How Poker Can Make You Smarter

December 17, 2019

Poker, notoriously, is a thinking man’s gamble. For people who don’t play, or who play only casually, poker can look like it is based on random luck. However, for those who are serious about the game know smarts are required to win. Indeed, the more you play poker, the smarter it will make you if you let it. One of the keys to learning the game is having the right equipment, and the pros at Billiard Gallery in Phoenix can set you up with everything you need to bring your home game to the professional level. With each game, you’ll be able to feel yourself getting smarter. Poker Improves Concentration Staying at the poker table for long stretches requires a certain kind of disciplined focus and concentration. If you want to be a winning player, you’ve got to concentrate on the action and the other players even when you’re not in the hand. When you are in the hand, of course, that much more concentration is required. By exercising this capacity in yourself you make it stronger, and you’ll find your powers of concentration improving in other areas of life as well. Poker Makes You Better at Math There’s a...

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Cue Sticks: Should I Buy a Heavy or Light One?

November 11, 2019

All cue sticks share some basic characteristics. They are designed to be long and straight and intended to make solid contact with the cue ball every time. One of the primary differences distinguishing one cue stick from another is its weight, and the weight of your pool cue can make a big difference in how you play. Ultimately, whether you use a heavy stick or a light one comes down to personal preference and the way you approach the game. Tips for Choosing a Heavy or Light Cue Most professional players use cue sticks that weigh between 19 and 19.5 ounces, but there are pool cues available as light as 15 ounces and as heavy as 27 ounces. Lighter ones offer more in terms of feel, but they can be harder to use to put a spin on the ball. If you are a beginner player, a 20-ounce pool cue will give you the weight necessary to make solid contact, and it will be a little more forgiving than a lighter stick. Developing Your Pool Game As you develop into a more experienced player, it makes sense to move to a 19- or 19.5-ounce pool cue as soon as you...

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Are Billiards and Pool the Same?

October 15, 2019

It’s the subject of its fair share of bar arguments: Do the words “pool” and “billiards” mean the same thing? The short answer is no, they refer to two different games, though the term “billiards” has evolved in some areas to refer to any game played on a table with a cue stick and balls. In fact, “billiards” originally referred to a distinct game called “carom billiards.” Differences in the Tables Pool and billiards are both played on rectangular tables of lengths ranging from 7 to 9 feet, but carom billiards is played on a table with no pockets while pool tables have six pockets. Seven-foot tables are sometimes called bar tables. Eight-foot tables are also called recreational or home tables. Nine-foot tables are referred to as tournament or professional tables. Differences in the Balls The balls that are used to play pool are different than the balls that are used to play carom billiards. In a game of pool, the balls have a diameter of 2 1/4 inches whereas, in billiards, the balls are larger, at 2 7/16 inches. Additionally, the games use a different number of balls during gameplay. In the much more commonly played game of pool,...

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The Origin of Darts

September 10, 2019

There are a lot of different stories out there about darts and their origin, but most historical reports confirm that darts were invented when King Henry VIII was in power. It is thought that he wanted his archers to be able to practice year-round, ensuring that they would be prepared for battle at a moment’s notice. While practicing, the archers started tossing their arrows to see who could throw the most accurately. Unfavorable Weather Changes Things England’s unfavorable weather sent the king’s archers indoors to the warmth of a local pub. They shortened the arrows to handle them better and to make the game easier to play inside. Before long, the upper class became interested in displaying their dart-throwing skills, so the game started to catch on. The Founding of the National Darts Association In 1924, the National Darts Association was founded in London. Its founding occurred at the same time that playing darts was becoming more popular. This was when people started recognizing it as a sport. The National Darts Association established rules and regulations for the new sport. Toward the end of World War I, pubs around England set up dart teams. They also held competitions regularly with...

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5 Billiard Shooting Tips to Improve Your Pool Game

August 13, 2019

When you’re a beginner pool player, you can make big strides in your game by focusing on a few basic tips. With a little focus and some practice, you can improve in a short period of time. Follow these five tips so that you can improve your pool game and start working your way up the food chain. 1. Start Off With a Clean Break Every game starts with a break. Therefore, if you want to improve, it is only natural that you start from the beginning. A good break will determine whether you get into a good flow or become stuck early on. Not having the ability to break cleanly is like starting off a game of football with a fumble; you’re handing your opponent an advantage from the very start. When breaking, use considerably more force than you would on a regular shot. Drive through the shot with your arm and your hips while keeping perfect alignment so you do not lose precision. 2. Perfect Your Posture Proper posture is key to getting power and accuracy in your shots. However, everyone has a different body type. Your height, arm and leg length, shoulder width, and other factors make...

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