How to learn to play billiards

How to successfully master the game of billiards, what basics you need to know. About this in the material "RBC Sport".

Billiards is a game that has been known for several thousand years, the first images of a game similar to modern billiards were found in Egypt and date back to the second century BC. The more modern development of billiards dates back to the 15th century, but the British and French argue who exactly invented the game. it is generally accepted that the first variation of the billiard table appeared in 1469 and remained the prerogative of the kings for two centuries. In the 17th century, billiards began to spread, tables for the game appeared in taverns in France. At the same time, a straight cue also appears, since before that the game was played with its curved variation.

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The history of sports billiards is taken from 1674, when the first rules of the game appeared in France. Then it was noted that the game is useful for the development of mental abilities and HEALTH. And actively sports billiards began to develop at the end of the 19th century, when various competitions began.

The appearance of billiards in RUSSIA is closely connected with the name of Peter I - it was he who brought it to the country in 1698. And since 1730, billiards began to spread in the nobility. A new stage in the development of the game in Russia is associated with the war of 1812, when returning officers began to popularize it. In the USSR, billiards began to develop in the twenties. In 1935, the first official competitions were held. The first Billiards Federation in Russia was founded in 1989.

Popular varieties of billiards

Billiards has a lot of varieties and variations of the game. But the most popular and well-known are: Russian billiards, American pool and snooker.

Russian billiards

The rules of Russian billiards appeared in 1994. Three varieties can be distinguished: the Russian and Moscow pyramids and the American. They have both general rules and their own distinctive features.

Some general rules of the game:

Balls for the game are placed on the table in the form of a pyramid in accordance with the markings; The cue ball is hit with a cue, after hitting the cue ball should not go beyond the marking line; The right of the first hit is determined by a rally between two players, if after the hit not a single ball hit the pocket, the right of play goes to the opponent.

The Russian Pyramid game is played with sixteen white balls, their diameter is slightly smaller than the width of the pocket. The balls are numbered from 1 to 15, the sixteenth ball is a cue ball, red or yellow flowers. Tables are upholstered with green cloth and have markings. To win, the player needs to score 71 points. The concept of "order" - the player calls the number of the ball and the pocket into which he will score it.

When playing the Moscow Pyramid, the player must be the first to score eight balls into the pockets. In this variation of the game, you can pocket any ball and even the cue ball, an “order” is not required.

Playing "American" is probably the most popular option. Here, points are awarded for each ball pocketed, for a total of eight balls to be pocketed. A professional player can win a game in eight strokes without giving the opponent a single stroke.

american pool

The table for the game is smaller than in Russian billiards. Its parameters are: 3.86 meters long and 1.85 meters wide. Here the size of the pocket is wider than the diameter of the ball. The game involves 16 balls of two types: some are fully colored, others are partially. They are also placed on a table in the shape of a pyramid. The cue ball is white, which can be used to hit any ball, the first hit determines the type of balls (solid or striped), which the player needs to score in the future. But the black ball must be pocketed last, otherwise a loss is awarded.

Snooker

The game is played on the same table as in the pool, but there are 22 balls, of which 15 are red, 6 are multi-colored and the cue ball is white. Several people can participate in the game. You need to score red balls. Colored balls can only be potted in turn after the red ball is potted. After all the red balls have been pocketed, the game continues with colored balls, while the black ball must also be pocketed at the end of the game.

How to master the game of billiards

Billiards can be compared with chess, because here it is important not only the ability to correctly hit the ball with a cue, but also to calculate this blow, as well as to think over the strategy of the game. Before starting the game, it is important to know a few things: how to get the right stance, how to pick up the cue, how to hit correctly.

Billiard stand

The first step is to determine the center of gravity of the cue with which you will play games. The grip with the right hand should fall on the place that is in the middle between the point of balance and the wide end of the cue. The right leg is pushed forward a little, and the left leg is half a step back and we tilt over the table. The left hand is on the table.

cue grip

The right hand should not tightly squeeze the cue, the swing should be smooth. After all, there is no need to apply maximum force to hitting the cue ball with a cue stick. It is more important to accurately hit the right point on the cue ball. The thin end of the cue is placed on the thumb of the left hand, the remaining fingers stand like a “house” on the table. The left hand will serve as a guide when striking. The choice of a cue is a purely individual matter, its length depends not only on your height, but also on the force of impact. Therefore, when choosing a cue, be guided by your feelings.

Expert opinion

Vitaly Grebenkov (Photo: http://fbsnso.ru/)

Vitaly Grebenkov, Executive DIRECTOR of the Billiard Sports Federation of the Novosibirsk Region 

The Federation of Billiard Sports of Russia was established in 1989, since that time billiards in our country has been developing quite widely, currently more than 1,000 sports competitions of various levels are held annually, the player base has more than 50,000 people.

Athletes from Russia are multiple world champions, such names as Iosif Abramov, Semyon Zaitsev, Diana Mironova, Elina Nagula and others can be distinguished.

Since the beginning of the 2000s, billiard sports schools have been created and developed, and classes are also held on the basis of billiard clubs. Of the sports equipment, only a cue is needed, as a rule, it is provided at the school.

Classes in billiards contribute to the development of psychological endurance, coordination of movements, fine motor skills, the ability to control their emotions. To conduct a successful game, it is necessary to constantly work out the setting of the strike and individual elements and positions that may arise during the game. This requires regular playing practice.

Sports billiards is more regulated and disciplined than amateur billiards, sports categories are assigned at competitions, special sportswear is required (trousers, shoes, shirt, butterfly vest or polo), gambling is prohibited.