Billiards has always been a collection of games that are played on a table using a cue stick. If you're looking to play better billiards or pool then all you have to do is practice. It's a good idea for you to get a feel for holding the cue stick, and just how you will brace it with your other hand. Once you have found a comfortable position that works fairly consistently for yourself then the next step would be the striking of the cue ball. Once you have a consistent strike that hit's the back of the ball correctly your well on your way to playing better pool.



Now that you are able to hold and strike the cue ball with the cue stick you will be able to choose from a wide selection of games. When playing eight ball games and straight pool, 16 balls are used, 15 of the balls are colored with one white colored ball. The object balls are numbered one through seven and are solid colored, the balls nine through 15 are white and have a colored stripe that matches a corresponding solid ball. The eight ball is always black.

The balls are to be racked using a triangle of a specific dimension. The Lag is used to determine which player gets to play the opening shot. Cue balls or solid colored balls are shot by both players at the same time, one from the right and other from the left of the head spot, to the foot cushion and back to the head end of the table. The player's ball that is nearest to the head cushion is considered the winner.

The shots that qualify as legal are only those where the cue ball is struck with the cue tip. A game is considered open as soon as the balls are positioned and the cue ball struck with the cue stick across the head string. An opponent gets to strike when the player fails to pocket a ball during his turn at play.

In the beginning practice, practice and more practice. When you plan a practice session, always try to practice with an experienced billiards player. Playing with an expert billiards player will allow you to visually experience corrects way to make shots and it will also allow the expert to identify your mistakes. This will allow the more advanced billiards player to give you useful tips and advice that will improve both your skills and confidence in playing.

Remember that enjoying a game of pool with your friends and family members is really what it's all about. Don't put to much pressure on yourself to make every shot and sink every ball every time. The more comfortable and relaxed you become with the cue stick and pool table the better you will become naturally. Soon you will be inviting everyone with you to enjoy a game of billiards. Who knows you may even invest in a billiards table of your own to enjoy with your friends and family.

If you are looking for a great buy on a pool table don't forget to check out the great buys available online. That's how we found our beautiful table; in fact we put together our entire billiards room in our home from items we purchased online. Not only did we find a table we were also able to get the perfect pool table lights for over the table, along with signs, posters, cue sticks, chalk, balls, racks and everything else you could think of. With your own billiards room you will play better billiards or pool in no time flat.

by: Sophie Beck