Online Pool Sharking

Snooker Dog is Dead

2008-07-29T12:02:00.000-07:00

Sad news for snooker fans, dogs lovers and everyone who has a heart not made of stone. Blue, the snooker dog from Britian's Got Talent died from a tractor accident. To make it more tragic, the tractor was driven by Blue's owner...

In Blue's memory:

Play Snooker till your 100?

2008-07-15T08:56:00.000-07:00

In a once in a life time coincidence I ran into two stories about two different men who share two things in common: both of them were born in June 1908 (which means they celebrated their 100th anniversary last month) and both of them share an active interest in snooker.

The younger one, Joe Auty of West Ardsley, England had quit playing snooker not so long ago, but he took his incredible potting skill outside, to the crown green bowling field, and stayed there. Fred Moore, of Oak Tree Courts, who has about a week fore on Joe Auty, still visits the local snooker club every Friday. As he said to the Hunts Post "They always say you silly fool you can't play snooker, but I'm okay once I get to the table...its just getting myself there."

Unbelievable. So what do you say? Just a coincidence or is there something in snooker that guarantees living longer than the average?

Does Office Pool pull away the Fun?

2008-06-30T00:55:00.000-07:00

Today, the day after Euro 2008 final match, is pay day in may offices in Europe. This festive occasion made me think about the ritual called the office pool.

A recent study, taken by Professor Stephen Nowlis and Associate Professor Naomi Mandel of Arizona State University's W. P. Carey School of Business, shows that even those who grabbed all the other employees dough underwent feelings of discomfort, emotional uncertainty and inability to enjoy the event. And if we are talking about a long event, such as the 16-weeks season of Survivor, we are talking about a never-ending misery…

In other words, the feeling of "anticipated regret" is a much more aching experience than simply not giving the correct prediction and loosing the pool. The research arrives to the conclusion that the only way to enjoy watching a reality show or a major sports event is by sinking into the succession of images on the TV screen, without trying to predict the winner.

What office pool has got to do with pool, as in pool game, you are probably wondering now. Well, pool game is a sports event you can wager on (and lose all the fun), isn't it?

Pool and Gambling from the Duchess Eyes

2008-06-16T04:09:00.000-07:00

Pool and gambling always have been associated with one another. Obviously, not everyone is happy with it; pool associations prefer the term billiard and pool players insist on being referred to as sportspeople. For women pool players the battle is double: they do not only have to prove that pool players are as hard workers as any other athletes, they also do it in a masculine, often hostile, environment.

Take Allison Fisher for example. The leading 9-ball pool player talked with R.A. Dyer, the righteously appraised billiards writer, about maintaining the classy image of pool in the action packed and testosterone filled air of pool tournaments such as the Derby City Classic.

The gambling association of pool especially harms the sports when major sponsorships are called for, says the Duchess of Doom in the interview, and notes that almost every pool movie ever produced was dealing with pool hustling in fishy pool halls instead of playing respectable tournaments. Pool tournaments, she adds, is a much safer place for a girl who wants to improve her pool skills, than a pool room full of sharks where once you win you've got to have a body guard watching your back on your way home.

Allison Fisher "The Duchess of Doom" at the 2007 US Open final

Pool Accessories

2008-05-22T06:36:00.000-07:00

When you are playing pool off-line, does your bridge hand often get too sweaty to grip? Does your glasses frame disturb you from seeing the full picture? Lucky for you, greater minds have found solutions to these issues.

Pool Gloves

Wearing gloves while playing pool often feels awkward and makes it difficult on the bridge hand, on the other hand, pun not intended, bare hands tend to get too sweaty, and the result is a chain reaction that starts with the cue stick slide and ends with a miss. Nancy Cote special "ungloves" or "finger slides" were designed to prevent such occurrences. This unique pool accessory is made of breathable fabric and it covers only the part of the hand in touch with the cue at a closed or an open bridge, i.e. the middle and the index fingers, the web between them and the thumb. The pool finger slides come in 4 different sizes and 4 colors, and they are priced at 15$ a pair.

Pool Glasses

Being a bespectacled pool player is not easy: when aiming the glasses slip down your nose, when trying to peep at the cue ball above the lenses, a blurry image of the pool table appears in front of your eyes. So, if you don't want to wear contact lenses or look like Dennis Taylor, special billiard eyeglasses can solve this problem. There are several products designed especially to deal with short sighted pool players. Most of them offer more or less the same thing: undersized frame, large spectacles (usually start from the middle of the forehead all the way down to the middle of the nose), higher bridge and those handle extensions to protect the glasses from falling or moving out of place (as in children's glasses).

Billiard Players Mental Injuries

2008-05-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

Though billiard is one of the safest sports, professional pool and snooker players are not 100% bullet proof. Not long ago I mentioned the Repetitive Strain Injury, known as RSI, the most common pool injury, which also attacks people with keyboard attached to their fingertips. And in an amazing coincidence I read about the mental injuries typical to snooker players.

The World Snooker Championship, which ended yesterday with the triumph of Ronnie "The Rocket" O'sullivan, drew millions of viewers mainly from the UK and China. So while the home viewers were fascinated to O'Sullivan, or whoever was playing at the moment clearing the table, his match opponent had to do the same thing. Or in the Telegraph's words: "…the mental strain of being forced to sit powerlessly through your opponent's century break can scarcely be underestimated. Protocol demands that you have to sit there and watch it… Plugging yourself into an iPod, or reading a newspaper, would probably be frowned upon…"

It is not surprising why top ranked snooker players (O'Sullivan among them) tend to suffer from clinical depression, while others develop drugs and alcohol dependency.

But that's nothing comparing to the comment committed by one Wilson, who witnessed, a rare but apparently true, snooker physical injury: "Playing a shot, on a rather old table, his hand ran along the side of the table and a large splinter of wood came off and was embeded between his thumb and forefinger. He did miss the pot."

OUCH! THAT HURTS!!!

Billiard Balls Continue to Evolve...

2008-04-22T11:58:00.000-07:00

If the first billiard balls were made of wood, elephants died to create their advanced color-proof variation and today's biliard balls are made of plastic, how will the next generation of billiard look like?
Hairy!
No kidding, scientists at the Royal Institute of Medford, UK found a way to grow hair on a billiard ball. And if billiard balls can entertain lice on their dreadlocks, even the most follicularly challenged dude can hide a comb in jeans' pocket.

(and thanks to the Spoof News for the inspiration and entertainment)

Billiard and Muscles, Billiard vs. Golf

2008-04-06T11:32:00.000-07:00

And more on the subject of billiard and muscles, this time I'll start with a quote of Richard Carrier, the sports columnist of Powhatan Today:

"…golfers actually have physical skill levels equal to that of billiard players. They both have the ability to make a ball curve, the ability to read the speed of the green/felt and good hand-eye coordination. The only difference is that, with the golfer, success is in the tools he uses and, more often than not, he who has the more expensive tools/toys wins. And billiard players cut down an insignificant number of trees."

And once again, billiard players get the upper hand; playing billiard requires you neither to build an iron body nor to spend tons of money on expensive equipment!

(Only Kidding; it is known that the billiard pros must have a Spartan training routine, which often requires a home pool table and that my friends isn't cheap at all! But seriously, the guy had a smart point, I couldn't say it any better.)

And speaking of golf and billiard, here's another analogy between the two types of sports:

"…snooker (and golf) are the easiest sports to fix. Both are individual sports often gambled upon and in both of them missing a shot does not have to look that obvious. But unlike golf players who’ve been practicing their sports on green grass among white collars, the natural habitats of snooker players are smoky billiards parlor swarming with dubious characters."

(from Play89 blog who comments to L A Odicean weblog)

Play Pool for your Tuition Fees

2008-03-16T03:35:00.000-07:00

If neither your brains nor your muscles can gain you a college scholarship, you still got hope. Assuming you know how to play pool. The University of Akron, Ohio has founded a unique scholarship program for extremely talented pool players.

Founded by the UA alumni Barry Lefkowitz and a former billiards champion of the institute, the program will cover $1,000 tuition fees or books of three students each fall or spring semester. Due to his generous contribution to the university billiards culture, the billiards parlor is named after him.

If you reckon your pool shooting skill are scholarship worthy, you can reveal them at the upcoming Lefkowitz scholarship tournament scheduled to Saturday, March 29 at the Barry Lefkowitz Billiard Parlor. The 9-ball pool tournament offers $1,000 prize to the winner, $500 to the finalist and $250 prize to the semi finalist.

Unfortunately, no one pays you to play online pool yet...

Is Pool Bad for your Masculine Image?

2008-03-05T07:19:00.000-08:00

Georgina Chang, the host presenter of the Guinness 9 Ball Tour on STAR Sports, writes to The Star Online about the low sex appeal of pool, especially when compared to more sweaty, muscular and masculine sports such as football, car racing and even swimming.

You must admit that her points are quite convincing. Pool players are not the typical alpha males, yet playing pool has some advantages to your self esteem.

On one hand, you don't have to look like this to play pool:

On the other hand, pool players get to wear suits and compete in air conditioned halls and they hardly ever face this kind of danger:

And to be serious for a moment, the level of concentration demanded from pool players is very high or in Chang's words: "They need a computer-like brain that works in lightning speed to compute and process the many permutations one can take to pocket a ball… under the pressure of just three minutes".

How to avoid common pool injuries

2008-02-18T00:16:00.000-08:00

Speaking of pains, strains and wrist aches, what about you pool players? Do you feel any physical inconvenience following hours of pool shooting? As the online pool shark that I am, I must admit that my right palm tends to hurt sometimes from cueing with the mouse, but what does a real pool cue can do to your body?

In fact, professional pool players suffer from the same syndrome as grey mouse people. Repetitive Strain Injuries also known as RSI or more specifically Tendinitis is the inflammation of a tendon following chronic overuse of a specific body area. This type of injury is common to most athletes and may appear at several body parts mainly the lower and upper limbs.

So, now what? How can you avoid the inevitable future of unbearable pain? If you play pool, as in real-life pool, they say by using proper pool technique and some special pool accessories can help. If you play online pool, as in playing wii, maybe you should take longer breaks between one pool session to another. (or at least do not run to type all about it).

Playing Wii can risk your wrists

2008-02-04T06:50:00.000-08:00

Lee Harvey, an osteopath of Weston Chiropractic Clinic in Weston Mercury, UK, says he's been treating patients who suffer from neck and wrist pains after playing Wii games, especially older gamer who stretch their limit, literally, to give a fight to the younger competitors.

As an expert in the field of Wii pains and complaints, Harvey wrote a brief guide to Wii gamers. In the do's section he suggests:

Straighten up the wrists and keep them in the same level as the elbows
Play right in front of the screen

And in the don's section he warns the gamers from:

Playing over 20 successive minutes
Gripping the controller forcefully

I here by give credit to the Online Edition of The Weston Mercury.

Sharks Serve Drinks to Pool Sharks

2008-01-20T07:09:00.000-08:00

Hockey players found an original way to thank their sponsors. Continue reading to find out what it has to do with pool.

Members of the American Hockey League Worcester Sharks served as bartenders for one night at the Boston Billiard Club, one of the league's proud sponsors. This gratitude gesture took place on Saturday night, January 19, right after the Sharks game against the Providence Bruins at the DCU Center, a game in which they eventually lost 4-3.

With its selection of Brunswick Gold Crown, and large TV sets Boston Billiard Club is one of the top pool halls in Worcester, New England and a leading entertainment destination for local sports fans. On Saturday night, the disappointed fans of the Worcester Sharks had a unique opportunity to drown their sorrows in drinks mixed by their favorite Hockey stars. And it sure ain't a common comfort for sports fans!

What a way to get rid of your billiards table...

2008-01-09T01:04:00.000-08:00

Two guys in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic had to chop down their billiard table after both men's hands got stuck inside the table while looking for lost billiards balls. Just like me, the folks thought it was funny, but spending too much time motionless they had to use their spare hands to call the fire squad, which had to slice the billiards table to set the men hands' free.

Ha, what a relief. It reminds the time I had to cut off a straw chair when my cat's got his head stuck. :-)

On Billiards and Physics

2008-01-03T00:48:00.000-08:00

What sets apart a natural born pool player from the average one? On top of the obvious gifts (focused eye, steady hand and good correlation between them), a pool player usually has an intuitive understanding of physics.

In an interview to Frontline – India's National Magazine, Sheldon Lee Glashow, co-winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics and the proud owner of a home antique billiards table, talks about his upcoming book on the relations between billiards and physics. Prof. Glashow bases the billiards part of the book on his past experience as a student who has been spending long hours at the university pool room studying the movements of billiards balls.

"Physics and the Game of Billiards" will discuss "variety of mathematical methods and applies them to the motions and impacts of hypothetical spherical bodies" such as the interactions between billiards balls, cue tips, billiards table rails during a pool game. The book intends to be approachable to every pool fan, including those who've majored in arts, but its main objective is to introduce mathematical physics theories to students in a very vivid way.

What's an old pool hustler to do?

2007-12-27T05:24:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-20T07:35:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-17T01:11:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-11T01:01:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-03T05:45:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-26T06:15:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-19T07:37:00.001-08:00

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....

2007-11-14T07:29:00.001-08:00

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

2007-11-11T10:09:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

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

2007-10-31T00:57:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-23T05:44:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-17T06:35:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-10-09T03:14:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-10-02T03:12:00.000-07:00

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...

2007-09-25T09:50:00.000-07:00

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...

2007-09-19T00:39:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-11T07:22:00.000-07:00

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)?

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

The Coolest Pool Trick Shots

2007-09-04T04:47:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-28T07:54:00.000-07:00

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?

2007-08-21T03:01:00.000-07:00

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....

2007-08-14T07:55:00.000-07:00

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

Snooker Players who Play 9Ball

2007-07-31T07:16:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-24T05:19:00.001-07:00

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

2007-07-17T05:58:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-10T04:25:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-05T10:15:00.000-07:00

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?

2007-07-03T02:33:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-26T06:02:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-19T02:26:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-06-11T01:13:00.000-07:00

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)

2007-06-05T00:11:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-05-30T03:00:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-28T01:21:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-21T01:26:00.000-07:00

Hello all you Pool fans!

2007-05-14T02:07:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-04-16T00:44:00.000-07:00

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

Another crazy billiards trick shot is coming up:

Online Pool vs, Poolhall pool

2007-04-10T02:13:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-25T02:28:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-18T03:23:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-03-11T03:07:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-04T08:30:00.000-08:00

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

2007-02-22T05:03:00.000-08:00

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?

2007-02-15T03:28:00.000-08:00

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

2007-02-08T02:32:00.000-08:00

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.