History of the Noble Game of Billiards

How billiards came to America has not been positively established. There are tales that it was brought to St. Augustine by the Spaniards in the 1580s but research has failed to reveal any trace of the game there. More likely it was brought over by Dutch and English settlers. A number of American cabinetmakers in the 1700s turned out exquisite billiard tables, although in small quantities. Nevertheless, the game did spread throughout the Colonies. Even George Washington was reported to have won a match in 1748. By 1830, despite primitive equipment, public rooms devoted entirely to billiards appeared. The most famous of them was Bassford’s, a New York room that catered to stockbrokers. Here a number of American versions of billiards were developed, including Pin Pool, played with small wooden targets like miniature bowling pins, and Fifteen-Ball Pool, described later.

The American billiard industry and the incredible rise in popularity of the game are due to Michael Phelan, the father of American billiards. Phelan emigrated from Ireland and in 1850 wrote the first American book on the game. He was influential in devising rules and setting standards of behavior. An inventor, he added diamonds to the table to assist in aiming, and developed new table and cushion designs. He was also the first American billiard columnist. On January 1, 1859, the first of his weekly articles appeared in Leslie’s Illustrated Weekly. A few months later, Phelan won a prize of $15,000 at Detroit in the first important stake match held in the United States. He was a tireless promoter of the game and created the manufacturing company of Phelan and Collender. In 1884 the company merged with its chief competitor, J.M. Brunswick & Balke, to form the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company, which tightly controlled all aspects of the game until the 1950’s. Its successor, Brunswick Billiards, is still the largest American manufacturer.

The dominant American billiard game until the 1870s was American Four-Ball Billiards, usually played on a large (11- or 12-foot), four-pocket table with four balls-two white and red. It was a direct extension of English Billiards. Points were scored by pocketing balls, scratching the cue ball, or by making caroms on two or three balls. A “carom” is the act of hitting two object balls with the cue ball at one stroke. With so many balls, there were many different ways of scoring and it was possible to make up to 13 points on a single shot. American Four-Ball produced two offspring, both of which surpassed it in popularity by the late 1870s. One, simple caroms played with three balls on a pocket less table, is sometimes known as “Straight Rail,” the forerunner of all carom games. The other popular game was American Fifteen-Ball Pool, the predecessor of modern pocket billiards. The word “pool” means a collective bet, or ante. Many non-billiard games, such as poker, involve a pool but it was to pocket billiards that the name became attached. The term “poolroom” now means a place where pool is played, but in the 19th century a poolroom was a betting parlor for horse racing. Pool tables were installed so patrons could pass the time between races. The two became connected in the public mind, but the unsavory connotation of “pool-room” came from the betting that took place there, not from billiards.

Bedrock shoots to open pool hall on Seventh St.

Geoff Dawson says Seventh Street NW across from Verizon Center needs more entertainment.

The Washington Capitals and Bono just aren’t enough, even when you factor in a new 500-seat Clyde’s restaurant and upscale bowling alley Lucky Strike, both of which opened last fall.

Dawson, the co-owner of Bedrock Management, is putting together a lease at 714 Seventh St. NW with Douglas Development for 5,000 square feet in a basement that will highlight the company’s standard offerings: pool, shuffleboard and board games.

It’s a sizable parcel in a high-rent strip that’s commanding more than $80 per square foot. Dawson, whose company owns Atomic Billiards, Buffalo Billiards, The Continental and Bedrock Billiards, says he doesn’t know which brand will go in there yet.

“It’s just our kind of space — quirky,” says Dawson, adding that he hopes the space below Comfort One Shoes and Ecco will be ready in six months. The shoe stores signed about four months ago and are expected to open this summer.

The strip along Seventh Street is saturated with retailers that have been competing to be near Urban Outfitters, Aveda and Ann Taylor Loft, among others.

Trendy restaurants such as Zengo at Seventh and H streets, which opened last fall, are moving in at a fast clip. Former Vidalia executive chef Peter Smith signed a lease at Seventh and Eye streets NW in March — after a year of negotiations — to open a modern American restaurant.

Not much is left in the area. There’s a 30,000-square-foot parcel of retail expected to become available at Seventh and H streets NW, now home to CVS and owned by Yeni Wong.

“The property doesn’t deliver for two years,” says Transwestern Commercial Services broker Bill Miller, whose company is soft marketing the space now.

CVS may stay in the space, says Miller, who’s negotiating with the retailer. Regardless, more than 20,000 square feet will be available at $100 a sqaure foot. “No one has gone, ‘You’re nuts,” Miller says. “We’re being patient.”

Coin Operated Billiard Tables As A Business

Coin Operated Billiard Tables As A Business

The game of billiards has caught the interest of many people around the world. It’s great for leisure, entertainment and even business purpose. Using billiards for business typically involves business owners by time rental or per game. One way to make money from billiard tables is to use coin operated billiard tables.

Coin operated billiard tables are billiard tables which release the billiard balls once a certain amount of money in coins is inserted into the coin slot. The coin slots on the table may function mechanically or electronically.

The mechanical coin operated billiard tables are made of metal. The coins are inserted into slots provided on the sliding mechanical rack. Once all the coins are entered into the slots, the mechanical sliding rack is pushed into the billiard table. When the mechanical rack releases the coins, it trigger’s a mechanism which releases the balls into the billiard table’s ball compartment.

Electronic coin operated billiard tables may provide a slot wherein are simply inserted one-by-one. Once the required amount is inserted and detected by the computerized operation system, the balls are released. Some of these electronically configured billiard tables may even accept paper money.

Coin operated billiard tables typically charge per game. The advantages of using coin operated billiard tables are that they require no monitoring and no manpower. They are also economical. The disadvantages of using them include that some tables may malfunction or get damaged (repairs may be costly), and if placed in an unsecured area, theft is a possibility.

The disadvantages may be more evident if the billiard table is poorly made, while they may not even be apparent if the coin operated billiard table is made properly. It all depends on the quality.

For those who are interested in starting a business from coin operated billiard tables, the numerous options available can be discovered on the Internet.

Greatest Pool Shot Ive Ever Seen

A true story by Terry Moldenhauer and happened in the early 90’s. I had gone to Germany, to a billiard trade show, and was representing Beach Billiards selling pool tables, game tables, and bumper pool tables.

After the second day at the trade show we has sold pool tables and game tables but no bumper pool tables. No one had seen bumper pool tables before and tehy were not familiar with the game. Nick Varner and Mike Sigel were at the billiard show selling cues. Both of these world champion pool players were friends of mine and I went over to them and asked he they would play a game of bumper pool for me so that we could get some interest in the game. They said sure so we set up and exhibition game in the afternoon.

By the afternoon we pulled a bumper pool table into the aisle and Mike and Nick started hitting the balls around the table. Within minutes we had over 200 spectators watching them. I introduced Mike and Nick to the crowd and explained the rules to the crowd. For those of you that don’t know the rules the idea is to sink your five balls into the opposite side of the table. The first one who accomplishes this wins.

By the time the game started half of the auditorium was watching world champions Mike and Nick play bumper pool. The game is an offensive and defensive game combined. the play went back and forth with each player making a ball and then playing defense. The crowd was alive and were cheering every time one of them made a ball. At the end of the game each player had one ball left on the table and it was Nicks turn.

There are 8 bumpers posts in the middle of the table and most players try and make bank shots to get their balls into the hole. Nick studied the shot for several minutes as teh crowd waited with anticipation. Nick stepped to the table and raised his cue. With a downward motion he jumped the ball over the posts.

and the ball sailed into the hole. The crowd went wild cheering and clapping for several minutes. Mike couldn’t believe it. I too went wild. That particular shot is one in a million. Needles to say bumper pool had arrived in Europe.

That night we went to dinner and talked about the miracle. shot. Mike still didn’t believe he saw it and Nick said it was a money shot. I too was still in a state of shock. All i could say was unbelievable. Fanstastic!

To this day, after being around the game of pool for over 40 years, and watching many tournaments, i have never ever seen a beeter shot than Nick preformed on a bumper pool table that day. Ask Nick what his best shot was. He will tell you it happened on a bumper pool table in Germany.

Antique Pool Table from 1800’s Returned

A long time ago around 1855, when billiards was actually quite popular in Canada, a now historic antique pool table was hauled away by Canadian soldiers after their victory in Batoche. The billiard table, and other looted items have become identity symbols in this area, which is predominantly Metis occupied.

In early 2006, news cam that the antique pool table would be returned to Batoche, after is lengthy stay in a Manitoba penitentiary. Needless to say, this was a victorious moment for the people, and for the area.

Mark Calette of the Batoche National Historic Site, where the billiards table was unveiled, indicated that the return of Domont’s antique pool table “symbolizes a chance for us to reflect that yes, these things were taken, but now they’re coming home.” He says that, “For the families, including mine, that lost everything; this kind of symbolizes a return.”

Dumont’s antique pool table is a mahogany beauty, six feet by 12 feet, with the words “Northwest” engraved on the undeside of the pool table’s bed. When returned, the table was slightly battered and required a new felt cloth surface, but was otherwise in good shape.

The famously antique pool table was used in Dumont’s “Stopping Place” south of Batoche where travelers could enjoy a drink, play some billiards, and have a rest. All this was in the late 19th century, when billiards was quite popular with tournaments even getting press coverage. Gabriel Dumont’s acquaintance Louis Riel would often stop in to relax, drink, and to challenge Dumont to a game on the ole pool table. Dumont was an excellent billiards player but it is said that when Louis would come to play billiards at Gabriel’s club, Louis had to spot Gabriel points as he was reportedly even better.

Metis elders claim that Dumont’s antique billiard table had ended up at Stony Mountain penitentiary in Manitoba. It is believed that a prison warden who was also a transport officer in the Canadian forces, took tha table there after teh battle in Batoche that eventually lead to Riel’s death by hanging. After its stint at the penitentiary, the billiard table was used in the warden’s home for decades, until it was eventually transferred to Parks Canada where it sat dormant in a warehouse for many years.

Some Pool Cue Grip Technique

Some Pool Cue Grip Technique

When we are aiming for a billiard shot, we visualize the stroke and the proper angle. One assumption that we make when visualizing the shot is that the stroke will be perfectly fluid and will be delivered smoothly, just as we envisioned it. For most, this is not the case, since their pool cue grip technique prevents them from executing the intended shot.

To begin setting up a proper pool cue grip technique, you need to first find a comfortable, relaxed grip, and ensure that it is consistent throughout your stroke. Don’t tense up half way through or your perfectly envisioned shot will fall apart because your stroke will skew to the left or right and become erratic. Too tight of a grip will tense up muscles in the forearm which will cause your stroke to perform erratically. Likewise, too loose a grip and you could lose control of the stroke.

Find the balance point in the cue, and then as a general starting point, move back about four inches. Alternatively, there is a different method of finding out where to grip your pool cue. Click to read the article. It will indicate that there is the proper place for gripping on your cue stick on most types of shots. There are shot situations where the nature or requirements of shot itself calls for you to adjust your grip hand slightly forward or backwards a few inches. For the most part however, your grip hand should be about four inches behind the balance point on the cue.

The psychology behind this is that you are trying to train your eye to work with your hand. When this falls in to place after tons of practice, your consistency will greatly improve. Repetition is the best form of training available. As Analipotese said, “the organism repeats that which is pleasurable.” The eye and the hand need to work together and each must be coordinated since the eye will interpret the shot, and then command your body to moves your hand accordingly. Your hand will then instinctively react to what the eye sees and processes, based on previous experience. It is like driving in a whiteout storm where the snow is so thick you can barely see the road. If you have never driven the road before, panic sets in, and you stress out and tense up. If you have much experience driving the road, you’ll fare much better. So, become one with your grip hand, and try to mentally link up what your eyes see, and how your hand (should) react in that shot situation. Forget preconceptions, let the eyes and the grip become one being, transfer your eye to your griping, shooting hand and visualize the successful shot.

If you can develop an acute sense of feeling with your back hand you’ll succeed. Some drills for this can help. It will only come with practice and more practice. Good luck!

Alex Pagulayan’s representation claim. . .

Alex Pagulayan’s representation claim the suit against the billiard association is strong.

“After a thorough evaluation of the evidence, we found out that we have a good case against officials of the BSCP. Alex Pagulayan’s stature as a world champion and national sports icon deserve nothing but accolade and respect. The respondents clearly put my client in bad light when they accused him of sharking before the international media,” said Alexis Abastillas-Suarez.

Because of the alledged wrongdoing, Alex Pagulayan is asking moral and exemplary damages. He claims that a P3-million endorsement deal from Andok’s Litson alone.

“I was accused of something I have never done. It was never my intention to put myself and the country in shame. Ngayon, bahala na ang korte ang magdesisyon kung sino ang tama at mali sa pangyayaring ito,” said the 29-year-old Fil-Canadian, who rose to prominence after winning the 2004 World Pool championship.

This lawsuit is reminiscent of a similar accusation in 2007 against the has accused the Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines of being vindictive following his refusal to participate in a TV program series being produced for Philippine television.

Alex Pagulayan revealed that when he was called to a meeting about the TV show he made it clear that he was a professional and ?money talks? adding that “?if they want to use me and make money off me, I need to make money too”.? His statements were apparently not well received. Neither was his demand to be compensated. He said “so now they are getting back at me.”

Alex Pagulayan made the statement after the BSCP replaced him as a member of the four-man Philippine team that is scheduled to compete in the Guinness Asia 9-Ball Tour in Shanghai. China on August 3-5. He also said that he had ?spent money for his plane fare to come, missed a couple of tournaments and exhibition matches? which deprived him of earnings. Alex Pagulayan said ?its good that they did this so “I can now go to media and tell them what has been happening”.?

BSCP president Ernesto Fajardo told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that Alex Pagulayan was replaced because he was ?clowning around too much in the semi finals of the Singapore leg? of the tour. However, Fajardo admitted that the sponsors of the tour, Guinness and the TV broadcaster ESPN Star Sports had not complained about Alex Pagulayan’?s antics which is an integral part of his character and which fans have often appreciated because, as Pagulayan says, “?I entertain the fans”.?

Fajardo said the decision to replace Alex Pagulayan with Jeffrey De Luna was made by the BSCP executive committee since the Guiness 9-Ball Tour was ?sanctioned by the Asian Pocket Billiards Union and the World Pool Association and the invitation to nominate two players was coursed through the BSCP which is the National Sports Association.

Alex Pagulayan lost an exciting match against Malaysia’s Ibrahim Amir 11-13 where both men played some great shots. ESPN reported that a visibly disappointed Alex Pagulayan said “it was a bad loss for me to take because I really wanted to make my country proud and produce our first winner this year.” Alex Pagulayan said he was “hoping to make up for the loss in Shanghai” but has, by the action of the BSCP been denied that chance and he clearly feels bad about it.

Willie Hoppe - Billiard Player

At the young age of five, Willie Hoppe started learning how to play billiards. He played on the pool table in the hotel that his father owned and operated. Because he was so short, he would stand on a box in order to reach the table. By the age of nine, he became known as the “Boy Wonder” and by age fourteen, he was playing billiards professionally with men three times his age.

Willie Hoppe is thought by many billiard enthusiasts to be one of the greatest well-rounded, and all-around pool player of any era. His name was synonymous with the word “billiards” for over twenty five years due to his many victories and titles in the sport.

Some of Willie Hoppe’s accomplishments include:
*Willie Hoppe won his first world billiards title at the young age of thirteen.
*He won world titles in both 18.1 and 18.2 Balklin
*Hoppa won the Cushion Carom world title.

Willie Hoppe is also a very versatile player. When Balkine billiards was replaced by Three-Cushion Billiards as teh world championship game, Hoppe simply reconfigured and adjusted his game. Between 1936 and 1952, Willie Hoppe won the World Three-Cushion title eleven times.

Willie Hoppe was and excellent 18.1 Balkline and 18.2 Balkline player, winning the world 18.1 balkline championship by beating Maurice Vignaux of France on January 15, 1906 and by going on to win the title in 1908, from 1909 through 1911, and from 1914 through 1926. Although he lost the championship to Jake Schaefer Jr. in 1926, Willie Hoppe rightfully regained it in 1927, which was the last year in which competitive play took place for that type of billiards. He was also the world 18.2 balkline champion in 1907, from 1910 through 1920, from 1923 through 1924, and in 1927.

With the decline of Blakline Billiards, Willie Hoppe began focusing his game on three-cushion billiards in the 1930s. He won world championships in 1936, from 1940 through 1944, and from 1947 until he retired from professional billiards in 1952.

Willie Hoppe holds numerous records in the sport of billiards which still stand. In his array of records, he hold the one that was set for an incredible run of 622 in 18.2 balkline during an exhibition match in 1912. Additionally, Willie set records with runs of 20 points in three-cushion league play in 1927 and three-cushion match play in 1945, and he ran a record 25 points in a 1928 exhibition against Charles C. Peterson. His grand tournament average of 1.33 in 1950 is also a standing record.

9 Ball (Pankaj Advani)

Pankaj Advani was born on July 24, 1985, in Pune, India. Advani is an exceptional billiard professional from India. He is the winner of three world titles in billiards and snooker. he became the first player to complete a grand double by winning both the points format as well as the time format titles in the IBSF World Billiards champioinship in 2005. Mr. Advani also won the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Tana Award for 2005.

It has been said that Pankaj Advani is the best thing to have happened to Indian billiards after the legendary Geet Sethi. Pankaj Advani showed promise and talent from a young age. He has made a mark for himself by capturing three world titles at only 19 years old.

He was spotted by Arvind Savur, former national snooker champion, when he was a ten year old who used to accompany his elder borther to the karnataka State Billiards Association hall.
At seventeen years of age, Pankaj became the youngest national snooker champion, and went on to do very well for himself internationally. In 2005, Advani became the first player to complete a grand double by winning both the points format as well as the time format titles in the IBSF World Billiards championship in Malta. He also won the World snooker title in 2003.

Advani is said to be unassuming, but his opponents know, and cower at the fact that he has won the points format title beating compatriot Devendra Joshi 6-2 in the final, and that he had the patience and the skills to beat the best in the longer format as he outplayed seven-time World champion Geet Sethi in a thrilling six hour final.

Watch to see Pankaj Advani reach greater heights in the sport of billiards in the years to come.

A snooker professional cannot let anything get in the way of his or her game. He of she has to practice regularly, with body and mind and has to be totally focussed. Below, Pankaj in his own words talks a little bit about practice and tournament play.

Jennifer Barretta - Billiard Professional

While discussing the game of pool, it is near impossible not to mention the professional billiards phenomenon Jennifer Barretta. Jennifer is among the top 9-ball players in the world, and that was no accident! Jennifer spends nearly everyday (all-day), practicing with her billiards coach; and that is why she has recently earned “player of the year” status.

Jennifer Barretta, before she begin her phenomenal billiard career she was and avid tennis player as well as a competitive fitness guru; once claiming the title of “Ms. Philadelphia” in a fitness competition.

Most of the people think that being a professional athlete is the easiest job in the world, but Jennifer Barretta knows better; in a recent interview Jennifer said that she was glad to be home after the 2006 billiards world tour “for three days anyway”. That is the kind of dedication that is needed to become a world renowned billiard champion.

As a young girl, Jennifer said that she was, “kind of a geeky tomboy who also liked to read, and of course boys!”. However, Jennifer is no longer that “geeky tomboy”, but instead she is one of the most talented billiards players in the world. Who on the side finds the time to pose in men’s magazines such as Playboy and FHM become “un-officially” Miss 2005.

Jennifer Barretta turned WPBA pro in 1997, at the age of 29. She went pro with the WBPA in 2003, at the October Canadian Classic. Jenifer believes her strongest attribute is her mental toughness. Her favorite drill is performing long and straight in draw shots, and she also notes the importance of safety play and position play. Jennifer Barretta starring in the new movie release 9 ball. When she was asked in it in an interview, who would pay her in a movie about her own life. She said she liked Reese Witherspoon didn’t think they were anything alike. When the interviewer suggested Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Barretta agreed, indicating that they were both athletic.

There are currently no records until 2006 or achievements listed for Jennifer Barretta.