Schon Pool Cues was started in 1981 and continues to make exceptional pool cues today. They are one of the oldest custom cue makers in the world and have a very small staff of five craftsmen. Evan Clarke, the creator of Schon cues, personally tests, designs and finishes every cue. This is true customization. There are currently six series of cues available by Schon cues. There are the Schon STL, the Schon CX, the Schon SP, the Schon LTD, the Schon Elite and the Schon Unique. All the Schon cues weigh from 19 oz. to 21 oz. They also specialize in extra long cues when needed. All of their shafts are considered to be interchangeable. They match the shafts with cue at the very end of the process to insured a one of a kind hit with each and every one produced. If you are in search of a custom cue this might be the right place for you.
Schon Pool Cues: The Five Craftsmen
June 12th, 2009Essential Billiard Supplies Every Player Should Have
November 24th, 2008You’re finally ready to take the game of Billiards seriously. You’re confident that it’s time to “take it up a notch” and make the financial investment to purchase equipment for your billiards room. Where do you start? Let’s review what you’ll need to begin your journey from Saturday night wanna-be to becoming a top-gun billiard champ.
It’ll come as no surprise that the most important piece of equipment is the cue. This “stick” is going to become an extension of your brain, an extension of your arm… an extension of you so it is important not to skimp. Owning a cue that you are confident and comfortable with is critical to your ultimate success. There are many variables when it comes to cue selection. Each cue has its own distinct length, size (thickness of shaft), weight and tip.
Valuable advice: 1. do not buy a cheap cue at a discount store. 2. Research. Talk with people, read about the different types of cues available. Narrow down your priorities prior to going shopping. 3. Try a variety of different cues prior to purchasing one so that you have an idea what “feels right” to you. What do you like? What don’t you like? Think of it as an important investment and purchase the best cue that you can afford.
A good cue, like a good friend, can last a lifetime. Once you’ve made your selection, read carefully the instructions that come with your new cue to learn what you need to do to maintain it to insure that you and your cue will spend many years together.
After you have selected your cue, you will need a case to carry and protect it. Again, there are a wide variety of options available. Research different types of cases prior to going shopping so that you can decide what features, size, weight etc. are important to you. Talk with other players and get their opinions about their cues and cases. Often times they’ll say that they “wish they’d bought this feature or not bought that feature”. Take advantage of their learning curves to save you from making the same mistakes.
Once you have your cue and case, you’re 90% ready to go. However, you will need a few more items. Tips, chalk, repair kit, bridge head and stick just to name a few. As with most sports, the list of accessories is almost endless. Do you “need” a pool glove? Probably not, but you may want one. Do you need a “chalk holder”? Again, probably not, but you may decide to add it to your arsenal of tools. A lot of what you buy will depend upon how deep your budget is and how advanced you intend to progress in the sport.
The final “tool” that is critical is your brain. Work on the knowledge of the finer techniques of the game, the angles, the psychology, the strokes etc., As great as your cue may be, it cannot do the job by itself. Ultimately it will be your brain and its ability to a) know what to do and b) have the ability to transmit this information to your muscles to execute properly what it intends to do that will create the results you desire. Spend money on the right equipment, time developing your brain and hours practicing combining brain, muscles and cue to work seamlessly together and you will be on your way to becoming unbeatable and making all your shots into their respective called pockets!
The Noble Game of Billiards
November 24th, 2008Billiards was at one time considered the noblest of games, to be played by the Kings, Queens, ladies and knights. Today billiards or “pool” as it is referred to in the United States is played in bars, recreation halls, and homes. There are many professional leagues and the National Billiards Association has stated that there are five major versions of billiards which are played the most in the United States.
Eight ball is the most common and it uses 15 balls with the cue ball. The players or teams work in rotation with the goal of sinking their set, either stripes or solids, into the pockets first. Then the player has to sink the eight ball. If the eight ball is sunk early the game is over.
Nine ball which is only slightly different only uses balls 1-9, the players still work in rotation. The active player must legal hit the lowest number on the board.
The third of the most common is called three ball. The goal of three ball is for each player to shoot until they sink all three balls. The player that uses the lesser shots wins.
One of the lesser know versions of pool is called one pocket. In one pocket each player only gets one pocket of the table that they are allowed to sink balls into. This creates a great challenge to most players.
Another unknown versions is called Bank pool or Nine bank. The object of this game is for the players to sink the first five balls the fastest. This game have evolved so much over the last hundred years. They believe that orginially the only used two balls and was played similar to crocket.
As you can see there are numerous versions of this game. One that everyone can surely find one that intrigues them.