Cuepower

As all avid fans will know, the world snooker championships kicked off last Saturday at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The one and only Ronnie O’ Sullivan is odds on to win again after taking the title last year. Many were expecting the champion to be slightly rusty after only competing in one match since last May’s victory, but the snooker star cruised through his first round beating Scotland’s Marcas Campbell 10-4.

Mark Selby is also a favourite to take the title. As the current world number 1, the Jester from Leicester has gone from strength to strength winning his first UK championship back in December, closely followed by his third Masters win in January.

Snooker Inspiration

Each year the World Snooker Championships encourages hundreds to take up this magnificent sport. Joining your local club or practicing in your nearest snooker hall is a great way of socialising and having fun.

With our wide range of high quality snooker cues, improving your game is easy. We have cues to suit beginners right through to international champions.

If pool is more your game, we also supply a wide variety of American and 8 Ball cues, along with luxury cases to ensure they stay in fine condition.

We also offer a variety of pool and snooker tables so you don’t even need to leave the house to play these world famous sporting activities. If you aren’t lucky enough to have a games room, you can always treat yourself to one of our snooker dining room tables. Imagine having guests over for dinner followed by a frame of snooker all on one table!

Practicing

To help improve your game, we have a handpicked selection of training aids and factual guides. Perfect your target shots with CueStroke – a padded practice surface with two transparent targets marked with 21 shot points. Our DVDs and books make great gifts, whilst training pool and snooker balls help to achieve control.

Other Table Games

If air hockey, table football, table tennis, and casino games are more your thing, we have a expanded our range to include a whole host of leisure games. Our multi-purpose tables include a variety of games, so you only need space for one model to enjoy pool, air hockey, poker and more.

For more information on our snooker, pool and other table games get in touch with our specialist team today on 033312 147147.

The Greatest Snooker Final Ever Played

The 2013 World Snooker Championships are just over a month away. Who knows which player will stand victorious on 6^th May, but to get you in the mood we’ve taken a look back at the most dramatic final in the history of the sport – the 1985 world championship match between Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor.

Golden age of snooker

During the 1980s snooker had a huge profile in Britain. The game was packed with exciting players like Cliff Thorburn, Tony Knowles, Eddie Charlton and Ray Reardon. Two of the biggest fan favourites at the time, Jimmy “The Whirlwind” White and Alex “Hurricane” Higgins, were as famous for their off the table exploits, as they were for their skill with a cue.

Dennis Taylor was an experienced player from Northern Ireland who, at 36, was nearing the end of his career at a top level. Although he had never won the world championship, he was popular with fans because of the oversized glasses he wore when playing. His trademark specs always looked comical and gave the impression of being upside down, but in fact, without them Taylor wouldn’t have been able to play at all. They were custom made by Taylor’s snooker playing friend, Jack Karnehm, whose family trade had been in making prescription lenses.

Steve Davis, ten years Taylor’s junior, had already won the world title three times and was also the reigning champion. Davis has been the world number one for two years running and was everybody’s favourite to win at the Crucible in 1985. He went on to become such a celebrated player that he, somewhat unfairly, earned the nickname Steve “boring” Davis – because he won so often it wasn’t much fun to watch. The final against Taylor was anything but boring.

The Match

The final began, just as many had predicted, with Davis taking a resounding lead. In the first session of play Taylor lost every single frame and when play resumed that evening, he found himself 8-0 down. People were beginning to think the final might be over in day.

Taylor had been a professional for 13 years and suddenly realised this was his last chance to win a big competition. The Irishman started to fight back and play ended on Saturday 9-7 in favour of Davis. Play on Sunday was much closer, with the two men exchanging frames and neither being able to carve out a decent lead.

Finally, at 11.15pm that night, with the score tied at 17-17, the most famous frame in the history of snooker took place. Both players were so nervous that each made several unforced mistakes. Davis led, but Taylor fought back to a black ball finish, and when Davis under cut an easy pot, Taylor stepped up and sunk the ball that would bring him sporting immortality.

Greatest comeback

The auditorium erupted as Taylor waved his cue above his head in celebration. Check out this video of the final minutes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byYKrvDDgew

The match was watched by 18.5 million people in the UK which remains the highest viewed programme ever on BBC2, and the contest has always been considered one of the greatest moments in sporting history.

If the story of the 1985 final has made you want to get potting balls yourself, why not pick up a cue at our online store?

When we’re not busy practising our shots and there are no interesting tournaments on TV, it’s nice to kick back and relax with a good film. Here are just some of the best movies featuring pool, billiards or snooker.

Turn the River – 2007

This film follows the life of pool shark Kailey (Famke Janssen) who is determined to win big and move to Canada to create a better life for her son Gulley, who remains in the custody of her alcoholic ex-husband. Set in Manhattan, the gritty thriller sees Kailey take the ultimate gamble to win the title of Best Player for the only hope of a future with her son.

The Hustler – 1961

This classic sees talented pool hustler Eddie Felson (Paul Newman) challenge a legendary player to a match with devastating consequences.  With no money, no manager and no confidence, it’s a major struggle to get back in the game, and when his ambition takes over once again in the pool hall, winning big could cost him his girlfriend and his morals.

The five star rated film certainly makes the top ten as one of the coolest pool movies of all time. The smoky American pool halls create a tense atmosphere that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Poolhall Junkies – (2002)

A must for all pool players, this film follows Johnny (Mars Callahan) who is determined to be the world’s best pool player but is held back by his trainer, a hustler who decides who and how Johnny should play.  With a realistic back story and dozens of impressive shots, it’s clear that director and lead actor Mars Callahan has a real love for the sport.

Baron and the Kid – 1984

A little more light-hearted, this 80s classic stars Johnny Cash and is based on his hit song The Baron. Although originally made for TV, the easy to watch movie sees a legendary pool shark reunited with his long lost son. The talented pair embark on numerous adventures as Cash tries to steer his son away from a life of booze and hustling.

The Color of Money – 1986

Paul Newman takes the lead yet again, this time against Tom Cruise, as hustler Eddie Felson teaches promising player Vincent all about the trade.  Known as the Rocky of pool movies, Newman won an Oscar for his immaculate performance. Themes of redemption, romance and competition make this movie perfect for both film and pool fans.

After you’ve finished relaxing in front of the box with one of these fantastic films, you’ll no doubt want to get back in the game yourself. Check out our online store for all your snooker and pool cues

Let’s face it, when most people think of Snooker one name springs to mind; ‘Ronnie the Rocket’. 2013 could be the year that O’Sullivan finally hangs up his cue for good, but the question everyone is asking is – will we all get one last chance to see him in action?

Ronnie’s Records

O’Sullivan is often touted as the most naturally gifted snooker player to ever pick up a cue, but it’s his rapid playing style and off the table antics that make him a fan favourite. The five time world number one has done it all over the years including 4 famous world championship wins. He’s also had some classic rivalries against the likes of Stephen Hendry, John Higgins and Mark Williams. Ronnie got his nickname ‘the rocket’ because of how quickly he zips around the table and it’s always been important that he has a high quality cue that won’t let him down.

Ronnie holds the record for hitting the maximum 147 break an incredible 11 times, and even more impressive is that he likes to do it in style! Check out this video of him clearing the table in less than five minutes!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McThDshEgU0

The Big Break

At the moment Ronnie is on hiatus from the sport and focusing on his family. He hit the headlines last week after getting engaged to his girlfriend TV actress Laila Rouass. However, speculation is ripe about whether or not snooker fans will get to see him at one last world championship this May.

And the Future?

One thing is for sure, we would all love to see O’Sullivan at the Crucible one last time. With over £6 million pounds in prize money accumulated over the years Ronnie certainly doesn’t need to play, but maybe the temptation of taking on current world number one Mark Selby will coax Ronnie out of semi-retirement.

If the idea of seeing the rocket in one last tournament is making you want to pick up cue and get playing, why not check out our online store for cues, accessories and everything else you need.

Our snooker facts series has proved to be so popular, we’re back with another post. This time, we have information on the earliest table and the most outrageous footwear every worn by a player. Be sure to take a look if you missed parts one and two.

First Snooker Table

Snooker and pool tables have evolved with the game over the years but the earliest billiard table was recorded in 1470 and belonged to King Louis XI of France. It would have looked very different to today’s tables as it was made from stone with one large hole in the centre. It did, however, still have the covering of cloth that remains on tables today.

Stephen Hendry’s Title Winning Cue was Smashed on a Plane

Like many players, former world snooker champion Stephen Hendry always used the same cue at every major tournament he took part in. However, during a flight to Thailand in 2003, the cue emerged from the hold of the plane in pieces. Although devastated by the discovery this didn’t stop Hendry going on to compete in finals of major tournaments for years afterwards. This was the second time Hendry’s famous cue had caused him problems, as over ten years ago he had to pay £10,000 to thieves to get it back after it had been stolen!

Longest and Shortest Frames

The longest frame ever recorded at any professional tournament was an incredible 93 minutes and 12 seconds long. It took place in 2008 between Shaun Murphy and Dave Harold in the Chinese Open in Beijing. The shortest frame only lasted for 3 minutes and was won by Tony Drago in 1998. Drago was famed for his quick breaks and often got in trouble with match officials for not waiting until all the balls had stopped moving before taking his next shot.

Judd Trump’s Crazy Shoes

Finally, take a look at these shoes that world number two Judd Trump recently impressed fans with at a match earlier this year.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/judd-trump-wows-crowd-funky-2-000-shoes-174243308.html

They cost him a whopping £2000 pounds, and he only kept them on for three frames before deciding they were too uncomfortable to wear.

Cue Power have a range of Snooker and Pool cues and accessories which are a lot more practical than Trump’s shoes: why not take a look today?

Let’s face it, tricks shots are awesome. Jumping balls over other balls, bending them around corners and playing shots behind your back are all guaranteed to impress your friends (or make you look like a bit of a show off). The questions is, are they actually useful?
If you’re Jimmy White, they are. Take a look at the superb massé shot Jimmy played in a Matchroom League game in 1993:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Sk9_hWUDZM

Trick Shots Teach You How to Play the Game

The important thing to remember is that a cue isn’t just a stick, it’s a tool. The more practice you have handling a cue, the better your game will become. This is especially true if you practice shots which involve putting spin on the ball, as this will help you improve your positioning so you can plan your game more shots in advance.

Trick shots are also great for helping you visualise angles when you want to bounce the ball off the cushion. This is an incredibly valuable skill to develop: half of snooker is visualising what you’re going to do before making the shot; the other half is having the skill to do what you intended. You can see Ronnie O’Sullivan doing exactly that in this video, where he bounces the cue ball off the cushion five times to escape a snooker (the successful shot is around 1:25).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al4hX6nBRi

Snookers and Showing Off

As we’ve seen in the videos, trick shots can be really useful for games where you find yourself stuck behind other balls. In addition to using spin or bouncing off the cushions to escape, pool players have the option of jumping the ball over other balls (which is legal these days in many clubs). You can’t do this in snooker though, and even in pool, you have to hit the ball down into the table to make the shot rather than scooping it up with the tip of the cue.

Sometimes, you might just want to use these shots to show off. Here’s Jimmy again with some particularly ostentatious shots. Imagine the confidence and skill needed to do this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxCcgD7XdoU

Be Careful

Trick shots can be brilliant, but you have to be careful if you’re going to use them (or even practice them). If you angle your cue downwards at a steep angle for a massé or jump shot you could rip the cloth. There’s also a danger you’ll shoot a ball off the table. Although practicing these shots can be valuable for experienced players, beginners are probably better advised to play it safe and put more emphasis on the basics.

If you want your own table to practice trick shots on, or are just after a new cue or some accessories, check out our online store. We’ve got everything you need to improve your game.

We all love a proper frame of snooker with a cue, table and balls, but if you’re on the move or waiting at the bus stop, a full scale game isn’t that easy. For those moments between trips to the club, there are some great apps and online games available so you can get your snooker fix.

Pro Snooker 2012

(iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch)

The name is out of date, but this iPhone app has loads of great features. The game itself looks great, with very realistic looking tables shown from a first person perspective. The 3D style makes the game really immersive, and there’s a decent physics engine, too. Both snooker and pool are catered for, and you can play using standard rules or mix things up. Hexagonal table anyone?

There is a free version, but for extra features you’ll have to buy add ons. One annoying thing is that if you leave the app to do something else, you’ll have to start again. Otherwise, this is a great little game.

International Snooker HD

(iOS and Android devices)

This is another 3D game, and it’s got a great reputation. Perhaps a little more serious than Pro Snooker, this app gives you one of the most realistic snooker experiences around. It’s almost as if the cue is in your hands. This one is snooker only (no pool), but you have complete control over where you strike the ball and the physics engine and computer player AI is great. You can even play a friend.

A big bonus with this game is that it autosaves after every pot so you won’t lose progress if you have to take a call or reply to a message. You do have to pay for it, though. The iTunes version is £2.99.

Pub Snooker

(Facebook)

If you don’t have a fancy smartphone, but want to play some snooker in your lunch break, don’t fret. There’s a game on Facebook called Pub Snooker that’s the answer to your prayers. It might not be quite as realistic as the iPhone and Android offerings, but this little game is a lot of fun. Plus it’s 100% free.

This game features a top down view of the table, and plays pretty well. There are also lots of different modes available, including two player, and you can win trophies for various achievements.

As great as these games are, nothing is quite like a real game of snooker. If you’d like to play more often, take a look at our online store for a full range of cues, tables and balls.

As the post we did a few weeks back on ‘Exploding Balls and Other Snooker Facts’ was so popular, we thought we’d give you a few more interesting facts:

• We explained in the previous post that pool and snooker descend from croquet. But when the French moved the game indoors, the balls were pushed (rather than struck) with “maces”. These were curved metal (or wooden) heads attached to the end of a narrow handle. However, the size of the head often made it difficult to achieve accurate shots. Because of this, the mace was regularly turned round and people used the narrow handle to take their shots. Eventually, people noticed that this method was much easier and this is how the snooker cue we know and love developed.
• Years ago, a military man visited a particular academy and noted that the first-year cadets were called “snookers”. Whenever an opponent missed an easy pot, the military man exclaimed “Why, you’re a regular snooker” and this is where the term comes from.
• Despite its name, the “chalk” we use nowadays doesn’t contain even the tiniest fragment of chalk. It is actually made up of fine abrasives.
• When a player pots the cue ball, we refer to it as “scratching”. This comes from the time when pool scores were kept on a chalkboard. As and when a player potted the cue ball, the opponent would then literally “scratch” a point from the player’s score.
• According to research from the 1990s, 35.6 years is the average age of billiard champions, which is actually the highest of any sport.
• Pool is considered to be one of the safest sports in the world. Of course, this doesn’t instances where someone accidentally hits themselves in the face with their pool cue!

We have many pool and snooker cues here at Cue Power. Contact us today and we can help you find the perfect one – just try not to hit yourself in the face with it!

With Christmas on the way, it’s always a struggle to think of something to buy your loved ones. Grandparents are usually the hardest; what do you buy people who already seem to have all they need in life? A collapsible walking stick? A new pair of slippers? Or have you considered buying them something sport related?

New Starter

Whilst it may not be the first thing to spring to mind, a snooker cue could be just the thing for your Grandad. Giving him this surprise gift will provide him with a new hobby and allow him the opportunity to develop some new skills which he can brag about down the pub.

Old Pro

On the other hand, if your Grandad’s an old pro, a new snooker cue will inspire him to dust off his old bow-tie and waistcoat and see if he still has all the old skills.

As snooker is a game that’s suitable for all ages, why not take your Grandad down the local snooker club? This will give him the chance to test his new snooker cue and you can take pleasure in watching him play with his new toy. You get to spend quality time together and you have the chance to see if he really is as good at snooker as he says he is.

Some areas of the country hold snooker championships for people over the age of 60. These events are a fantastic opportunity to allow people to come together and socialise, have a few drinks and show off their snooker skills at the same time. With so many competitive people out there, watching them battle it out over a snooker table can be fascinating.

Here at Cue Power, we have a wide range of snooker cues to suit every age. Contact us today and we will gladly help with picking a suitable cue for your grandparent.