How to avoid common pool injuries

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).

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.

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

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)

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.

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

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.

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.