why we play billiard ?
on Thursday, August 30, 2007
Billiards is cool - more cool than it gets credit for. And I’m gonna tell you why you need to drop your sport, and pick up billiards.
The Social Factor
The best sports are the ones that you can enjoy with your friends - and being able to converse freely is something that most team sports can’t provide. Having a drink over a game of pool is one of the most social sport-related events that I’ve ever been exposed too. Most sports require you to go for a beer AFTER the game or match. Billiards combines the two effortlessly.
The Venue
Most players earn their chops in dark, smokey pool halls where reputation is built up amongst the common man. Billiards players generally are quite humble and down-to-earth… something about learning their craft amongst beer drinkers seems to remove the privileged perspective that comes with many other sports. Try comparing that to a golfer or a skier.
The Playing Surface
There is something inherently beautiful about sitting back and looking at an empty playing surface (soccer pitch, football gridiron, hockey rink, etc). However, I’d argue that there is very few sports that can match the simplicity and attractiveness of a clean billiards table under an overhead light. Change up the color of the felt and it doesn’t matter - billiards tables just look cool. Period.
Everyone Can Play
This is kind of an extension of the social factor, but billiards doesn’t require anyone to take steroids or train in the gym. Some of the best pool players look like they belong on a sofa eating potato chips. Additionally - both women and men can play together with little or no difference in skill. This leads to lots of interesting opportunities - many a happy couple have met over a game of stick. There are very few games that are that accessible by all types - definitely not any of the global team sports.
The Break
Everyone loves those rare moments in sport where you can impose your physical will. Making a hit in football, smacking a ball in baseball - these actions appeal to our sense of power. NOTHING is as cool as the sense of power one gets from the break. The sound is unmistakable - and watching the balls fly around is truly confidence boosting. For the weekend athlete, I can’t think of another action that is that powerful and virtually void of any injury risk.
Trick Shots
Even if you believe that billiards trick shots are more glitz than substance - you have to appreciate the fact that billiards allows players to appear as if they can perform magic. Trick shots are the common man’s way of performing the impossible. Tell me the last time you saw a tennis player hit a ball and asked “Was that magic? There must be some kind of trick…”
Tell me a reason for playing pool !
US Open 2003 Efren Reyes unforgeable game
on Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Two former U S Open 9-Ball Champions go head to head in what turns out to be a fantastic match. Corey Deuel plays the world's most talented pocket billiard superstar, "The Magician" Efren Reyes.
This is match #5 of 13 feature matches from the 29th Annual U S Open 9-Ball Championship, the billiard world's most prestigious title. Every September pool payers from around the world converge on Chesapeake, Virginia to compete for their share of the $200,000 prize fund.
What was the turning point of the match? Post your comments..
Skip the first 2 minutes for commercials ....
This is match #5 of 13 feature matches from the 29th Annual U S Open 9-Ball Championship, the billiard world's most prestigious title. Every September pool payers from around the world converge on Chesapeake, Virginia to compete for their share of the $200,000 prize fund.
What was the turning point of the match? Post your comments..
Skip the first 2 minutes for commercials ....
Cue Maintenance Guide
on Tuesday, August 28, 2007
What should a well maintained cue tip look like?
A cue’s leather tip should have a rough texture, not smooth. This is to allow the billiard chalk to stick to the leather. A tip should also be convex or “domed”. Pool cues should have the same curvature as a nickel, while snooker cues should be like that of a dime.There are many great products on the market that can help make maintaining your tip easy. Cue shapers such as a Williard or The Ultimate Tip Tool, shape and scuff your tip at the same time and have gauges to make sure you’ve got it right. If your tip only needs to be roughed up, and not shaped, a tapper is a great tool to use. These gadgets simply bring out the fibers of the leather without removing any material from the tip. The Tip Pik makes an excellent tapper, and there is one included on The Ultimate Tip Tool.
Cue Conditioning and Burnishing.
More than likely, your cue’s shaft is made from wood. Wood is a porous material, and all manner of dirt and oil can get trapped in these pores, which give your shaft a sticky feel. One way of fixing this is by closing the pores of the wood by burnishing. By heating up the cue with friction the pores in the wood close, preventing pesky molecules from getting lodged in them. To do this, use a smooth piece of un-dyed leather or Cue Slicker, which can be purchased at your local billiard supplier, and rub it vigorously up and down your cue’s shaft, while at the same time turning the cue.Products such as Q Slick negate the need of heat as it applies a sealant to the wood, effectively sealing the pores.
Are your cue tips “mushrooming”? Apply the same procedure to the edge of a leather cue tip. This should harden the tip’s outer edge and give it a clean glossy look. To accelerate the process a small drop of water can be used. Don’t have a small piece of leather handy? Use the green burnishing film from Q Smooth or a five dollar bill.
The Art of Chalking
Always chalk your cue by rubbing the chalk across the tip not grinding it into the centre of the chalk. This will help stop the cue ferrule from getting stained.How to keep a cue’s shaft looking and feeling like new.Burnishing your cue’s shaft helps prevent your cue from losing its slick finish, but what do you do when it stops gliding like it used to? There are several ways to help maintain your cue’s shaft. The easiest and least invasive way is by simply using a clean, non-abrasive cloth, such as a Karseal impregnated Cue Cloth. This will quickly remove most dirt and oil deposited on your cue, and should be done between games.
To remove buildup on a shaft, or to remove any small nicks or scratches, special sanding papers can prove useful. Products like Q Smooth, are micro-burnishing films that clean, smooth and burnish your shaft. For heavier dirt and chalk stained ferrules, Q Clean is the best shaft and ferrule cleaner available.
Often deeper dents in your shaft can also be repaired. By rubbing a glass or plastic rod over the dent rapidly, you can, in a sense, bring out the dent. By heating the cue with such friction, the wood expands.
Rather than taking down the rest of the shaft to match the dent, you are raising the dent above the shaft, then simply sanding down the newly formed bump to match the rest of the shaft.
How to protect your investment.
Having spent your hard earned money on a new possession, you would like to keep it safe, for the years of enjoyment ahead. Treat your new cue as you would a child. Never leave your cue in direct sunlight, extreme temperatures or humidity for extended periods of time. Your cue can be stored in your case, lying flat and level, in an upright rack, or hung straight up and down using a; cue hanger. While playing, never lean your cue against a table or wall and never use it to lean against. Products like Q Buddy or Cue Dude’s Portable Cue Stick Caddy, can be used to create a temporary rack to hold your cue in between shots.
A cue’s leather tip should have a rough texture, not smooth. This is to allow the billiard chalk to stick to the leather. A tip should also be convex or “domed”. Pool cues should have the same curvature as a nickel, while snooker cues should be like that of a dime.There are many great products on the market that can help make maintaining your tip easy. Cue shapers such as a Williard or The Ultimate Tip Tool, shape and scuff your tip at the same time and have gauges to make sure you’ve got it right. If your tip only needs to be roughed up, and not shaped, a tapper is a great tool to use. These gadgets simply bring out the fibers of the leather without removing any material from the tip. The Tip Pik makes an excellent tapper, and there is one included on The Ultimate Tip Tool.
Cue Conditioning and Burnishing.
More than likely, your cue’s shaft is made from wood. Wood is a porous material, and all manner of dirt and oil can get trapped in these pores, which give your shaft a sticky feel. One way of fixing this is by closing the pores of the wood by burnishing. By heating up the cue with friction the pores in the wood close, preventing pesky molecules from getting lodged in them. To do this, use a smooth piece of un-dyed leather or Cue Slicker, which can be purchased at your local billiard supplier, and rub it vigorously up and down your cue’s shaft, while at the same time turning the cue.Products such as Q Slick negate the need of heat as it applies a sealant to the wood, effectively sealing the pores.
Are your cue tips “mushrooming”? Apply the same procedure to the edge of a leather cue tip. This should harden the tip’s outer edge and give it a clean glossy look. To accelerate the process a small drop of water can be used. Don’t have a small piece of leather handy? Use the green burnishing film from Q Smooth or a five dollar bill.
The Art of Chalking
Always chalk your cue by rubbing the chalk across the tip not grinding it into the centre of the chalk. This will help stop the cue ferrule from getting stained.How to keep a cue’s shaft looking and feeling like new.Burnishing your cue’s shaft helps prevent your cue from losing its slick finish, but what do you do when it stops gliding like it used to? There are several ways to help maintain your cue’s shaft. The easiest and least invasive way is by simply using a clean, non-abrasive cloth, such as a Karseal impregnated Cue Cloth. This will quickly remove most dirt and oil deposited on your cue, and should be done between games.
To remove buildup on a shaft, or to remove any small nicks or scratches, special sanding papers can prove useful. Products like Q Smooth, are micro-burnishing films that clean, smooth and burnish your shaft. For heavier dirt and chalk stained ferrules, Q Clean is the best shaft and ferrule cleaner available.
Often deeper dents in your shaft can also be repaired. By rubbing a glass or plastic rod over the dent rapidly, you can, in a sense, bring out the dent. By heating the cue with such friction, the wood expands.
Rather than taking down the rest of the shaft to match the dent, you are raising the dent above the shaft, then simply sanding down the newly formed bump to match the rest of the shaft.
How to protect your investment.
Having spent your hard earned money on a new possession, you would like to keep it safe, for the years of enjoyment ahead. Treat your new cue as you would a child. Never leave your cue in direct sunlight, extreme temperatures or humidity for extended periods of time. Your cue can be stored in your case, lying flat and level, in an upright rack, or hung straight up and down using a; cue hanger. While playing, never lean your cue against a table or wall and never use it to lean against. Products like Q Buddy or Cue Dude’s Portable Cue Stick Caddy, can be used to create a temporary rack to hold your cue in between shots.
Canadian 9-Ball Tour
on Monday, August 27, 2007
Canadian 9-Ball Tour Confirms Dates
The Canadian 9-Ball Tour, sponsored by Cineplex Entertainment and Chapters-Indigo Bookstores, has now confirmed the dates and venues for each stop on the tour. The complete schedule is below and may also be seen at the official Tour website: www.Canadian9balltour.com
Something else to see
New for this year are several improvements to the tour. First, each stop now contains $10,000 in added money for a total of $80,000 added for the season. And there is now a charity tie-in as the Boys and Girls Club has been named the official Tour Charity and will share in the proceeds of each tour stop.
Also, as the tour is now open to all international players and not just Canadians, the fields are being limited to the first sixty-four entrants to pay their entry fees. First come, first served, so get your entries in early (via the tour website) in order to insure yourself a berth in the fields. No spots will be reserved until paid.
The first event will be held October 5-7 at Bigwigs Billiards in Newmarket, Ontario (just north of Toronto). All dates were chosen in order that they not conflict with other important tournaments. It is hoped that promoters of new events will maintain and encourage this mutual respect.
Tour Dates
October 5-7, 2007: Bigwigs Billiards Newmarket, ON.
October 26-28, 2007: The Q Club Edmonton, AB.
Nov. 30 – Dec. 2, 2007: Tailgators Billiards Ottawa, ON.
February 1-3, 2008: Doolys Billiards Valleyfield, PQ.
March 7-9, 2008: Breakers Billiards & Bistro Kelowna, BC.
April 4-6, 2008: LeSkratch Bar & Billiards Montreal, PQ.
April 25-27, 2008: Bourbon Street Billiards Winnipeg, MB.
May 23-25, 2008: Shooters Snooker & Sports Bar Toronto, ON.
Good luck !
The Canadian 9-Ball Tour, sponsored by Cineplex Entertainment and Chapters-Indigo Bookstores, has now confirmed the dates and venues for each stop on the tour. The complete schedule is below and may also be seen at the official Tour website: www.Canadian9balltour.com
Something else to see
New for this year are several improvements to the tour. First, each stop now contains $10,000 in added money for a total of $80,000 added for the season. And there is now a charity tie-in as the Boys and Girls Club has been named the official Tour Charity and will share in the proceeds of each tour stop.
Also, as the tour is now open to all international players and not just Canadians, the fields are being limited to the first sixty-four entrants to pay their entry fees. First come, first served, so get your entries in early (via the tour website) in order to insure yourself a berth in the fields. No spots will be reserved until paid.
The first event will be held October 5-7 at Bigwigs Billiards in Newmarket, Ontario (just north of Toronto). All dates were chosen in order that they not conflict with other important tournaments. It is hoped that promoters of new events will maintain and encourage this mutual respect.
Tour Dates
October 5-7, 2007: Bigwigs Billiards Newmarket, ON.
October 26-28, 2007: The Q Club Edmonton, AB.
Nov. 30 – Dec. 2, 2007: Tailgators Billiards Ottawa, ON.
February 1-3, 2008: Doolys Billiards Valleyfield, PQ.
March 7-9, 2008: Breakers Billiards & Bistro Kelowna, BC.
April 4-6, 2008: LeSkratch Bar & Billiards Montreal, PQ.
April 25-27, 2008: Bourbon Street Billiards Winnipeg, MB.
May 23-25, 2008: Shooters Snooker & Sports Bar Toronto, ON.
Good luck !
Semih Sayginer - the artist
on Sunday, August 26, 2007
Semih Sayginer (born 12 November 1964, Adapazari, Turkey) nicknamed Mr. Magic or the Turkish Prince, is a four-time world champion Turkish professional carom billiards player.
Moving into the international arena, he won 9th place in the 1991 German Open and the 1991 Istanbul Efes Pilsen Grand Prix. Then in the 1992 Berlin World Championship, he took 8th place after beating Belgian world three-cushion billiards champion Raymond Ceulemans by 3-0.
He took 3rd place in the 1993 World Billiards Championship in Berlin, and won the 1994 World Cup (Three-cushion Division). He has played in the Holland Billiards League since 1994.
Sayginer was the winner of the 1998 World Billiards Championship (Three-cushion Division) held in Kemer, Antalya, Turkey by beating Cerwin Walentijn from Netherlands. In 2003, he won the championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, beating
European champion Dick Jaspers of the Netherlands, and regained his title. He won the 2003 World Billiards Team Championship held in Monchengladbach, Germany along with his teammate Tayfun Tasdemir defeating the Greek team in the finals.
On February 7, 2004 he was named "Best Billiard Player in the World for 2003" in Antwerp, Belgium. He is recorded in world billiards literature for his 42-shot technique. As of July 2006, he ranks 8th in the world players list of Union Mondiale
de Billiard.
Sayginer shares the world record for the highest run in three-cushion billiards of 31 with Columbian Hugo Patino who now resides in Queens in New York City.
Moving into the international arena, he won 9th place in the 1991 German Open and the 1991 Istanbul Efes Pilsen Grand Prix. Then in the 1992 Berlin World Championship, he took 8th place after beating Belgian world three-cushion billiards champion Raymond Ceulemans by 3-0.
He took 3rd place in the 1993 World Billiards Championship in Berlin, and won the 1994 World Cup (Three-cushion Division). He has played in the Holland Billiards League since 1994.
Sayginer was the winner of the 1998 World Billiards Championship (Three-cushion Division) held in Kemer, Antalya, Turkey by beating Cerwin Walentijn from Netherlands. In 2003, he won the championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, beating
European champion Dick Jaspers of the Netherlands, and regained his title. He won the 2003 World Billiards Team Championship held in Monchengladbach, Germany along with his teammate Tayfun Tasdemir defeating the Greek team in the finals.
On February 7, 2004 he was named "Best Billiard Player in the World for 2003" in Antwerp, Belgium. He is recorded in world billiards literature for his 42-shot technique. As of July 2006, he ranks 8th in the world players list of Union Mondiale
de Billiard.
Sayginer shares the world record for the highest run in three-cushion billiards of 31 with Columbian Hugo Patino who now resides in Queens in New York City.
Aramith Launches a New Dining Room Concept
on Saturday, August 25, 2007
When it comes to family home entertainment, the Fusion table has exactly what it needs to create those unique memorable moments to share with friends and family. By integrating a quality pool table and a game table right in a design dining table, the Fusion concept is unique in the fact that it adds multi-functionality to the dining room.
The table shifts seamlessly from a pure design object, into a roomy get2gether dining table, transformable in seconds into a quality billiard table or a game table to accompany the after dinner drinks.
As such, the Fusion table introduces a totally new product concept that addresses the current trend of people enjoying inviting and entertaining friends at home again. In this context billiards is one of the rare games that gathers young and old, male and female, friends and neighbors.
As such, Aramith’s innovative Dining Room Concept makes inviting, lounging or cocooning at home a truly entertaining experience.
International Pool Tour Organization
The International Pool Tour, or IPT, is the world leader in professional pocket billiards. The International Pool Tour is the largest pool tour in the history of billiards, and the best pool or pocket billiards and snooker players in the world are represented from 27 different countries. The IPT has six major professional pool tournaments in 2006 with qualification pocket billiards tournaments throughout the world for aspiring professional pool players.
Such pocket billiard players as Mike Sigel, Allison Fisher, Karen Corr, Loree Jon Jones, Efren Reyes, Johnny Archer, Nick Varner, Corey Deuel, Gerda Hofstatter, Earl Strickland, Francisco Bustamante, and over 100 more of the greatest pocket billiard players in the world are fixtures on the 2006 International Pool Tour season.
Such pocket billiard players as Mike Sigel, Allison Fisher, Karen Corr, Loree Jon Jones, Efren Reyes, Johnny Archer, Nick Varner, Corey Deuel, Gerda Hofstatter, Earl Strickland, Francisco Bustamante, and over 100 more of the greatest pocket billiard players in the world are fixtures on the 2006 International Pool Tour season.
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