Dec
30
Dec
24
How To Play Billiards-Tip To Help You Play Effectively As Quickly As Possible
Filed Under Billiards | Comments Off
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.
Kathleen
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.
Kathleen
Dec
24
Introduction to the Game of Carrom
Filed Under Billiards | Comments Off
sreejos asked:
The game of Carrom is also called as Carroms which is known as a family game played on tabletop. This game has a similarity between the games, table shuffleboard and billiards. Carrom game has many kinds of names across the globe, such as carum, carrum, karam, karom, karum or simply called Indian finger billiards. The origin of this game is unsure; according to some sources this game of Carrom has an Indian origin, while some say that it has a Chinese origin. Countries like Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and North Africa seem to play a role for the origin of the Carrom game. However in the West this game is somewhat similar to billiards.
The game of Carrom is played on plain plywood which is about 74 centimeters or 29 inches. The border of the playing board in bounded with wood bumpers. Here instead of balls like in billiards, here wooden disks are used. It is also called as Carrom coins or pucks. Generally there only four types of coins, black, white, red and a striker. The aim of the game is to strike the coins with the help of the striker and move them into the corner pockets. The red colored coin/puck is called the ‘queen’. Carrom can be played with two to four players. The Carrom board has variations; it is available in smaller size for children and boards with larger corner pockets for beginners to learn the tricks and practice the game.
The American version of the game is quite different as the game is played with cue sticks with checkers or chess like patters in the middle of the board. You can note that, the corner pockets of the board are much larger than the traditional/original Carrom board. The American Carrom was played in 1950s and 1970s in South California, using larger square board and with cue sticks and wooden rings. The Filipino Carrom is played in Philippines which is called ‘pool table’ or ‘Karombola’. The Australian Carrom is similar to the Indian Carrom which is know by the trade mark ‘Puckpool’ which is played using hands without cue sticks. However the Australian Carrom is played only with eight coins, black and white coins plus with a queen or crown puck. The International Carrom Federation (ICF) is the international governing body for the game of Carrom, which has delegates from Sri Lanka, Malaysia, India, Germany, Maldives and Switzerland. The ICF sets the Laws for the Carrom game.
Elsie
The game of Carrom is also called as Carroms which is known as a family game played on tabletop. This game has a similarity between the games, table shuffleboard and billiards. Carrom game has many kinds of names across the globe, such as carum, carrum, karam, karom, karum or simply called Indian finger billiards. The origin of this game is unsure; according to some sources this game of Carrom has an Indian origin, while some say that it has a Chinese origin. Countries like Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and North Africa seem to play a role for the origin of the Carrom game. However in the West this game is somewhat similar to billiards.
The game of Carrom is played on plain plywood which is about 74 centimeters or 29 inches. The border of the playing board in bounded with wood bumpers. Here instead of balls like in billiards, here wooden disks are used. It is also called as Carrom coins or pucks. Generally there only four types of coins, black, white, red and a striker. The aim of the game is to strike the coins with the help of the striker and move them into the corner pockets. The red colored coin/puck is called the ‘queen’. Carrom can be played with two to four players. The Carrom board has variations; it is available in smaller size for children and boards with larger corner pockets for beginners to learn the tricks and practice the game.
The American version of the game is quite different as the game is played with cue sticks with checkers or chess like patters in the middle of the board. You can note that, the corner pockets of the board are much larger than the traditional/original Carrom board. The American Carrom was played in 1950s and 1970s in South California, using larger square board and with cue sticks and wooden rings. The Filipino Carrom is played in Philippines which is called ‘pool table’ or ‘Karombola’. The Australian Carrom is similar to the Indian Carrom which is know by the trade mark ‘Puckpool’ which is played using hands without cue sticks. However the Australian Carrom is played only with eight coins, black and white coins plus with a queen or crown puck. The International Carrom Federation (ICF) is the international governing body for the game of Carrom, which has delegates from Sri Lanka, Malaysia, India, Germany, Maldives and Switzerland. The ICF sets the Laws for the Carrom game.
Elsie
Dec
22
Atheists: If you walk into a billiards hall and saw the 8 ball moving would you conclude that someone hit it?
Filed Under Billiards | 19 Comments
Dec
18
What are some good novels about billiards?
Filed Under Billiards | 2 Comments
oldscholl88 asked:
I know of the Hustler and the color of money by Walter Tevis. They inspired the movies
Julio
I know of the Hustler and the color of money by Walter Tevis. They inspired the movies
Julio
Dec
16
A Guide to Billiard Tables and Cues
Filed Under Billiards | Comments Off
April Kerr asked:
Billiard or pool is probably the most popular indoor game that is often played in the clubs and offices. As a matter of fact this game has gained huge popularity all over the world and this is the reason why you will find tournaments and competitions of billiard taking place everywhere. A billiard table and cue are the two indispensable tools for a game of billiard. Now the quality of these two instruments has huge impact on the player’s performance. So these two things have to the best of the lot.
Buying a Billiard Table
It is not at all an easy job to buy a billiard table. There are quite a few factors that you need to take care of in order to make sure that you are picking up the best piece. The important facts about a billiard table are its size, shape and price. Moreover you need to purchase a table that will fit the place where you keep it. If you are going to purchase the table for using it at home then make sure that you have a sufficiently spacious room to accommodate the table. It also matters a lot whether you are going to place the table at a corner of the room or in the centre.
The door size of the room needs to be wide enough to let the table get into it. There are various places from where you can buy a billiard table. Often you get to see advertisements in the newspapers where they want to sell used or new tables. If you have enough money to spend fro your hobby of Billiard then the best option is to go for a new one. If at all there is budget constraint then a used one in a good condition is not bad at all.
How to Buy a Billiard Cue and Balls?
The billiard cues and the balls are as essential as the table is. As a matter of fact if the cues and the balls are of cheaper quality then the chances of the games getting spoiled is very high. All the billiard players have the same opinion that the balls and the cues should be perfect for a good game. Now you need to take care of some features while buying the cues for your personal collection.
First of all hold the cues in hand and try out some shots with it just to make sure that you are getting the right feel about them. If you are a seasoned player of billiard then you will understand the quality from the first touch. Then you need to know if the sticks are perfectly straight or not. If at all they are defective in any ways then the shots will never be perfect.
So if you want to play billiards and be the best player you can, always choose your billiard table and cues carefully.
Geraldine
Billiard or pool is probably the most popular indoor game that is often played in the clubs and offices. As a matter of fact this game has gained huge popularity all over the world and this is the reason why you will find tournaments and competitions of billiard taking place everywhere. A billiard table and cue are the two indispensable tools for a game of billiard. Now the quality of these two instruments has huge impact on the player’s performance. So these two things have to the best of the lot.
Buying a Billiard Table
It is not at all an easy job to buy a billiard table. There are quite a few factors that you need to take care of in order to make sure that you are picking up the best piece. The important facts about a billiard table are its size, shape and price. Moreover you need to purchase a table that will fit the place where you keep it. If you are going to purchase the table for using it at home then make sure that you have a sufficiently spacious room to accommodate the table. It also matters a lot whether you are going to place the table at a corner of the room or in the centre.
The door size of the room needs to be wide enough to let the table get into it. There are various places from where you can buy a billiard table. Often you get to see advertisements in the newspapers where they want to sell used or new tables. If you have enough money to spend fro your hobby of Billiard then the best option is to go for a new one. If at all there is budget constraint then a used one in a good condition is not bad at all.
How to Buy a Billiard Cue and Balls?
The billiard cues and the balls are as essential as the table is. As a matter of fact if the cues and the balls are of cheaper quality then the chances of the games getting spoiled is very high. All the billiard players have the same opinion that the balls and the cues should be perfect for a good game. Now you need to take care of some features while buying the cues for your personal collection.
First of all hold the cues in hand and try out some shots with it just to make sure that you are getting the right feel about them. If you are a seasoned player of billiard then you will understand the quality from the first touch. Then you need to know if the sticks are perfectly straight or not. If at all they are defective in any ways then the shots will never be perfect.
So if you want to play billiards and be the best player you can, always choose your billiard table and cues carefully.
Geraldine
Dec
11
Breaking Better In Pool
Filed Under Billiards | Comments Off
Gerald Njuguna asked:
When a break is executed well on the pool table, it gives the player a better advantage over the other player. Also, when one is consistent in breaking well on the pool table, it results with the cue ball having a better striking position with the other balls. With this, the player gets a better choice of sending the other balls in the pockets with the next shot that he executes.
There are various ways which one can break in a billiard game. One needs to have good physics when striking the ball. Its believed that different pool tables might determine which break will turn out to be the best. Power and Speed are considered to be essential but don’t forget that control is needed to handle the power that you put behind that shot.
With much practice, a player will be able to determine how to best make the shots. There are other tricks that one can use to improve their break on the billiard table and ultimately improve their overall game.
Power Break
Power is considered to be crucial and important just as having full contact with the first ball. Most pros in the billiard profession agree that a good break moves at about twenty miles per hour. If you can break faster than 20 mph then the better. In the billiard game the fastest break is considered to be at thirty miles per hour. Your break should be powerful enough but without losing control.
Tips on Achieving a Power Break
Their are various methods you can use to execute a power break. The important thing to note here is that you want a proper transfer of your body weight to help your shoulders and arm strength in wielding the break.
One good technique you can apply is by rocking your body back and forth which assists in transferring the weight from your front leg to the back leg. You might notice players lifting their front legs before they strike. This helps them to transfer their weight to their back leg and then stomp that front leg down on contact to do the reverse.
Breaking better on the 8/9 ball game
One technique you can use on the 8 ball game is to shoot the cue ball between the first ball and the thrid ball at a slight angle almost parallel to the triangle’s adjacent side. This is executed from a distance far enough to give the pool player enough space to transfer most power.
On the diamond 9 ball rack, its common to hit the head 1 ball parallel to one of its adjacent side. As you practice more and more on your break, you will discover which stance and power suits you best in as yo play to drop in the wing ball.
The Break Cue
Some billiard players cannot play without the break cue. As you use the break cue, the tip of the cue will get altered and deformed and with time you will need to to replace the tip because it will affect your game. The weight of the cue also matters a lot.
Most professional players usually go for lighter break cues. This is because when the cue is lighter, its much easier for the billiard player to wield it with more power and speed.
Wayne
When a break is executed well on the pool table, it gives the player a better advantage over the other player. Also, when one is consistent in breaking well on the pool table, it results with the cue ball having a better striking position with the other balls. With this, the player gets a better choice of sending the other balls in the pockets with the next shot that he executes.
There are various ways which one can break in a billiard game. One needs to have good physics when striking the ball. Its believed that different pool tables might determine which break will turn out to be the best. Power and Speed are considered to be essential but don’t forget that control is needed to handle the power that you put behind that shot.
With much practice, a player will be able to determine how to best make the shots. There are other tricks that one can use to improve their break on the billiard table and ultimately improve their overall game.
Power Break
Power is considered to be crucial and important just as having full contact with the first ball. Most pros in the billiard profession agree that a good break moves at about twenty miles per hour. If you can break faster than 20 mph then the better. In the billiard game the fastest break is considered to be at thirty miles per hour. Your break should be powerful enough but without losing control.
Tips on Achieving a Power Break
Their are various methods you can use to execute a power break. The important thing to note here is that you want a proper transfer of your body weight to help your shoulders and arm strength in wielding the break.
One good technique you can apply is by rocking your body back and forth which assists in transferring the weight from your front leg to the back leg. You might notice players lifting their front legs before they strike. This helps them to transfer their weight to their back leg and then stomp that front leg down on contact to do the reverse.
Breaking better on the 8/9 ball game
One technique you can use on the 8 ball game is to shoot the cue ball between the first ball and the thrid ball at a slight angle almost parallel to the triangle’s adjacent side. This is executed from a distance far enough to give the pool player enough space to transfer most power.
On the diamond 9 ball rack, its common to hit the head 1 ball parallel to one of its adjacent side. As you practice more and more on your break, you will discover which stance and power suits you best in as yo play to drop in the wing ball.
The Break Cue
Some billiard players cannot play without the break cue. As you use the break cue, the tip of the cue will get altered and deformed and with time you will need to to replace the tip because it will affect your game. The weight of the cue also matters a lot.
Most professional players usually go for lighter break cues. This is because when the cue is lighter, its much easier for the billiard player to wield it with more power and speed.
Wayne
Dec
9
Sine Language asked:
What are the rules regarding calling your shots in billiards? Specifically, what is the penalty if you do not put the ball you name in the pocket you name?
Kristin
What are the rules regarding calling your shots in billiards? Specifically, what is the penalty if you do not put the ball you name in the pocket you name?
Kristin
Dec
7
In billiards if you make in a ball off the break do you get to claim those balls?
Filed Under Billiards | 4 Comments
mitchent86 asked:
My friend and I are having an argument about pool. I sank two solid balls on the break and then missed my next shot. I called solids but he said that unless you make one in the shot after the break it is still open. I have never played that way before but a couple of other guys at the bar backed him up. Which the is correct way?
Wesley
My friend and I are having an argument about pool. I sank two solid balls on the break and then missed my next shot. I called solids but he said that unless you make one in the shot after the break it is still open. I have never played that way before but a couple of other guys at the bar backed him up. Which the is correct way?
Wesley
Dec
6
College Scholarship Essays: 5 Things You Want to Know
Filed Under Billiards | Comments Off
Kevin Ihrig asked:
Starting to write college scholarship essays may make you shake in your boots. After all, what you write could either win you a sizable chunk of cash, or not. But with some preparation, you can lower your nervousness and improve your writing. Take a look here for a few great ways to kick start your ideas, turn your brain on, and get started.
Finding Brilliant Subjects for College Scholarship Essays
Let’s get into making more topics for your essays. If you haven’t read any grant or scholarship applications, take a little time to look at them, especially the ones you want to win. You may have to invent a topic. Or you may be assigned one, like the Harry S. Truman Scholarship which requires essays that evaluate and appraise serious human and diplomatic concerns of importance today. Many use a simple, short kernel of an idea that you call a prompt to use to build an essay around.
Even with a prompt, the essay will have examples and personal features that you will think of and write. And in most cases, you and your life experience will form part of the essay. If you have more experiences to draw on, you can liven up your writing to provide more depth and create interest that draws your readers into the story.
For example, have you seen Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker in The Great Debaters? Denzel Whitaker’s character closes the movie with a great speech during a debate. In that speech, he uses stunning detail from his own life. He plays Forest Whitaker’s son in the movie, and Washington’s student. In your essays, like this movie inspired by real event, you will do the same.
Who Awards The Scholarship?
Look at who will award the scholarship. Consider these five ideas to help focus your essay and find out who will evaluate you for the award:
1. What are the organizational purpose or do they have an agenda?
2. Can you go to a website and read the group mission statement?
3. Who has won in the past?
4. Have you looked up the history or the founder for more information?
5. Call and ask for information if you haven’t found any.
After you have a feel for the organization, you can write down the governing principles or goals of the organization. Keep them brief, just a few words each, and make a short list of the ideas and trends you find in your research.
This research doesn’t have to take all day for every scholarship. If the website gives some good background and a mission statement, that should do it. You don’t need to find out the names of the committee, their alma maters, or the name of the founder’s childhood sled (rosebud). You just want a good feel for what will make a good essay and what might not match their values.
Would you give you the scholarship? Why?
Now that you have formed a concept of the group or foundation’s mission, evaluate yourself. Do you consider yourself a good candidate? For instance, the Billiards Education Foundation gives scholarships for high school seniors who play billiards. You have to recognize that if you don’t play billiards, you won’t get this scholarship.
The essay prompt specifically states that you expand on how billiards has touched your life. If you don’t play, you really don’t qualify, because you can’t answer the question with sincerity. Half of you probably laughed when you read this paragraph and the one before, but this organization gives two types of scholarships, one for $5000 over two years, and 7 awards for $1000 each.
As scholarships go, $5000 can go a long way. Take your scholarship essays seriously, and remember who you will write to, and their aims. You also should recruit proofreaders for every essay to look for typos, grammar errors, style, flow and coherence. You want to sound good.
Last, keep applying. Don’t let a little 500 or 1000 word essay come between you and $1000 or $5000 of money for college. Look, that amounts to between $1 per word on up to $10 per word. You can do it.
Josephine
Starting to write college scholarship essays may make you shake in your boots. After all, what you write could either win you a sizable chunk of cash, or not. But with some preparation, you can lower your nervousness and improve your writing. Take a look here for a few great ways to kick start your ideas, turn your brain on, and get started.
Finding Brilliant Subjects for College Scholarship Essays
Let’s get into making more topics for your essays. If you haven’t read any grant or scholarship applications, take a little time to look at them, especially the ones you want to win. You may have to invent a topic. Or you may be assigned one, like the Harry S. Truman Scholarship which requires essays that evaluate and appraise serious human and diplomatic concerns of importance today. Many use a simple, short kernel of an idea that you call a prompt to use to build an essay around.
Even with a prompt, the essay will have examples and personal features that you will think of and write. And in most cases, you and your life experience will form part of the essay. If you have more experiences to draw on, you can liven up your writing to provide more depth and create interest that draws your readers into the story.
For example, have you seen Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker in The Great Debaters? Denzel Whitaker’s character closes the movie with a great speech during a debate. In that speech, he uses stunning detail from his own life. He plays Forest Whitaker’s son in the movie, and Washington’s student. In your essays, like this movie inspired by real event, you will do the same.
Who Awards The Scholarship?
Look at who will award the scholarship. Consider these five ideas to help focus your essay and find out who will evaluate you for the award:
1. What are the organizational purpose or do they have an agenda?
2. Can you go to a website and read the group mission statement?
3. Who has won in the past?
4. Have you looked up the history or the founder for more information?
5. Call and ask for information if you haven’t found any.
After you have a feel for the organization, you can write down the governing principles or goals of the organization. Keep them brief, just a few words each, and make a short list of the ideas and trends you find in your research.
This research doesn’t have to take all day for every scholarship. If the website gives some good background and a mission statement, that should do it. You don’t need to find out the names of the committee, their alma maters, or the name of the founder’s childhood sled (rosebud). You just want a good feel for what will make a good essay and what might not match their values.
Would you give you the scholarship? Why?
Now that you have formed a concept of the group or foundation’s mission, evaluate yourself. Do you consider yourself a good candidate? For instance, the Billiards Education Foundation gives scholarships for high school seniors who play billiards. You have to recognize that if you don’t play billiards, you won’t get this scholarship.
The essay prompt specifically states that you expand on how billiards has touched your life. If you don’t play, you really don’t qualify, because you can’t answer the question with sincerity. Half of you probably laughed when you read this paragraph and the one before, but this organization gives two types of scholarships, one for $5000 over two years, and 7 awards for $1000 each.
As scholarships go, $5000 can go a long way. Take your scholarship essays seriously, and remember who you will write to, and their aims. You also should recruit proofreaders for every essay to look for typos, grammar errors, style, flow and coherence. You want to sound good.
Last, keep applying. Don’t let a little 500 or 1000 word essay come between you and $1000 or $5000 of money for college. Look, that amounts to between $1 per word on up to $10 per word. You can do it.
Josephine
