tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44995050229679724902024-03-07T20:24:02.692-08:009ballpool.com Blog9 ball pool is becoming an increasingly popular sport. It's exciting, colourful and appears to transcend all age groups and cultural barriers. Here at 9ballpool.com we love the game of 9 ball and we hope you'll share in our enthusiasm by reading the 9ballpool.com Blog.9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-4536439077119619592010-12-15T00:41:00.000-08:002010-12-15T00:41:00.155-08:009 ball video - clip 9 (trick shot)All <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_players/9_ball_champions.htm">9 ball players</a> like to think they are 'cool' around the pool table.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_players/efren_reyes.htm">Efren Reyes</a> has to be one of the 'coolest' ever 9 ball players simply because <em>he doesn't try to be</em>, he's just brilliantly natural.<br /><br />If and when you get to perform a brilliant shot in front of a other players it's an amazing feeling. Let's face it everybody enjoys watching great play whether it's <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9_ball_trickshots.htm">9 ball trick shots</a> or just a display of great potting skill or ball control.<br /><br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxlvNDXlT-1HB-bGce1ACiMkOpyMP1f6gwyyVKLh1mloFF4GTIISaKWiZW0A9vwVtgWcw3JRNhxWj5Vtt1DZg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Here is a video clip for you to enjoy .... it's not a typical trick shot .... more one of those that you watch and wait to react, then realise how subtle and clever it is! Not easy to emulate ... ENJOY!9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-83650761876320788772010-11-11T00:13:00.000-08:002010-11-11T00:13:00.223-08:009 ball video - clip 8One of the toughest shots in pool (not just <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/">9 ball</a>) is to pot a ball that is tight on the rail, especially if it's a fair distance from the pocket you need to pot it into.<br /><br />You have to get the angle <em>exactly</em> right otherwise the ball will nudge the rail and start to come away which of course means it will not travel in a straight line and probably miss the pocket you are aiming for.<br /><br />This 9 ball video clip shows how it should be done. A 7 ball is halfway up the rail and requires to be potted at pace.<br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzAIVqOlOHHWo4lJIJoV0Y9W1ZwoRrXUj1jZgj4zEa73bGvkA8PfmUqcIjE5m4FskgbAVA_Ng6kr2M3NpYV8Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Thanks Oliver for making this great shot - you made it look easy!9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-20008639276840592562010-10-27T12:02:00.000-07:002010-10-27T12:12:44.494-07:009 ball videos - clip 7It's a while since our last <a href="http://blog.9ballpool.com/2010/02/9-ball-videos-clip-6.html">9 ball video</a> clip was published in our blog (February - how time flies!). So we thought it time to feature a few more over the coming weeks.<br /><br /><p align="center"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx3zV9kkdWIIQuoee5I0uCL8K9jYGZlEbfSe0oQ1NtKKmbVVmXzcrF3BQxIxGKYuVrkTANTsZ4aBQeesTZHag' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br /><p align="left">This 9 ball video clip demonstrates both a great long pot but with superb position on the next ball. </p>9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-33074804191009759612010-10-08T09:28:00.000-07:002010-10-08T09:38:36.875-07:009ball, Gambling & Poker - What's The Connection?The game of <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/">9ball </a>is a colourful one; often entertaining with twists and turns, it's not always easy to predict the outcome.<br /><br />Today 9ball is played in many pool halls, clubs and private homes. Historically, however - and we see this portrayed very strongly in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/">the movies</a> - the game of pool has been synonomous with gambling with players playing for money and/or often playing in pool halls where quiet but serious poker games are being played in the dark corners.<br /><br />For many people therefore, the game of pool has a gambling connection. So if you're one of those people and you happen to like playing poker, you might like to read about <a href="http://www.poker-card-tricks.com/">Poker Card Tricks</a> or the latest <a href="http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=Poker%20news&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbo=u&tbs=nws:1&source=og&sa=N&tab=wn">Poker News</a>. Then there's always a little studying you can do about <a href="http://www.holdem-poker-rules.co.uk/">Holdem Poker Rules</a> or you might prefer some great <a href="http://how-to-play-poker.co.uk/poker_jokes.html">poker jokes</a>. The choice is yours!9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-37418764359275902722010-08-07T01:17:00.000-07:002010-08-07T01:17:00.771-07:00Pool In The MoviesThere have been some great movies made where pool and pool players feature in the story. <a href="http://blog.9ballpool.com/2008/10/tribute-to-paul-newman-fast-eddie.html">Paul Newman</a> as 'Fast Eddie Felsen' in 'The Hustler' is perhaps the most famous.<br /><br />However, there are plenty of other movies that feature a pool game or a pool hall for a particular scene setting.<br /><br /><img class="gl_link" alt="Link" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" border="0" /><br />Here's a great example - <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120812/combined">'Rush Hour'</a> featuring <a href="http://www.jackiechan.com/">Jackie Chan</a> and Chris Tucker. There is a fabulous scene where they visit the Azteca Pool hall. A fight breaks out and Jackie (playing Inspector Lee) has the most amazing fight fending off attacks from several pool players armed with pool cues. Jackie successfully defends himself, leaping over pool tables and disarming the assailants using everything at his disposal from pool balls to pool cues - he even swirls 2 pool cues at the same time in self defence. Not only that but halfway through the fight sequence he even has time to flick the black 8 ball into a pocket with his fingers, as if he couldn't resist the opportunity to finish off a rack himself! Brilliant, entertaining and very skillful.9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-87872157389354567622010-07-21T13:06:00.000-07:002010-07-21T13:06:00.779-07:00Finding the Perfect Pool CueAs we know from previous posts, pool cues can vary in so many ways.<br /><br />They can be made of different materials, vary in length and vary in weight. The way the cue's shaft is finished off can also vary as can the size/type of cue tip.<br /><br />No wonder then that find the 'perfect' pool cue is not easy! Every person has their own individual need depending upon their height, size of hands and even their cue stance. Let's look at two of the top pro 9 ball pool players - <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_players/ralph_souquet.htm">Ralph Souquet</a> and <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_players/rodney_morris.htm">Rodney Morris</a> for example. Physically quite different and with very different styles of play. So they're not likely to use the same pool cue.<br /><br />Going back in time to the days of <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/top_pool_players.htm">Ralph Greenleaf</a>, the first great master of pool, cues were quite different. One example is an early Brunswick cue produced when Greenleaf was in his prime. Described on <a href="http://www.3cushion.com/On%20Line%20Collection/Cues/greenleaf.htm">3cushion.com</a> as "<em>a full splice of rosewood into maple, with four veneers on each point</em>" the cue is understood to be in the Rich Sheerman collection.<br /><br />Most pool players find that it's a case of extremes ... they either love the first cue they ever play with and keep it for years or they go through a number of cues before evetually finding the right one, sometimes having to have a custom cue made.9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-89627302880619934882010-07-07T13:03:00.000-07:002010-07-07T13:03:00.154-07:00Pool Cues & Snooker Cues<strong>Pool cues and snooker cues</strong> are usually around 57 ins (148 cm) long.<br /><br />There are 3 main types:<br /><br />1. The simplest type = 1 piece cue. This is the most common type of cue found in pool halls for public use. This type of cue has a uniform taper to it.<br /><br />2. The 2 piece cue. This is divided in the middle which makes transportation easier as it needs a smaller cue case. Most top <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_players/9_ball_champions.htm">9 ball players</a> use this type of pool cue.<br /><br />3. The 'Three Quarter' 2 piece cue. Another 2 piece cue but with a joint located 3/4 way down, used mainly by snooker players.9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-24563821856071360152010-06-21T07:58:00.000-07:002010-06-21T07:58:00.078-07:00Pool Cue HistoryAccording to reference sources, before the cue came the mace. This was something like a lightweight golf club with a foot at the end of it that was used to push the cue ball rather than strike it. Sounds strange but true!<br /><br />If the cue ball became frozen against a cushion, it was difficult to use the mace because the foot did not fit under the edge of the cushion. So you could not strike the ball cleanly.<br /><br />By the late 17th century, players took up the practive of turning the mace around and using the butt end to play shots off the cushions. It is from this that we get the word 'cue' - stemming from the French word 'queue' meaning tail. Hence flatless cue sticks were in common use by the turn of the 18th/19th century. The mace, however, was in use until well into the 19th century.<br /><br />The introduction of the cue opened up new possibilities for billiards and snooker and eventually led to the development of rubber cushions. Then followed the game of pool including <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/">9 ball</a> and so it was that pool cues developed in a different way to snooker cues.<br /><br />The use of chalk with a cue is also an interesting part of cue history ... in the days before tips were put onto cues, a player would sometimes twist the end of his cue into a plaster wall or ceiling to get a chalk type deposit on the end - this reduced the chances of a miscue and so provided an advantage in the game.<br /><br />It was John Carr who first sold cue chalk in small boxes.9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-20427542408838129202010-06-08T12:34:00.000-07:002010-06-08T12:58:07.278-07:00Pool Cues<strong>Pool cues</strong> are to pool players what tennis racquets are to tennis players. They have to feel absolutely right!<br /><br />This includes several key factors:<br /><br />length of cue<br />weight<br />grip type<br />cue tip<br /><br />Professional pool players, including <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_players/9_ball_champions.htm">9ball players</a>, usually have a custom made pool cue. There are some top class pool cue manufacturers to choose from too.<br /><br />There are plenty of choices when looking for <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/9ball-20?%5Fencoding=UTF8&node=2">pool cues online</a>. Stores such as Amazon offer a decent range for the amateur pool player.<br /><br />If you take your game of 9 ball seriously you might like to buy a cue that you've seen a professional 9 ball player use such as <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_players/efren_reyes.htm">Efren Reyes</a> or <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_players/daryl_peach.htm">Daryl Peach</a>.<br /><br />Before you decide which pool cue to buy and how much money to spend, remember the real value of the game of pool is in how much you enjoy it. If you don't enjoy the game then no matter how good your pool cue is, it won't help!9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-563220178858434422010-04-15T02:27:00.001-07:002010-06-08T12:33:52.957-07:009ballpool.com Blog - Link NewsThe blog of <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/">9ballpool.com</a> is now located at http://blog.9ballpool.com/.<br />If not automatically redirected within 30 seconds, please click <a href="http://blog.9ballpool.com/">here</a>.<br /><br />For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to<br /><a href="http://blog.9ballpool.com/feeds/posts/default">http://blog.9ballpool.com/feeds/posts/default</a>.<br /><br />Thank you.9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-54751965451742843292010-02-20T15:35:00.000-08:002010-02-20T15:35:00.310-08:009 ball videos - Clip 6For this next 9 ball video clip we chose another long pot .... this time the 1 ball is potted from the other extreme end of the table with the cue ball close to the cushion. It's a brave shot - made at pace with total control of the cue ball. Great <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/">9 ball</a> play Oliver!<br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwRCBl5c-xy1T2bwASSMGnSi7pccQMbfyZ49YjODA3AcACtg0ARHlBwYsAXMDheVW3m9YrqqXoYGcXLF1z_Ug' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p align="left">How much do you know about the choice of colours for the cloth on a 9 ball table? Check out our <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/pooltables/table_colours.htm">pool table cloth colours</a> page. You might be surprised at the choices!<br /></p>9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-52969335565849581122010-02-17T01:30:00.000-08:002010-02-17T01:30:01.121-08:009 ball videos - Clip 5Potting long shots in the game of <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/">9 ball</a> is something most players try to avoid. The greater the distance between the cue ball and the object ball, the more chance there is of the shot going wrong. It's the same in <a href="http://www.worldsnooker.com/masters10_news.htm?tid=148">snooker</a> (though of course much more difficult in that game as the table is 12ft long!).<br /><br />This 9 ball video clip we made shows Oliver taking on and succeeding with a great long pot, potting the 5 ball at pace.<br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyX1gVoXIDesrd_CcOkTVMusfBsRhyBbCO-6rLUina8GyoR-fxRWiQaVfaKR0Yd056txVEayQS0rYL1kKiVvw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></p>9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-13904629306701708732010-02-07T01:22:00.000-08:002010-02-07T01:22:00.082-08:009 ball videos - Clip 4Another cannon shot to pot the 9 ball and win the rack.<br /><br />In this 9 ball video clip Oliver makes a clever shot, sending the cue ball into the 6 ball which in turn gently cannons into the 9 ball at just the right angle to send it down the table and into one of the bottom corner pockets. With the 9 ball so close to the side cushion, it's not an easy shot. Well done Oliver - game over!<br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dztQAGkwS-6kU2CgjmFiof2Ie0XR7jtv-F__w7PhMHBgeq6mWGOFEa8scZqruwMT1339AckMX5tUJCYrh0s' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p align="left">This was not a 'trick shot' as such, just a clever one. If you want to see some trick shots go to our <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9_ball_trickshots.htm">9 ball trick shots</a> page where we explain 7 great trick shots common to 9 ball pool.<br /></p>9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-12919864631015345792010-01-29T02:14:00.000-08:002010-01-29T02:14:00.275-08:009 ball videos - Clip 3This is the type of shot that everyone likes to play in a game of <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/">9 ball</a> ... where you deliberately hit the next designated ball in such a way as to pot the 9 ball - and win the rack! <br /><br />This 9 ball video clip shows the 3 ball being struck to cannon into the 9 and pot it via the side cushion.<br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxWefO9uWM0j33XTan8yz4da8juTA-WKi5AxBfpsc9J2orN1QDDLdmjMnaofhf8YvzXw_AxudhpGlfhCpBmnA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>Interested in the history of 9 ball? Here are some links worth reading ... </p><p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine-ball">9 ball history on Wikipedia</a> ~ <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/history.htm">9 ball history on 9ballpool.com</a><br /></p>9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-80299446648818045762010-01-22T01:04:00.000-08:002010-01-22T01:04:00.134-08:009 ball videos - Clip 2The next 9 ball video clip we want to share with you is a break-off shot where the 3 ball goes down off the break, giving the player a good start to the rack. <br /><br />It takes time and patience to perfect the break-off and although <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_players/9_ball_champions.htm">top 9 ball players</a> can regularly get 3 or 4 balls down off the break, you should always be happy just to get 1 ball down and have a nice shot on the next ball.<br /><br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxNYPz5ESVEqXB--qNmqMX9pM5zjD3IkhOtV8wX_fuQ9gVc5nvtkdDZZWJETOiZXTr9ax8LOzuJ2xFWXkZi_w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p align="left">It's been a long standing rumour that Francisco Bustamante once got 7 balls down off the break. Sadly it wasn't officially recorded but given his talent, it's quite credible. <br /></p>9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-3131321102519101132010-01-15T12:52:00.001-08:002010-01-15T13:02:35.483-08:009 ball videos - Clip 1One of the best things about <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/">9 ball</a> is that it's colourful and exciting to watch. There's not a lot to understanding <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_rules.htm">9 ball rules</a> - it's not rocket science! So it makes for great viewing on tv - and web videos. So we decided it was time to shoot not only a little 9 ball but a few video clips of it!<br /><br />Here is the first in a series of 9 ball videos showing some of the different types of shot - there are hundreds of course so we can't cover every 9 ball shot but we'll do our best to make them interesting. Thanks to Oliver for playing the shots for us.<br /><br />We call this one the 2 in 1 shot ... you'll see why!<br /><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwyStAAIWj8__4SPehIzFMY-RRvWPBXqFYuhITW-x8Y8MIkJKWEYmSwFnj30crqd5LmX_0Qlywj7rHia1p-2w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p align="left">Check out our online <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/9ball-20">9 ball store</a> (in association with Amazon).<br />Select from some great <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/9ball-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=3">pool and billiards books</a> and <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/9ball-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=3">pool and billiards videos</a>.<br /></p>9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-20964180019956162382008-12-21T13:35:00.001-08:002008-12-21T13:47:51.307-08:0011-5 Mosconi Cup Victory For EuropeOn 14 December, for the first time ever, team Europe retained their title as Mosconi Cup winners and what a victory it was!<br /><br />Sponsored by PartyPoker.com at Malta's Hilton Hotel in Portomaso, the two teams had gone head to head from day 1 on December 11. The passion was clear for all to see; no-one wanted to give an inch. It clearly meant a great deal to everyone involved. This was no ordinary game of 9ball!<br /><br />The MVP was Mika Immonen from Team Europe, undoubtedly the strongest player over the 4 days and possibly one of the strongest on the current world pool circuit. <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_players/ralph_souquet.htm">Ralf Souquet</a> was nothing short of brilliant - he won every one of his matches. Complimenting them on Team Europe was <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_players/neils_feijen.htm">Neils Feijen</a>, Tony Drago and Mark Gray. Alex Lely was their non-playing captain.<br /><br />The USA fielded a strong team with legends Johnny Archer and <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_players/earl_strickland.htm">Earl Strickland</a> doing their best to lead their younger compatriots <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_players/rodney_morris.htm">Rodney Morris</a>, Shane Van Boening and Jeremy Jones. Nick Varner was their non-playing captain but despite all his efforts of support, they just couldn't match the strength and tenacity of Team Europe.<br /><br />A great tournament with some really exciting battles - that's what the Mosconi Cup has always been about. Roll on the next one in 2009 and watch out Las Vegas!9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-51653293817150583972008-11-02T15:28:00.000-08:002008-11-02T15:28:00.708-08:00World Cup Of Pool Victory For USAOn 12 October the USA claimed its first ever victory at the World Cup of Pool Title.<br /><br />Team USA's victorious World Cup of Pool pair <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_players/rodney_morris.htm">Rodney Morris</a> and Shane van Boening were clearly proud at becoming the first American players to win the prestigious team trophy. Morris and van Boening defeated Daryl Peach and Mark Gray from the English team (score 11-7) in a thrilling final at the Outland nightclub in Rotterdam, Holland.<br /><br />"This is a major tournament, a world event, a world title, so to win this is just awesome," said Morris."We didn't perform at our best in the beginning of the tournament but that's why we were seeded and we felt good and gelled nicely. Shane is a good partner because he never misses. I think we peaked at the right time and got a nice rhythm. Shane got me playing a little smarter and tighter and got me concentrating. It's more special for me to see Shane win and I was trying hard not to let him down. I'm just happy we made it and it's a relief. I didn't want to let my team down and that keeps me tight."<br /><br />This was the first time that <a href="http://www.shanevanboening.com/">Shane van Boening</a> had represented the USA in this tournament and he strongly felt that he and Morris had made their own bit of history.<br /><br />"Winning this means we are the first American team to win it and that really means something," said van Boening. "We didn't know each other very well at the start but we got along well and had a good time. We're looking forward to coming back next year and defending our title".9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-61906726892692313902008-10-24T14:48:00.000-07:002008-10-24T14:48:01.241-07:00A Tribute To Paul Newman & "Fast Eddie Felsen"<a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/blog/uploaded_images/pnewman-713994.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://www.9ballpool.com/blog/uploaded_images/pnewman-713993.jpg" border="0" /></a>One of the greatest movie stars ever to grace the screen, <strong>Paul Newman</strong> passed away at his home on 27th September 2008 aged 83. He will be sorely missed by movie fans the world over.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Paul Newman will always have a place in the hearts of pool fans too - his portrayal of "Fast Eddie Felsen" in not just one but two fantastic movies ("The Hustler" and "The Color of Money") is unquestionably the best and most powerful of its kind ever carried off by an actor. The highs and lows of the life of a hustling pool player will never be better portrayed. There's no doubt too that Paul Newman had to have a soft spot for pool himself in order to play the part.<br /><br />Most pool fans know "The Hustler" particularly well because no less than the legendary Willie Mosconi acted as Newman's advisor on the set in order to get him into the part. Willie also had a small cameo in the movie - again most pool players and pool fans already know that. It's one of the things you await eagerly as the movie progresses.<br /><br />His company <a href="http://newmansown.com/">Newmans Own</a> is perhaps the best 'yardstick' by which to judge Paul Newman - for he was not just a man, not just a movie star but an incredibly compassionate human being who wanted to help those less fortunate than himself. Through that company he managed to generate no less than $250 million in proceeds that have since gone to benefit thousands of charities all over the world. Watch this wonderful, heart-warming <a href="http://newmansown.com/paulNewman/index.html">video in memory of Paul Newman's charitable work</a>.<br /><br />On flickr.com there is a special "RIP Paul Newman" gallery - view the photos <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/924725@N22/pool/">here</a><br /><br />Watch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR_llVOJFaE">Willie Mosconi on youtube</a> performing trick shots in 1987 </div>9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-29555120021584114992008-10-13T00:16:00.000-07:002008-10-13T14:48:03.163-07:00Alex Pagulayan beats Mika Immonen to win the 2008 PartyPoker.net World 9 Ball Pool MastersAs we begin to approach the end of the year, many people start to reflect on interesting and important events and in 9 ball pool, it was perhaps the 2008 PartyPoker.net World Pool Masters that provided one of the year's highlights for pool fans. In a tense thriller match, <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_players/alex_pagulayan.htm">Alex Pagulayan</a> came from behind to beat Mika Immonen 8-6 in front of a full crowd at the <a href="http://www.rivierahotel.com/">Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas.</a><br /><br />Pagalayan was 6-3 down at one stage in the match and looked to be in real trouble but things turned in his favour after Immonen made an illegal break pocketing a ball but failing to carry two other balls past the headstring.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/blog/uploaded_images/pagalayan-713806.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://www.9ballpool.com/blog/uploaded_images/pagalayan-713802.jpg" border="0" /></a>From this point onwards, Pagulayan cleared to table to gain the necessary momentum and gained in confidence during the closing stages to take victory.<br /><br />"This was like winning the World Championship for me. I’ve always wanted it but I’ve finally broken the ice, " said Pagulayan.<br /><br />"This is 9 ball and I couldn’t get too upset because I didn’t get a chance. I thought if he runs the set, then he runs the set but I knew that if I got a chance I would need to focus and concentrate and do the best I can. I really didn’t think I’d won it until the last 9 ball dropped but there were lots of people who like me watching me and that was good for me to have that support," he added.9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-57121231581435787562008-09-12T13:58:00.001-07:002008-09-12T14:59:53.733-07:00Pool Cues<strong>Pool cues</strong> to pool players are like tennis racquets to tennis players. They have to feel right in size, weight, grip and smoothness of action. Professional pool players, including <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_players/9_ball_champions.htm">9 ball players</a>, will often as not have a pool cue custom made to suit their style. If you only play pool for fun of course you don't have to go to such lengths but even so there are lots of top quality pool cues to choose from.<br /><br />Pool cues can be made of different types of wood, finished in different veneers, carry different weights and have different types and size of cue tip. The range is enormous. So where do you begin to look to buy a pool cue? Well, an obvious choice is to look at pool cues online. Apart from being able to take your time browsing the choices there are often guidelines on such websites to help you understand the choices available. For example there's a great wood and veneer gallery on the <a href="http://www.annieosproshop.com/khxc/index.php/app/ccp0/ns/display/ref/ste_woods">Annie O Pro Shop site</a>.<br /><br />If you take your game of 9 ball seriously you might like to buy a cue that you've seen a professional 9 ball player use such as <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_players/efren_reyes.htm">Efren Reyes</a> or <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_players/daryl_peach.htm">Daryl Peach</a> For example, you can search the Internet and read about <a href="http://www.annieosproshop.com/khxc/#null">how Efren Reyes bought a custom AO pool cue</a> after trying one owned by Edgar Acaba. You can even click to see a close up of the beautiful inlays on the cue.<br /><br />For keen amateurs and those who don't necessarily have the budget for a custom cue, don't worry there's lots of choice out there - such as the <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/9ball-20/102-0542944-9236102?%5Fencoding=UTF8&node=2">pool cues</a> on this Amazon associate store. They range from just $10.95 to $239.20. If you want to keep your old cue with you when trying out a new cue in a match, you might find a <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/9ball-20/detail/B000WPXWQW/102-0542944-9236102">cue case that carries 2 cues</a> handy.<br /><br />Wherever you go for your pool cue and whatever you decide to buy, remember the real value of the game of pool is in how much you enjoy it. If you don't enjoy the game then no matter how good your pool cue is, it won't help!9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-48715700371788000142008-08-18T01:57:00.000-07:002008-08-18T01:57:00.174-07:00Pool Tables - Choosing The Right Pool TableIf you ever think of buying a pool table for use at home you will need to consider many things. These include:<br /><ul><li>pool table style</li><li>pool table cloth type</li><li>pool table cloth colour</li><li>pool table size</li></ul>Perhaps <em>the</em> most important thing, however, is to <strong>consider the size of room</strong> you have available and accordingly what size pool table will actually fit comfortably into it. In a sense you have to work backwards - you should make a plan of the room, ignoring measurements into recesses, windows or doorways and generally speaking you should not consider putting the pool table at a diagonal in the room as it brings the pockets uncomfortably close to the walls. Once you have a clear idea of the room's relevant measurements you can look seriously at pool table sizes. These vary from 6ft x 3ft with variations up to 9ft x 4ft 6ins.<br /><br />On <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/">9ballpool.com</a> there is a <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/pooltables/room_sizes.htm">pool room sizes</a> page which gives a few guidelines and examples of what size room you need for each size of pool table. A very important first step before making that all important pool table purchase.<br /><br />Once you have calculated the right size of pool table you can then go on to thinking about cloth colour. There's a lot of choice here too. Maybe you want to consider the colour scheme of the room you have in mind to put the pool table in or perhaps you have a life-long favourite colour. Whether it's pro green, wine, camel or pro blue (to name just a few), take your time and be sure it's right for you and the room. We have a basic colour chart that gives some examples of <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/pooltables/table_colours.htm">pool table cloth colours</a> which you're welcome to read as a guideline.<br /><br />Many famous people have been pool fans from Abraham Lincoln who was reportedly quick an accomplished pool player and had his own pool table, to George Washington, Mark Twain and more recently, Fred Astaire, Marlon Brando, Paul Newman, Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise. <a href="http://www.poolandbilliards.aceswebworld.com/billiardsphotos.html">Here</a> are photos of some of them in 'pool playing' pose.9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-8633928674540335302008-05-18T14:42:00.000-07:002008-05-18T15:02:29.048-07:009 Ball Rules: Racking The Balls, Break Shots To Bad Hits9 ball is a great game to watch but, like any sport, it's easy to take for granted all the rules that the players (and referee) have to abide by. <br /><br />Generally speaking, most professional games of 9 ball are played by the "World Standardized Rules". The object of the game is the first, important thing to understand about 9 ball; after that, the racking of the balls and the break shot, the latter of which is easy to do wrong. Practising the break off shot is something all players spend a lot of time on - not just to get a good start on the rack but to ensure they don't make an illegal break shot. Continuing play, understanding what makes a foul shot, making jump shots and of course how to win the game are some of the other key points in the rules of 9 ball.<br /><br />More <a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_rules.htm">9 ball rules</a> information (also a separate link to view the rules of 'straight pool' or 14.1 Continuous as some people call it).<br /><br />In every sport there seems to be a range of terms unique to that sport - and the game of 9 ball is no different. Here are a few examples:<br /><br />head string<br />break shot<br />push out<br />ball in hand<br />no rail<br />jump shot<br />massé<br />hooked<br />foul shot<br /><br />There's lots more too which all goes towards making 9 ball pool so characterful!9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499505022967972490.post-8907694300921279892008-05-06T12:30:00.000-07:002008-05-18T14:40:47.578-07:00Welcome To Our 9 Ball Pool Blog<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong>9 Ball Pool - The Fastest Growing Sport in the World!<br /></strong><br />More or less until the 1980s, the most commonly played game of pool was called 14-1. However many people felt that although it was an extremely skilful game, it could be pretty dull mainly because the result of the match was often predictable with the best player always tending to win. Without a doubt, one of the greatest exponents of this form of pool was the legendary Willie Mosconi after whom the Mosconi cup tournament between the USA and Europe is named. Mosconi really popularised the game of pool in the USA and quite incredibly won no less than 526 matches in a row on one occasion in exhibition play!<br /><br />In spite of the remarkably skilful displays of a few players like Mosconi, it was eventually agreed that a new version of the game should be created in which the main emphasis would be potting the 9 ball. Thus, the game we know today as 9 ball pool was born. </span><a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/history.htm"><span style="font-family:verdana;">9 ball pool history</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />The rules of 9 Ball Pool not really that complicated. Balls are numbered 1 through 9 and with each shot of the cueball, the first ball contacted must be the ball on the table with the lowest number. However, not all of the balls have to be pocketed in order - they can be pocketed by the lowest numbered ball on the table colliding with them or 'cannoning' into them as it may be called. When a player is able to pocket any ball on a legal shot, he may stay at the table until he either misses, commits a foul or wins the game by pocketing the 9 ball.<br /><br />After a player misses, the opposing player must shoot from the exact position left by the other player, but, after any foul the incoming player may start with the cue ball anywhere on the table and this is known as "ball in hand". The end of a match comes when one of the players has won the specified number of games or when the 9 ball is pocketed. </span><a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_rules.htm"><span style="font-family:verdana;">9 ball rules</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> in more detail.<br /><br />One of the most flamboyant facets of 9 ball pool today is the performance by the most gifted players of </span><a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9_ball_trickshots.htm"><span style="font-family:verdana;">9 ball pool trick shots</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> Frequently, competitions held around the world and a remarkably high level of skill is demonstrated at these events. Not all the trick shots are unattainable by the average 9 ball pool player however and one which springs to mind is </span><a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_pool_trickshots/cue_quicker_than_eye.htm"><span style="font-family:verdana;">'The Cue Is Quicker than the Eye'</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> which was featured in the movie "The Hustler". You can view a video of this impressive 9 ball pool trick shot by clicking on the above link and incidentally, learn how to perform the trick shot yourself.<br /><br />On the 11th November 2007, the world of 9 ball pool which has a long time been dominated by either American or Philipino champions was rocked when the World 9 ball Pool Championships held in Manila was won by Daryl Peach from the UK who was pretty much a rank outsider. On the way to becoming world champion, Daryl played magnificently and kept his nerve to win the final 17 to 15 defeating Roberto Gomez in the process. </span><a href="http://www.9ballpool.com/9ball_players/daryl_peach.htm"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Daryl Peach biography</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></div>9ballpool.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01358327846207823242noreply@blogger.com