Billiards Through The Centuries

Although it is an older sport than you might think, billiards is still in its prime. With sponsors for competitions viewed on channels such as ESPN, there is still an abundance of attention and focus on this sport. The United States Professional Pool Players Association is the ranking men's group within the states that moderates competitions and aficionados. In this article, we'll go over a brief history of the sport, an understanding of the diversity therein, and some common concerns for home installation.

The history of the sport of billiards goes back to Louis the XI of France who had lawn brought indoors and placed on an everyday table. This early form did not take hold with the public, but remained in the limelight of royalty. As the game became increasingly popular, the sport and specifically the pool tables were reengineered with rails, cloth over wood, and soon cushions, often made of felt or straw. By the 1840s, the tables were made of slate and the bumpers were beginning to take the shape they have now with rubber.

How To Play Pool: Tips & Tricks From The Experts!

Consider a Coin Operated Pool Table

Most people are familiar with pool tables and the game of billiards. And many people have their own tables in their home for entertaining.

However, some people are not aware that they can own a coin operated pool table regardless of where it will be placed. Though, most people that buy coin operated tables do have a business in which to place it.

With a high traffic location, they can make you a little money. Nearly all coin operated pool tables are owned by entertainment management companies that charge a fee of the money that it collects each and every month.

If you are not one that likes to have part of your profits given away each and every month then you could purchase your own table. Keep in mind though that you will need to cover repairs, upkeep, and the like.

The advantage of a commercial company that manages the pool table is that you never need to repair anything, or manage anything other than calling in for service repairs. There are two types of coin tables, manual or electronic.

Electric coin operated tables use electronics that collect money, display game information as well as having censoring info on the ball collection and retrieval. Overall the electrical variations will last longer, but the overall problem with them is that they are more difficult to work on.

Generally we recommend that owners that want a more streamlined income should purchase an older manual version. Generally manual tables use smaller cue balls to help pass and redirect them which is a simple solution and doesn't incur many problems.

If it is a white ball it knows to go through the deflecting device. The even older models that were originally created used a smaller ball to determine whether or not it should be locked up like the number balls or headed down the cue ball cute.

This small innovation allows you to have to deal less with the pool tables and focus on your business instead. Do keep in mind that the older tables are indeed a lot cheaper to purchase and maintain not requiring extensive knowledge about.

You can find a pool table in just about any style and look that you want. You can customize the cues, numbered balls, lighting, triangle, and even the windowed section of the pool table.

You will find pool tables come in three typical sizes, six seven and eight feet. It is suggested that you choose the eight foot pool table if you want to attract a true and fun game.

If your establishment is more focused on adults, then do not purchase a six foot table. Determine what type of crowd you are looking to attract; if you think they won't care about the pool you can select the older and easier to maintain variations.

Having a table at your business is a great way to keep the customers in your business spending money as well as a fantastic way to guarantee returning customers. People will stay and spend money more and more as a result of having a table in your business.

So if you are ready to purchase, the following tips will help you. Call a few distributors and inquire about prices. Each table will cost a couple thousand dollars but if you buy in bulk you may get a discount.

Also ask what accessories the tables come with; for each table, you'll need a full rack of balls, several cue sticks in different weights, a triangular rack, chalk, a brush for maintaining the felt and a wall rack for storing the cues. Decide on what options you'd like the table to include.

There are tables that only have a coin chute and there are some that have dollar bill acceptors. Consider the construction of the cabinets as they can be made of solid wood, plywood or plastic.

Lastly, consider the general appearance of the table and the image you want to promote. You can even choose felt colors if you so desire.

Choose a vendor and arrange for delivery. In most cases, they will be shipped via freight and this can add a significant cost to the total price so be sure to take this into consideration.

About the Author:

Jack R. Landry has played professional billiards for the last 19 years and written hundreds of articles about billiards and pool table.

Contact Info: Jack R. Landry JackRLandry@gmail.com http://www.PoolTables.com

The Legends Of Pool - An All Time Top Ten

The word "pool" is believed to have been derived from poolrooms, gambling halls for betting on horse races. The bets were "pooled" together to establish the odds. Pocket billiards tables kept the punters amused between races and the name caught on. The game of pool has thrown up a number of "legends" over the years:

Ralph Greenleaf won a total of 20 World Pocket Billiards Championship titles from 1919 to 1937 and amazed audiences with his exhibition trick shots. A combination of alcohol and wild living led this pool legend to an early grave at the age of 50.

Willie Mosconi, known as "Mr. Pocket Billiards," held 15 world titles during his era, setting a single game record of 127 balls in 1945, along with potting 546 balls consecutively in 1954.

Luther Lassiter, nicknamed "Wimpy," was a famous player from Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The winner of multiple world Championships and numerous other titles, Lassiter is most renowned for his mastery of the game of 9-ball at which he is widely considered one of the greatest players in history.

Efren Reyes, nicknamed "Bata" and "the Magician," is a dual world champion Filipino pool player, regarded as one of the all-time greats at 9-ball and one-pocket pool. He became the first ever non-American to win the US Open 9-Ball Championship when defeating Nick Varner in 1994. Reyes has won World Championships at both 8-ball and 9-ball pool, collecting the WPA Men's World 9-ball Championship in 1999, along with the inaugural WPA Men's World 8-ball Championship in 2004.

Eddie Taylor, the "Knoxville Bear," defeated Luther Lassiter in 1964 in Johnston City and is a dual world all-around tournament champion, although losing to Lassiter in the 1967 Johnston all-around finals. He is widely held to be one of the greats in one-pocket and bank pool.

John Layton is regarded as the most scientific pool player in billiards. A 12-times World 3-Cushion Champion, "The Diamond King" became famous for his "diamond system," using table marks to determine angles.

Steve Mizerak, a world champion pool player reigned during the 1970s and early 1980s in the game of 14.1 continuous. He won the US Open 14.1 pocket Billiards Championship in four consecutive years, from 1970 to 1973 inclusive, defeating Luther Lassiter (see above) in 1970 and 1973, Joe Balsis in 1971 and Danny DeLiberto in 1972. He was also successful in the PPPA World Pocket Billiard Championship (14.1) events of 1982 and 1983.

Left-hander, Mike "Captain Hook" Sigel is one of the best 9-ball players ever, illustrated by the most tournament wins in the 1980s and 1990s. Renowned for his defensive play, as with other top 9-ball players, he is also a "straight" pool champion with a high "run" of 346.

Earl Strickland is also believed to be one of the best all-time 9-ball players with numerous championship titles over 25 years, including the WPA Men's World 9-ball Championship in 1990, 1991 (the only player to successfully defend the title) and 2000 and the US Open 9-Ball championship in 1984, 1987 and 1997. He is also one of the most controversial characters with outspoken views and sometimes volatile behaviour at tournaments.

Ray Martin is one of the only 7 players to win at least three 14.1 titles, collecting "straight" pool world titles in 1971, 1974 and 1978. His "Cool Cat" nickname originates from the 1971 event, which he won during an earthquake. Martin has also won many 9-ball tournaments.

Article by GameTables4U a UK supplier of pool tables and other games tables.

The Pub Pool Table Has Finally Come of Age

Pub pool tables are the smaller version of the American pool table. Basically the English don't have the room available in the pubs and bars for the big American table. The compromise was the smaller 7 ft pool table found in most pubs and games areas around the UK. They nearly all have coin operated mechanisms in them and are there to generate extra income for the pub and to draw in more people. But what began as a purely commercial decision has led to a whole new division of the game of pool.

The English game has now got to such a level that tv companies are televising the tournaments now, like Eurosport and Sky. And the small table version has also spread into Europe and the commonwealth countries so there is a cosmopolitan feel to the small table tournaments now and the prize money on offer has crept up as well with the bigger tournaments now offering many thousands to the winner.

So what we know as English pool tables are more commonly known as pub pool tables because that was their genesis. The official tournament size of an English table is 7 ft by 4 ft and that is their external dimensions, the actual playing area is 6 ft by 3 ft. The game most often and almost exclusively played on English tables is 8 ball pool. The game has 7 red balls and 7 yellow balls and a black number 8 ball, after which the game is called. The object is to simply pocket all 7 of one of the colours either reds or yellows and then pocket the number 8 ball, after which you have won the game.

Pretty simple eh! But that is the beauty of the game, it is very simple to play but hard to get really good at and there are lots of people playing the game now, it is really competitive in those tournaments around the country. So from dodgy beginnings the pub pool table is here to stay and has finally come of age.

Author: George Pennwood, click this link for some examples of the pub pool table

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Pennwood