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.

American Pool Tables Vs English Pool Tables

There are two main types of pool table, upon which are played two quite different versions of the game.

Table Size

English pool tables range in size from 6ft to 8ft, though the official tournament size is 7ft. These sizes refer to the overall length of the table from 'rail to rail'. The playing surface of the competition size table is 6ft by 3ft.
American pool tables are usually 8ft or 9ft, with the official competition size being the 9ft table. Again the size refers to the total length of the table, and the playing surface on the 9ft competition table is 8ft x 4.5ft. In bars and clubs you do sometimes find 7ft American pool tables, referred to as 'bar boxes' because of their small size.

Pool Balls & Pocket Size

The ball sets used on English pool tables comprise 7 red, 7 yellow and 1 black balls. On modern tables the reds and yellows are solid colour, with the black having an '8' in a white circle upon it. The standard size for a 6ft, 7ft or 8ft English pool table is 2", with pockets usually being around an inch larger to accommodate the balls.

The ball sets used on American pool tables are numbered 1-15, which are split into 'solids' and 'stripes. Numbers 1-7 make up the solids, 8 is the black ball, and 9-15 the stripes. The set as standard is:

1. Yellow
2. Blue
3. Red
4. Purple (pink in some ball sets)
5. Orange
6. Green
7. Brown or burgundy (tan in some ball sets)
8. Black
9. Yellow and white
10. Blue and white
11. Red and white
12. Purple and white (pink and white in some ball sets)
13. Orange and white
14. Green and white
15. Brown (or burgundy) and white (tan and white in some ball sets)

The standard size for American pool balls is 2" ¼ with the pockets finished to a larger size than those on an English pool table.

Both English and American pool ball sets have a white cue ball as standard, which can feature red 'target' spots (though these are more typically seen on practice cue balls). In both English and American pool balls, Aramith (a Belgian manufacturer) are recognised as the industry leader in pool balls.

Cloth

English pool tables all have napped cloth, and the current official choice is Strachan West of England wool. The cloth is available in various weights which affect the speed of play and ball behaviour.
American pool tables feature 'speedball' worsted cloth, which has not nap. This makes the cloth much faster, and combined with the larger, heavier balls changes the character of the game significantly from English pool.

Play

The difference in table and ball size means that play on an American pool table is much faster, and potentially more technical than English pool. The larger balls mean the use of masse (high speed spin/side shots normally used in Carom billiards) is more prevalent, and in recent years it has become much more popular than the English version.

The popularity of '9 Ball' has contributed here, which is a faster version of pool played with just the balls numbered 1-9. The balls are racked in a diamond in ascending order from baulk to the bottom of the table. The aim of the game is to pot the 9, but the balls must be potted in ascending numerical order. Cannons and trick shots are allowed however, and you could get lucky and have a 'golden break'. This quick version of pool has become extremely popular in bars and club.

The author is associated with Top of The cue, supplier of pool tables. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arvindp_Sharma

The American Pool Cue

So, what makes a cue an American pool cue? Well for a start the cues used in the game of American pool are a different style and weight to English cues. The game of American pool is played on larger tables and with larger and heavier balls. Correspondingly the cues have a bigger tip and are slightly heavier to reflect this. Typically the tips of American pool cues are between 11 and 13 millimetres in diameter to give a better "grip" on the larger cue ball, and are around 20-22 ounces in weight instead of the lighter English pool cues which are somewhere around 17 - 19 ounces in weight.

Another subtle difference is in the style of play in the American game. American pool players often like to wrap their finger around the cue when playing a shot so this has led to cue shafts that are parallel or the same diameter for the first couple of feet to give a more comfortable grip on the cue whereas the English style of playing gives rise to a slightly tapered shaft all the way down the cue.

And then of course being American the decoration on the cues is a lot more flamboyant. They tend to have what they call linen wraps around the butt end of the cue which are basically linen thread tightly would around the cue butt and glued in place which gives a very good grip to the cue. These are brightly colored and make for stunning looking cues and decorations on the grip. The downside is that on the cheaper cues the wrap can unravel, making the cue look very tatty.

An American pool cue made by the great cue makers like Balabushka are collectible items these days fetching many thousands of dollars, so check who made your cue before you toss it aside and get a new one.

Author: George Pennwood

Check out some examples of the American Pool Cue.

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

Glass Pool Table

The most advanced pool table in the world, the G-1 features a glass and resin playing structure and striking modern design.

The patented transparent playing surface replaces the traditional felt but allows the balls to roll at the same speed.

Bumpers, pockets and playing area are built to international standards, so you can play your game the same, with more style.

The minimalist modern frame features integrated ball return allowing pocketed balls to be seen through the transparent top.