Would you like to play a more challenging game than 9 Ball? You should try Ten Ball. Ten ball is preferred by the professionals because it is statistically harder to pocket any balls on the break with the larger rack. Odds are higher with 10 balls versus 9 balls. All the shots must be called and you can not instantly win by pocketing the 10 ball like you can in 9 ball. You can pocket the ten ball on the break and win.
Ten ball is a better test of a players skill than nine ball. All the shots must be called with the pocket and the ball and you can only call one ball a shot. Random balls that go into the pocket do not count unless they are pocketed simultaneously as your called ball. No slop or lucky shots are allowed in this game. Many professional pool players who can perform multi shots do not like this rule.
Ten ball is played mostly like nine ball. You rack the 10 balls in an 8 ball triangle with the 10 ball placed in the middle and the 1 ball at the top. Place the 1 ball over the foot spot and the rest of the balls in the rack do not have to be any certain pattern. You lag to determine who chooses the break and alternate breaking over the set. The cue ball must be behind the head string and a ball must be pocketed or at least four balls need to hit the rail.
A player can play a "push out" if no foul is committed on the break shot by making his intention known to the referee. Whenever a player is trying to pocket a ball, he must call the ball and the pocket. The balls are played from lowest to highest and the lowest numbered ball must make contact with the cue ball in order to be a legal hit. The first player to pocket the ten ball wins the rack. Only one ball may be called per shot.
You can call a safety where you hit the called ball but do not pocket it. If you accidentally pocket your called ball, your opponent has the option to play or hand it back to you. If the wrong ball is pocketed then you can play the shot as is or hand it back to your opponent. The ten ball is the only ball that can be spotted if mistakenly pocketed. If a foul is committed then it is ball in hand for your opponent anywhere on the table.
You can find a list of fouls and standardized rules at World Pool-Billiard Association courtesy of a Billiard Congress of America link.
Monday, August 10, 2009
What Type of Cue Tip Should I Use on My Pool Cue?
There are hard, soft, and layered leather tips available at POOLCUEGURU.com.
House cues usually have soft tips and most custom 2 piece cues come with a hard leather tip. Many performance pool cues like Lucasi Hybrid or Predator have a layered tip. Professional players prefer the playability of a layered tip like a Moori or Maesteri. The layered tip grabs the cue ball better than a hard leather tip but does not break down as easily as a soft tip. Essentially giving the player the best of both worlds.
Soft tips are easier to scuff and shape because the leather is less dense. It is much easier for the chalk to stay on a soft leather cue tip. On the flip side, a soft leather cue tip will mushroom and flatten out more quickly than a hard leather tip. So you will need to shape and scuff your pool cue more frequently and change your cue tip more often. It is this "softness" in the leather which allows the fibers of the tip to hold chalk that also grab the cue ball better when playing pool. You will see more draw from the cue ball when playing with a soft tip versus a hard tip if all things were equal. If you are just starting to play pool or learning the basics of position or english then i would recommend a soft tip for practice sessions.
Hard leather tips have fibers that are more compact or dense so they do not flatten or mushroom as quickly as a soft leather tip. Hard tips also last longer and are more accurate. They are more accurate because their shape does not change quickly. A greater percentage of your hits will react and feel the same because it takes longer for the fibers to adjust to the impact of the tip hitting the cue ball. Most players use a hard leather tip for these reasons.
Many specialty pool cues like the Lucasi Big Beulah use a Bakelite tip to enhance your breaks while Predator breaking cues use a carbon fiber tip. The real difference is that bakelite is a synthetic plastic formed by a reaction under heat and pressure of phenol and formaldehyde, combined with a wood flour filler. Phenolic resin is made from synthetic thermosetting resins, obtained by the reaction of phenols with simple aldehydes. Basically, this means they are both super dense tips. However, the Bakelite tips are known to hold chalk better, meaning less miscues for you and I.
POOLCUEGURU offers Le Pro hard tips and Tweeten Elk Master soft tips in value boxes of 50 tips. And I can special order many other tips, just call me at 877-283-6253.
House cues usually have soft tips and most custom 2 piece cues come with a hard leather tip. Many performance pool cues like Lucasi Hybrid or Predator have a layered tip. Professional players prefer the playability of a layered tip like a Moori or Maesteri. The layered tip grabs the cue ball better than a hard leather tip but does not break down as easily as a soft tip. Essentially giving the player the best of both worlds.
Soft tips are easier to scuff and shape because the leather is less dense. It is much easier for the chalk to stay on a soft leather cue tip. On the flip side, a soft leather cue tip will mushroom and flatten out more quickly than a hard leather tip. So you will need to shape and scuff your pool cue more frequently and change your cue tip more often. It is this "softness" in the leather which allows the fibers of the tip to hold chalk that also grab the cue ball better when playing pool. You will see more draw from the cue ball when playing with a soft tip versus a hard tip if all things were equal. If you are just starting to play pool or learning the basics of position or english then i would recommend a soft tip for practice sessions.
Hard leather tips have fibers that are more compact or dense so they do not flatten or mushroom as quickly as a soft leather tip. Hard tips also last longer and are more accurate. They are more accurate because their shape does not change quickly. A greater percentage of your hits will react and feel the same because it takes longer for the fibers to adjust to the impact of the tip hitting the cue ball. Most players use a hard leather tip for these reasons.
Many specialty pool cues like the Lucasi Big Beulah use a Bakelite tip to enhance your breaks while Predator breaking cues use a carbon fiber tip. The real difference is that bakelite is a synthetic plastic formed by a reaction under heat and pressure of phenol and formaldehyde, combined with a wood flour filler. Phenolic resin is made from synthetic thermosetting resins, obtained by the reaction of phenols with simple aldehydes. Basically, this means they are both super dense tips. However, the Bakelite tips are known to hold chalk better, meaning less miscues for you and I.
POOLCUEGURU offers Le Pro hard tips and Tweeten Elk Master soft tips in value boxes of 50 tips. And I can special order many other tips, just call me at 877-283-6253.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Taking Care of Your Pool Cue 101
Taking care of your pool cue has never been so easy. There are hundreds of devices and topical applications designed for pool cue maintenance. With proper care of your pool cue, your pride and joy will last you a lifetime. Bringing you many years of top performance and satisfaction. Pool Cue Guru carries everything that you need for pool cue maintenance.
The most important tool is a tip shaper or scuffer. Proper care of your cue tip is the single best investment that you can make to improve your pool game. PoolCueGuru stocks Williards, Cue Cubes, Rasps, Brad Scuffers, Tip Piks and multi purpose tools like the TipMaster Tool 6-n-1.
These tools allow you to shape your tip into your preferred dime or nickel radius to give you optimum control of the ball. They are small and easily stored in your cue case because you will need to reshape your cue tip frequently. Keeping a proper shape on your cue tip will also prevent mushrooming.
I personally like the Williard because its was designed with a nickel or dime sized reference point built into it. All I need to do is line up my cue tip to the reference point to see where I need to shape the tip. It’s smart, simple and effective. The Williard cannot reduce the flares on the side of the tip so I will follow up with a quick stroke of my rasp on the sides of the tip.
Over time your pool cue can become scratched, nicked, or dented from everyday wear and tear. You should clean your shaft with a cue cleaner or burnisher before you work on removing those dents. Smart Wipes are a great product. You can choose from a Shaft treatment and polisher or a Shaft and Ferrule Cleaner.
The Smart Wipes Cleaner is a high-performance, presaturated wipe that lifts chalk, oil, and grime from your cue shaft and ferrule, all in one easy step, leaving it clean and smooth. This exclusive chemistry is a laboratory-tested formula, which contains no harsh chemicals that will dry out wood or damage your cue shaft or any ferrule material. Each wipe contains safe, deep-cleaning agents and conditioners that dry rapidly while you clean your cue shaft, without raising the grain of the wood. No need to use paper towels, small expensive bottles of cleaner, or messy powders that raise the grain. Simply pull out a wipe and start cleaning.
If you do prefer burnishing papers, you can't go wrong with Nick’s Edge Burnishing Papers. Each packet of Nick’s Edge includes 12 sheets that are color coded into 3 different grades of abrasive micro grade film. After you use Nick’s Edge your pool cue shaft will feel like new. Nick’s Edge Burnishing Papers will not scratch or damage cue shafts. The slips are washable and reusable and are quick and easy to use.
We've got over 50 cue shaft products to choose from. Check out our entire selection of pool cue accessories or give us a call at 877-283-6253 and we'll be happy to help you find the best pool cue shaft application or device for your cue.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Whose the Oldest Pool Cue Maker in the USA?
Did you know that Viking Cues is the largest and oldest pool cue manufacturer in the USA?
They have been in business since 1965. Viking pool cues are crafted with a keen attention to detail. Viking has experienced craftsman using CNC technology. These master artisans take the utmost care to provide you with a superior pool cue. Viking is a name that you can trust to deliver a great pool cue.
Here are 5 reasons to play with a Viking pool cue:
1. Viking pool cues are made differently than most other manufacturers' cues. Viking pool sticks hardly ever use metal or steel dowel pins to hold the wood pieces of a butt together. Viking cues uses a more reliable, natural way of constructing the pool cue butts by finger jointing the wood pieces of a pool cue butt together. Finger jointing the pieces of the pool cue butt improves the structural integrity and playability while further assuring straightness.
2. Viking cues are seasoned over an extended period of time, usually 12 to 24 months, in a climate-controlled environment to insure straightness.
3. Viking has not needed to repair one cracked ferrule since 1996. All it takes is some 400-600-grit sandpaper and you can lightly sand the area where you believe it to be cracked on your pool cue. Viking guarantees it is only a scratched pool stick ferrule and will sand out.
4. Your Viking pool cue has a pro taper of 12 to 14 inches and is designed to reduce cue ball deflection without adding any “after market” technology shafts.
5. Every Viking pool cue goes through the same stringent quality control standards as it makes its way through their production process. There are over a dozen quality control checks in Viking's process of making your pool cue.
And PoolCueGuru has them on sale right now! Some Viking Cues are over 30% off the retail price. Shop Viking Cues at PoolCueGuru now.
They have been in business since 1965. Viking pool cues are crafted with a keen attention to detail. Viking has experienced craftsman using CNC technology. These master artisans take the utmost care to provide you with a superior pool cue. Viking is a name that you can trust to deliver a great pool cue.
Here are 5 reasons to play with a Viking pool cue:
1. Viking pool cues are made differently than most other manufacturers' cues. Viking pool sticks hardly ever use metal or steel dowel pins to hold the wood pieces of a butt together. Viking cues uses a more reliable, natural way of constructing the pool cue butts by finger jointing the wood pieces of a pool cue butt together. Finger jointing the pieces of the pool cue butt improves the structural integrity and playability while further assuring straightness.
2. Viking cues are seasoned over an extended period of time, usually 12 to 24 months, in a climate-controlled environment to insure straightness.
3. Viking has not needed to repair one cracked ferrule since 1996. All it takes is some 400-600-grit sandpaper and you can lightly sand the area where you believe it to be cracked on your pool cue. Viking guarantees it is only a scratched pool stick ferrule and will sand out.
4. Your Viking pool cue has a pro taper of 12 to 14 inches and is designed to reduce cue ball deflection without adding any “after market” technology shafts.
5. Every Viking pool cue goes through the same stringent quality control standards as it makes its way through their production process. There are over a dozen quality control checks in Viking's process of making your pool cue.
And PoolCueGuru has them on sale right now! Some Viking Cues are over 30% off the retail price. Shop Viking Cues at PoolCueGuru now.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Winner of 21st Annual Junior National Billiard Tournament Plays with a Hybrid
Lucasi Hybrid cues have come along way. Now the up and coming professionals choose Lucasi Hybrid as their brand of destruction. Liz Lovely, the tournament champion for Girls 19 and under, prevailed with her Lucasi Hybrid pool cue. Not to mention the runner up, Jauslinn Arnold, who was sporting a Lucasi Hybrid LHF10 pool cue, Air Hog, Big Beulah, and a Sports cue case played very well too.
Kudos to these fine champions of Pool! Beating out nearly 100 other players for their top spots.
The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) 21st Annual Junior Nationals, was held July 23-26 in the Bone Student Center at Illinois State University in Normal, IL. Two-time 14-and-under Boys Junior Nationals Champion Landon Shuffett, hailing from Greensburg, KY, pulled off another win his first time out in the 19-and-under Boys Division, while Liz Lovely of Centerville, OH topped the 19-and-under Girls Division. Brendan Crockett of Bell Canyon, CA went undefeated through the 14-and-under Boys Division, while Briana Miller of Allentown, PA took the 14-and-under Girls title for the third year in a row.
Kudos to these fine champions of Pool! Beating out nearly 100 other players for their top spots.
The Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) 21st Annual Junior Nationals, was held July 23-26 in the Bone Student Center at Illinois State University in Normal, IL. Two-time 14-and-under Boys Junior Nationals Champion Landon Shuffett, hailing from Greensburg, KY, pulled off another win his first time out in the 19-and-under Boys Division, while Liz Lovely of Centerville, OH topped the 19-and-under Girls Division. Brendan Crockett of Bell Canyon, CA went undefeated through the 14-and-under Boys Division, while Briana Miller of Allentown, PA took the 14-and-under Girls title for the third year in a row.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Rock Solid Hit and Affordable! Players G-2252 Pool Cue Review
I like this Players cue for its affordability and classic design. At only $79.19, this Players cue has a rock solid hit and feels like a much more expensive cue. The genuine black and white double pressed Irish linen was tight and smooth, not rough or bumpy like I usually find on pool cues under $100.
The shaft is 100% north American grade "A" hard rock maple with a pro taper sealed with french cue wax. It's always a treat to have a value priced cue literally glide through my fingers for a really smooth stroke.
Smart styling is what you get when you play with a Players G-2252. This cue features a decal designed with Mother of Pearl accents and white double points surrounded by black inlay on dark fancy birds-eye maple veneers.The Players G-2252 comes standard with high gloss super "UV" finish, a high impact ferrule, and a lifetime guarantee against warpage! Virtually unheard of features for a pool cue that is under a hundred dollars. I like this pool cue and you will too.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Here is a " Best Kept Secret" in Pool
Find your Best Deal on pool cues, billiard balls, billiard supplies, pool cue cases, and game room furniture in Pool Cue Guru's Clearance section. Save over 20% sometimes up to 80% off, on top-quality, name brand manufacturers like:
- Lucasi
- Players
- McDermott
- Poison
- Viking
- Joss
- Cuetec
- HJ Scott
- Plus many more fantastic brands.
Beat your competition with a pool cue in my Clearance section at Pool Cue Guru. Or brag to your neighbor about that steal of deal that you got on a billiard light for your game room. It's so easy to save your hard earned money at Pool Cue Guru.
Pool Cue Guru will always offer the lowest price possible on all pool sticks and billiard supplies. Plus, we have free shipping for all orders over $50. This free shipping includes everything except billiard lights and game room furniture.
When you buy now from Pool Cue Guru, you will get the best price, best customer service, best selection, and best quality guaranteed! There is no need to shop anywhere else because we are the Best in Billiards online.
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