Billiards - A Great Gaming Tradition

Billiards - A Great Gaming Tradition
By Connor R Sullivan

Most everyone has heard of the game of pool, or eight ball, but does everyone know that this game was born out of the more traditional game of billiards? Everyone has also heard of pool cues but will not realize that they also emanated from the same game.

So what is it about the eight ball game that made it storm all over the world with its popularity? Well, for one instance it is much faster than the traditional game. Everyone would get fed up with the somewhat complicated scoring that occurs and find that it is much easier just to pot the colors and the black ball in a designated pocket. In the traditional game, all the balls have to be potted in a specific order to get the highest score. Some balls are taken back out of the pockets several times during the game and this is where it all gets a little confusing. The scoring is so complicated that the venue usually has a kind of marking board so that everyone can keep check on each individual score.

If anyone has ever watched these traditional game tournaments they will see exactly what the problem is. Indeed, it is so traditional that the umpires (referees) and players all where evening dress. Would anyone do this to play a game of eight ball? This is highly unlikely, to say the least.

Eight ball tables these days are usually found in every bar or recreation joint. Many places will have several tables so that no one has to wait for a game. Normally, the winner of the game stays on the table and the next player challenges him or her and pays for that particular game. Good players will only pay for their first game and then play for several hours absolutely free because the challengers will always pay to try to knock them off the table!

Eight ball games are usually friendly, very competitive and sometimes downright ferocious. Many players will add a bet on the side to make the game more exciting while others will bet a beer on the outcome of the game. Both these new traditions can cause a lot of problems for the players. Nobody wants to lose so the game becomes too serious and will result in bad feelings particularly if the loser keeps on losing. Remember that some will feel like they were cheated or 'hustled' if the winner was a bad player at the beginning of the session and then turns out to be an 'all state champion' when a bet is put on the game. This has led to many a bar fight and most recreational places will bar any kind of gambling to keep the peace.

Remember that whoever is playing, fair play should always be the watchword and cheating should be watched for at all times. Even distracting by game side friends have caused many an argument and this can be dangerous where alcohol is being imbibed. Let fair play rule on the table!

Connor Sullivan recently looked into purchasing a billiards table for a youth home in the area. With the pool table he was also looking to buy pool cues.

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