Be able to alter the variables (cue tip location, force and quickness) and get the same cue ball position.

(Jackie The Angel Broadhurst, National 8-Ball and Trick Shot Champion, invites everyone, of any gender or background, to play and learn about this great game together. Visit her website at www.TheAngelofBilliards.com.)

National 8-Ball and Trick Shot Champion, invites everyone, of any gender or background, to play and learn about this great game together. Visit her website at www.TheAngelofBilliards.com

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.

 

Play Pool Better: Top Ten Ways to Improve your Billiards Game

Billiards is an old and much loved game, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom. This is a game that people of all ages play; even the younger kids can play now on special child-size tables that are widely available. It is also a game that, although once more popular with men, is now keenly played by both sexes. You can play pool in all sorts of environments, from restaurants and bars to halls and homes. It is also a game that can be as relaxing or competitive as you want to make it. Some people like to enjoy a friendly game over a drink after work, others like to unwind with a few games on their home pool table, and some like to join leagues and clubs and play to win.

1. Understand billiards in general

Whether you are young or old, male or female, a relaxed player or a competitive player, the chances are you want to play as well as you can. Being able to play well is all part of the fun of playing billiards, so it is important to learn the rules and strategies of the games you are interested in, and then try and improve your game on a continual basis. Improving your billiards game is particularly important if you want to play competitively; however, it is also important even if you enjoy friendly games after all, its not much of a challenge if you cant put up much of a fight against your opponentplus, practicing the game is far too much fun to miss out on.

2. Practice the game

This is one of the key aspects of improving your billiards game the importance of practice cant be stressed enough, and many pros will tell you that getting in practice is the singularly most important part of becoming adept at billiards. Some people practice for hours each day which, of course, is not practical for everyone. However, getting in some regular practice at your local pool hall, bar, or even in the home, can be a big help.

Having easy access is the best way to enjoy practicing this game. If you have to go to the pool hall or bar, you dont always have the energy and motivation, particularly if you have been at work all day. This could mean losing out on a lot of valuable practice. However, setting up your own billiards table at home means that you can practice at any time in the comfort of your own home. Setting up a pool table/billiards room is relatively simple and very affordable these days, and once you have your room set up you wont have to pay for games at the bars, halls or clubs and you can enjoy a fantastic area in which to entertain, relax and, of course, practice.

3. Dont forget the cue

Your cue is a pivotal part of your billiards game after all, you wont get far without it! You should ensure that you buy a cue that is of good quality. However, strange as it might sound, you also need to find a cue that you can relate to. Remember when Harry Potter went to get his first wand in The Philosophers Stone, and he just knew when he had the right wand? Well, this is the sort of feeling your should aim for when you buy your pool cue. Hold the cue, get a feel for it, and make sure that you are comfortable with every aspect of the cue. Many professionals state that using the same cue for every practice and real game is a big part of their success, and if you are going to be playing with the same cue you have to make sure that it is one you are perfectly happy with.

4. Join a league or club

You could find that joining a pool league or billiards club or team can help to improve your game. This is not only because you will be able to get in some regular practice, but also because you will have a network of support. You can pick up tips and advice from other members of your team or club, and these can really help you to improve your game. Plus taking part in friendly competitions can help to give you that competitive streak, which in itself can help you to develop and improve your game through pure motivation.

5. Start simple

If you are something of a novice at pool then the trick of improving your game is to start simple and work your way up. There is no point trying to jump straight in to the most complex games. A game like 8 ball or better still 9 ball can help you to practice shooting and can help to condition your body in order to improve your game. Positioning and action is everything when playing billiards, and these simple, basic games will help you to improve both through practice.

6. Observe, observe, observe

We all need a mentor if we want to do something really well, and billiards is no exception to this rule. You can pick up some really useful tips simply by watching the pros and the very experienced. Whether its the latest world champion playing on television or whether its your best mate whos known as a real whiz with the cue, you should pay careful attention when the experts are in play. Try and study their positioning, their actions, trick shots, and the way they play.

7. Use training balls

You can now get billiards training balls, and these can prove invaluable to someone just learning how to play or wishing to improve their game. These balls have a clear target to aim for, so when you are trying to pot the ball you will know exactly where to aim. Using these training balls can help to condition your mind when you are playing, and pretty soon you will be able to hit the mark without the specially marked balls, and you can enjoy potting your object ball every time.

8. Use online tools

There are plenty of online tools available to help you improve your billiards game, such as virtual pool. Although these games cant help with the improvement of your physical stroke, they can give you a good idea of game rules and strategies, which are things that you must familiarise yourself with in order to start improving your game if you dont know how to play properly you cant learn how to play better.

9. General tips

As well as the above quite specific tips on improving your pool game, there are also some general tips that you should bear in mind when you are actually in the process of playing or practicing billiards. Hopefully, these tips will help you to develop and improve your game so that you can play to the best of your ability. These general tips include:

Cue Shot: Make sure that your stroke is smooth and consistent. You should place your other hand on the table, making it as stable as you can, and then allow the cue to slide through this hand as smoothly as possible it is a good idea simply to practice the stroke before you start worrying about practicing with the billiards balls.
Keep the cue ball in sight: When you are aiming, you should be looking at the cue ball and not the object ball. Aim to strike it just below the centre, and stay focussed on the cue ball as you shoot.
Arm positioning: When you are playing, you should keep the arm you are shooting with close to your body, and your elbow should be bent at a ninety-degree angle. Let your shoulder do the work as you shoot this is where the action and movement should stem from. Do not be tempted to use excessive force, as this will simply spoil your shot simply keep it smooth and controlled.

10. Enjoy it!

One thing to keep in mind when trying to improve your pool game is it is a game! Dont let yourself get stressed or frustrated; simply enjoy it and enjoy practicing it. Billiards is a great way to relax and unwind, and shouldnt be something that you get stressed about. As with many things in life, practice makes perfect. You wont become a billiard pro overnight it can take a while to become adept at the control, concentration, and movement required to shoot pool successfully. But you can have great fun whilst you are getting there.

1. Understand billiards in general

Whether you are young or old, male or female, a relaxed player or a competitive player, the chances are you want to play as well as you can. Being able to play well is all part of the fun of playing billiards, so it is important to learn the rules and strategies of the games you are interested in, and then try and improve your game on a continual basis. Improving your billiards game is particularly important if you want to play competitively; however, it is also important even if you enjoy friendly games after all, its not much of a challenge if you cant put up much of a fight against your opponentplus, practicing the game is far too much fun to miss out on.

2. Practice the game

This is one of the key aspects of improving your billiards game the importance of practice cant be stressed enough, and many pros will tell you that getting in practice is the singularly most important part of becoming adept at billiards. Some people practice for hours each day which, of course, is not practical for everyone. However, getting in some regular practice at your local pool hall, bar, or even in the home, can be a big help.

Having easy access is the best way to enjoy practicing this game. If you have to go to the pool hall or bar, you dont always have the energy and motivation, particularly if you have been at work all day. This could mean losing out on a lot of valuable practice. However, setting up your own billiards table at home means that you can practice at any time in the comfort of your own home. Setting up a pool table/billiards room is relatively simple and very affordable these days, and once you have your room set up you wont have to pay for games at the bars, halls or clubs and you can enjoy a fantastic area in which to entertain, relax and, of course, practice.

3. Dont forget the cue

Your cue is a pivotal part of your billiards game after all, you wont get far without it! You should ensure that you buy a cue that is of good quality. However, strange as it might sound, you also need to find a cue that you can relate to. Remember when Harry Potter went to get his first wand in The Philosophers Stone, and he just knew when he had the right wand? Well, this is the sort of feeling your should aim for when you buy your pool cue. Hold the cue, get a feel for it, and make sure that you are comfortable with every aspect of the cue. Many professionals state that using the same cue for every practice and real game is a big part of their success, and if you are going to be playing with the same cue you have to make sure that it is one you are perfectly happy with.

4. Join a league or club

You could find that joining a pool league or billiards club or team can help to improve your game. This is not only because you will be able to get in some regular practice, but also because you will have a network of support. You can pick up tips and advice from other members of your team or club, and these can really help you to improve your game. Plus taking part in friendly competitions can help to give you that competitive streak, which in itself can help you to develop and improve your game through pure motivation.

5. Start simple

If you are something of a novice at pool then the trick of improving your game is to start simple and work your way up. There is no point trying to jump straight in to the most complex games. A game like 8 ball or better still 9 ball can help you to practice shooting and can help to condition your body in order to improve your game. Positioning and action is everything when playing billiards, and these simple, basic games will help you to improve both through practice.

6. Observe, observe, observe

We all need a mentor if we want to do something really well, and billiards is no exception to this rule. You can pick up some really useful tips simply by watching the pros and the very experienced. Whether its the latest world champion playing on television or whether its your best mate whos known as a real whiz with the cue, you should pay careful attention when the experts are in play. Try and study their positioning, their actions, trick shots, and the way they play.

7. Use training balls

You can now get billiards training balls, and these can prove invaluable to someone just learning how to play or wishing to improve their game. These balls have a clear target to aim for, so when you are trying to pot the ball you will know exactly where to aim. Using these training balls can help to condition your mind when you are playing, and pretty soon you will be able to hit the mark without the specially marked balls, and you can enjoy potting your object ball every time.

8. Use online tools

There are plenty of online tools available to help you improve your billiards game, such as virtual pool. Although these games cant help with the improvement of your physical stroke, they can give you a good idea of game rules and strategies, which are things that you must familiarise yourself with in order to start improving your game if you dont know how to play properly you cant learn how to play better.

9. General tips

As well as the above quite specific tips on improving your pool game, there are also some general tips that you should bear in mind when you are actually in the process of playing or practicing billiards. Hopefully, these tips will help you to develop and improve your game so that you can play to the best of your ability. These general tips include:

Cue Shot: Make sure that your stroke is smooth and consistent. You should place your other hand on the table, making it as stable as you can, and then allow the cue to slide through this hand as smoothly as possible it is a good idea simply to practice the stroke before you start worrying about practicing with the billiards balls.
Keep the cue ball in sight: When you are aiming, you should be looking at the cue ball and not the object ball. Aim to strike it just below the centre, and stay focussed on the cue ball as you shoot.
Arm positioning: When you are playing, you should keep the arm you are shooting with close to your body, and your elbow should be bent at a ninety-degree angle. Let your shoulder do the work as you shoot this is where the action and movement should stem from. Do not be tempted to use excessive force, as this will simply spoil your shot simply keep it smooth and controlled.

10. Enjoy it!

One thing to keep in mind when trying to improve your pool game is it is a game! Dont let yourself get stressed or frustrated; simply enjoy it and enjoy practicing it. Billiards is a great way to relax and unwind, and shouldnt be something that you get stressed about. As with many things in life, practice makes perfect. You wont become a billiard pro overnight it can take a while to become adept at the control, concentration, and movement required to shoot pool successfully. But you can have great fun whilst you are getting there.

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.

 

Snooker Tables And Pool Tables Which One Should You Get?

So you fancy yourself as a Ronnie O'Sullivan. You have room for a snooker or pool table. Which one do you choose?

Remember a billiard, pool or snooker table is a piece of furniture. If you opt for a fold away table it doesn't much matter, which you choose, as it folds away after use. In that case go for a functional table with as many features as you can afford, such as ball return etc. For a permanent table look for the same things you would look for in any piece of furniture as you are going to have to look at it all the time. Then consider the quality of playing the game on the table. Make sure it fits your idea of fine decor, as a good table will last for many years. Generally speaking for a good permanent table look for quality construction viz: a slate bed and responsive cushions. As usual you get what you pay for, so get the best you can afford.

The colour of the cloth, which is made of wool, is up to you, generally the cloth comes in red, green and blue. The only thing to worry about here is whether the balls show up against the colour. Green is the traditional and safest colour to choose. The cloth should be kept clean and you can get treatments to extend its life.

UK Pool tables come in various sizes; a full size English pool table is generally thought of as a 7 ft table, whereas a full size snooker table is a 12 ft beast for which you need a considerable amount of room. We have a room size guide on the site to enable you to gauge which size of table you can fit into your games room.

American pool tables are generally larger at 9 foot, also they have larger balls than snooker as well as larger pockets and require the larger tipped cues to play the game with. The American game is getting more popular in the UK.

How about an outdoor pool table or snooker table? These tables are pressure treated wood for weatherproofing, or fibre glass frames with specially treated waterproof cloth. The wooden tables are coloured to match your decking, either green or brown, and all outdoor pool tables come with a cover for the winter, so you could leave it outdoors in the winter. The wooden outdoor tables can be marked out for Snooker or Pool, and we have tables in various sizes from 6 foot to 8 ft. Just imagine, having a barbecue and pool tournament outside on your decking in the summer, sounds great to me Did you know we supplied the pool table for Russell on Big Brothers Little Brother?

Contact Steve Porter for more insights into this topic. Direct line: (44) 1562-777000 Email: steve@snookerbilliardspool.co.uk Other helpful information regarding snooker and pool tables can be found at: http://www.snookerbilliardspool.co.uk.

Contact Information: Steve Porter

Phone : 01562 777000 Fax : 01562 777001 http://www.snookerbilliardspool.co.uk

Pool Tables American Vs. English

Pool tables, which type is the best, American pool tables or English? The main difference as you might expect is size. The English pool tables have 2 in balls, which are smaller than the American pool balls, which are 2 ? inches. Also the table sizes are different, the English pool tables are typically 6 foot or 7 foot, whereas the American pool tables are 8 foot or 9 foot long. The pockets on American tables are also bigger to allow for the bigger balls.

Basically English pool tables are smaller versions of their American cousins. English pool tables were introduced to British pubs in the 60 ? s as a pub game so they had to be smaller to fit into the lounges. The English game has taken off and it even has its own regulatory body the EPA or English Pool Association. There are tournaments in the UK, using the regulation English pool table size of 7 foot and 2 inch balls, which are very popular and there are even professional players around.

The cues are slightly different for the 2 games as well, English pool cues have smaller cue tips typically 8-9 mm, whereas American pool players use pool cues with 12 or 13 mm cue tips. English pool players have also taken to using break off cues to break off with, which typically have larger cue tips of 11 mm.

However the American version of pool is also growing in popularity in the UK due to the growth of pool clubs like Riley?s. There are now some magnificent American tables around built in Europe like the famous K-Steel tables in the riley clubs. There are different types of pool games around, namely 8-ball pool and nine-ball pool.

Eight ball Pool is played with 15 Colours, a colour being a group of seven red balls (or balls numbered 1-7) and a group of seven yellow balls (or balls numbered 9-15). The "Eight-Ball" is a black ball marked with a number "8 To win the game a player has to pot all of his coloured balls either reds or yellows and then pocket the number 8 ball. Nine-ball pool is played with 9 balls and the balls are racked in a diamond shape, the 1 ball is always at the front of the pack and must be struck first, the number nine ball is always in the centre of the pack. The object of the game being to pocket all the balls in any order until someone pockets the 9 ball. To win in nine-ball you have to pocket the 9 ball at any time in the game legally, either by hitting it in with the cue ball or with another ball in a combination shot. Be aware there are lots of variations of these billiards games, games like 14.1 continuous etc. For a full explanation of the rules see the Billiards Congress of America website and the English pool association website. So the answer to American v English pool, which is best, comes down to how much room you have. If you have the room, go for the American version, as that is the best form of the game in my opinion. It?s the same with snooker; the bigger table gives a much better game.

Contact Information: Steve Porte

Phone : 01562 777000 Fax : 01562 777001 http://www.snookerbilliardspool.co.uk

How I Got Snookered By An Antique Pool Table

When I inherited an antique Brunswick pool table from my great uncle Ivan, I did not know what to do. You see, I have a limited amount of space. My condo is not small, but it is not huge either. If I had wanted to, I would be able to keep the antique pool table, but I certainly could not store it.

I wondered if I should sell the antique pool table, or if I should play on it. It was in good condition, and I had always wanted to have a billiard table of my own. An antique billiard table seemed like such a classy thing to have. I knew that my uncle used to play on it from time to time, and antique pool tables seemed to withstand wear pretty well.

The problem was, my uncle Ivan was not much of a drinker. If he had been, the antique pool table would not have lasted in the condition that it was in. I have seen my friends play pool at bars. They get drunk and ram their cues into the felt. I shuddered to think about what that would do to the antique pool table. It would be a shame to damage such a beautiful antique!

The antique pool table really was beautiful. It was made of a dark wood, well finished and heavy. The pockets had their original webbing, the table was finished with the original felt, and everything was balanced perfectly. It even came with a set of fairly well preserved antique pool cues. Although they were slightly warped from age, they were still serviceable. Don't get me wrong ? I would rather use my own cue on that antique pool table. Even so, it was nice to have the whole set together.

In the end, I decided to keep the antique pool table. I would simply have to watch it carefully. From then on, I did not drink with my friends in my house. I knew that once the drinks started flowing, I could not stop something from happening to the antique pool table. I would, however, invite my friends over to my house in the afternoon sometimes for a game or two of 8-ball. They thought that I was being unreasonable by refusing to play host for evening soir?es, but I knew that I had to do what I had to do. It was the only way for me to take care of that antique pool table.

Ian Botham runs his own online sports goods mail order business as well as several sports related websites. If you are looking for sports Gear then check out this great Sports Equipment resource or here for more general Sports info and articles.

http://sports-info-and-stories.blogspot.com/

Elegant Pool Tables

Elegant pool tables change the mood of your billiard room along with your personality. Elegant pool tables are well designed and the handicrafts are excellent. Pool table accessories and pool cues have a major role in giving pool tables an elegant look.

Woods used for pool tables are mahogany, oak, honey, cherry, wood finish, caramel wood finish etc. Elegant pool tables are produced with superior and patented systems. Most of the elegant pool tables are not only beautiful but also very strong. Some pool tables look elegant while the durability is questionable. There are leather covered pool tables. There are coin operated pool tables which are available in a variety of styles and designs. There are handmade pool tables also.

Elegant pool tables are made of beautiful wood and weigh approx 800lbs.Costs of elegant pool tables vary because of the elaborate designs and custom hand carving which requires more man hours. Body finish of elegant pool table is excellent. Eight feet elegant pool tables are also available. There is a high demand for traditionally designed pool tables these days. There are outdoor pool tables too. People need outdoor pool tables which give an elegant look. Every component is hand selected for quality, then cut, machined, carved, sanded and finished by expert cabinetmakers

The selection of pool table requires research and careful thought. There are many variations of pool tables to choose from. Elegant pool tables are available in the sizes of 7ft, 8ft and 9ft. Hardwood wide-profile top rails provide an elegant furniture appearance standard to all models. A little care makes sure of the finest performance and appearance for a lifetime. Use good furniture oil or polish on lacquered surfaces. This can help your pool table to become a family treasure for generations to come.

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.