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.

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 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.