Everything you need to know to Play 8-Ball Pool

January 30th, 2010 | Posted in pool tables   Comments Off
brislet asked:


8-Ball pool is one of the most popular billiards games.   This is the game that is played most in pool halls and many inexperienced pool players may think that 8-ball rules are the only pool rules.

Often referred to as “Stripes and Solids,” in 8-Ball pool, each player tries to hit in all of the striped or all of the solid balls into the 6 pockets around the pool table.  There are 7 solid balls and 7 striped balls.  Once a player has pocketed all of his balls, he must pocket the 8-ball to win the game, which is where 8-Ball pool gets its name.

To begin a game of 8-Ball pool, all 15 balls are racked together, with the 8-ball placed in the center.  The players then determine who will shoot first, or “break.”  Usually, a coin toss determines the shooter in the first game and they switch off for each subsequent game.

The player who breaks must aim and shoot the cue ball at the 15 balls.  Upon breaking, at least 4 of the balls must hit the sides of the table or the balls will be re-racked and the player will break again.  The first player to pocket a ball determines who will shoot stripes and who will shoot solids.  If the player pockets stripes, then they will shoot for stripes for the rest of the game.  If a player pockets two balls, one stripe and one solid, then the next ball pocketed determines whether they will be stripes or solids.

As players try to pocket all of the stripes or solids, followed by the 8-Ball, they may run into several fouls along the way.  These fouls and there subsequent penalties are as follows:

•    If you accidentally pocket one of your opponent’s balls, then the ball stays pocketed.

•    If you hit the cue ball into a pocket, known as “scratching,” and no balls hit the side of the table or hit the cue ball but don’t hit any other balls, then the cue ball goes to your opponent and he may place it anywhere he wants on the pool table.

•    If you pocket the 8-ball before you have successfully pocketed the other balls, then your opponent wins.

With an understanding of these basic rules, you are now ready to play 8-Ball pool!



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Coin Operated Pool Tables - The Reasons For Getting One!

January 22nd, 2010 | Posted in pool tables   Comments Off
Josy Kinney asked:


There is a reason why the pool tables that you see in most public places are coin operated. They don’t want people to use them for free. So as you can see the pool table can be a source of a fairly good income which can be used for the maintenance of the pool table. Isn’t that a wonderful idea? You don’t just have to marvel at these coin operated pool tables, you can actually get one of your own. Your guests will have a blast with it and you will be able to make a few bucks while they are playing away. And most of your friends will not mind paying a buck to have loads of fun.

Usually when pool tables are kept at public locations, they are expecting some people to fidget with them; making people pay just reduces the number of loiterers. Getting a pool table often turns out to be a lucrative choice for business owners because most people who play pool will also want to buy some other things like drinks and snacks. When a pool table is kept at home, parents usually have a rough time keeping kids away from it. Getting a coin operated table is a good way to limit its usage. Since children will have to spend out their allowance to play pool, they will limit their time and the amount spent. And of course the money that you make can be used to buy something for the entire family.

Most people and businesses that own a pool table have to often put up with a loss of pool balls. Getting a coin operated table is a sure sot way to avoid this because the pool balls are not released unless you put a coin in first. So this way you can make sure that the pool balls stay firmly on the pool table and don’t walk away with your customers. Nothing can be more annoying than going through a pool ball searching session every time you are in the mood to play

Coin operated pool tables also make it practically impossible to cheat. Most people do so by adding pool balls from the side back to the table but in a coin operated table, all the pools are held inside once they are shot and not released till you pay up, people cannot just get them out and put them back on the table. If you intend to host a competitive event at your home or business this can be very important.

Most people who own a coin operated pool table were pleasantly surprised to find their earnings reaching well beyond their expectations. This just goes to show what a big hit pool is as a game and an entertainment choice. If the number of coins supersedes your expectations you know that you can certainly risk in one or two pool tables more. However in the rare event that you see it not fulfilling its intended use then you can dispose it off and use the funds and the space for some other purpose.

There are many options available in the market today if you want to buy a pool table. Technological innovations have touched pool tables as much as our lives and you can even get pool tables that can be switched on and off at the switch of a button. There are many models to choose from, each with its own set of features.



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Enjoy the free time of Billiard Tables – The Favorite Pass Time

January 20th, 2010 | Posted in pool tables   Comments Off
Avinash Smith asked:


A pool table is a good looking addition to any home and is the ideal option for a family games room or for dedicated billiards room. Billiard table vary greatly in terms of budget, design and materials used. Choosing a superior quality billiard table that is constructed from the best materials not only ensure that you get the best looking table possible but it will also offer the best playing surface, will last for several years, and will be as much a piece of decorative furniture as it will a games table.

Billiard Table Construction Basics

Billiard tables are crucially constructed from the legs, a frame, the bed, the rails, the pockets and the cloth. These entire elements need to merge to craft the best looking table. Before, you begin the search for the best table you should measure the space where your new billiard table will be added. Give adequate space to comfortable play your shots around the table and also consider the addition of appropriate lighting.

Legs and Frame

The legs and frame of a billiard table can be made from natural wood, MDF or synthetic materials. Natural hardwood legs such as those made from oak, walnut, or cherry are both strong good looking. Coats of lacquer can be applied to give the table a striking finish when the strength of the material will make sure a long and largely spoil resistant life as well as a stable support for the bed.

Table Bed

The table bed is the slab of material that is placed under the cloth and on top of the frame. Again, there are many materials that can be used but the perfect choice is slate. Slate beds provide the best possible playing surface and when they are heavier than wood or synthetic materials they will last a lifetime and are virtually unbreakable; they will certainly withstand typical and even not so typical use.

Table Rails

The rails are made from rubber and then securely applied to the frame. The best sort of rubber is natural gum rubber because this will allow the balls to hit the cushion and bounce off without deviating from the line and without slowing too much. The better the quality of the rubber that is used, the better the quality of the game offered. The rail, like the bed, will be covered with the felt cloth.

Arctic Spa hot tubs and Leisure, have built the finest pool and billiard tables that can by enjoyed by many from simple to kings. If you want to buy billiard tables, contact Arctic Spa hot tub and Leisure today!



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why am i banned from pool tables when i didnt do anything?

January 15th, 2010 | Posted in pool tables   Comments Off
cockman10inches asked:


i think u should contavt me before banning me. there’s 2 sides to every story. i dont think thats fair.

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Keep Cool And Have An Arizona Pool Table Installed In Your Home

January 13th, 2010 | Posted in pool tables   Comments Off
phoenixbilliards asked:


In our hot weather, who needs an excuse to stay inside? Make your indoor activities more enjoyable by having an arizona pool table delivered to your house. It’s a great way to have your friends come to your house (just make sure they bring the munchies!), as your newly-furnished game room will be the newest (and soon-to-be favorite) hotbed of activity for the neighborhood.

There are many styles of pool tables to choose from, each with standard features, as well as additional options and upgrades. What style is your house? If it’s modern, check out the Waterfall by Olhausen. This pool table has simple, sleek lines and curves; a sculptural conversation piece. Or maybe you prefer a more traditional design. The Americana or the Belmont, also by Olhausen, might suit your taste. Their hardwoods, sturdy legs and multiple finish choices will make it easy to fit in with any décor. Perhaps you desire something a little more elaborate. The Louis XIV or the St. Leon, both by Olhausen, have ornate, detailed, wood-carved craftsmanship that is, in itself, a work of art. Of course, for the eclectic crowd, there’s always the choice of having a unique custom design constructed to your specifications.

It’s helpful to measure your room size before you start the process, because that will affect the size of the table you choose, as well as the length of your cues. Once you’ve chosen your table style, you still have decisions to make. What color cloth do you prefer for your arizona pool table? There are an array of colorful cloths and textures from which to choose. With all of these choices, options and decisions, you’ll probably want to take advantage of a design specialist, who can help you build a table will be as unique as you and your family.

Once your table’s been constructed, a great benefit to having your pool table delivered to you is the expert installation you’ll receive. Even though you may be handy and figure you could do it yourself just as easily, our installers use special tools and leveling techniques that will have your table up and operational in no time. Your professionally built and installed pool table will have your neighbors feeling like they’re playing at a posh phoenix billiards club. So many friends will want to come over; you’ll have to schedule them all in! When they come over, be sure to toast to many happy games in the many years to come.



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Are there any good places to find used pool tables?

January 11th, 2010 | Posted in pool tables   Comments Off
a.methis asked:


I am looking to buy a used pool table for our den now that the last kid has gone to college.

What is the best place to find used pool tables online?

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Pool and Game Tables Originated From Croquet, Can That be True?

December 31st, 2009 | Posted in pool tables   Comments Off
MJ Marks asked:


It is interesting at times to look at something that has been around for as long as we can remember, something we may not think of often, and discover its history. Today there are many different types of game tables on the market, but did you know that game tables originated from outdoor games that were played on the ground? And that game tables have been around for hundreds of years?

Now, the exact origination of table top games is unknown, but the first definite reference to a game table is in 1470, when French King Louis XI owned a variation of a pool table. Though where it originated is unknown, the top three possibilities are England, France and Persia, and the earliest table games were ancestors to modern billiards or pool. William Shakespeare’s play, Antony and Cleopatra (1606-1607), mentions this game with the line “let us to billiards.”

So how did it all get started? Believe it or not, a version of a game that is still enjoyed today at many family BBQ’s, croquet, is where it originated. Versions of croquet have been around for hundreds of years and were quite a popular form of entertainment. But it was seasonal. To play year round at court, the game was moved inside. Though we can only speculate, there was probably some member of a royal family that had a bad back, and all the bending over to knock the balls was not doing anyone a favor. The game was downsized and placed on a table. With the problem of the balls rolling off, it probably did not take long to add edges to the table, and then by the 1600’s rubber was added to the edges to protect the wood and give extra bounce to the balls. Thin, green (the color of grass!) cloth, usually felt or wool, was then added making a players shot more accurate, and, I imagine, it reduced the amount of random rolling that would occur on wood. In the early 1800’s, wood was replaced by slate, making the tables sturdier and smoother.

In croquet, the object was to shoot your ball through a series of hoops, and then knock a wicket at the end of the course. Many of the early game tables also had objects to knock a ball through, and some did not. In the second version the object was often to knock your players ball with the cue ball and then have it bounce off the side to strike another ball. This type of cue sports (called Carom billiards) are still around today and are played on billiard tables without pockets. But early on, it did not take long for holes to be added to the tables as a replacement to obstacles with a net under the hole to catch the ball. As a matter of fact, King Louis’ billiard table had one hole in the center. This evolved over the years to two holes, one at each end, and eventually into the six pocketed pool tables that are common today.

With the dawning of the innovative 20th century, many other types of game tables were invented. After all, if you can play croquet indoors on a table, what else? Well, hockey was brought indoors to a frictionless table surface in the early 1970’s, and air hockey was born.

When it comes to soccer, you can probably guess that it was first invented in England. In 1922, an avid fan wanted to provide an indoor game that replicated the sport he loved. Though there were similar table games to foosball as early as the 1890’s.

Table tennis also originated in England in the 1880’s. Upper-class Victorians, looking for after dinner amusement, would use everyday items to act as the equipment needed: books for a net, a cork for a ball and a cigar box lid as the racket. Ping Pong grew in popularity quite quickly. Within 20 years there were books written about the game, and the unofficial first world championship was held in 1902.

Today game tables are found in homes, clubs, schools, pubs and offices around the world, bringing hours of enjoyment and relaxation to millions of people. Some of the tidbits of history and trivia are fascinating and can explain some of the idiosyncrasies found in the different games (such as how snooker got its name). And though there is still a lot I do not know about many of these games, one thing I do know, I will never look at croquet the same way again!



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What pool tables should I purchase for a new pool hall?

December 31st, 2009 | Posted in pool tables   Comments Off
Nick asked:


One of the most difficult things of creating a business plan for a new pool hall is deciding what tables it needs. I want very good quality and long lasting, it’s not something that I think I should be thrifty about, but at the same time I want to make sure I get good value tables and am getting my money’s worth. A specific table or a specific brand would be nice so that I can get an idea.

Scented Candles To Spice Up Your Home
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Tips For Choosing the Best Hard Top Cover For Your Pool Table

December 31st, 2009 | Posted in pool tables   Comments Off
Jimmy Mathews asked:


Pool tables add a touch of elegance to a game room or entertainment center. However there may be times when you need that extra space. Like when you are hosting holiday dinners or house parties.

Wouldn’t it be great to have that pool table surface available for all your goodies when you are entertaining? But you don’t want to damage your pool table. You’ll need to think about a cover.

While soft covers for pool tables are okay, they don’t protect tables like a hard cover can. Soft covers will keep your table from getting dusty or stained but that’s about it. With a soft cover your felt playing area is still susceptible to get rips or tears.

Drop something hard on the pool table and worse could happen. A hard top cover for your pool table is the best choice for real protection. Best of all a hard top cover is easily stored in a corner or closet. Easy to unfold and use, a hard cover is a smart investment to maintain your gaming equipment.

You may be wondering how a hard top cover for your pool table works. A hard top cover is a custom fitted piece of vinyl and foam that unfolds, fitting snugly over your pool table. The inner side or the portion that faces the pool table is covered with the foam.

The foam stabilizes the surface and keeps it level. The foam cushions and protects the surface of your pool table keeping it safe and dry. The top of the hard cover is made of easy to clean sturdy vinyl. A quick wipe down will keep the hard top cover clean.

We’ve got a few tips you should consider when choosing the best hard top cover.

You want the right fit. You’ll have to choose your cover size. You’ll need to know the dimensions of your pool table. How long and how wide is it?

Have these measurements handy when ordering your cover. Some of the more reputable online billiards stores offer a handy guide for determining which size you need. Next you will need to know the corner radius. They’ll either be square or a two, six, or nine inch radius. As your new hard cover will be custom made you’ll want to order according to those specifications.

There are also a wide range of colors to choose from as well. Pick a color that matches the decor of your game room. There are twelve colors to pick from. Some of the most popular are brown, forest green and teal. But you pick whichever one works for your room.

Give yourself some piece of mind. Protect your pool table with an easy to use hard cover. It’s an investment that will protect and extend the life of your favorite piece of furniture. Your table!

Shop online with confidence for a unique and affordable hard pool table cover from a reputable online broker like Corner Pocket Pool.com.



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What are some real quality pool tables?

December 28th, 2009 | Posted in pool tables   Comments Off
Kenny B asked:


I’ve heard of diamond pro-am tables as well as brunswick gold crown. Are there any tables near this quality?

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