Climate Change Photo Competition - Win a £100 Camera

BBBilliards are supporting Sustain Ltd in conjunction with The Big issue and Michael Eavis to raise awareness of climate change, the harm it's causing and even what we could do to lessen the impact.

Who are Sustain Ltd - Sustain Ltd is a sustainability consultancy aiming to tackle some of the most pressing environmental challenges. In their tenth anniversary year they have teamed up with The Big Issue to run a photo competition titled “Climate Change – cause : effect : solution” which is intended to raise awareness and provoke thought around a subject which impacts on all of our futures.

You could win a quality 7 mega pixel Digital Camera or one of several runners up prizes. All you need to do is, using the entry form, either from the link below or via one received with an order, simply send in a photo which illustrates one of the many important issues around climate change. The photos will be judged by a celebrity panel and a selection will be displayed as part of an exhibition during 2008.

You may receive an entry form and more details with an order you have placed with us or you can get more details and an entry form from Sustain Ltd's web site - click here for more details.

Food for thought:

Images sourced from Google Images

Image Sourced from GreenPeace Website

Septembers Barmy Bargains

This month we have some real Barmy Bargains enabling us to offer our customers great savings. We are introducing a new range of John Higgins cues and 'Exclusive to BBBilliards' 29" professionally styled cues, whats more these fantastic cues are also involved in this months great offers.

We are continuing our super low priced New games tables offers with our star buy this month being a 6ft folding leg snooker table with £70 OFF!

So this month we have offers on

• 2 piece hard cue cases,
• John Higgins cues,
• Ronnie O'Sullivan Junior cues,
• Competition spots and stripes ball sets,
• Competition reds and yellows ball sets,
• Riley cue cases for 2 piece cues with smart extenders,
• Riley cue cases for 2 piece 3/4 length jointed cues with smart extenders.

If it's tables that you want then we aside from our every day great prices have offers On the following NEW snooker and pool tables:

• NEW 4ft Uranus II Pool Table
• NEW 6ft Cougar Snooker & Pool Table
• NEW 6ft Leopard Snooker Table
• NEW 6ft Uranus II Pool Table
  

For more EXCLUSIVE special offers and to catch up on the latest pool and snooker news and information from BBBilliards why not sign up to our mailing list using the form on the right hand side?

Markingout a full size 12ft snooker table

Ever needed to know the measurements to all the points on your 12ft full size snooker table. Here is a guide to marking out your full size snooker table. Below I have supplied an image that provides all the measurements you need to mark your table up. You can click on the image to get a much bigger version which you can print or save as you wish.

Like with the pool tables there are four things you will need to mark out a full size snooker table.

1> Tape Measure (or ruler idealy 6ft long)

2> Marker Pencil or Pen

3> Snooker D marking stick
4> Pack of Spots

What you will need to be able to do is reach the very edges of your slate (bed of your table).

The safest way to mark up the cloth is to when marking the measurements on the cloth put the marks right on the edge of the cloth on either side of the slate and then you can put a ruler across the table lining up each measurement and putting a small cross in the middle of the table, small enough to be covered by the spots you intend to cover the marks with. The marks you made on the edges of the cloth will then be unseen once the slate is in position as the cushions cover the marks you made.

You should note that with the snooker table markings above allot of the measurements are symmetrical from the pockets. The pink spot is at the centre crossing point between the middle and corner pockets as shown and the blue spot is at the very centre of the table as shown by the cross on the diagram.

Finally you will need to mark the baulk line and D. The baulk line is a simple case of using a ruler to mark a straight line across the table, once this is done mark with a small line the center point of that baulk line, this is where you will pivot your snooker marking stick. So once your baulk line is there with it's center point marked take your snooker marking stick and place it so that you have an implement (screw driver or bradle spike) through the hole at one end (the one that has no label) so that the implement sits right at the point where the line crosses the baulk line. Then at the other end of the stick there will be a hole with a label number 12 and this is where you need to put your pen or pencil and mark the cloth putting tension on your pivot point so as to get a constant distance and no slop (prevents creating a thick line). You are obviously trying to create a D shape from the baulk line so slow down when you get close to the baulk line so that you don't put any lines over the baulk line, they just want to connect.

Once you have made all the marks on the table you will need to put a spot to cover each of your marks. If you do not have any of the above parts required to mark up your table or simply would like some accessories to maintain the cloth on your table then you can get all these accessories from our online store.

How to Mark Up an English Pool Table for Snooker

There are four things you will need to mark up your table:

1> Tape Measure (or ruler)
2> Marker Pencil or Pen
3> Snooker D marking stick

4> Pack of Spots (Small or Large)

Once you have these tools and accessories you can mark out your table simply and quickly. What you will need to be able to do is reach the very edges of your slate (bed of your table). The best way to show the markings required is with a diagram as below, please click on the image to get a much larger version to print or save as you wish.

The safest way to mark up the cloth is to when marking the measurements on the cloth put a mark to the length of (for example) length B right on the edge of the cloth on either side of the slate and then you can put a ruler across the table lining up each measurement and putting a small cross in the middle of the table, small enough to be covered by the spots you intend to cover the marks with. The marks you made on the edges of the cloth will then be unseen once the slate is in position as the cushions cover the marks you made.

You should note that with the snooker table markings above you will need to also make the blue spot mark, this is the very centre of the table, half way between the two middle pockets.

Finally you will need to mark the baulk line and D. The baulk line is a simple case of using a ruler to mark a straight line across the table, once this is done mark with a small line the center point of that baulk line, this is where you will pivot your snooker marking stick. So once your baulk line is there with it's center point marked take your snooker marking stick and place it so that you have an implement (screw driver or bradle spike) through the hole at one end (the one that has no label) so that the implement sits right at the point where the line crosses the baulk line. Then at the other end of the stick there will be holes with number labels which correspond to your table size and the one which corresponds to your table size is where you need to put your pen or pencil and mark the cloth putting tension on your pivot point so as to get a constant distance and no slop (prevents creating a thick line). You are obviously trying to create a D shape from the baulk line so slow down when you get close to the baulk line so that you don't put any lines over the baulk line, they just want to connect.

Once you have made all the marks on the table you will need to put a spot to cover each of your marks.

If you do not have any of the above parts required to mark up your table or simply would like some accessories to maintain the cloth on your table then you can get all these accessories from our online store.

How to Mark Up an English Pool Table

There are four things you will need to mark up your pool table:

1> Tape Measure (or ruler)
2> Marker Pencil or Pen
3> Pool Table D marking stick

4> Pack of Spots
Once you have these tools you can mark out your table simply and quickly. What you will need to be able to do is reach the very edges of your slate (bed of your table). The best way to show the markings required is with a diagram, below is a small version, please click on the image to get a much larger version to print or save as you wish.

The safest way to mark up the cloth is to when marking the measurements on the cloth put a mark to the length of (for example) length B right on the edge of the cloth on either side of the slate and then you can put a ruler across the table lining up each measurement and putting a small cross in the middle of the table, small enough to be covered by the spots you intend to cover the marks with. The marks you made on the edges of the cloth will then be unseen once the slate is in position as the cushions cover the marks you made.

Finally you will need to mark the baulk line and D. The baulk line is a simple case of using a ruler to mark a straight line across the table, once this is done mark with a small line the center point of that baulk line, this is where you will pivot your pool marking stick. So once your baulk line is there with it's center point marked take your pool marking stick and place it so that you have an implement (screw driver or bradle spike) through the hole at one end (the one that has no label) so that the implement sits right at the point where the line crosses the baulk line. Then at the other end of the stick there will be holes with number labels which correspond to your table size and the one which corresponds to your table size is where you need to put your pen or pencil and mark the cloth putting tension on your pivot point so as to get a constant distance and no slop (prevents creating a thick line). You are obviously trying to create a D shape from the baulk line so slow down when you get close to the baulk line so that you don't put any lines over the baulk line, they just want to connect.

Once you have made all the marks on the table you will need to put a spot to cover each of your marks.

If you do not have any of the above parts required to mark up your table or simply would like some accessories to maintain the cloth on your table then you can get all these accessories from our online store.

Under 21’s Snooker World Championships in Goa

Some of the worlds best snooker players come to showcase there talents at the Under 21's World Snooker Championships, teams from 25 countries across the world will be competing for the honor and glory that is to be the World Champions.

The nine day competition is organised by the IBSF (International Billiard and Snooker Federation) and for the first time this year the championship has a separate section for Under 21 women.

This championship is a big deal for the players involved and is regularly a first step for winners towards there pro level carriers and entering the England Pro circuit.

This years hosts India, hosting the event for the 3rd year, are putting on a good show for the event, despite being lowly ranked them selves. This is some what a bit of a surprise as in previous years India has produced some Snooker greats like Wilson Jones and Michael Ferreira.

The favourite countries for this years Championships are China, England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Thailand. The championship commenced on the 20th of August and continues to the 31st of August.

Bahrain hosted the event in 2005, where the Chinese players bagged all the top three positions so we should be seeing some more top class Asian players on the Pro Circuit in the coming years.

The Professional Wold Championship was first held in 1927 with the help of Englishman, Joe Davis, who dominated the championships until 1946. The BBC saw an opportunity in the sport and launched a programme called pot black. The first Televised championships was broadcast in 1976.

Steve Borlase 8-Ball Pool Pro plans to beat Europe in Germany

Professional Pool player Steve Borlase based in Warminster is planning on taking out top Pool players in the European championships next week held in Dortmund, Germany.

The competition drawing some of the worlds best players in 8-Ball pool together Steve expects stiff competition but is hope full about his countries chances.

Borlase said; "I'm looking forward to it and just want to have a good game on the day". "I'm just going to go for it. I have done well the last year and just want to get out there". "I usually play well at these events. You can have a nightmare but it has not happened so far".

Steve holds and extensive, impressive record having won 96 of 113 matches played, putting him high up on the best international record leader board. He also plays for the Trowbridge Snooker club and has won the singles competition 3 years running.

We will be watching the events unfold next week, so good luck Steve

Totaly Amazing Pool Tricks

Watch some of the most amazing tricks we have ever seen on an American pool table. This guy really knows how to control the balls around these tables. Click the "Watch Tricks" link below to watch the show.

This show is done on an American size table and uses 2.1/4 inch balls with a heavy cue using a 13mm tip. If you want to start doing your own tricks like this guy then you can get this equipment from us here.

Watch Tricks

Proffessional Snooker Player Visits Local Club

Neil Robertson, 25, ranked no. 7 on the world stage went back home after playing in the world snooker main tour. Having won several Premier League series competitions like the 2006 Grand Prix and the 2007 Welsh open he is quickly making a big name for him self.

Recently in Mounties snooker club in his home town of Melbourne Robertson stepped in to showcase his talents on the tables there. He spent some time with the local stars of the future, signing autographs and sharing his wealth of knowledge and tactics.

Robertson has achieved a place in the seven-man Premier League series held in Britain.

Hot Shot not even Pro yet...

We're pretty excited to hear about a new teenage prodigy in the world of snooker - EVERYONE'S talking about him including LOTS of our customers.

Who are we talking about?

Michael White - a baby faced Welsh snooker genius ready to take snooker by storm somtime during 2007. The Welsh rookie has been breaking snooker records (mostly by having to stand on his tip toes to reach across the baize) for years and is consistently noted for his coolness under pressure.

The 16 year old is getting ready to take on the world's greatest snooker players as he turns professional next month. Something we have frankly been waiting for here at BB Billiards towers!

Never mess up a pool shot again!

The pressure's on to win the game and you lose out big style for one reason!

You never retipped your pool and snooker cues and messed up the final shot.

NEVER LOSE A SHOT AGAIN!

Keeping your pool cue "tipped top and ready" (excuse the pun) can make the difference to you being crowned champion or going home the loser...

So how do you retip your cue?

The Glue on Cue Tip

Basically saw the tip off from the end of the ferrell (this is a metal or plastic sheath behind the tip) ensuring the end of the tip is flat. Use a piece of sandpaper to ensure the surface is flat, clean and dry before you apply glue. Once this is complete then glue the end of your cue to the back of the tip, maintain a positive pressure until joined together. Then, using a cue tip clamp will help to hold the tip in place whilst it states.

Cheaper cue tip glue (correctly it's called cue tip cement) can mean that you'll have to wait upto 12 hours. Our Cue tip cement allows you to be back in the game inside 10 minutes.

Push on Cue Tips

Quickly pulling off - be careful to not damage the end of the cue. If the push on cue tip is sticking then use a small amount of soap to help it loosen it's grip on the cue.

Place the push on cue over the end of the cue and its that easy just push it on till it cannot go any farther up the cue.

Screw on Cue Tips

Self explanatory and probable the most secure and convenient to use - to change the cue tip just gently unscrew and replace with a new tip. As obvious as it sounds ensure the tip is not cross threaded when screwed in and also ensure you check it remains tightly secured during play - remember to only do this BEFORE you apply chalk to your cue otherwise handling the cue may rub off the chalk you just applied!


For all your snooker and pool cue requirements check out our main website www.bbbilliards.co.uk for our complete and extensive range.

Hottest female pool players!

We at BBBilliards are always keen to promote the female side of pool (and snooker too) and we're running a series of what we believe the are some of the hottest pool table players from around the world!

First up we have THE STRIKING VIKING - Ewa Mataya Laurance - a professional female billiards player of the highest calibre!

Based in the USA, Ewa professionally plays billiards at a competitive level. Let's just hope Ewa decides to come over to the UK soon and show off her billiards playing skills to a British audience soon!

Ewa is prominent on the Women's Professional Billiard Association tour and has played competitively since the age of 14.

We'd be delighted if Ewa was to grace our billiards pool tables here at BB Billiards and look forward to Ewa hopefully coming over to the UK soon.

Top 10 Tips for looking after your Pool table

If you want to keep your pool table looking and lasting longer then these tips are for you. You can apply these tips to any pool table with any kind of cloth and it will make a difference.

1. Keep your table in a room temperature dry place - (When they mention "dry place" this includes the need for the air not to be moist, this is especially important for tables with mdf playing surfaces. Also when they mention "room temperature" this just means that it is recommended that tables are not kept in cold places and ideally they last longer and play better when they are in an environment YOU would feel comfortable in.).


2. Provide enough space around your table to play shots - (The tighter the space around your table the more likely it is to get damaged, both from a side of the table getting scratched and kicked point of view as well as from a heavy leaning on the table and playing dangerously angled shots into the cloth because of obstacles. You should have as a minimum from the edge of the table, not the playing surface, enough space for the longest cue you use on the table. For measuring up details please see this information on our web site - Room to Table and Cue Size Guide.).


3. You should brush and clean your cloth/baize after every week of use - (You should use a good quality cloth/baize cleaner and table brush to maintain a good looking longer lasting cloth/baize.).


4. You should use a racking cloth every time to rack the balls in the triangle or diamond - (This prevents the abnormal wearing of the cloth in one area of the table, also on speed cloth it can prevent unnecessary bruising of the cloth. To get a racking cloth for your table click here).


5. Using a cover on the table will increase the life of the cloth and maintain the quality of the table - (Covers are available for most table sizes and also come in a couple of different durability's. There are the standard covers, which are just water proof and designed to keep dust and water off the table. Then there are the heavy duty covers that are designed to do the same as the standard covers but also prevent the table from scratching and to an extent any ripping. Both covers are available from our store and either will improve the longevity of your table and it's cloth/baize.).


6. Using the correct colour chalk for your cloth - (The correct colour chalk for your table is a chalk the same colour as the cloth on your table. This helps maintain the quality and aesthetics of the cloth. As every shot taken on a table leaves a certain amount of chalk in the cloth/baize of the table if you were using a red chalk on green cloth/baize then this would ruin the look of the cloth in no time, making it look more worn and used than it actually was.).


7. Have at least one rest for the table - (It is recommended to have a rest for the table especially home tables as this stops players from needing to put large amounts of there body weight on the table to play long shots, which will effect the level of the table and in time the stability.).


8. Make sure the cushions are on tightly - (This is more a tip for slate bedded tables than mdf bed tables. It is good to go round the cushions on your slate bed table once a month or more regularly if needed to check that all the cushion fastenings are tight. If the cushion fastening start to get loose then this will cause the cushions to loose there bounce making it look like the cushion rubbers have perished.).


9. Where possible you should refrain from setting up your pool table on carpet - (Carpet will squash and push off the tables legs causing the level of the table to change as the feet of your table slowly squash down into the carpet at different speeds on all four corners. It is recommended that if you have to put your table on carpet that you use shims to provide a flat point for the feet of the table to sit on. We can supply these though you will need to contact us with your requirements.).


10. You should re-mark and or re-spot your table periodically - (It is recommended that you use D marking sticks and marking pens or pencils along with table spots to maintain the points a lines on your table showing ball placements and restrictions for the game. You can find these parts in our online store.).

Wick Hockey Club News by Sponsors BBBilliards

Sponsored by BBBilliards wick ladies hockey club play locally in the Wessex hockey league. Having last season won Wessex division 2 and been promoted to division 1 they have worked hard and battled against some of the hardest teams in there league to hold there own in the top division. The support of BBBilliards has enabled the team to over the first season of our sponsorship get them selves new shirts and towards the end of our second season together new hoodies and water proof's. The team is now looking and feeling good with the new kit and through weekly training and games have maintained a 6th place final position in division 1 in the last season.

We would like to extend our congratulations to the Wick Ladies Hockey team for working hard and achieving a solid position in the top Wessex league division.

To find out more about Wick Ladies hockey team and show your support click here to view their web site.

Good luck with next season ladies.

Supporting Local and International Charities

Every month BBBilliards works with charities and organisations to supply them with subsidised and free pool, snooker and games table equipment and accessories. Locally this helps social clubs and youth clubs keep functioning and providing communities with much needed facilities for there younger members. We also support charities around the world by providing them with these games tables and equipment in an effort to putting a smile on the younger generations of the people in disaster recover situations and 3rd world countries.

This boxing day of 2006 we provided games tables to Challenge Anneka for a project she was working on along side World Vision to travel to Sri Lanka to show how the relief programme in this devastated region is not just a quick fix, but is a long term commitment from the local population and aid agencies to help communities recover not just in this Asian Tsunami region. The challenge involved rebuilding a maternity clinic and providing medical equipment and supplies, constructing a children’s playgroup and redeveloping a cricket pitch and pavilion.

This is just some of the social responsibilities we take on and if you feel that there is a cause that we should know about or if you think that we could help your organisation then please contact us we will be happy to help in any way we can.

Sky Sports La Liga Football Table Competion Update

We have been working with the Revista de la liga show on Sky Sports all season offering our top quality Pro size football tables as prizes to Sky Sports customers in the UK. The Revista de la liga show is all about the spanish league football which has been pushed even more into the lime light with the tallent that is David Beckham moving out to Spain to play for ther Real Madrid team and Michael Owen Joining him in the same team for a season from 2005-2006. Now Davis Beckham has been playing for Real Madrid for some years this has helped with the popularity of the Spanish leagues popularity to the UK population and with the return of the old England captain to the England team after a brilliant season for real madrid this can only imoprove the demand to see David Beckham play.

The Revist de la liga show is where you can get your hands on one of our pro size folding football tables or you can enter the competition from the sky sports web site. This season the following lucky viewers won the 4ft 6in folding football table featured below:

Nathan Reed from Cheshire

Jo Williamson from Pwllheli

Carl Webster from Swindon

Andy Fosterjohn from Pontypridd

The table they won:

Tune in next season and you could win one as well. Though if you cant wait click here to buy one direct from our online store.

BBBilliards Goes E-Commerce

After 3 years of development and planning we are proud to anounce the launch of our fully automated secure online shop. 95% of all the products we sell are now listed on our live world wide accessable online shop found at www.bbbilliards.com. Our online shop is capable of dealing with orders from customers all over the world 24 hours a day enabling customer in almost opposit time zones to place orders when's convienient for them. Also it enables international customers to get an idea of the full cost of there order straight away without having to e-mail for a delivery quote.

As we are constantly striving to provide the best most user friendly online shopping experiace possible for the products we sell any feedback regarding our new system will be greatfully recieved.

We will be building into the new e-commerce system features to facilitate the promotion of our Barmy Bargains along with improving and updating the informational content on pool and snooker related topics provided free for our customers only.

Riley Prototype Competition Lighting Update

As you know The Pied Horse pool team, Bristol has been testing the latest prototype in competition lighting from Riley. Reports have come back that the original design with four lighting tubes was too bright for pool table use, so the original design with the four lights will be used solely for full size snooker tables, as per the below image.

However the new design is now out and they have created a more slim line design to suit the two strip light. Below you will see the new design over a 7ft Westbury table. Reviews of the brand new lighting have come back from those testing the lighting and have commented that the new lighting design really does make the game feel more serious, the lighting makes the table nice and bright without blinding you when trying to play a shot.

Riley and BCE have worked fast together and this fantastic new competition lighting is going to be available from the 1st of February 2007.

The 12ft Riley competition lighting (LS-1200) will RRP at £415 and we sell this through our online shop inclusive of VAT at £389 with FREE delivery. Click here to view this item in our shop.

The new competition 2 strip pool table lighting (LS-236) will RRP at £129 and we sell this through our online shop inclusive of VAT at £99. Click here to view this item in our shop.