Pool, Snooker and Billiard Tables: What’s the Difference?

The term ‘Billiard’ is actually a generic name that may refer to a variety of games that include pool, pocket billiards, and snooker. Games such as pool as well as snooker require tables with six pockets, while a different version of billiards called carom does not require a table with pockets at all. A snooker table is typically larger when compared to a pool table. On the same note, American pool tables are generally larger than English pool tables. A key feature of a billiard table is that the length is usually twice as long as the width. Pool tables and snooker tables vary in size, but in most cases, their lengths fall between 6 and 12 feet. It is, however, important to note that the type of billiard game has to do with more than just size of the table – there are obviously other factors involved.

What are the tables used in competitive events?

For competitive events, the tournament organisers always outline the exact equipment specifications for their tournament. These specifications outline various table parameters ranging from the type of fabric used in the cloth to details about the table’s construction and the colour of the cloth, as well as lighting details.

For purposes of home entertainment or leisure, however, having a table that fits into the room with enough space to spare for the players to navigate their way round the table will usually suffice. That being said, it is important to note that having too small a table can seriously limit the amount of fun the players have whilst playing. Likewise, a 12-foot long pool table may not be a good idea for a pool table meant for the home, since smaller children are likely to experience considerable difficulty playing on it. The optimum sizes for home pool tables are tables that are between 6 and 8 feet long.

The differences between English and American pool tables

One of the areas where American and English pool tables are different is in the pocket details. English pool and snooker tables have smaller pockets compared to the American tables. Secondly, American pool uses balls that measure 2 ¼ inches in diametre, while English pool balls measure 2 inches in diametre. Meanwhile, in English pool or snooker, the pockets are three inches across. The cushion shape of English vs American pool tables also tend to be different. The cushion shape is important because it has a direct impact on how the balls will bounce off once they hit the cushion.

The game of pool is a highly engaging game and is ideal for bringing family and friends together. It can be difficult for a customer to choose a good and high-quality table without knowing some of the key differences among the various types of billiard games such as pool and snooker, as well as the equipment used for each game, including the table.

At the end of the day, however, whatever kind of table you decide to purchase, the important thing is to have fun with it and enjoy it as much as you can.

Nick Greenslade is a big pool enthusiast who participates regularly in armature pool tournaments across the UK. When not shooting a game of pool on his pool table, Nick enjoys writing and sharing his knowledge of the game by contributing blog posts to various pool-related websites.

 

Top Five Different Styles of Wood Worktops for Your Kitchen Available Today

Wooden worktops are an extremely popular choice for many people today. There are a whole host of benefits associated with selecting this option for your kitchen. First and foremost, these worktops are cost effective and long lasting. In addition to this, wood is extremely stylish and has a quality to it which is timeless; meaning that it is unlikely to ever be deemed unfashionable.

Another reason why people tend to like wood worktops is because of the vast range of choice available. There is a style of wood to suit all tastes, all budgets and all kitchen styles. Therefore you are bound to find something which replicates what you are looking for. In order to give you some ideas and inspiration this article will reveal the top five choices of wooden worktops available on stores and off of the internet today.

One of the most widely utilised choices is that of bamboo worktops. Bamboo is one of the lighter options available. It has a fresh and sunnier quality to it; something which fits into the image of a kitchen very well. Bamboo worktops are different from other worktops because they are compressed individual sections which are layered on top of each other. When your bamboo worktop is first installed it will appear quite a bit paler than what you may imagine, but don’t worry once it begins to settle it takes on a light golden appearance which is simply delightful. In addition to style, a lot of people like this option because it is hardwearing, resists bending and warping, is durable and naturally resistant to water.

In addition to bamboo another style of wood worktops which is highly popular is iroko. This is an African type of timber which is simply stunning. In contrast to bamboo, when it is installed it appears a lot darker and then begins to lighten into a divine warm and rich brown hue. Iroko has an inviting appearance, but it is also the best worktop option to go for in terms of being hygienic.

A further choice worth considering is the zebrano worktops, also known as zebrawood. The reason it is known as this is because of the distinct pattern found on the wood. The overall colour is a gorgeous gold; however what makes this option stand out from the others is the unusual dark brown grain pattern which runs through the golden wood. This is the most unique and individual style of wooden worktop that you will find on the market today.

The fourth style of wooden worktop in the top five has to be cherry. If you are looking for a style which will add brightness and radiance into your kitchen then this is the option to go for. Cherry possesses vibrancy to it which you will not find in any other wood or any other material. It will give your kitchen a beautiful lift and lightness to it which is welcomed in any home.

And finally, the last but certainly not least option is that of wenge wood worktops. This is one of the deepest options available; its colour is like dark chocolate. It looks luxurious and lavish and will certainly make your kitchen look like something which came straight out of a showroom. It is one of the most exclusive options available and thus will give your home that VIP edge. Moreover, it is easy to maintain and long lasting.

So there you have it; the top five options in wood worktops. The only question that remains is; which one will you be buying?

Author bio – Andy is a freelance journalist who specialises in home style. He likes to watch football and socialise in his spare time. He used Worktop Express is a resource for information on the different wood worktops for this article.

 

How to Reduce the Risk of Your Home Suffering Fire Damage

Whether you live in a listed mansion in the countryside or a chic apartment in the middle of the city, I think it's important that you're doing everything possible to minimise the risk of your home being damaged by fire. Even if you think that this is something that goes without saying, it's an issue that should never be underestimated.

As obvious as it sounds, a fire can cause substantial damage to your property and possessions (not to mention the dangers it poses to your health) and if you don't take the proper precautions it can be very costly and time-consuming to put right. This will be exacerbated even further if you live in a high-value home and/or own expensive goods, so in such cases it's worth putting in a greater amount of effort to minimise the chances of this happening to you.

Here is a rundown of some of the things you should look to do:

Fit smoke alarms

This is perhaps the most quickest and easiest thing that can be done to reduce the likelihood of a fire sweeping through your house, but you'd be surprised just how many people don't have smoke alarms in their home.

If you're looking to get some, make sure you seek out models that feature the British Standard kitemark (that way, you can be certain they will be reliable if maintained properly). While the kitchen is a fairly obvious place to install an alarm, it's also worth putting these items in places where a high number of electrical appliances are kept, such as the living room or bedroom.

Once they are fitted, you should avoid tampering with them or taking the batteries out - if you're going to disconnect the alarm, you might as well not bother having one in the first place. You'll also need to test and clean them on a regular basis to ensure they will go off when smoke is detected.

Be careful where you smoke

If you smoke myself, you need to bear in mind there's probably a greater chance of a fire accidentally starting in your home. However, you can reduce the likelihood of this happening to you by ensuring you never smoke in bed and that all cigarettes are stubbed out properly.

As obvious as it sounds, if you own delicate paintings in your home you should avoid lighting up close to them, while matches and lighters ought to be kept well away from children.

Take out adequate insurance

Taking the above steps should help to greatly minimise the chances of a fire occurring, but you should still remember things can still happen to your home that you will have little or no control over.

In the event of the unexpected occurring, I advise you always have a comprehensive level of home insurance. In doing so, you ought to find that even if your property is heavily damaged by fire you won't have to pay for it to be repaired yourself. As mentioned before, however, if you live in a high-value house and/or own lots of expensive possessions, you're likely to find a standard home insurance plan does not offer a sufficient amount of cover.

Instead, you're better off getting a high-risk home policy through a specialist broker. Doing so will ensure you'll be financially protected should the worst happen and won't have to pay for repairs or replacements to damaged goods out of your own pocket. Taking out such cover can prove particularly useful if you live in a property that has a thatched roof, as this kind of home is often deemed to be at greater risk of sustaining fire damage.