There are days when the stress and pressure are so high, that you want to give up everything, go out and do something relaxing. And it's just your luck that it’s a rainy day! But there are enjoyable ways of spending a rainy day indoors. Playing pool on your own pool table may be just the activity you need.
The pool game is part of the large family of billiards games. It is also known as “pocket billiard” because all the activity is centered around a pool table that has 6 pockets. The game involves two players, who are supposed to maneuver the balls with the help of a cue stick. The purpose of the game is to direct the balls into the pool table's pockets. The game started being played in the,19th century in the parlors (called “pool rooms”) where, more usually, horse racing bets were placed. The game took its name from the name of the room.
Firstly the game was played on the floor, but because the players solicited their backs so much, it was moved on to tables. Soon the pockets were added, to prevent balls falling on the floors. The first mentioned pool table belonged to King Louis XI of France in 1470. It was quite expensive to build such a table, so only rich people could afford one. The others tried to build their own tables at home! A big step forward was made in 1826, when John Thurston fabricated the slate bed and the table's surface became smoother. And since then it has continuously improved.
A reference name in the pool game - Brunswick
Brunswick pool tables are one of the most well known in the world. The first one was produced in 1845. John Brunswick was a man of vision and he had foreseen the huge potential of building billiards and pool tables. Starting with the first pool table produced (which was a masterpiece), the Brunswick label is synonymous with quality and performance.
Don't forget about pool lights
Being mainly an inside game, the lights play a very important role during a pool game. They are placed above the table to offer better visibility. Pool table lights can have many forms. Traditionally there are two or three lamps, but they can be successfully replaced with neon bar lights. The distance between the playing surface and the lights is very important: if it is not big enough, only part of the table will be lit; if it's too small, the players can be annoyed by the glare.
The top of a pool table is usually green and made of 75% wool, 25% cotton or nylon. The table itself varies in size (7, 8 or 9 feet). They are made of cherry, oak or maple wood.
The main accessory for the game is the cue stick. This has two parts: the shaft and the tip. The tip should always be chalked in order to get a better adherence to the ball.
Everybody can afford a cheap/discount pool table
A cheap pool table is one that doesn't use very expensive products in the manufacturing process. For example, instead of being made of oak or cherry, it is made of pine or plywood. The price can also be reduced, if the design is not too complicated!
A discount pool table has a lower cost because we are talking about a pool table that was already used (we can buy it from auction, newspaper announcement, on line shops, a closed club that has to get rid of all its stuff) or its a brand new one, but it isn’t a popular style (or the dealer tries to sell overloaded stock).
When you decide to buy a pool table you have to think of the following: how much space do you have for it at home; what is the size you need; what's your purpose for buying it-practice or pleasure; what design do you want and how much are you willing to pay for it. Don't just jump at a bargain, because this is a long term investment!
