What's an old pool hustler to do?

Austin American Statement interviews Joel Cromleigh aka Showboat Joe, a veteran pool hustler who toured Atlantic City's pool halls back in the 1970's with legends such as Minnesota Fats and Willie Mosconi. At 74, connected to an oxygen tank (result of decades of passive smoking in pool halls), Showboat favors the domino board over the pool table but states that he misses the action.

Some highlights from the article:

On the origins of his nickname Showboat Joe:

"When he made the nine-ball on a break, he'd jump up in the air and do the splits when he landed. That's when they started calling him Showboat."

On the different types of pool games:

"Golf on the snooker table was strictly a money game. One-pocket required strategy, patience...Nine-ball was faster. You had to sink the nine-ball before your opponent. Making the nine-ball on the break was mostly luck."

On playing pool today:

"Last year, after being out of the game for years, Showboat Joe entered a local tournament just to see if he still had it. He came in second place."

Family Billiards

Newport Billiards is a family oriented billiards hall in more than one meaning. The new, Newport pool hall, retailer deli and espresso bar is a smoke-free venue, conveniently located across McDonalds. Owned and managed by a married couple, Darla and Joe Berry, who've opened the place in thought of their grandchildren's future. As Darla says to the Newport News reporter, "It's (pool - o.p.s) a lifetime sport - you see families connect and come together as something to do together." Joe is a good example for his wife statement: both of his parents were pool table builders who now run several show rooms in California.

Newport Billiards offers pool tables in variety of sizes to all ages and selection of pool games (9-ball, fourteen in one) on top of billiards and other gaming accessories. The bar doesn't serve any alcoholic drink and the deli offers delicatessen such as hotdogs, nachos and sandwiches. If you must have beer with your pool game, you can locate here more pool halls in Oregon.

9-Ball Pool News - Europe Team Wins Mosconi Cup

Some news updates from the real 9-ball pool world.
Yesterday, the European pool team for the 2007 Mosconi Cup defeated the American team. The final result was 11-8 to Europe, thanks to Ralph Souquet win over his American contestant at the last single match.

Mosconi Cup is one of the most important 9-ball events in the pool world. Named after pocket billiards legend, Willie Mosconi, the tournament runs for the last 14 years. This year, the event took place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and it was only the third victory for the European team.

More on 2007 Mosconi Cup

On Pool Trick-Shots & Artistic Pool

Watching pool trick shots is great fun, even if you are not particularly into cue sports. But what are they anyway? Magic? Con? Amazing cue ball control?

Once trick shots were the secret mastery of pool hustlers, but when you come to think of it, so was the game of pool. As soon as the term "trick shots" has been changed to "artistic pool", the mastery of making unbelievable shots has been taken more seriously.

Nowadays, there are trick shots/artistic pool competitions in both amateur and professional levels. The most important competitions are the "Trick Shot Magic" and the "World Masters Trick Shot Championship".

The winner of the "World Masters Trick Shot Championship" is Vincent Facquet. Check him out in action:

Pool Christmas Gifts for less than $100

Quickly, the time is running out and Christmas is almost here. And you don't want to start shopping a day before Christmas do you?

Speaking of time - a billiards wall clock in which the hours are marked by striped and solid object balls.



Billiards trick shot gadget -
Yes, this gadget will enable you to do this trick shot:


* Both Christmas gift ideas were taken from Things You Never Knew Existed website .

More Pool Gadgets/Gifts for Christmas

Following my Christmas gift post, here are some more (or less) cool pool gadgets you can buy the ones you love for Christmas:

Starting with the ultimate present for pool players, in fact, the ultimate present:

What would you say about a full size, 8-foot billiards table that comes with LCD TV screen, stereo speakers, DVD player, and a bar? Not the ideal table to practice your trick shots technique, but it certainly has some class, just try to scrap 12K of your piggy bank and it's yours.

If you are still in that generous mood, you might find thisVolkswagen Bus billiards table something you want to hide beneath the Christmas tree.

Stay tuned for more modest ideas for pool Christmas gifts.

Pool Trick Shot with a Bottle

Pool trick shots with extra facilities (cue sticks, racks, glasses, etc.) always look more impressive. For example, check out this trick shot taken with a bottle. Can you understand what is going on here? Cause if you do, I would like some clarifications.

Pool trick shot video - long time no see....

I know, I known, I've been babbling too much lately. This time, I'll take a short break and let you sit back and enjoy a great pool trick shot - The Butterfly.

Just look and learn:

Pool Gifts for Christmas

What are you buying your beloved pool fan for Christmas?

Providing he/she already have a key ring in the shape of an 8-ball, a more original idea is required. In this post and probably few other posts (yes, I dig this continuance posting thing) I will review some of the coolest, useless pool and billiards gadgets around.



The first one is a 3D pool table, a 3-floor pool table that can be played both vertically and horizontally. It comes with 2 cues, 2 cue balls and 8 object balls of two different colors. The object is to pocket all balls to the lowest floor and to tackle the opponent by shooting the balls up to the highest floor (or at someone's eye).

To be honest, if I had to choose between this pool table and a USB Christmas tree I would go for the latter, but that's the kind of holiday spirited I am! Anyway, I haven't try it myself, it is just a superficial impression. If you have, I'd be happy to hear about it. If you have any other ideas for desirable Christmas gifts, please let me know.

More Billiars Blogs

In my previous post I reviewed some of my favorite billiards blogs on the web. But, why should you trust my opinion? You shouldn't, I am telling you. There are dozens of billiards blogs out there, and an even number of billiards blogs directories. These are only some of them:




Blog Directory - Directory, reviews and more. Your one-stop blog spot!
Games Blog Directory


Blog Directory
BloggerNow.com





The Blog Resource
My Blog Directory
Blog Sweets
Blogging Fusion Blog Directory

Top 5 Pool-Billiard Blogs

There's more than one thing a pool enthusiast can do with the internet; on top of playing online pool 24/7 one can also read (as well as manage) blogs about pool and billiards!

From in-depth reviews on the history of billiards to blogs written by pro players through silly little pool blogs, the blogosphere is loaded with pool and billiards fans who enjoy sharing their insights, experiences and impressions on the game.

In this post I want to recommend on my favorite pool/billiards/snooker blogs. These recommendations are entirely based on my personal liking, so all you unmentioned pool bloggers out there, despair not! You still have the chance to be included in my next review of pool and billiard blogs.

Best Pool-Billiards Blogs (in my opinion and in random order)

Ace's Pool Blog

Is Ace my lost soul mate? Could be! The guy who describes himself as "an incredibly lousy pool player" and later confesses on spending too much time in front and too little around the pool table, is a sharp writer and, at least according to his blog posts, a knowledgeable pool player.

Diary of a Pool Shooter

First thing you notice when you enter Fast Mikie blog is its beautiful design. This is exactly how my dream pool room looks like! Additionally, the blogger knows how to rhyme! And most importantly, he shows to support to his fellow bloggers! In one liner: informative pool blog written in verses with pool videos, info on pool tournaments in California (not to mention Fast Mikie's pics as a toddler …)

Kendrick’s Billiards Blog

The greatness of Kendrick’s Billiards Blog (which has recently celebrated its 3 years anniversary) is known and acknowledged. Written by the owner of a billiards hall in Bellingham, Washington, Kendrick's blog is filled with smart, funny and fascinating stories from his workplace. Moreover, he is not skimping in providing tips and advice for pool hall owners and wannabes.

Guardian's Games Blog

Not exactly a pool-billiards blog, still if you are interested in online pool games, there is more than the slightest chance that you'd appreciate the Guardian's blog dedicated to online games, mobile games, game consoles, game culture and so on. Updated on a daily basis, the blog is one of the best places on the internet to keep track on the ever changing gaming market.

Snooker Billiards Pool

A relatively new blog ran by a guy who lives world of pool (and snooker and billiards) equipment. But technical specifications of all sorts of billiards accessories is not all you can find here; Snooker Billiards Pool blog is seasons with snooker-billiards-pool news from both sides of the Atlantic. Its main hitch is that it updates rarely. Anyway, if you are a sucker for new, shining cue sticks, Snooker…blog is worth following.

Chalk Chalk

One of the things I like about playing online pool is not having to get my hands all filthy with chalk (which by the way, contains nothing but actual chalk). Anyway, not everyone is like me and I know that many of my readers do tend to mess up their hands once in a while.

In a "survey" I bumped into not long ago I learned an interesting fact: while the newbie pool player chalks the cue tip very often, the intermediate player remembers to use that white substance only once in 3-4 shots. And if you thought that the average of chalking decreases with level, think again: apparently, the pros chalk after each and every shot.

I believe the lesson here is pretty obvious - if you want to play like the pros, chalk constantly. However, if you want to maintain you stick properly, do not forget to clean it from the remains of the chalk when you're done shooting them balls.

Wii's New Pool Game

New pool platform was recently released by the Wii. Pool Party offers about a dozen pool games including the popular 8-ball and 9-ball as well as straight pool, snooker and some single player pool games in which the player's goal is to clear the billiards balls off the table in less time as possible.

I haven't tried it, but the online edition of the Village Voice slaughtered it...
I'd be more than happy to hear more opinions and experiences. Please, do comment for a change.

New World Record Billiards Break!

The world's record billiards break was broken! It happened two days ago, on the first day of the New Zealand Open Billiards Championships by Peter Gilchrist, a 39 years old English billiards pro and the Singapore Snooker & Billiards Association Coach.

The new world record billiard break is 1346; 100 points more than the former world record, which was set by the Indian billiards master Geet Sethi about 15 years ago.

The new world record is also a new record for Gilchrist, whose former highest break was 917.

Creative uses of Billiards Equipment - Don't try at home!

Recently I wrote a post on billiards balls following a news story on an ex-cup who smashed an office window using a billiard ball. Now I read about a gang who attacked another gang using pool cues and socks stuffed with billiards balls. What's wrong with you people!

Not that I support and/or encourage violence of any kind, however, this story inspired me again to write a post on the history of the cue stick.

Billiards games used to be played with a wooden mace, instead of the contemporary cue stick, until the beginning of the 17th century. First, the handle of the mace was used to remove the balls from the edges of the table. Later on, only the handle (queue in French) was used in billiards games.

Only two hundreds years later the leather cue tip was invented. The invention is credited to the French man Captain Mingaud. Thanks to Mingaud's invention, the cue ball control improved significantly.

Did you know?

• Women were not allowed to use cue sticks on the 17th century. They weren't to be trusted near the billiards table felt...
• Captain Mingaud had a billiard table in his prison cell.
  

Snooker players are such good people...

Can you believe this story?
Four of the world's top snooker players (Ronnie O'Sullivan, Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and Neil Robertson) have gathered to give a young snooker fan an unforgettable 18th birthday present: an autographed cue stick.
And you thought all they do is play poker and snort cocaine...

Things you can do with a Billiard Ball...

A former Chicago policeman is charged for allegedly smashing an insurance office's window using a billiards ball. Even though today's billiard balls are no longer made of wood or ivory (today's billiard balls are composed of plastic composition like phenolic resin, polyester, acrylic etc), they can surely damage a window!

Billiard balls have a long and destructive history. At the beginning, they were made of wood, and the only thing they could damage was themselves. Let's just say that after a few games the balls didn't look much like balls and you could hardly tell the colored balls from the white ball.

Later on, billiard balls were made of ivory. It means that for every set of billiards balls you had to kill about 2-3 elephants. Not that the anyone cared about the elephants lives, the main problem was that the elephants' hunters lives were risked at the process.

Later on, a special composition called cellulose nitrate composed the billiard balls. Though its inventor, John Wesley Hyatt was induced to the Billiards Hall of Fame, the preparation of the billiards balls materials was explosive. Literally.



More on billiards balls history

Pool Poll

OK, I don't exactly know how to manage it technically (to tell you the truth, besides playing internet pool I'm not much of an internet freak) . Anyhow, one question, few answers, feel free to comment.

Which pool video would you like mostly to watch (embed in your site and spread across the World Wide Web)?

1. Pool Trick Shots
2. Pro pool matches and championships
3. Amateur pool games or funny home pool videos (such as cats playing pool)
   
4. pool tutorials

The Coolest Pool Trick Shots

Really! The best pool video I've ever seen, and trust me, I've seen lots of them...
It's a bit long, but it shows one magic after another... Watch for yourself:



More on pool trick shots

Play89 Pool Blog

In this post I want to recommend on a new pool and billiards blog I ran into, called Play89 Pool Blog. First I thought it's Play89 pool site official blog, but it isn't. It's a personal blog of someone whose entire life surrounding around online pool games, billiards news, and so on... So familiar so it almost hurts...

Why Play Pool?

If you already play pool, you don't need to look for reasons to play pool. But if you're not addicted to pool yet, this might convince you:

Pool is a fun and exciting game with a long and rich history. Pool rules are quite easy to grasp and once you get the basics of pool your achievements improve significantly.

Moreover, as opposed to other sports game, you can play pool at any age and with (almost) every physical disability. Especially if you play pool online...

So, why do you play pool?

More Reasons to Play Pool

All about billiards....

If you are fans of useless trivial information, like myself, you will enjoy reading this: an article about billiards' unknown facts.
Actually, some of this "unknown facts" did ring some bells, but maybe I'm not such as a good example...
Other facts, like the story about the first billiards female champion, I won't spoil you the surprise, but it is quite an amazing story.
The bottom line, if you are interested in billiards, history, or of you like to fill your head with trivial data and then pour it out in some boring dinner, you should read this.

Billiards (more or less) unknown facts

More pool videos and a personal exposure

When I'm embedding videos instead of writing posts and opening discussions, it usually means that I have no time to write. But not this time. This time, I thought I'd combine the reason we gather here every week (our mutual love to online pool and pool in general) with another one of my hobbies.
You may imagine me as a tough and ruthless pool shark. Which is true, but I have a soft side too. I can wipe you on the (virtual) billiard table and then visit one of my favorite lol cats websites.
This video combines two of my great loves since it shows a (cute!) cat that plays 9ball I think on a home billiard table. And, yes, I know, you are all sick and tired of watching cute cats do cute things. But this is really funny, trust me!



More pool videos (mainly 9 ball)

Snooker Players who Play 9Ball

I have recently noticed that many snooker players are also 9 ball players on top of many 9 ball players who were snooker players in the past.

For example, snooker champion Jimmy White who plays 9 ball in tournamnets and exhibitions who has been recently playing 9 ball pool at the online pool room play89. And Ronnie O'Sullivan, whom I read somewhere quit snooker in the favor of pro 9 ball. I'm sure there are other names which I can't recall right now.

I sure understand why people, especially snooker players, want to play 9 ball. Don't get me wrong,it is a great game. I'm just wandering if there are other reasons for these career changes.

Is 9 ball more challenging than snooker? Is it an inevitable move?

Is it something to do with money?

If you have any idea, please share with me.

Online Pool & Online Backgammon

I never thought these two games have something in common. As you all know, I am a big fan of pool but I never really get into backgammon. I do play backgammon once in a while, especially online.

Anyway, while searching for tips and guidance on position play in billiard, I ran into this article titled "Positioning the Cue Ball" and after a chapter and a half came to realize that the article actually talks about backgammon.

It didn't cross my mind before that backgammon and pool deal with positions. Moreover, backgammon and pool both are skill games played with two players that can be played online as well as offline.

More analogues between pool and backgammon or any other game are welcome.

In the meantime, play online pool and/or online backgammon and have fun!

More pool games

One thing I like about billiards is that the diversity of pool games is never ending. At the beginning, 8 ball was the only game I've ever known. When I got deeper into pool and billiards, I learned about 9 ball (which is currently my no. 1 pool game), straight pool, snooker, one pocket, and cutthroat.

But I keep hearing and reading about more and more pool games: cowboy pool, kelly pool, cribbage pool... Are there any other pool game I'm not aware? Please let me know.

When you play pool online, you'll mostly find online 8 ball, 9 ball, and snooker games. Some online pool sites have straight pool, and fewer have carom billiard games. I read somewhere that yahoo pool intends to add cutthroat pool game. If you know something I don't, do let me know.

Online pool problems & solutions

Did this ever happen to you?

You are playing online pool game for fun (in a free pool room such as yahoo pool or other) and you are doing so well that you wish you would have played for money?

It happens to me all the time.

But I'm not telling you this just to brag about my really excellent pool skill.

The reason I'm bringing up this aching problem is that there's a new solution to it!

Listen to this story:

Yesterday, I was playing 9ball for fun on play89. After I sinked that 9ball :D, I got a pop-up suggesting me to move to the real money mode and to earn this amount of money for real...

Guess what I did next...

Most popular online pool site

The most popular online pool site is Yahoo! pool. I assume that at least 100,000 players are playing 8ball or 9ball pool over there right now.

What yahoo pool has to offer?

8ball and 9ball pool games, no download, nice, but very basic graphics.
pool tournaments by the hour (no money prizes).


Try it and let me know what you think about it/

More on Yahoo Pool

What happens to the cue ball on coin-op pool tables?

What causes the cue ball to return from a scratch when playing pool on a coin operated tables?
Where the ducks went when the lagoon got all icy and frozen over?
Did you ever wander about it?

Well, I don't have any breaking news about the ducks, but if this cue ball paradox has held you from sleeping, I've got some relaxing news for you.

It turns out that the cue ball happily returns to the table after the scratch because it is slightly bigger than the object balls or because a magnetic mechanism controls the mechanism of the table.
If you want clearer explanations, you can find them in this article:
Pool Cue Ball by Play89.
I know what you are asking now... How can I play pool with a heavier cue ball? Will the Earth's magnetic field spoil my aim?
Well... I guess you'll have to answer these by yourself

Cutthroat Billiard

Cutthroat billiard, you must love the sound of it... cutthroat billiard is a pocket billiard (pool) game that can be played, actually has to be played by three players. It's not a tournaments game, therefore there aren't official rules. Here's how it usually played:

1. Each of the 3 participants is assigned a group of balls.
2. The object is to pocket the balls of your opponents.
3. The last player who has at least one ball unpocketed, wins the game.

Tips:

Don't play against your good buddies. Cutthroat pool, also known as screwyerbuddy pool is known for destroying relationships.

Warnings:

Don't play against your good buddies. Cutthroat pool, also known as screwyerbuddy pool is known for destroying relationships.

9Ball Pool

It's less familiar than 8ball pool, but 9ball is one of the most exciting pool games you can play.

It is played with only 9 object balls. The object of 9ball is to pocket the 9-ball. On each shot, the the cue ball must first contact the lowest numbered ball on the table, but the balls need not be pocketed in order. The player who pockets the 9-ball wins the game and a player who've committed 3 consecutive fouls loses the game.

If you want to practice playing 9ball online, there are some good news for you. Play89 has added 9ball pool game to its pool software. To download the 9ball pool game and play online 24/7 click here

Coolest Pool Room in the World!

Hi

I have a question:

Do you have a home billiard room?

I don't, but hey, I can play pool 24/7! no fuzz and no attachment.

Anyhow, I'll be happy to receive pics of your home billiard room.

Here's a pic of a cool pool room I found on the net:

Thoughts on Pool Trick Shots (no photos)

Recently, as you might have noticed, my blog focused on pool trick shots. I posted many videos and photos of some really stunning trick shots.
First, to be honest, I did cause I didn't have any time nor inspiration to actually write (which is going to change, watch out!)
Second, trick shots is something that you cannot really take your eyes off. (you can't can you?)
I've been wondering about these trick shots. Some of them (like those with the dominoes) look really hard to perform. While others, I believe, with some practice you can manage them.
What do you think?
And the most important question - can you perform online pool trick shots?

No, you can't. But you can earn lots of money make new friends!

Jimmy Whites plays online pool!

Hi all!
I just heard some amazing news that I had to share with you.
Jimmy White, one of my favorites snooker players has signed with play89 pool room and will be playing on the site's platform every week.
So now you'll be able to say "I outplayed Jimmy White"! :)

For more details:
Jimmy White plays snooker at Play89

More on Pool Trick Shots

Did you think that pool trick shots is just fun? Think again. Gospel Trick shots (GTS) combines amazing pool and billiard trick shots with missionary.
Something like that:


Don't think that I'm trying to push you to the arms of Christianity. Not that I am against it, but I would prefer you to play online pool for real money.

More cool pool trick shots

Hello all you Pool fans!

I'm back after a not too long enough vacation with some new pics from my friend and silent reader Poolinsk:



and



For more cool pool pics

Crazy Billiards!

Hi my two and a half readers! (hi mom)

Another crazy billiards trick shot is coming up:

Online Pool vs, Poolhall pool

Many pool fans are telling me that there's nothing to compare between online pool and regular pool, the one played in smoky, crowded poolhalls, if you're lucky, or the pool played in poolhalls/bowling allies full of noisy, enthusiastic teenagers.
I, on the other hand, claim that there's nothing to compare playing pool at home, in the middle of the night, or during work, on my favorite seat with my favorite music on.
Anyway, this argument can go on and on forever. So, why argue at all? You can play online pool, you can play offline pool, you can play both or neither. As long as you have fun!

One of my favorite pool games

One of my favorite pool games is pokerball.
It is a unique pool game played with standard pool equipment on a pool table with a standard deck of cards.
Here you can read about the rules. In short, I can tell you that each player is dealt 7 cards and the players have to shoot the balls that corresponds with the value of the cards he was dealt.
It is one of the greatest pub games that combine pool skills. Try and Enjoy!

Cool Pool trick shots

OK, let's take a short break from the heavy stuff.

Instead, let's watch cool pool video that shows crazy Japanese pool trick shots

Just when I was about to give up on you

I've got an email! An anonymous reader who uses the nickname "Gripman" responded to my
previous post sent a recommendation on his favorite pool hall. In his words:

"My favorite pool hall is Bogie's Billiards in Buffalo, NY. They have very good pool tables (8 Diamond Tables, 8 Gold Crowns) and one billiard table. But the best thing about the place is the helpful, friendly and nice staff that makes the environment warm and welcoming for even the most unknowledgeable pool player!"

That's in "Gripman" words. The place also received good reviews here

that's all for now. keep those emails coming!

Best pool room in New Jersey!

Hi,






This week I want to recommend on the best pool room in New Jersey. It is called Q Ball Billiards and it is placed on 1501 Route 37 E in Toms River. In Q Ball Billiards, you can find the newest, cleanest pool tables in town and the best pool equipment in the state. The atmosphere is very friendly and even though the place is surrounded with pro players, you can still play without feeling intimidated. The service is also great and the employees are very knowledgeable and helpful.

If you want to recommend on your favorite pool room in the US or any other country, please send your comment.

All about One Pocket Pool

One pocket is one of the smartest, sophisticated pool games. It somehow resembles straight pool , but much more complicated and challenging since only one of the 6 pockets is in use. Actually 2, one pocket for each player.
The object of the game is to score a total of 8 point by legally pocketing the object balls into the specific target pocket. In other words, each time you pocket a ball, you get one point. However, if you pocket an object ball into the target pocket of your opponent, he will get one point, and so on.
As you can see, one pocket rules are not very complicated, but playing it requires a lot of experience with various shooting techniques.
Here you can find the official rules of one pocket and here one pocket glossary.

Let's talk about Snooker

Let's talk about snooker . Did you know that the game of snooker was invented by Sir Neville Francis Fitzgerald Chamberlain in India about 200 years ago? Well neither have I. And did you know that the original meaning of the word snooker was an insult to ignorant players? I had no idea. I just learned it from here. I'll end this short post (really have to run, I apologies before my loyal followers) with yet another question:
do you know what's the meaning of "snooker" in snooker?



(you can find the answer here

we'll talk again next week

Who's the best pool player in history?

Following the success of my previous post (0 comments and still counting) I hereby announce on the launch of a second discussion:
Who, in your opinion, is the best pool player of all times?
Feel free to overload my mailbox with answers and suggestions

The first time I played pool online

It took me about two years of playing pool online (mainly 8-ball pool in variety of sites, some of them are no longer exist) before I played pool live. It was at a party and eventhough it was the first time, my vast experience playing onilne helped me beat them all up (well, except for one, but don't let that destroy a good story).
Anyway, I just wanted to give you a preview on what's gonna be included in my new blog. I hope to post at least once a week and share with you my opinions and experiences as a pool player on the internet. And, of course, I would love to hear your opinions and experiences as pool fans. So, If you have been through similar or opposite experiences, you are welcome to add them as comments.