Pool Table Construction: Hardwoods Vs Mdf
The most common hardwoods used in the construction of pool tables are mahogany, oak, birch and rosewood. The durability of these woods makes them ideal for holding the weight of a slate playing surface, without the risk of warping over time. Not only are these woods extremely hard wearing but the grain and finish of the wood adds to the character of the finished pool table.
Mahogany was particularly prevalent in the pool and snooker industry up until the early 19th century. When polished it displays a deep red brown finish which darkens over time, and straight grain. While it is still regarded as one of the best choices for larger pool tables, intensive deforestation has increased the cost immensely. The same is true to a lesser extent of other hardwoods, and this has led to the introduction of MDF as a cheaper alternative.
The introduction of MDF to the pool table industry created a wealth of cheaper, less durable models which, for the first time, made pool tables affordable to almost anybody. The main reason for the introduction of cheaper, smaller pool tables was for the domestic consumer market. These tables are not hand crafted/finished as their predecessors were, but machine made.
The main benefit of the wider availability of pool tables, which had once been the privilege of the very wealthy, was that the game of pool was brought to a much wider audience. Whereas before you had to join a club, or be old enough to go to a pub to play, people could now enjoy the game in their own home.
The major disadvantages of using a cheaper, manmade composite like MDF are that it is not as durable as a natural hardwood, and must more susceptible to variations in humidity and temperature. In order to maintain the appearance of a ‘real’ pool table, these MDF bed tables are usually finished with a wood effect veneer (typically of mahogany, rosewood or oak) and domestic quality cloth/rubber.
Play Online Pool Games
Jim Harves asked:
A new site offering online pool and snooker plus exciting tournaments.
Billiard Magic is a brand new site dedicated to online billiard games. Catering for anyone who enjoys a game of pool or snooker, this site has everything you need to know about playing online.
Offering a variety of billiard games, backed up by top of the range software and graphics, Billiard Magic welcomes both experienced players wishing to perfect their technique and newcomers who would like to learn a new game.
Not only can you play fun billiard games at Billiard Magic, but there are lots of exciting opportunities to enter tournaments and win cash prizes. Regular promotions means it’s never dull at BilliardMagic.
Playing online can be a lot of fun, especially when you start to meet the other players. Hundreds of pool and snooker fans from around the globe may be logged on at any one time, giving you access to an amazing choice of opponents. By watching others play, you can learn new techniques and strategies and generally improve your game.
Choose from 8 ball pool, 9 ball pool or snooker. Online pool is played just like real live pool, except players use the mouse to line up the cue and hit the ball. By varying the speed of the mouse, the shot can be varied in strength – as in reality. Accurate technology means that shots work on angles the same way as in live pool, and players must calculate the correct angle for their shot.
Helpful software gives tips for beginners on how to figure out your angle, making this complicated process a little easier for the technically challenged. If you’re serious about improving, you could even watch the pros playing in tournaments to see how they do it.
Players have the choice of playing for fun or for money at Billiard Magic. To play for money, there is a simple deposit process by which players add money to their account. Any winnings can then either be used for further play, or can be withdrawn, according to the terms and conditions.
All games can be played either against the computer, or against other real players. Or better still, get your friends to sign up, and play against each other. Get a head start by practising online before you invite them to a match.
In online pool the same rules apply as in traditional pool, so if you make a foul, the turn passes to your opponent. Foul shots include not hitting any ball on your shot and pocketing the white cue ball. Other shots can cause the player to lose immediately, such as pocketing the black by mistake.
Tournaments are held regularly at Billiard Magic, with sit and go, or freerolls available. Win a tournament and as well as the cash prize, you’ll go into the hall of fame.
Playing pool and snooker online is fun and challenging and the more you play, the more skilled you will become. The thrill of winning real money by playing online pool is a huge adrenalin rush. Start playing today and discover the winner in you!
Caffeinated Content
A new site offering online pool and snooker plus exciting tournaments.
Billiard Magic is a brand new site dedicated to online billiard games. Catering for anyone who enjoys a game of pool or snooker, this site has everything you need to know about playing online.
Offering a variety of billiard games, backed up by top of the range software and graphics, Billiard Magic welcomes both experienced players wishing to perfect their technique and newcomers who would like to learn a new game.
Not only can you play fun billiard games at Billiard Magic, but there are lots of exciting opportunities to enter tournaments and win cash prizes. Regular promotions means it’s never dull at BilliardMagic.
Playing online can be a lot of fun, especially when you start to meet the other players. Hundreds of pool and snooker fans from around the globe may be logged on at any one time, giving you access to an amazing choice of opponents. By watching others play, you can learn new techniques and strategies and generally improve your game.
Choose from 8 ball pool, 9 ball pool or snooker. Online pool is played just like real live pool, except players use the mouse to line up the cue and hit the ball. By varying the speed of the mouse, the shot can be varied in strength – as in reality. Accurate technology means that shots work on angles the same way as in live pool, and players must calculate the correct angle for their shot.
Helpful software gives tips for beginners on how to figure out your angle, making this complicated process a little easier for the technically challenged. If you’re serious about improving, you could even watch the pros playing in tournaments to see how they do it.
Players have the choice of playing for fun or for money at Billiard Magic. To play for money, there is a simple deposit process by which players add money to their account. Any winnings can then either be used for further play, or can be withdrawn, according to the terms and conditions.
All games can be played either against the computer, or against other real players. Or better still, get your friends to sign up, and play against each other. Get a head start by practising online before you invite them to a match.
In online pool the same rules apply as in traditional pool, so if you make a foul, the turn passes to your opponent. Foul shots include not hitting any ball on your shot and pocketing the white cue ball. Other shots can cause the player to lose immediately, such as pocketing the black by mistake.
Tournaments are held regularly at Billiard Magic, with sit and go, or freerolls available. Win a tournament and as well as the cash prize, you’ll go into the hall of fame.
Playing pool and snooker online is fun and challenging and the more you play, the more skilled you will become. The thrill of winning real money by playing online pool is a huge adrenalin rush. Start playing today and discover the winner in you!
Caffeinated Content
There’s More Than Just Eight-ball to be Played on Pool Tables
MJ Marks asked:
My high school years was spent on an Air Force Base in Italy, and many times after school, I would find myself hanging out at the Community Center playing pool with some of the GI’s. I fancied myself a fairly good player because I occasionally got a lucky shot, but in retrospect, I really wasn’t very good at all. At the time, we always played eight-ball, and only associated that game with pool tables, but since then have learned many other games that are a lot of fun to play. So if you are looking for some variety, consider some of the following games:
Nine ball
Three ball
One-pocket
Bank pool
Snooker
Let’s take a closer look at how each of these games are played.
Nine-ball
This game only uses the cue ball and the 1 through 9 balls. The balls are racked in a diamond shape with the one ball in the front and the nine ball in the middle. Though the balls can be pocketed in any order, the cue ball must first make contact with the lowest numbered ball on the pool table. The game is won by sinking the 9 ball, and a match is won by winning a predetermined number of games. When a shot is missed, the next player starts play with the cue ball in the position left by the other player. If a foul was committed, the incoming player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table.
Three-ball
When there is a lack of numerous pool tables, but many players, this is a good game to play. It just uses the cue ball plus three other balls. The object is to sink all three balls in the fewest number of strokes. One player plays until all 3 balls are pocketed, all strokes counted. Then the next player starts, trying to sink all three balls in fewer strikes. Often this game is played in innings, consisting of three or five rounds.
One-pocket
This is a two player game with each player choosing a pocket. The object is to shoot a majority of the balls (8) into your pocket. Fouls occur if you shoot your ball into the wrong pocket on the pool tables. This game often takes more strategy than other billiard games.
Bank pool
This game can be played with either a full rack (15 balls) for a long game, or with nine balls (lately more popular) for a shorter game. You have to sink a ball by banking it off of one of the sides. Shots are normally called. The first player to bank and sink eight balls is the winner (in the shorter game, five balls must be pocketed).
Snooker
Snooker can be played on average sized pool tables. The game requires 15 red balls, and six balls of various colors (1 each of yellow [2], green [3], brown [4], blue [5], pink [6] and black [7]) and a white cue ball. Each red ball is worth 1 point, the color balls are then worth 2 – 7 points as labeled above. The 15 red balls are racked up in the traditional triangle at the beginning of the game. Each colored ball has a set point on the table. The object of the game is to get the most points. First you have to sink a red ball in a pocket, and then any colored ball (remember the point value of each ball is important ). The red ball remains in the pocket, but any colored ball is replaced to its original starting place on the table after it is sunk. You receive points for each ball you sink. When you miss a shot, it is then the other players turn. Once all the red balls are gone, the color balls then have to be sunk in numerical order. The player with the most points, wins. Points can also be earned through fouls (such as sinking balls out of order – like two red ones in a row).
These are most the of the official games that are played on pool tables, though they all have more detailed rules, and many of them offer variations. So, next time you are looking for something to do, head on down to your local pool hall where they have a lot of pool tables, and try something new when you play pool with your friends.
Caffeinated Content
My high school years was spent on an Air Force Base in Italy, and many times after school, I would find myself hanging out at the Community Center playing pool with some of the GI’s. I fancied myself a fairly good player because I occasionally got a lucky shot, but in retrospect, I really wasn’t very good at all. At the time, we always played eight-ball, and only associated that game with pool tables, but since then have learned many other games that are a lot of fun to play. So if you are looking for some variety, consider some of the following games:
Nine ball
Three ball
One-pocket
Bank pool
Snooker
Let’s take a closer look at how each of these games are played.
Nine-ball
This game only uses the cue ball and the 1 through 9 balls. The balls are racked in a diamond shape with the one ball in the front and the nine ball in the middle. Though the balls can be pocketed in any order, the cue ball must first make contact with the lowest numbered ball on the pool table. The game is won by sinking the 9 ball, and a match is won by winning a predetermined number of games. When a shot is missed, the next player starts play with the cue ball in the position left by the other player. If a foul was committed, the incoming player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table.
Three-ball
When there is a lack of numerous pool tables, but many players, this is a good game to play. It just uses the cue ball plus three other balls. The object is to sink all three balls in the fewest number of strokes. One player plays until all 3 balls are pocketed, all strokes counted. Then the next player starts, trying to sink all three balls in fewer strikes. Often this game is played in innings, consisting of three or five rounds.
One-pocket
This is a two player game with each player choosing a pocket. The object is to shoot a majority of the balls (8) into your pocket. Fouls occur if you shoot your ball into the wrong pocket on the pool tables. This game often takes more strategy than other billiard games.
Bank pool
This game can be played with either a full rack (15 balls) for a long game, or with nine balls (lately more popular) for a shorter game. You have to sink a ball by banking it off of one of the sides. Shots are normally called. The first player to bank and sink eight balls is the winner (in the shorter game, five balls must be pocketed).
Snooker
Snooker can be played on average sized pool tables. The game requires 15 red balls, and six balls of various colors (1 each of yellow [2], green [3], brown [4], blue [5], pink [6] and black [7]) and a white cue ball. Each red ball is worth 1 point, the color balls are then worth 2 – 7 points as labeled above. The 15 red balls are racked up in the traditional triangle at the beginning of the game. Each colored ball has a set point on the table. The object of the game is to get the most points. First you have to sink a red ball in a pocket, and then any colored ball (remember the point value of each ball is important ). The red ball remains in the pocket, but any colored ball is replaced to its original starting place on the table after it is sunk. You receive points for each ball you sink. When you miss a shot, it is then the other players turn. Once all the red balls are gone, the color balls then have to be sunk in numerical order. The player with the most points, wins. Points can also be earned through fouls (such as sinking balls out of order – like two red ones in a row).
These are most the of the official games that are played on pool tables, though they all have more detailed rules, and many of them offer variations. So, next time you are looking for something to do, head on down to your local pool hall where they have a lot of pool tables, and try something new when you play pool with your friends.
Caffeinated Content
