Carom Billiards

Have you ever heard of the billiard game Carom, but not quite sure how to play?  As in most types of games, different rules and variations exist when playing Carom, but most play with the same basic rules. 

 Carombole Billiards, more commonly known as Carom, is a form of billiards that is played with three balls.  The game is generally played on a pocketless table, and the object of the game is to score points by caroming, or bumping, the carom balls. There are three billiard balls in a Carom set, one red, one white and one yellow, or another white ball with spots on it.

Each player chooses a cue ball, either the white or yellow and that specific ball is the cue ball used throughout the game.  In order to score a point, the cue ball must drive one object ball to another, the combination called a Carom. Depending on the type of Carom game played, players may also need to hit one or more cushions, or side of table, before the last object ball is hit. The game is complete when one player reaches a predetermined point value. If a player fails to strike a Carom, he or she loses their turn.  There are safety options to help players when a Carom is not possible, but a safety cannot be used more than once in a row.  In order for a safety shot to keep the player in play, the cue ball must strike an object ball and then one of the balls must hit a cushion.

Not only is Carom a fun billiard pastime, it also makes for great practice at shot making, banking and improving overall skills!

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Lucasi Cues

Lucasi Custom and Lucasi Hybrid cues are all top of the line billiard cues to consider when starting out as a pool player or upgrading pool cues.  All Lucasi Custom, along with Hybrid cues, now comes standard with a Zero Flexpoint Solid Core Low Deflection Technology Shaft. If unfamiliar with all that this deflection shaft has to offer, it will dramatically reduce deflection while keeping the solid hit that you desire.

Lucasi also offers a lifetime guarantee so the cue you love will be your cue for life.  Cues are warranted to be free from material and manufacturing defects for the lifetime of the cue.

Looking for a quality cue that has a great design?  Lucasi cues come in several different colors, designs and insets to please just about anyone. Check out all the different Lucasi Cues to choose from at www.billiardballsandmore.com.

Lucasi Hybrid Technology

Lucasi has introduced its new, Hybrid Technology, a combination of innovative technologies that creates a billiard cue worth trying.  Along with classy and eye-catching designs, each cue will last for years to come, maintaining its original beauty and quality.

Lucasi Hybrid Technology is comprised of six main components to create superior performance:

·         Zero Flex Point—12.75mm Zero Flexpoint Shaft with special polymer construction and a lightweight core that reduces deflection, resulting in dead-on accuracy.

·         Total Sweet Spot Construction (TSC)—Sweet spot in the entire cue shaft due to an 8-piece radial construction. This sweet spot extension results in ultimate control.

·         G5 Grip Technology—Grip has a distinctive “S” or “T” pattern that provides the player with traction and stability for increased ball control. Looking for controlled “English” on the ball?  The technology used in Lucasi Hybrid Cues will help.

·         X- Shox Dampening System—Lucasi Hybrid Cues use a patent-pending shock absorbing memory foam that is integrated in the cue wrap, which reduces impact shock vibration by more that 27% compared to other cues.

·         Cue Butt Technology – Comprised of a four-piece butt construction to increase durability, reduce vibration and create a straighter, more accurate shot.

·         Kamui Pro Tip – Made up of ten uniform layers of the highest quality pigskin leather, laminated together to create a tip that will give more feel in every stroke.

Together, the Lucasi Hybrid Technology improves accuracy, ball control, less vibration, reduced deflection and an overall increase in the level of comfort experienced when using a Lucasi Hybrid cue.

For more information or to look at the variety of Lucasi Hybrid pool cues available for sale, visit www.billiardballsandmore.com.

Reducing Cue Ball Deflection



Predator IKON-26



Cue ball deflection is the difference between where a player intends the cue ball to go compared to where it actually went when the cue ball is shot.  The spin put on the cue ball, called English, is caused by striking the cue ball off center, either by accident or intentionally. The majority of shots are missed when English is used because the cue ball rarely goes where the player intended; players do not know how to properly adjust for deflection caused.

Placing English on a cue ball is an important component to the game of billiards. Using spin will help players in positioning and ball placement, which helps to improve his or her game. Practicing to compensate for cue ball deflection is important, but there are extra tools that are available to assist as well.  

Factors that play a role in the amount of cue ball deflection include the cue used, the cue tip placement and the speed of the stroke. Some cues are designed to improve accuracy and reduce the amount of cue ball deflection. Predator Pool Cues can improve accuracy by as much as 51 percent over conventional cues, depending on which Predator shaft makes up the cue.  A Predator 314² cue improves accuracy by about 35 percent over conventional cues and is great for players that want to adjust their shot, yet also want to have a good idea where the object ball will land. With the 314² shaft, the ball goes where it is aimed to go.

If cue ball deflection seems to be hurting your billiards game, give a Predator pool cue a try. It might be just what you are looking for! 

Check out Predator cues or other great billiard cues at www.billiardballsandmore.com.

Billiard Cue Weights

Ever wonder the reason for different weights of billiard cues?  Pool stick weights can range anywhere from 18 ounces to 21 ounces.  Not one weight is better than a lighter or heavier cue, it is all based on personal preference.  The best way to determine what perfect pool cue weight for you is to experiment.  Try different weights to find which one works best for you.  

If cue ball speed is important, momentum is key.  Momentum is a result of the combination of the pool cue mass and the speed of the cue.  If a player has a consistent cue speed, a heavier cue will result in a faster cue ball upon contact.  If using the same cue, where the weight is consistent, the speed of the cue ball will be determined by how fast or how slow the cue speed is.

A heavier cue may make it easier to keep on line during a stroke.  For this reason, beginners might want to try starting off with a 20 or 21 ounce cue for control.  Be careful though, heavier cues are known for more miscues and unwanted english.  As a player’s technique and skill level improve, a lighter pool cue may be optimal.

There are many differing opinions as to which weight is the best and most accurate.  The most important thing that you can do as a billiards player is to find the pool cue and cue weight that is best for you.  Visit local pool establishments, rent a billiard cue or borrow a pool stick to try as many different cue stick weights as possible.  As skill level improves, the optimum weight of a pool cue may also change. 

If you are looking for cues with different weight options, BilliardBallsAndMore.com has several pool cues to choose from.  Find the best billiard cue for you!

Cue Ball Control




Picture the Cue Ball as a Clock

 

Trying to perfect control of the cue ball? How about using the concept of telling time on a clock to help.  One approach to understanding the different angles and english a cue ball has with each hit is to picture the cue ball as a clock, hitting at the correct time. Achieving the highest level of follow, or topspin, can be done by hitting at 12:00, whereas the opposite, or draw can be done by hitting at 6:00.  The same goes for 3:00 and 9:00 to get extreme english to either the right or left, depending on where you want the cue ball to go.  Variations and combinations of english and follow or draw can be achieved from the times in between.

Give a try and see what happens. Practice hitting on each hour of the clock and take note of the results to determine what works best for you and gives you the most control of the cue ball with each hit. For other great training cue balls, visit www.billiardballsandmore.com.

Billiard Cue Ferrule

Curious about what the ferrule on a billiard cue stick is all about. The ferrule is the small section near the end of the pool stick between the tip and the pool shaft. The major purpose of the ferrule is to absorb the impact of a pool shot which will help protect the shaft from damage, including breaks and splinters. The ferrule measures between ½” to 1 ¼ “ and can be made from ivory, aegis, phenolic, plastic and metal.  Ferrules can be easy to replace by slipping on or screwing into the end of the shaft. They need to be replaced if they become cracked or loose. A defective ferrule will alter the accuracy of a shot. Check to ensure that the ferrule is smooth and slides through your fingers easily, without any catches.  

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