Nicky Meintjies asked:


A billiard table is rectangular shaped. The surface of the table is covered with green cloth. Though there are variations in the shape of billiard table and novelty tables are found in hexagonal, round, and zigzag shapes, the traditional rectangular shape is the most popular one. The rails of the table are raised and cushioned to facilitate the rebounding of the balls. There are two types of billiard tables: tables with pockets and tables without pockets. Tables with pockets are referred to as pocket billiard tables and these tables usually have six pockets that collect the balls. Of the six pockets four are found on the four corners of the rectangular table and two pockets are found facing each other in the middle of the longer sides of the table. The pockets in the corner are referred to as corner pockets and pockets in the middle of the longer sides are known as the side pockets. Pocket less billiard tables are used for a type of billiard known as carom, usually played with three balls.

The arrangement of billiard balls on the green bed of a pool table just before the break shot is sheer beauty. No other ball game offers so much color and variety as billiards does. In the game of Carom, a type of billiards played without pockets on the table, only three balls are used. One is a red ball and the other two are white balls with one of the white balls marked with a black dot. Sometimes a yellow ball is used instead of a white ball. The red ball is known as the “object ball”. The white ball is the “cue ball” for the first player. The yellow or the dotted white ball is the cue ball of the second player.

Billiard tables come in various sizes: 3.5 feet by 7 feet, 4ft by 8ft, 4.5ft by 9 ft, 5ft by 10ft, and 6ft by 12 ft. For tournament play 4.5 ft by 9ft tables are preferred. Billiard bars and halls use 3.5 ft by 7 ft tables to cope with space constraint. Pool and snooker games use 10ft and 12ft long tables. The height of the table is such that it allows for a person of average height to bend over the table at the waist level and play shots comfortably. The side railings of the table are raised a few inches above the table surface, and they are cushioned with vulcanized rubber so that when the balls hit the railings they rebound allowing for amazing angles of stroke play. A green cloth covers the entire surface and the railings of the table.

The pockets of a billiard table are rimmed with leather or plastic. The balls are collected in a plastic or leather net and are channelled to a collection chamber through ball return troughs inside the table. Carom billiard tables don’t have pockets. The surface of a carom billiard table is made up of slate, and often it is heated above room temperature to allow for faster play. International carom rules mandate that the bed of the table be heated for competition games.



Donna

Michael Hartwell asked:


There are many great tips when learning how to play billiards and improve your game today. As the game of billiards grows in popularity around the world, many people are searching for ways to give them the edge and beat their competition.

In billiards, even the smallest difference in skill level can make a huge difference, because billiards truly is a game of inches. Miss your shot by even the slightest amount, and the game could be lost in a heartbeat.

To start out with, here is some basic info on the game of billiards, and shortly thereafter, tips on how to improve your skills quickly and effectively. Billiards refers to the game which is played on a table with 6 pockets in which to get the balls into. Most often, you play with 15 balls which are known as object balls, and the main white ball you hit, known as the cue ball.

There are several different varieties of this game, but regular billiards is by far the most common, so that’s what I will focus on in this article. Besides this, you need the same skill set for any game, so this information applies whether you are playing regular billiards, play 8 ball pool, or it’s popular counterparts, snooker or carom billiards.

Remember, as with any game are any skill set you are desiring to acquire, the best way to improve at billiards is to get out there, start playing and making mistakes, and learning from them. In anything, absolutely the only way to improve is by making a lot of mistakes and learning how to correct them so that you do it differently the next time. Regardless of natural talent, everybody makes mistakes in this game, and the only way to improve is by revising your strategy so that you don’t make the same mistake the following time.

Probably the most important skill to have at billiards, besides the obvious hand eye coordination required to hit the ball where you want it, is the ability to plan out your shots ahead of time. Don’t simply plan out one shot in advance; to really master the sport, it’s required that you map out your course several shots in advance so that you set yourself up in good position after the initial shot.

Too many billiards players get so focused on executing one shot that, when they finish with that, they realize they’ve left themselves no shot for their next play. Some simple planning could have alleviated this process.

Try to find better players than yourself to play against, because it will force you to raise your game to their level in order to comet with them. Also, they will often times be able to see things you are doing wrong that you’d never spot yourself, and can therefore help you improve your skill set very quickly. Don’t be shy in asking them for help, because more than likely, they will remember being in your shoes at one point, and will give you some advice on improving your game.

Remember, you certainly should read how to play pool information, and there is a lot available on the internet today. These materials are published by very advanced players, sometimes even professionals, who invite you into their world and how they think and go about dominating a billiards game.

Of course, regardless of how much pool tips you read, nothing will ever beat simply getting out there and taking action yourself to improve your skills. You can have all the head knowledge on billiards tips in the world, but without transferring that into a real game, it’s useless. Hopefully this information will help you play billiards much more effectively.



Dan

Jonathon Hardcastle asked:


Bars and recreation venues in rural or urban areas offer to their visitors the excitement and the sportsmanship of a famous table-played game, called pool or billiard. On the billiards table’s totally flat surface, pool game fans strike, with the use of a specially designed long wooden stick known as “cue stick,” colorful balls moving them around the table’s area. Pool games attract a variety of publics from around the world, who enjoy the exhilaration of calculating angles and estimating how many strikes it will take them to accomplish their winning goal.

Pool tables are mainly separated into two categories, called carom and pocket tables. In fact, the word “billiards” when standing alone refers to the carom games played on a table without pockets, as opposed to games played on pocket billiards which people recognize as “pools” or also known as “snooker” tables. In Britain and Ireland though, the word “billiards” denotes the “English billiard” exclusively, which is the version of the table with the ball pockets. The difference between the two types is that carom billiards tables do not have six openings four at each table corner and two at the middle of each of the table’s largest sides in which the pool player is called to direct the colorful balls on the surface of the table by striking each one of them, or more than one at a time, with a white ball. The white ball acts as the “mediator” between the cue stick’s point and the round surface of the colored ball the striker aims to hit. If the striker manages to hit the white ball with the right speed and from the right angle then it will in turn hit the colored one which will be directed to fall into one of the tables’ holes. Pool table fans generally refer to pocket billiard games, such as 8-ball, 9-ball, straight pool and one-pocket.

Found in many sizes and styles, billiards or pools are tables in a rectangular shape and are generally twice as long as they are wide. When someone refers to the number of a pool table’s foots this actually denotes its longer sides’ length. Mainly a function of space, the pool table’s length varies. English billiard tables, for example, are 12 feet long, while bars typically offer 7-foot tables. Pool halls tend to have 9-foot tables for more professional players, whereas the once commonly found 10-foot tables are now considered collectible items. Finally, the “felt” or “baize” is the cloth that covers the pool table’s exposed surface and he higher its quality the faster the balls run on its completely flat surface.

While the world “billiard” has presumably originated from the French word “billart,” which means “mace”-an implement that was the predecessor of the modern cue-the game did not remain constricted in Europe. Evolving from an outdoor to an indoor game, billiard became known as “pool,” which originates from “poolrooms” where people gambled off their money betting on horse races. Since billiard tables were commonly found in this type of venues, pools became a synonym of billiards and gained fanatic supporters in every continent.



Brittany

Gerald Njuguna asked:


Nobody really knows the origins of billiards. The common belief is that the game originated as a game that was played outdoors which was a bit different from croquet that was played early in the 14th century in France. Its said it became quite popular and when the cold weather did not allow the game to be enjoyed outside, it moved indoors and was played on a table that was covered with green felt.

Do you know that when Mary, Queen of Scots, died, she was wrapped in a billiard cloth? Did you also know that pool was the first sport to have a world championship game in 1873? Interesting huh

There are well know historical figures that loved the billiard game. These include King Louise X1V and wife Marie Antoinette, Mozart, Abe Lincoln, Napoleon and George Washington among others.

Back then, billiard balls were made from ivory and were usually carved out from the center of an elephant’s tusk. The elephant tusks could only give you three to 4 billiard balls.

The pool game is said to have the highest average age among its players at about 35 yrs and also said to be one of the safest game in the world

“Billiard” was coined from the French word “billart” that means mace. The mace was a stick with a handle that started to be used with the game called croquet.

It was illegal

In its earliest history, the pool game was outlawed in certain. Its funny that the church in France considered pool as immoral. In the nineteenth century in America, the word “pool” room was used to mean a parlor room for horse race betting and was banned in a number of states in America.

Its said that Thomas Jefferson had a pool table that he hid in his home in Virginia. Nowadays, the terms pool room and billiard room mean the same thing.



Brad

Josy Kinney asked:


The term “Billiard tables” is certainly very popular among most people and they are best known as the Billiard pool tables. But you do however get different types of Billiard tables. Here we will discuss all the different types of Billiard tables and their use.

The traditional shape of a billiards table is a square, but it is not uncommon to see variations to this shape. You will find pool tables that are circular, hexagonal and even zig zag shaped. The other variations is in the color of the cloth used to coat the surface of the table. Traditionally the cloth is green but you will also find them in other colors like red and blue. Regardless of the shape of the table, the rails of the table are raised and cushioned. This stops them from rolling off and helps them to bounce back. The table are available in pocketed and without pocket version. The ones with pockets are used to play pocket billiards and they have six pockets – one on each corner and two that face each other on the sides of the table. The pockets in the corner are called corner pockets while the ones in the middle are called side pockets. The table without pockets is specifically used to play a game called Carom which is usually played with three balls.

The sizes also vary, starting at 3.5 feet by seven feet and going up to 6 ft by 12 ft. They are also available in 4 ft by 8 ft, 4ft by 9 ft and 5 ft by 10 ft. For professional competitions a 4.5 ft by 9 ft table is used. Pool parlors and Billiard Halls usually use a 3.5.ft by 7 ft table so that they can accommodate more tables in a limited amount of space. But the hugest tables are reserved for pool and snooker games which are 10ft by 12 ft in size. The height of the table is just perfect for a for a person with average height to use the pool table comfortably without having to bend too much. The side railings of the table are lined with vulcanized rubber and are a few inches above the surface of the table. The cushioning helps the balls to bounce back, letting players enjoy an amazing angle of stroke play. The cloth which is used to cover the surface is also used on the railings.

The pockets of the pool table are made out of leather or plastic. Once the balls enter the pockets they are collected in a leather or plastic net and then they are led to a collection area through a trough inside the table. But the pool tables used for Carom don’t have pockets. The surface of a billiard table used for Carom is made out clay that has been heated above room temperature. This aids in faster play. According to the international Carom regulations, the boards used in the game necessarily need to have a surface that has been heated.



Lauren

Nathaniel Jacobson asked:


I always loved that my Grandfather had a billiard room in his home. I used to spend a lot of time with him when I was young. He taught me to “shoot stick”, as he called it, when I was maybe 8 years old.

My Grandparents would entertain quite frequently, and they would regularly invite some of their closest friends over for a banquet and cocktails. Their gatherings would often run into the wee hours, by which time I was expected to be sleeping. I would usually spend an hour or so reading each night, but nights like those were too exciting to miss out on. Honestly, how could they expect me to sleep with all that activity going on downstairs?

After dinner, Grandmother would be in the parlor room having tea and chatting with the other ladies. Grandfather and his guests would retire to the billiard room or the “lounge” as he liked to call it. The odd time I would sneak out of bed, and sit on the staircase just listening to all the activity and laughter. The gents smoked cigars, sipped brandy, and talked about whatever older men talked about back then. Snooker was the game of choice.

The “lounge” was a gorgeous and stately room. It had sixteen foot ceilings with stunning plaster moldings. The walls were covered with some of the finest oak I have ever seen, and there were vast bookcases built into them. Along one wall was a beautifully carved bar, and behind that a seemingly endless supply of spirits. Grandfather kept his phonograph in there, along with his prized collection of jazz records.

One night it was rather late and, again, I was unable to sleep. So I got out of bed and got dressed in my Sunday best. I ventured downstairs and made my way into the “lounge” as though I were one of the guests. When he finally noticed me, Grandfather seemed so completely bemused by the sight before him. He welcomed me into the lounge as though I were his long lost friend, and asked if I would be interested in “shooting some stick”. “Aye! Rack ‘em up, Pops!” I exclaimed.

We played a quick game, which I am sure he let me win, and when I finished my tea I went back up to bed. That is truly one of the fondest memories of my youth. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of that dear, sweet man. Not a day goes by that I don’t “shoot some stick”.



Ralph

George Wood asked:


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 is not 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 is opponent, is the players 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.

One Pocket Billiards Game: One pocket billiards is the billiards answer to soccer, while 14.1 continuous billiards is the billiards answer to basketballs 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 do not 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 opponents 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 opponents 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 opponents pocket only if they reach the object. The object is to get to eight balls pocketed in the target or opponents 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.



Nathan

Jonathon Hardcastle asked:


For many young billiard players ripping off the green baize, which is the woven wool, or wool-nylon blend, used to cover the upper surface of a pool table, is their worst nightmare. But, the horrifying reality of having to justify a bad stroke to the bar and billiards owner cannot compare with the chilling effect of loosing face in front of friends or girlfriends. Many years before the billiards fans favorite movie, “The Color of Money,” starring Tom Cruise and Paul Newman, numerous youngsters attempted to conquer adulthood while learning to play pool.

Even prior to Al Pacino’s in “Carlito’s Way”, characters that needed to make a statement as being masculine, in times sophisticated, but always cool, were pictured as amateur or professional pool players. Movies, songs, and books, used this type of men as their aggressive and yet sensitive male prototype, was particularly tempting for young men who desired to associate with that kind of male image. During the late 80s and early 90s, young adults, in an effort to imitate their beloved icons and achieve some of their tremendous appeal, have spent hours in bars holding a hardwood stick (cue) and playing continuously billiards games. By holding the larger circumference end of the cue, called “the butt,” the male players pointed the leather chalked tip attached on cue’s “shaft,” its smaller circumference end, to the ball of their choice -usually the white one-and upon choosing a specific angle for their strike, attempted ultimately to hit a colored ball from the table’s surface. The powerful feeling they experienced when their hit was successful, made up for all those long practicing hours. Indeed, even the most inexperienced of those young men managed, after multiple attempts, to succeed in striking a few balls correctly into the pool tables’ holes.

Hanging around bars and bonding in front of billiards tables with friends, college classmates and later business associates, is a practice men typically enjoy having; especially those who come from western-type of cultures. Moreover, the scene of a man holding a cue and using a chalk between each shot, to increase the tip’s friction coefficient, is one of the most masculine scenes a western type of woman might be able to think of; apart from the one in which a man rides a heavy motorcycle, like the famous Marlon Brando scene.

Based on habit, or even subconsciously, men usually select to play a pool game and practice their thinking and sticking abilities surrounded by other male friends. Typically, women’s feminine side is portrayed as more delicate and thus, playing a game of pools with a female friend leads men to play less harshly or taking the role of a pool game’s teacher. Since this is the generally accepted stereotype, men are always appearing as conquerors and women as conquered. Perhaps, the ancient game of control between sexes has found to the game of billiards, yet again, another interface to denote its powerful existence.



Melinda

Paul Travis asked:


Billiards is a game of precision and all billiards related equipment and accessories are made with utmost care. While purchasing any billiards equipment and accessories, one has to ensure that quality items are purchased if one wants to improve the game and take it to a much higher level of competition.

Needless to say that the most important piece of equipment in a billiards room is the billiards table, so it has to be selected and assembled with utmost care. A smooth surface with perfect balance and leveling are essential to permit a good game of billiards.

Once you have a quality table in place, the other two most important items on your buy list to be able to begin the game of billiards are the cue and the billiards balls. You need a selection of cues of varying sizes and lengths. It is essential to ensure that the cue is made of good quality material that does not bend or get warped. It should be strong too so that it does not break easily. Poor quality cues tend to chip at the tip.

Try to avoid buying cheap and low quality cues, as this is the most essential equipment to ensure a quality billiards experience. You need cues of differing lengths for your billiards room to cater for people of different heights and also when you need a shorter cue to take a shot from certain spots where the space is restricted.

The billiards balls of course are critical to a good game of billiards. Always buy from standard and renowned manufacturers. Ensure the balls are perfectly round and do not have bulges or distortion.

Next on the buy list is the accessories. Some of the essential accessories are:

? Chalk – It is required to ensure that the leather cue tip does not become smooth and hardened so as to slip off the ball when you strike it. Good quality of chalk is essential for maintaining the cue tip in good condition.

? Cue Racks – A cue rack to hold your cues could either be mounted on the walls or placed on the floor at one corner. The rack must be firm so that the cues do not topple and get damaged.

? Cue tips – Since cue tips bear the brunt, they wear off fast. Replacement of tips becomes essential after some time. It is a good idea to keep a few spare tips and some repair equipment to do it yourself.

? bridge sticks & heads – To be able to take long shots, you need bridge heads. A bridge head could be made of diverse

materials ranging from plastic to brass.

? table brush – You need a soft horsehair brush to keep the billiards table clean. Any specks of dust and grains could divert the ball and ruin your shot.

? pool table covers – The billiards table should be kept covered when not in use to prevent dust from settling on it. A good quality cover is required to keep it covered.

After you get all of these items, you are ready to turn your game room into a full on pool hall.



Floyd

Michael Hartwell asked:


There are a lot of how to guides on how to play billiards nowadays. You can very often times find these being sold either in billiards magazines or on the internet. Also, there are even TV shows nowadays that give tips on how to improve your billiards skills. Whether you want to play pro billiards, play 8 ball pool, simply learn billiards trick shots, or just play for fun, you can find great info to help you improve your games.

However, here’s something to keep in mind: some of this info is useful, and some isn’t. Here is some information to help you to improve you to learn to play pool, and also how to find the best pool information to take your game to the next level.

First of all, you probably should start out by doing a quick internet search for billiards tips, and soak up all the free information that’s available. There will no doubt be many articles written on the topics, and many of them by some pretty fair billiards tips.

This is certainly a great way to get a head start on the competition. Remember, 99% of your competitors will never take the time to learn how to play better, and will simply do so by trial and error. When you invest in your education, whether by reading or watching TV shows on the topic of billiards playing, you will immensely improve your game-even if you’ve never picked up a cue stick in your life!

One of the most crucial tips to becoming an effective billiards table player is precision. Very simply, without this key element, you can kiss your chances at succeeding in pool good bye. For this, you need to think about every shot before you hit it.

Very simply, plan out not only where you want to hit your next shot, but also where you want the cue ball to end up so that it leaves you in good position for your next shot. This is one of the keys to every professional billiards players success, and something that virtually no amateur does.

When you are over your shot, make sure to relax and imagine the billiards stick as simply being part of your body. This will also help you to become more precise with your shot. This is one of the most important tips for how to play billiards, and without it you will never reach your potential.

Also, be sure to exercise patience when playing pool. This just might be the most important skill you can have for billiards. As soon as you become frustrated and impatient, you lose your ability to focus, and your body also tenses up.

This makes it much more difficult to hit an effective shot. When you stay patient and relaxed, even if things don’t seem to be going your way right now, if you stay relaxed, the tide will soon turn in your favor.

Finally, the most important part is to practice. Obviously, as with anyone, practice is the key to success; you can buy all the how to material in the world, but until you actually get out their in the game and do it, you will not improve. Also, try to imagine yourself playing a great game before each game starts.

Simply visualize yourself succeeding, and you will play much better. Michael Jordan used this technique before each game he played in, and it worked out pretty well for him. Hopefully this information on how to play billiards more effectively will help you dramatically improve your game and enjoy a lifetime of fun and success with pool.



Marilyn