flic.kr/p/cJw5L7
Generations of barroom athletes have enjoyed billiards as games of skill. Whether you play for enjoyment in the local pub, or play for keeps on the professional circuit, there are many variations to keep you and your friends entertained. Nine Ball billiards is one favorite take on the age-old sport.
Nine Ball billiards is a sport of skill and a test of concentration. This is because in Nine Ball, each billiards player must be mindful of every ball that’s on the table. Rather than simply focusing on a group of specific balls, Nine Ball necessitates that all players begin each shot with the cue ball striking the lowest numbered ball on the table. As long as that happens, the player is free to pocket any ball to keep her or his turn in play. In theory, the first shot should contact the one ball and all shots should initially contact the lowest number until that nine ball is ultimately pocketed.
A major variation of the basic billiards game play is that only balls played are those numbered one through nine, and the balls are racked in a diamond shape as opposed to the conventional triangle. Most of the balls can be set randomly within the diamond, however, the one ball must be at the tip and the nine ball must be at the middle. When the balls have been properly set, play starts usually with the cue ball set behind the head string.
Upon breaking, the shooter must either pocket one ball or send four balls to the rails, to carry on in his or her turn. If the breaking shooter should knock a ball off the table or pocket the cue ball, the shot is lost. The opponent re-spots the ball and starts his or her turn. Any balls that are pocketed by a foul shot must be re-spotted before the opposing shooter can make a legal shot.
A shot is considered foul if the break shot is unsuccessful, and if succeeding shots don’t result in contacting the lowest numbered ball first or pocketing a ball. If a player fouls, he or she has three chances to correct the mistake. The player is notified after the second foul and if the third shot also results in a foul, the game is stopped and the fouling player is declared the loser. If a player is not eliminated as an outcome of a foul, the Nine Ball billiards game continues until the nine ball is legally pocketed.
 |
Proven Techniques That Are Guaranteed to Turn Good Players Into Great |
 |
Billiards is an enjoyable game that can easily be enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels. Many people make billiards a part of their regular nights out, and variations on the game, like Nine Ball, ensure that no two nights will be similar.
Tagged with: billiards balls • billiards tournament
Filed under: Billiards