The Game Room

April 5th, 2010

If you ask guys what their favorite room in the house is then they’ll probably answer in unison – the game room. The game room is every man’s dream. For them it is the perfect place to be. Men love sports. And, they like to spend time playing games together with their buddies and colleagues.

Men can put a lot of gaming equipment in their game room. They can put a foosball unit, place a poker table or install a pinball machine. But if you want your game room to stand out from the others, you can put a billiard table in the center of your room. Nothing beats the impact a billiard table has on people. The sleek lines of the wood, the quality of the felt and the smell of the finish make a billiard table the perfect centerpiece.

Of course, you can’t play billiards without essential billiard supplies and accessories. For instance, you need the cue stick and pool balls to get your game started. Some billiard players even go out of their way to have their cue stick customized for better stroke results. Powder is needed to prevent sweating of the hands. Chalks are used to provide better contact between the ball and the stick. A bridge is used to help you reach those far shots and proper lighting is installed so you can clearly analyze the action as the game continues.

These are just some of the basic billiard supplies you’ll need. A precision sport like this requires high quality equipment. Acquiring them is important so you can perfect your game and you can share your favorite game room to everyone.

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ATHENA POOL CUES

February 11th, 2010

Athena, according to Greek Mythology, is the goddess of wisdom, war, justice and skill, which surely describes the emotional, social and physical characteristics of women pool players of the 21st century. Athena pool cues are shorter than the average regular cues that create a more normal balance point, have a standard thinner 12.5 mm shafts to provide a better bridge and smoother follow-through and a customized extension (almost a foot of length) for those unreachable shots to remove the hassle of table leaning. These cue sticks are also made from pro-tapered hard rock maple shafts, stainless steel joints, Irish Linen wraps, Ivorine III ferrules and quick release butt caps that suit the needs of a lot of women players. These are all crafted to have a sense of feminism including designs such as roses, butterflies and deck of cards. Some also have pink and red undertones.
Men shouldn’t underestimate these sticks either even if they look more girlish since these provide women players consistent firm, solid hits similar to a Joss or Schon pool cue. These are all a good catch, because they have an enormous value for both the end user and the seller. They provide a high and good quality for a very affordable and reasonable price, with 100% guaranteed warranty on parts and workmanship. So start playing like a warrior with these Athena pool cues in your hands.

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Keeping Your Billiard Sticks In The Best Condition

April 16th, 2009

Having billiard sticks that are not straight or level damaged, or missing tips can make it hard when wanting to have a competitive game of pool. Many variables can go into your shot when not having the best pool cues to play with. A shot can be ruined from a billiard stick not having a tip on it, or the billiard stick not being straight. You can test if your billiard stick is straight by rolling it on the billiard table, and seeing if it rolls smooth, if it rolls awkward, or unusually, most likely it is not straight. You can have straight and undamaged pool cues by having a billiard stick rack. The rack will allow the billiard sticks to sit straight up and away from each other instead of just sticking them in the corner of the room. Also, the billiard stick rack allows the billiard sticks not be able to be dropped, or fall, making it possible to damage the stick in general, or lose the tip of the billiard stick. The rack also makes it harder for smaller children to be able to reach the sticks when unsupervised and putting the sticks in harm’s way.

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Making Sure Your Billiard Table Is Level Is Important

April 15th, 2009

Making sure you have a level billiard table before playing any games is key. If the billiard table is not completely level, it can leave trouble for the player or players playing. If you do not have a level billiard table, you can run into troubles like the billiard balls not moving in a straight line. Examples of this would be if the billiard ball takes an unusual slight curve left or right after hitting. Also, if the table is not level, it makes it quite hard to make sure shots, and takes longer for the billiard balls to rest in place after being hit. You can make your billiard table an almost official billiard table by making sure after setting the table up to have it completely level. If you find out yours isn’t level after set up, you can make it level by adjusting the legs of the billiard table until the table is level. It might take longer in the set up, but it will insure a completely fair, quicker, and more fun of a billiard game for yourself, or yourself and friends.

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How Not To Ruin The Felt of Your Billiard Table

April 14th, 2009

Your billiard table’s felt is an also key factor in a billiard game. Having torn or damaged pool table felt can play important parts in a billiard game. Rough spots in the felt of the billiard table can occur from trying to take “Jump” shots when hitting the cue ball, and when doing so you tare the felt from the billiard stick. Also, damaging can be done by unfair roughness to the table by keeping it more of a storage table then an actual billiard table. Which if you do use it as a storage table when not using it as a billiard table, considering to by a billiard table cloth to stick over the table would be a great investment. Other ways to keep your billiard tables felt in tip top condition are cleaning the pool table felt after each game will keep its appearance very clean and brand new looking. Also by doing no unnecessary damage to the billiard table by keeping billiard sticks or billiard balls on the table while not playing will help the billiard table. Leaving billiard balls and billiard sticks can ruin the felt, and make the billiard table and sticks unleveled.

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How To Use English In Billiards

October 3rd, 2008

You can use english in billiards in a number of ways. The cue ball can be struck from the left side, which is called left english. Or it can be struck from the right side, which is called right english.

You can also use the stop, draw or follow techniques using english. Low english is when you incorporate the draw technique and high english is when you use the follow technique.

Using the english in billiards is not an easy task. This is one of the most complex and difficult things to do when dealing with a cue ball. You have to really practice to get this technique accurate.

When using english in billiards, the cue ball is supposed to move in certain directions. The main purpose is for the position of the cue to take the next shot. With sidespin, the object balls can make a difference. This is called spin induced throw.

With this technique, you must make changes. This is because the way the object ball is going will create a curve. Of course, the size of the curve will come to a certain degree depending on the cue ball’s spin amount.

Using english or sidespin is considered an advanced technique when playing billiards. If you are just starting out, you should hold off on this because it will take you more than a minute to get a grasp of the techniques used. You should also have some playing time with using basic, stop, draw and follow shots. This can help make the transition easier for you.

If the cue ball is stick further out from the center, there will be additional spin for the ball. In order for you to know a lot of english, you will need to practice consistently. This is needed so you will know how and where to place the cue ball.

You may need both english and a mixture of follow and draw techniques. This is for the cue ball so it can be moved in a different direction and length. With this, you will also need to practice in order to cultivate your skill. You will be able to play at a different level than other players.

If you use english in billiards, along with draw and follow techniques, they can really benefit you. However you have to do it in moderation, otherwise, you could be facing a lot of miscues. That’s probably one of the worst things that any billiards player has to deal with.

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The Diamond System

October 3rd, 2008

The Diamond System uses lines that you cannot see from each diamond. This is supposed to be the starting point for an aiming system. This system can be used for different things. Some professional billiards players that use the system say it has helped them play better.

Others say just the opposite. The only time they will use the Diamond System if there are majority 3-cushion players that use it. For the most part, the players learn techniques on their own without the assistance of it. It’s probably a good thing because you may be playing where you won’t have access to this system.

You start out by striking any ball precisely at only one diamond. The ball should go straight to it. Then it should reverse itself and roll to the other diamond at the other end of the table. If the diamond is not where it’s supposed to be, pretend that there are some along with the diamonds. It may take a while, but once you get the hang of it, you will be very familiar with the diamond system.

There are some things that 3-cushion players implement to make the diamond system more useful for them. There is a basic one that is used without any english. Some people prefer this one because it is simple.

Of course, each diamond system is different for each billiard player. The players need to know where to hit the long rail (third rail). Then take that away from number two. This is where the first long rail will be hit with the center ball. If you do decide to use running english techniques, you will have to include an extra diamond half.

You will have to spend some time learning more about the diamond system in order to become efficient at it. At least it’s not one of the complicated tasks where you can easily get frustrated. It’s simple and easy to learn and remember, the use of english is not needed.

Another thing to remember is not to be alarmed by the concept of invisible diamonds and lines. After a few takes, you’ll get the hang of it. Just remember that your way of doing it will be different than others that are using this system.

Players need to get plugged in to the Diamond System. You can read over what you need to do, then start practicing. The more you practice, the better you’ll master it.

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Billiard Cut Shot And Follow Shot Techniques

October 3rd, 2008

Cut shots are also known as angle shots or slice. This refers to the majority of your shots when playing billiards. Since you want to be competitive, you need to be skilled with executing these. There are certain things that you should adhere to when you’re executing cut shots.

Please note that it is extremely difficult to execute a cut shot while at a 90 degree angle. In fact it is considered downright impossible for it to happen. Possibly, the only way that this can happen is that the object ball is in close proximity with the pocket. Billiards players would be better off attempting a safety or a bank shot instead.

Use soft and medium strokes if the cut shot angle is 45 degrees or less. If there is difficulty with this, then english can be used the get the object ball in the pocket. If the angle is more than 45 degrees, this poses a problem.

Cue ball positioning can be difficult. The cue ball and the object ball will have little contact with each other. The longer the distance, the more of a force you will have to use for the stroke. It is not a good idea to use cut shots for angles between 75 and 90 degrees.

Don’t even venture into this territory. You will have serious issues with positioning, aiming and speed control. Check on how much cut angle is there. In addition to that, check to see how long is the object ball to the pocket.

With a follow shot, the cue ball doesn’t move for a moment. It goes behind the object ball while it’s moving. To do this, you need to hit the cue ball above the center of the ball. Please refrain from striking it high above the center. This can turn into a miscue.

The cue ball needs to have top spin implemented in order to keep going after striking the object ball. The cue ball will then have a remainder of the top or forward spin. It will continue to follow behind the object ball. When implementing a draw shot, if the stroke has more speed, there will be more top spin. The cue ball will continue to progress forward.

For the follow shot, you should gauge about 1 ½ cue tips over the cue ball center. You can easily miscue if you hit it higher than the recommended height. As you’re trying out different speeds with a follow shot, check to see which ones can work for you. The follow shot is very simple to implement and does not require a lot of practice like some of the other shots. This can be mastered in a matter of a short period of time.

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Billiards Masse Shot Techniques

October 3rd, 2008

For billiards players, it’s important to know about masse shots. A masse shot is when a ball is spun around on an alternate axis besides the targeted one. When this technique is used, the ball is aligned with the certain shot. With this, the ball is placed where you have to get around it. Players will use this kind of shot over other kind of shots.

Even though it can be somewhat complicated, there are some good things regarding the masse shot techniques. As a player, you can decide whether or not to shoot the ball straight or at a masse. If you choose the latter, your target expands and becomes a safe haven.

If you are shooting a ball to hit another one, you should incorporate a soft masse. If you are just practicing, make it small because you will be able to expand your target. The best way to do this is to hit it along the rail.

You may want to do something else other than a masse technique if the object ball is in the table’s center. You may want to think about using the excess spin in your favor. This way, you can have a safe that is strong or have a hanger.

Masse shot techniques focus primarily on how accurate the shot is and not a guess. If you are not sure about this, then you may want to try a different strategy to get to the ball.

If you’re thinking about combos, masse shot techniques can be implemented. The distance can be longer with these. On the other hand, there is still an uncertainty regarding this. You may want to look at a stroke speed.

With the cue, go for a different angle. Take a look at various curves while looking at the tip’s contact point as you prepare to shoot the white ball. You can have a greater advantage by doing this.

As you’re playing, you must also take into account the flow of the tip in connection with the cue ball. Regardless of how fast or slow the strike is, the shot must be complete on the cue ball. It must be a straight shot.

You must also be accurate and know that this will work. If you’re uncertain and you still decide to shoot, the masse shot will not happen. You will see the ball do a curve and that’s it. In order to perfect these masse shot techniques, you will have to practice and be confident in the shots that you make.

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Billiard Practice and Improvement

October 3rd, 2008

Practice is the systematic or repeated exercise or performance done for the purpose of getting skills and proficiency. When one wants to see an improvement in their practice, they should practice in a positive mode rather than a negative one. This is because practicing in the negative mode makes a player develop some bad habits on the snooker table. These bad habits are possible to break when the player realizes that it is the Indian and not the arrow that has them. When that is clear in the mind, learning can begin.

There are many books authored by instructors and players which are not only well written but are also easy to follow and understand. These books provide great illustrations and examples. The internet also has a vast wealth of billiard tips and improvement information. The other option is hiring a qualified professional instructor to take lessons from. The latter option may be a little pricier than the others, but one will noticeably raise the bar in the long run during the game.

People are different and so are their definitions for practice. Some are lone rangers preferring to practice alone, while others prefer spending a good deal of their time banging the balls around, regardless of whether they get any better or not. Others yet prefer playing with less acquainted friends, just to beat them and ‘feel’ they are better. Unfortunately feeling is definitely not being. It’s simply an illusion and most of these potential players at hand and real game lovers at heart do not realize that. They therefore practice the wrong techniques over and over and end up being poor players.

The following are a few good suggestions that can be either practiced alone or with a friend. More than one practice mate might be a distraction. When several shots are set up beforehand, the practice is referred to as shot practice. Shot practice includes draw practice which includes drawing 6 balls in the table’s centre between the side pockets, long shot which includes 6 random balls at the ¾ mark of any end of the table, cut practice which can be done together with the long ball and rail practice which consists of placing 12 balls at the long ball side diamonds. This is much better and goes a much longer way than just racking and banging balls.

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