Useful Billiards Game Resources & Products Online

Pool Cues

admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:32:51 +0000

Choosing your own pool cue is a personal thing. But learning a thing or two about pool cues doesn’t hurt either. In the game, pool cues are tapered sticks used to strike the balls. Its most important parts are the shaft and the butt. The shaft is often made of maple wood. While most are built of wood, there are some manufacturers producing pool cues in fiberglass and aluminum materials. The tip of the shaft plays an important key. They can be soft or hard. Hard tips are for breaking. Soft tips hold the chalk better but can easily wear out. The butt of the pool cue holds most of the weight. It is often inlaid with ebony or ivory. Major brands even put precious stones and metal. The design and craftsmanship in the butt can render pool cues of great value. Aside from the billiards balls, the pool cue is the most essential equipment any billiard player has to have. So get your own personal pool cue and make yourself look like a pro!

McFarland Pool Cues: A Touch of Scotland

admin — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:25:36 +0000

McFarland Pool Cues are of Scottish tradition. The feeling of history riding through your fingers and the spirit of the Scotts and the rustic highlands are alive in this cue. These cues have pinpointed inlay and wood work. They use a five point quality check to test the durability and sturdiness of each cue. These cues are created out of high quality materials. McFarland says that satisfaction is guarantied. These cues are affordable and are similar to a Griffin cue and an Action cue. One unique aspect of the McFarland Pool Cues is the joint called a “Proper Joint” which folds the cue in half. CueStix makes customer service a top priority. So, if you are a beginner or a professional in need of an affordable cue, the McFarland Pool Cues might be the right fit for you.

What Difference Do Top Quality Billiard Balls Make?

admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:25:04 +0000

Billiard balls are different for each kind of game, employing varying designs, sizes, and numbers. No matter what kind of billiards you’re playing, you’ll want top quality billiard balls. Since using billiard balls are essential to the game—and winning it—it is important that you have billiard balls that are of a high quality. Nowadays, billiard balls are constructed from materials casted from plastic. The advantage to such construction is that the balls are more resistant to damage such as chipping and cracking. The best billiard balls are developed to withstand the shock of being struck by the cue stick as well as by other balls, lasting longer despite the wear and tear caused by the game. Other types of materials such as clear acrylic and polyester have been known to be used in the construction of cue balls as well. With construction like this, you increase your chances of making a quality shot. Other factors such as balance, molecular structure, and density affect the quality of the ball. Consistency is also something to consider. For example, if a billiard ball’s density is inconsistent, it may result in the ball zigzagging, erratic behavior, and missing shots among many other things.

New Pool Table Felt

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:25:02 +0000

Pool table felt, or cloth, covers a billiard table, and its maintenance is very important to the effectiveness of your shot. The more a table is used, the more the cloth is worn down. If a cloth is so worn down that it affects the power of your shots, then you may want to consider purchasing some new pool table felt. How do you choose what kind of cloth to buy? Many grades are available. There are more durable cloths, used in public places, which make the cue balls go slower. For personal billiard tables, a cloth that has less friction is best, allowing the cue balls to move faster across the table when struck. This type of cloth has a fine finish and is smoother than the standard cloth frequently used in a bar or pub. Pool table felt is traditionally green, but they also come in blue or red. To keep from always having to buy new pool table felt, you should make sure that you always take proper care of it. Take steps to protect it from stains and soiling with protective treatment. Groom the felt twice a week with a brush to loosen chalk buildup.

Purchasing Pool Cues for Novices

admin — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:25:03 +0000

Billiards is played with cues, tapered sticks made of wood used to hit a cue ball. Cues can be a one or two piece stick divided by a metal joint in the middle. Some of the most high quality cues are two-piece cues made of exotic woods. Cheaper cues are made from a low-quality wood such as pine or maple. Similar to golf clubs, modern cues are also made with high-tech materials like woven graphite. When buying cue sticks, you should look for something in your budget but of a high enough quality to last a long time. It’s best to choose pool cues that have a tip that won’t scratch or damage the balls when striking them. The feel of the cue is also important. It’s vital that you choose a pool cue that you are comfortable with. Depending on the wood, a cue can vary in weight. Select one that isn’t too heavy or too light, but one that feels right when holding the cue stick and striking the billiard balls. Thickness is important, too, so find a cue that comfortably fits your hand. Cues come in various designs, and you now have the option of choosing one that reflects your personality.

General Rules of Pool

admin — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 07:01:19 +0000

These rules are general rules of the game of pool. When you rack the balls you must use a triangle, the top ball must be put on the foot spot. All balls in the rack must have contact with each other. When you strike the cue ball for the break it can only be touched by the cue tip, if any other part of the cue touches it will be considered a foul.

When you are playing a game where you need to call the shot, you must do so before making the shot. Such things as kisses or caroms do not need to be told. If you miss the ball when making a legal shot your turn is over and your opponent will take their turn. If you are doing a lag to determine who breaks you must both take a solid ball and shoot at the same time, whoever is closest to the cushion will get the break. You will lose the lag if your ball does not hit the foot cushion, or it pockets, or it jumps from the table, or you cross to your opponent’s side.

Once the break has been determined, the winner of the break will have the first shot. You must place the cue behind the head string and only hit by the cue. If the cue ball does not hit the balls directly it will be considered a foul and you will lose your turn. The opponent can make a choice between taking the break or giving it back to you.

If you have made a legal shot and made in one of your balls that is considered a pocketed ball. While playing pool you must have at least one foot on the floor when the cue tip touches the cue ball, if not you have committed a foul.

You are not allowed to shoot at a ball while it is moving. A turn is not done until the balls on the table are still. What does a foul cost a player? The turn will end for a player who has committed a foul, the stroke is not counted if the foul is made during the stroke, and balls must be re spotted to original spot.

When making a shot if you do not contact the object ball first it is a foul and you will lose your turn. A legal shot is when you have hit your object ball first and it can either be pocketed or stop on the table. Of course if you make the ball you get another turn.

The cue ball goes into a pocket it is a scratch, the turn is lost and the opponent begins his turn. If you strike a object ball that is not the legal ball you have fouled and again lose your shot. Hitting a cue ball more than once in a turn is considered a foul, this is a mistake but can happen. You may also accidentally hit an object ball with the cue tip, this will be a foul and you will again be done with your turn.

If a player accidentally drops chalk on the table or even the bridge this will be considered a foul. If you jump a ball by accident it will be a foul. Of course the same is to be said about a ball being jumped off the table, it is an accident but will be counted as a foul too.

These are only a few rules of pool, you can get a more in depth list on the internet or with a book about pool. They might also feature a few billiards tips to help you out.