Interested in billiards and pool?
Billiards has been around for centuries. It began as a lawn game, similar to croquet, but evolved into an indoor game which may be why the standard table is covered in green to simulate grass. The rules for billiards have changed over the years but it has continued to be popular. The following ten websites are as interesting to new players as they are to professional billiards players. If you are a billiards enthusiast, you should enjoy them. They are listed in order of their Alexa traffic count rating.
1. Billiards.Colostate.Edu: http://billiards.colostate.edu/
Global Alexa Rating: 9,973
On this site you will find clips in both normal video and high-speed video, technical proof (TP) analysis, instructional videos, instructional articles and more. This site is perfect for not only learning how to play billiards but also to understand the physics of the game. There are videos that are instructional, of great pool matches, great pool shots and more. The trick shots videos may be of particular interest.
2. Be Good at Billiards: http://www3.sympatico.ca/eric.perreault/defaulthtml.html
Global Alexa Rating: 23,300
This site gives you the instructions and technical information on billiards. You’ll see real examples with graphics and helpful tips on selecting a billiard cue. The site includes basic principles, cut shots, advanced principles, the Diamond System, effects, bank shots, billiards rules and more. There is also a link to play online billiards – snooker, 8-ball or 9-ball. You’ll also find information about mental preparations to make prior to starting a game.
3. AZBilliards: http://www.azbilliards.com/
Global Alexa Rating: 157,754
This is a source for stories, results, photos, tours & events, giveaways and forums. There are things you can do on the site even if you do not register or purchase a membership. There are two free memberships you can register for as well as a gold membership which you can purchase for an annual fee of $34.95. The giveaways are only available for paid members. This is an ideal website for those that want to keep up with the news in the world of billiards, as well as follow the various tours and events that are going on.
4. American Poolplayers Association (APA): http://www.poolplayers.com/
Global Alexa Rating: 336,048
This is a 265,000+ member strong pool league in which you can join for just $25. Their tournaments are world famous and currently the largest in the world. Online member services include stats, schedules and much more. The site includes member news, the APA game rulebook, tournament information for national singles, national team, juniors and amateur championships, and pro instruction by six professional players. The APA was founded in 1979 as the National Pool League but changed to its current name in 1981.
5. Billiards Digest: http://www.billiardsdigest.com/index.php
Global Alexa Rating: 1,104,840
Billiards Digest is one of the most popular magazines out there devoted to news, views, tips and more about pool and billiards. The site includes stories, blogs, columns, videos, advice and more. It was first published in 1978. You’ll find tournament coverage and player profiles on the site. In the feature story archive section, you’ll find one full story from various past issues. The All About Pool section includes a brief history of the game, significant moments, pool table care, cue maintenance and the evolution of billiards equipment.
6. Virtual Pool: http://vponline.celeris.com/
Global Alexa Rating: 1,594,704
Sometimes you just can’t get to a billiards room, but you really have an itching to play. For those times, this site just might be the answer. It covers the ability to play billiards online. Simply register to play and set up a profile. You can choose to play as a Player Gratis (free, in other words) or as Player Premium which costs just $9.95 per year. They also offer an offline version that you can use to practice with. It is offered in a free trial version and a full version which costs $29.99. With its realism, it could even help your regular game.
7. Easy Pool Tutor: http://www.easypooltutor.com/
Global Alexa Rating: 1,709,671
This is an incredible site for learning how to play pool including both basic lessons and advanced topics, completely for free. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced pool player, you will find useful instructional articles and video on this site. The site has a number of individual lessons at the top of the page, and then full lesson plans as mini-courses further down the page. If you register for an account, you can join their forums and participate in billiards related discussions with other members.
8. Poolmag: http://www.poolmag.com/
Global Alexa Rating: 2,062,850
Pool & Billiard Magazine is another popular magazine that has been around quite a while, both in print and online. The site includes a blog, videos, tip of the day, TV & events calendars and more. Be sure to check out the daily tip offered as a bonus feature. The site doesn’t have very much information on it, so it may not be something you access regularly, but it is worth the occasional visit to read the blogs.
9. American CueSports: https://americancuesports.org/
Global Alexa Rating: 3,564,353
ACS is the only non-profit national association governing the sport of pool. The site can be used to find ACS leagues, find an instructor, read product reviews, find a referee, learn about events and read news. You can also join their mailing list to receive their newsletters. You can also purchase ACS apparel and gifts on the site.
Global Alexa Rating: 3,606,693
This site is useful for a number of reasons. It gives you the ability to be part of a community in which you can talk about pool games with other players. You can also ask pro instructors questions. Another feature is the ability to buy and sell billiard related goods in their classified section. The site include game videos, billiard resources, pool & billiard rules, a directory and more. There are links for getting free pool & billiard software.
Whether you enjoy playing pool or billiards at home, on the computer or at a billiard hall, these websites can help you improve your game and learn about tournaments and other events in your area. You could even meet some new friends that share your enthusiasm for the game. Play for fun or try to go pro. The choice is up to you!
