#billiards ball setup

[thesportsreviews]

Most Attractive Billiards Players

Most beautiful billiards players in the world

Emily Duddy

Billiards is a sport that requires skill, precision and focus, and there are many talented players from around the world who have made a name for themselves in the industry. However, when it comes to beauty, there are a few players who stand out.

One of the most beautiful billiards players is Allison Fisher. This British player is considered one of the greatest female pool players of all time, having won numerous world championships and tournaments throughout her career. She is known for her elegant playing style and her stunning looks.

Another beautiful billiard player is Ga-Young Kim from South Korea. She is a professional pool player and is known for her impressive skills on the table. She is considered one of the most attractive players in the world, with a unique combination of beauty and talent.

Another notable player is Karen Corr, an Irish professional pool player and commentator. Karen is known for her striking features, svelte figure, and striking eyes. She is a great player and has an impressive list of accomplishments including multiple world championships.

Lastly, Line Kjørsvik from Norway. She is a professional pool player who is known for her beautiful looks and impressive skills on the table. She is considered one of the most attractive players in the world, and has won multiple international tournaments and awards throughout her career.

These players are not only beautiful but also incredibly talented and accomplished in their sport. They have proven that beauty and skill can coexist in the world of billiards.

[rib-cage-specialist]

Imagining the setup in Death Billiards but for every ball you sink it represents a mental function you make your opponent lose

[fluxtech]

Games Similar to Air Hockey and Foosball for Endless Entertainment

Air hockey and foosball have long been favorites for players seeking fast-paced, competitive fun. Known for their ability to create excitement in homes, recreational centers, and arcades, these games are perfect for players of all ages. However, several other games provide similar thrills, combining reflexes, strategy, and competition. Exploring alternatives to air hockey and foosball opens the door to even more fun and engaging experiences, whether you enjoy tabletop games, classic arcade setups, or innovative physical activities.

This guide introduces some popular games that share similarities with air hockey and foosball. Each option offers dynamic gameplay and endless entertainment, making them excellent additions to any game room or gathering space.

Table Tennis as a Classic Alternative

Table tennis, commonly known as ping pong, is a competitive game that combines speed, skill, and hand-eye coordination, much like air hockey and foosball. Played on a flat table divided by a net, players use paddles to hit a lightweight ball back and forth, aiming to outscore their opponents. The game’s simplicity and fast-paced nature make it ideal for players looking for quick and energetic matches.

The appeal of table tennis lies in its accessibility and versatility. Whether played casually at home or competitively in tournaments, it delivers the same excitement as air hockey and foosball. Players must react quickly, anticipate their opponent’s moves, and control their shots to succeed.

Table tennis also promotes physical activity, requiring players to move and position themselves strategically. Its combination of skill, reflexes, and agility ensures that it remains a popular choice for families, friends, and serious enthusiasts alike.

Shuffleboard as a Strategic Tabletop Game

Shuffleboard is another game that shares the tabletop element of air hockey and foosball. Played on a smooth, elongated table, players slide weighted pucks across the surface to land them in specific scoring zones. The goal is to score points while blocking or knocking out the opponent’s pucks, creating a mix of skill and strategy.

Similar to air hockey, shuffleboard relies on precision and control. Players must carefully calculate the speed and angle of their shots to outmaneuver their opponents. The simplicity of the rules and the competitive nature of the game make it suitable for all skill levels.

Shuffleboard tables come in various sizes, making them adaptable to homes, bars, and recreational spaces. Its mix of strategy and competition ensures that shuffleboard remains an engaging alternative for fans of fast-paced table games.

Pool as a Fun and Competitive Choice

Pool, also known as billiards, is a classic table game that combines skill, precision, and strategy. Much like foosball and air hockey, pool offers competitive gameplay that tests a player’s reflexes and decision-making. The game involves using a cue stick to strike balls into designated pockets on a large table covered with felt.

Pool shares similarities with foosball in terms of strategy and planning. Players must anticipate angles, calculate shots, and execute their moves with precision to win. While pool games can be slower than air hockey, the intense focus and competitive edge keep players engaged.

With various game formats like eight-ball, nine-ball, and snooker, pool provides endless entertainment and variety. Whether played casually with friends or competitively in leagues, pool remains a timeless option for those who enjoy dynamic tabletop games.

Bubble Hockey as a Direct Air Hockey Alternative

Bubble hockey, also known as dome hockey, closely resembles air hockey in terms of gameplay and excitement. Played on a compact tabletop under a clear dome, bubble hockey involves using rods to control miniature players, similar to foosball. The objective is to move a puck into the opponent’s goal while defending your own, creating fast-paced, energetic matches.

Bubble hockey combines the reflex-based nature of air hockey with the strategic elements of foosball. Players must act quickly to maneuver their figures, control the puck, and react to their opponent’s moves. The dome ensures that the puck remains in play, creating non-stop action throughout the game.

Bubble hockey is ideal for fans of both foosball and air hockey, offering a unique twist on traditional table games. It is often found in game rooms, arcades, and sports bars, where it attracts players looking for quick and competitive entertainment.

Carrom as a Skill-Based Table Game

Carrom is a tabletop game that originated in South Asia but has gained popularity worldwide for its blend of skill and strategy. Played on a square wooden board, players use a striker to flick discs, or “carrom men,” into corner pockets. The game requires precision, quick thinking, and excellent hand-eye coordination.

Much like air hockey, carrom involves striking pieces across a smooth surface with controlled force. Players must anticipate angles and rebounds to successfully pocket their pieces while blocking their opponents. The fast-paced action and simple rules make carrom a highly engaging game for players of all ages.

Carrom can be played in singles or doubles, offering flexibility for casual and competitive settings. Its blend of skill, strategy, and quick reflexes ensures that it remains a popular alternative to air hockey and foosball.

Teqball as a Modern, Sport-Inspired Game

Teqball is an innovative game that combines elements of soccer and table tennis, creating a dynamic and engaging experience. Played on a curved table, teqball involves using a soccer ball and any part of the body except the arms and hands to volley the ball back and forth over the table. The objective is to outscore the opponent through precise ball control and strategic play.

Teqball shares similarities with air hockey and foosball due to its reliance on quick reflexes, agility, and strategy. The fast-paced nature of the game keeps players active and engaged, while the curved table adds a unique challenge that requires precision and skill.

The game has gained popularity in recent years, particularly among soccer enthusiasts and athletes. Its competitive yet accessible nature makes teqball an exciting alternative for fans of table games and physical sports alike.

Crokinole as a Classic Dexterity Game

Crokinole is a classic tabletop game that combines elements of shuffleboard and carrom. Played on a circular wooden board, players take turns flicking discs toward a central target area to score points. The game involves a mix of precision, strategy, and quick reflexes, making it similar to air hockey and foosball in its competitive appeal.

Crokinole challenges players to balance offense and defense, aiming to land their discs in high-scoring zones while knocking opponents’ discs off the board. The smooth surface and fast-paced action create a dynamic experience that keeps players focused and engaged.

The simplicity of crokinole makes it suitable for players of all ages, while its strategic depth ensures that it remains entertaining for seasoned competitors. It is a versatile addition to game rooms and social gatherings, offering a unique alternative to traditional table games.

Conclusion

Games similar to air hockey and foosball provide endless opportunities for competitive fun and entertainment. Options like table tennis, shuffleboard, and bubble hockey capture the energy and excitement of these popular games while offering unique gameplay experiences. Whether you prefer fast-paced action, strategic planning, or precision-based challenges, there are countless alternatives to explore.

Investing in these games can enhance any recreational space, providing engaging activities for families, friends, and competitive players. By discovering new games that share the spirit of air hockey and foosball, you can enjoy hours of entertainment while developing skills in reflexes, strategy, and coordination.

[sunaleisocial]

Atoms on the edge

New Post has been published on https://sunalei.org/news/atoms-on-the-edge/

Atoms on the edge

Typically, electrons are free agents that can move through most metals in any direction. When they encounter an obstacle, the charged particles experience friction and scatter randomly like colliding billiard balls.

But in certain exotic materials, electrons can appear to flow with single-minded purpose. In these materials, electrons may become locked to the material’s edge and flow in one direction, like ants marching single-file along a blanket’s boundary. In this rare “edge state,” electrons can flow without friction, gliding effortlessly around obstacles as they stick to their perimeter-focused flow. Unlike in a superconductor, where all electrons in a material flow without resistance, the current carried by edge modes occurs only at a material’s boundary.

Now MIT physicists have directly observed edge states in a cloud of ultracold atoms. For the first time, the team has captured images of atoms flowing along a boundary without resistance, even as obstacles are placed in their path. The results, which appear today in Nature Physics, could help physicists manipulate electrons to flow without friction in materials that could enable super-efficient, lossless transmission of energy and data.

“You could imagine making little pieces of a suitable material and putting it inside future devices, so electrons could shuttle along the edges and between different parts of your circuit without any loss,” says study co-author Richard Fletcher, assistant professor of physics at MIT. “I would stress though that, for us, the beauty is seeing with your own eyes physics which is absolutely incredible but usually hidden away in materials and unable to be viewed directly.”

The study’s co-authors at MIT include graduate students Ruixiao Yao and Sungjae Chi, former graduate students Biswaroop Mukherjee PhD ’20 and Airlia Shaffer PhD ’23, along with Martin Zwierlein, the Thomas A. Frank Professor of Physics. The co-authors are all members of MIT’s Research Laboratory of Electronics and the MIT-Harvard Center for Ultracold Atoms.

Forever on the edge

Physicists first invoked the idea of edge states to explain a curious phenomenon, known today as the Quantum Hall effect, which scientists first observed in 1980, in experiments with layered materials, where electrons were confined to two dimensions. These experiments were performed in ultracold conditions, and under a magnetic field. When scientists tried to send a current through these materials, they observed that electrons did not flow straight through the material, but instead accumulated on one side, in precise quantum portions.

To try and explain this strange phenomenon, physicists came up with the idea that these Hall currents are carried by edge states. They proposed that, under a magnetic field, electrons in an applied current could be deflected to the edges of a material, where they would flow and accumulate in a way that might explain the initial observations.

“The way charge flows under a magnetic field suggests there must be edge modes,” Fletcher says. “But to actually see them is quite a special thing because these states occur over femtoseconds, and across fractions of a nanometer, which is incredibly difficult to capture.”

Rather than try and catch electrons in an edge state, Fletcher and his colleagues realized they might be able to recreate the same physics in a larger and more observable system. The team has been studying the behavior of ultracold atoms in a carefully designed setup that mimics the physics of electrons under a magnetic field.

“In our setup, the same physics occurs in atoms, but over milliseconds and microns,” Zwierlein explains. “That means that we can take images and watch the atoms crawl essentially forever along the edge of the system.”

A spinning world

In their new study, the team worked with a cloud of about 1 million sodium atoms, which they corralled in a laser-controlled trap, and cooled to nanokelvin temperatures. They then manipulated the trap to spin the atoms around, much like riders on an amusement park Gravitron.

“The trap is trying to pull the atoms inward, but there’s centrifugal force that tries to pull them outward,” Fletcher explains. “The two forces balance each other, so if you’re an atom, you think you’re living in a flat space, even though your world is spinning. There’s also a third force, the Coriolis effect, such that if they try to move in a line, they get deflected. So these massive atoms now behave as if they were electrons living in a magnetic field.”

Into this manufactured reality, the researchers then introduced an “edge,” in the form of a ring of laser light, which formed a circular wall around the spinning atoms. As the team took images of the system, they observed that when the atoms encountered the ring of light, they flowed along its edge, in just one direction.

“You can imagine these are like marbles that you’ve spun up really fast in a bowl, and they just keep going around and around the rim of the bowl,” Zwierlein offers. “There is no friction. There is no slowing down, and no atoms leaking or scattering into the rest of the system. There is just beautiful, coherent flow.”

“These atoms are flowing, free of friction, for hundreds of microns,” Fletcher adds. “To flow that long, without any scattering, is a type of physics you don’t normally see in ultracold atom systems.”

This effortless flow held up even when the researchers placed an obstacle in the atoms’ path, like a speed bump, in the form of a point of light, which they shone along the edge of the original laser ring. Even as they came upon this new obstacle, the atoms didn’t slow their flow or scatter away, but instead glided right past without feeling friction as they normally would.

“We intentionally send in this big, repulsive green blob, and the atoms should bounce off it,” Fletcher says. “But instead what you see is that they magically find their way around it, go back to the wall, and continue on their merry way.”

The team’s observations in atoms document the same behavior that has been predicted to occur in electrons. Their results show that the setup of atoms is a reliable stand-in for studying how electrons would behave in edge states.

“It’s a very clean realization of a very beautiful piece of physics, and we can directly demonstrate the importance and reality of this edge,” Fletcher says. “A natural direction is to now introduce more obstacles and interactions into the system, where things become more unclear as to what to expect.”

This research was supported, in part, by the National Science Foundation.

[thebestpooltablebrands]

How To Balance A Pool Table?

A perfectly balanced pool table is the heartbeat of every billiards game. If you've found yourself struggling with uneven rolls or biased gameplay, it’s time to master the art of leveling your pool table. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps to ensure your table is balanced like a pro. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a passionate beginner, ensuring your table is level will improve your game and enhance your overall experience. Get ready to transform your playing surface and up your billiards game!

Why Balance Matters

Consistent Gameplay

A balanced table ensures that the balls roll true. If your table is unbalanced, you might notice balls veering off course or stopping unexpectedly. This can seriously affect your game, making it difficult to play accurately.

Read more at here

Prevents Wear and Tear

Over time, an unbalanced pool table can lead to uneven wear on the felt and cushions. This not only degrades the quality of your table but can also become costly in the long run. Balancing your table helps distribute the weight evenly, extending the life of your playing surface.

Enhances Skills

Playing on a balanced table helps you improve your skills more effectively. When the table is level, you can trust that your shots are accurate. This allows you to focus on technique rather than compensating for an uneven surface.

Tools You Need

Spirit Level

A spirit level is your best friend when it comes to leveling a pool table. It measures whether a surface is perfectly horizontal (level) or vertical (plumb). Opt for a high-quality, accurate level for the best results.

Shims

Shims are thin, wedge-shaped pieces of material that you place under the legs of your pool table to adjust its height. They come in various materials, including wood, plastic, and metal. Keep a selection handy for precise adjustments.

Measuring Tape

A measuring tape helps you ensure that your table is aligned correctly in its space. Accurate measurements prevent any discrepancies that could throw off your leveling efforts.

Initial Setup

Position Your Table

Before you start leveling, make sure your table is in its final position. Moving it after leveling can undo all your hard work. Make sure there’s enough room around the table for players to move freely.

Check the Floor

Ensure the floor where your table will sit is as level as possible. An uneven floor can complicate the leveling process. Use your spirit level to check for any major discrepancies.

Assemble the Table

If you’re setting up a new table, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for assembly. Ensure all bolts and screws are tightened properly but do not secure them fully until the table is leveled.

Leveling the Table

Use the Spirit Level

Place the spirit level on the playing surface of your table. Check the level in multiple directions (lengthwise, widthwise, and diagonally). This will give you a comprehensive view of any tilt in your table.

Adjust the Legs

Most modern pool tables come with adjustable legs. If yours does, use the built-in adjusters to raise or lower each leg until the table is level. If your table doesn’t have adjustable legs, you’ll need to use shims.

Insert Shims

For tables without adjustable legs, shims are the way to go. Carefully lift each leg and insert shims as needed. Check the level after each adjustment to ensure you’re moving in the right direction. Be patient—this process can take some time.

Fine-Tuning

Recheck the Level

Once you think you have the table level, double-check all your measurements. Place the spirit level in various positions on the table to ensure consistency.

Tighten the Bolts

After confirming that your table is level, tighten all bolts and screws securely. This helps maintain the adjustments you’ve made and keeps the table stable during play.

Test with Balls

Roll a few balls across the table to test your work. Watch how they move and adjust if necessary. This final step ensures that your table is perfectly balanced for gameplay.

Maintenance Tips

Regular Checks

It’s essential to check the level of your table regularly. Floors can shift, and tables can settle over time. A quick check every few months can save you from major adjustments later.

Clean the Felt

Keeping the felt clean can affect the balance and performance of your table. Dust and debris can accumulate, causing uneven surfaces. Use a table brush or vacuum to keep it pristine.

Avoid Excessive Weight

Avoid placing heavy objects on your pool table. Excessive weight can cause the slate to warp or the legs to become unbalanced over time. Keep your table for playing, not for storage.

Conclusion

Balancing your pool table might seem daunting, but with the right tools and a little patience, you can achieve a perfectly level playing surface. This not only enhances your gaming experience but also prolongs the life of your table. Whether you’re an experienced player or new to the game, a balanced table is crucial for accurate, enjoyable play.

Ready to take your billiards game to the next level? Sign up for our newsletter for more tips and exclusive offers from our community of enthusiasts. Happy playing!

[bigcatcues]

How To Measure A Pool Table: A Step-By-Step Guide For Billiards Enthusiasts

Whether you're looking to buy a new pool table, sell one, or simply ensure you have enough room in your game room, understanding how to measure a pool table properly is crucial. For billiards enthusiasts, the dimensions of a pool table can significantly affect the playability and enjoyment of the game. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk through the process of measuring a pool table, provide some handy tips to save you time and effort, and ensure you get accurate measurements every time.

Knowing Your Pool Table Dimensions

Before we jump into the how-tos, it's important to understand that pool tables come in various sizes, the most common being 7, 8, and 9-foot. Each size offers a different playing experience and requires a different amount of space in your home. Additionally, the term "pool table dimensions" usually refers to the playing surface's length and width, not the table's outer edges.

How To Measure A Pool Table In 3 Steps

Step 1: Determine The Playing Surface

What You Need: A measuring tape

Method: The playing surface is the area between the nose of the cushions on the long side of the table. Place one end of the measuring tape at the nose (the point where the ball bounces off) of the cushion on one side, stretch it across to the other side, and note the measurement. Repeat this process for the width.

Step 2: Understand The Measurements

Standard pool table sizes are measured in feet and referred to by their length. For example, if you measure the playing surface lengthwise and it comes to around 88 inches, you're likely dealing with an 8-foot table, the most common size for home use.

Step 3: Measure The Outer Dimensions

While the playing surface size is what most people are interested in, knowing the outer dimensions of your pool table can be equally important, especially if you're planning space for accessories or seating around it. Measure the length and width of the table from its furthest points to get this.

5 Tips To Measure A Pool Table To Save You Time and Effort

Use a Flexible Tape Measure: For the most accurate measurements, especially for the outer dimensions, use a flexible tape measure that can easily contour to the table's body.

Write Down Your Measurements: Always write down your measurements as you go. This might seem like an obvious step, but it's easy to forget or mix up numbers, especially if you're comparing multiple tables.

Check The Manufacturer’s Specifications: If possible, check the manufacturer's specifications for your pool table model. This can provide you with precise measurements and save you the trouble of measuring.

Measure Twice: This age-old adage applies perfectly here. Measure at least twice to ensure accuracy. If you get different measurements, measure again until you get consistent results.

Consult Professionals: If you’re still unsure or need confirmation of your pool table size for tournaments or official matches, consult with a professional. Local billiards stores or clubs can often provide assistance.

Final Thoughts

Understanding how to measure your pool table accurately is a skill every billiards enthusiast should have. Not only does it help in creating the perfect game room setup, but it also ensures you can make informed decisions when buying or selling a pool table. Remember, the key to successful measurements lies in accuracy and consistency, so take your time and follow the steps carefully.

Incorporating keywords such as "how to measure a pool table," "pool table dimensions," and "pool table measurements" throughout this guide not only assists in boosting SEO but ensures that billiards enthusiasts can easily find the information they need. By following these guidelines, you’ll ensure your pool table perfectly fits your space, allowing for many enjoyable games ahead.

@bigcatcues

[billiardgods]

New Post has been published on https://www.billiardgods.com/de-draw-3-d-set/

(D&E) Drills & Exercises - CB Control (Draw) Skills (progressive): 3 D set

(About the Author)

This progressive exercise to improve your shooting skills is in the book Drills & Exercises for Pool & Pocket Billiards.

This setup concentrates on controlled draws (1/2 D, 1 D, 1-1/2 D, 2 D distances).

Drills & Exercises – Draw Skills (progressive) – 3 D Distance sets

Instructions: DONUTS: one of OB – one for CB. (add another as a marker for the intended draw distance.

Position the CB and OB. Pocket the OB and draw the CB back EXACTLY the intended distance.

Re-spot OB and CB until you can precisely (within 1/2 ball) place the CB near the marker (3 consecutive successes).

Move the marker donut to the next target position and repeat the learning process.

Proof of competence: THREE consecutive successful placements.

Suggestions: This can be done at different CB speeds. For slow speeds, place the tip as low as possible on the CB. At greater speeds, position the tip closer to CB center. Please note. Pocketing the ball is a REQUIREMENT. Doing the draw and missing the shot is a FAILURE.

[esoteric-cue-sports]

Canadian Skittles

I discovered this little gem while searching the internets for more details regarding Danish Pin Billiards.

Among other things I discovered that another word used for pin billiards is "skittles", presumably named after the lawn bowling pins bearing the same name.

Anyway, a game that caught my eye seems to be a half-way thing between Snooker and Danish Pins. It's referred to as "Canadian Skittles" and doesn't have a Wikipedia entry for me to refer back to. The lack of such a centralised resource was actually the main motivation to create this blog!

Anyway, on with the game explanation.

From my limited research, I can see that the game comes in a number of different variants. The most notable three differ in the number of black pins used.

This writeup will introduce you to the 1, 2, and 3 black pin variants of the game. The rules shouldn't differ too signficantly between versions other than initial setup.

Materials and Setup

To play this game you need the following:

A Snooker table, but a Pool table can also work

1-3 black pins (depending on variant)

4 non-black pins. This can either be 4 whites, or a yellow, green, brown, and red pin.

A white cue-ball, a yellow ball, and a red ball.

The pins are between 3" (7.62 cm) and 3.5" (8.89 cm) according to the rules I found, which is taller than Five-Pin pins (2.5 cm) and shorter than Danish Pin pins (10-12 cm).

To set up for the 1-black-pin variant, put the yellow ball on the brown Snooker spot, the red ball on the pink Snooker spot, and place the black pin on the blue Snooker spot with all the other pins surrounding the central black pin as shown below:

To set up for the 2-black-pin variant, set up exactly as before, but place the second black pin on the pink Snooker spot, then put the red ball on the black Snooker spot as seen in the diagram below:

To set up for the 3-black-pin variant, place the third black pin on the brown Snooker spot, then place the yellow ball on the yellow Snooker spot in the corner of the D, as seen in the diagram below:

As usual, please note that the diagrams are not to scale.

The placement of black pins and balls may vary from variant to variant. From placing the yellow and red balls on the black and pink spots in the 1-pin variant, to swapping the black pin and yellow ball in the 3-pin variant.

I don't think there's any official standardised set of rules for the game. The number of black pins basically just determines the difficulty level of the game.

The Game

The object of the game is to get 31 points without going over.

An optional variant is to play the game with numbered peas (nomally used for Kelly Pool), where each player gets a secret random number from 1 to 15 which determines their starting score.

Most versions of the rules I've found also sees players play for a $10 pot with additional penalties for fouls and such. Winner collects the pot plus money for each foul made by the other players.

Structure

The game is played in innings, meaning a player's turn continues as long as they make points and don't make any fouls.

Causing a foul ends the turn immediately, see Fouls for details.

The Break

To break, the starting player places their cue ball in the D, which must then exit the baulk area/kitchen, then hit a ball. This is the same as the in-hand rules.

Note that the cue ball may hit a cushion outside the baulk area then rebound and hit a ball inside the baulk area. The point is just that it must fully exit.

Scoring Points

There are a number of ways to score points in the game, all of which come from the games that inspired it.

Pocketing the yellow ball: 2 points

Pocketing the red ball: 3 points

Losing Hazard/In-Off on the yellow: 2 points

Losing Hazard/In-Off on the red: 3 points

Carom Shot/Cannon: 2 points

Knocking over non-black pins gives the appropriate values in points, red: 1, yellow: 2, green: 3, brown: 4.

Knocking over a black pin gives 5 points.

Pins can be knocked over by any ball, as long as the cue-ball has made contact with another ball first.

A Losing Hazard or In-Off is a shot where the cue-ball is pocketed after hitting another ball. A Carom shot/Cannon is when the cue-ball hits both the other two balls.

All Losing Hazards give the player ball in hand.

Additionally there are three ways to get an instant win:

Royal: Knocking down all the non-black pins by themselves. This is also knowns as a sweep.

Natural: Knocking down all the black pins by themselves (not available in the 1-black-pin variant)

Pocketing all three balls in the same shot (according to one rule-set)

Re-Spotting

Any pocketed balls and knocked over pins get re-spotted to their starting points as necessary. A pocketed cue-ball gets "re-spotted" in-hand within the D and must then be shot with the normal break rules.

Fouls

When a foul occurs, the foul is marked with an X on the scoreboard and the player's score resets down to zero.

Knock over both black and non-black pins.

Score on the same type of shot three times in a row.

Cue-ball doesn't hit any other balls.

Cue-ball hits the pins before hitting a ball.

Cue-ball gets pocketed without hitting a ball.

Cue-ball fails to make contact with a ball outside the baulk area when in-hand.

Active player exceeds the target score.

Active player achieves target score without knocking over any pins.

Pins or balls get knocked off the table.

Knock or move something in other ways than intended through normal play. i.e. with a sleeve or the side of the cue etc.

Winnings

As mentioned, the winning player wins the pot + the value for any X's the other players made in fouls.

If you aren't playing for money, call these victory points or game points instead.

Sources

As mentioned, this game didn't have one de-facto source for rules, so I had to source them from a few different places:

[linuxgamenews]

Discover Dungeons and Beat Monster Balls in Rack and Slay

Rack and Slay billiard roguelike game now has a Demo for Linux and Windows PC. Developer Ludokultur's creative ingenuity deserves a hearty round of applause. Available to try out now on Steam. Rack and Slay is an exciting and unique kind of billiard roguelike adventure you can dive into on Linux. Since you play as a billiard ball, but instead of a regular game of pool, you're exploring dungeons! Your goal? To push other monster balls into holes or traps in levels that change every time you play. This is due to keep things fresh and unpredictable. One of the unique things about Rack and Slay is how you can pick from a bunch of different items. These items aren't just ordinary; they have special effects that can really change how you play. Since it's like finding a secret weapon or power-up that makes you stronger or gives you better abilities. The more you mix and match these items, the more you can create your own unique way of playing. Each run, or each time you play through the levels, is pretty quick, 15-30 minutes. In Rack and Slay, you won't spend hours on a single run, which is great if you want a title that's exciting but also doesn't take up your whole day. Now, let's talk about the challenges. There are 20 levels of difficulty coming to the full version, and each level adds something new and more challenging. So that as you get better, the game gets tougher, keeping you on your toes.

Rack and Slay - Trailer

One of the best parts is that there's no boring grind. In some titles, you have to keep playing the same thing over and over to get a tiny bit stronger. Not here. You get more variety and unique items just by playing, without that repetitive grind. You've got options in how to play Rack and Slay, too. Since you can go for a full dungeon crawl that takes about 20-30 minutes, or try the Delve Mode, which is shorter but has more rewards. Or, if you're up for it, tackle a single-level raid with random items. Your progress and achievements are tracked in a neat way. You don’t just see how many times you've won, but you also get special badges for each item you use to win. It's like collecting trophies that show off your skills. The game's main features include a highly replayable setup, strategic turn-based action like playing billiards, and also a constantly changing dungeon to explore. There are 60 items available, with plans to expand to over 100 in the full version. Each run is short, lasting about 15-30 minutes, due to make it perfect for quick play sessions. Keep an eye out, as Rack and Slay billiard roguelike is due to release in Q1 2024. It's shaping up to be a fun and unique experience, available as free Demo on Steam for Linux and Windows PC. That is, if you like quick, strategic, and ever-changing challenges.

[topreviewin]

The Shaarkon Mid Sized Folding Pool Table is a very compact pool table that can be set up quickly and stored easily. Great for small spaces, this pool table is perfect for use in a home, dorm, or game room. The GYMAX Pool Table is a high-quality pool table that is perfect for use in a family gathering or party. The GoSports 6 ft or 7 ft Billiards Table is a great pool table that is perfect for use in a home or game room.Table of ContentsShaarkon Mid Sized Folding Pool Table - Compact and Portable Pool Table for Home, Dorm and Games Rooms - Rapid Assembly & Storage - Pro-Style Pool SetGYMAX Pool Table, 47’’ Foldable Billiard Table with Balls, 2 Cue Sticks, Chalks, Brush, Triangular Rack and Glue, Multifunctional Indoor Game Snooker Table Set for Kids, Family Gathering, PartyGoSports 6 ft or 7 ft Billiards Table - Portable Pool Table - Includes Full Set of Balls, 2 Cue Sticks, Chalk, and Felt Brush; Choose Your Size and ColorShieldo Heavy Duty Leatherette Billiard Pool Table Cover,Waterproof&Tearproof Cover for Pool Table,7/8/9 Foot Fitted(8FT/Brown)Frequently Asked QuestionsShaarkon Mid Sized Folding Pool Table - Compact and Portable Pool Table for Home, Dorm and Games Rooms - Rapid Assembly & Storage - Pro-Style Pool SetThe Shaarkon Mid Sized Folding Pool Table is perfect for those who want a competitive yet easily-storable game table. With a quick 20 minute setup time, this table is perfect for game rooms, apartments, offices, or anyone looking for a quick and easy pool table solution. The included balls, sticks, and racks provide a complete and professional-quality playing experience, while the QR code provides access to our private pool community with drills, live coaching, and more.GYMAX Pool Table, 47’’ Foldable Billiard Table with Balls, 2 Cue Sticks, Chalks, Brush, Triangular Rack and Glue, Multifunctional Indoor Game Snooker Table Set for Kids, Family Gathering, PartyThe gyamx pool table is a great addition to any home. It is easy to assemble and can be folded away when not in use. The table is made from sturdy MDF and has a thick 4.5 inch tabletop. It comes with all the accessories you need to get started, including two cues, a brush, and chalk. The table also has reinforced corners and adjustable feet pads to keep it level on any surface. The gyamx pool table is the perfect gift for any child who loves to play games. It is also a great way to reduce screen time and stimulate intellectual development.GoSports 6 ft or 7 ft Billiards Table - Portable Pool Table - Includes Full Set of Balls, 2 Cue Sticks, Chalk, and Felt Brush; Choose Your Size and ColorThe GoSports 6ft or 7ft Billiards Table is a great addition to any game room. It's a perfect size for competitive games, but small enough to store away. The heavy-duty steel frame and premium felt surface ensure smooth gameplay. The table comes with everything you need to get started, including 15 regulation balls, a cue ball, ball rack, two 57-inch cue sticks, chalk, and a felt brush.Shieldo Heavy Duty Leatherette Billiard Pool Table Cover,Waterproof&Tearproof Cover for Pool Table,7/8/9 Foot Fitted(8FT/Brown)The Shieldo Heavy Duty Leatherette Billiard Pool Table Cover is an excellent way to protect your pool table from dust, spills, and any other type of damage. Made of heavy duty leatherette, this cover is easy to clean and is guaranteed to last long. With its unique fillet design, the Shieldo Heavy Duty Leatherette Billiard Pool Table Cover is easy to install and comes with weighted corners and machine sewed seams for added durability. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhich table is best for me? There is no single best pool table for everyone, as each person's needs and preferences will vary. That said, some of the most popular pool tables on the market today include the Shaarkon Mid Sized Folding Pool Table, the GYMAX Pool Table, and the GoSports Billiards Table. If you're looking for a compact and portable pool table that you can use at home, dorms, or small games rooms, the Shaarkon Mid Sized Folding Pool Table is a excellent option.

It's also easy to assemble and portable enough to take with you on trips. If you're looking for a pool table that can accommodate larger groups, the GYMAX Pool Table is a great option. It has a 47" table length and a playing area of 72" wide, making it comfortable for up to six players. Plus, its foldable design makes it easy to store when not in use. If you're looking for a traditional pool table that's also portable, the GoSports Billiards Table is the perfect option. It has a 6 foot or 7 foot table size and includes a full set of balls, cue sticks, chalk, and felt brush. You can choose between a Brown or Blue table cover, both of which are made from heavy-duty leatherette.

[auntiealiasing]

I don't remember what game it was, but I swear I've played a karting game with a ball-and-chain "powerup" that slows you down. It might've been Crash Team Racing or Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing.

(The marbles powerup here looks like a billiards setup also)

Development files for Mario Kart 64 contain an early version of the game's item roulette graphics, which reveals some items that were scrapped during development, including: -a Yoshi egg, which was usable only by a CPU opponent Yoshi in Super Mario Kart, and then was later added in Mario Kart: Double Dash with different mechanics -a group of six marbles with unknown properties -the Cape Feather from Super Mario Kart, and then later, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe -a 10-ton weight, also with unknown properties.

Main Blog | Twitter | Patreon | Small Findings | Source

[billiard88]

How To Do Billiards Trick Shots

If you're looking to show off your pool skills, impress your friends, or have fun, learning how to do billiard trick shots is a great way to do it! While some of these shots may look difficult, with a bit of practice, anyone can learn them. This blog post will give you a step-by-step guide on how to do five different billiards trick shots. 

So grab a cue, and let's get started!

Start With An Easy Trick Shot To Get The Hang Of It

If you're looking to try trick shots, the best way to start is with an easy trick shot! Get comfortable with basic bank shots, kick shells, and masse shots before taking on more challenging ones. Look up some tutorials online and check how the pros make it look so easy. 

Then practice, practice, practice! With patience and practice, even the craziest trick shots can soon become second nature.

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Practice Your Aim And Accuracy

Practicing your aim and accuracy for billiards trick shots is crucial in improving your game. You can do this continuously or occasionally, depending on your commitment level and goals with the game. 

Check out How Billiard Balls Are Made.

To improve your aim and accuracy, try pool exercises such as repeating regular shots to build muscle memory, using a laser pointer and precision aiming methods, or attempting cue ball control practice drills- all of which are essential to success. Put in enough practice to become a pro! Billiards trick shots can be enjoyable if you focus on honing in on perfecting your skill; in time, you will master the game.

Use A Variety Of Pool Cues To Try Different Shots

Billiards trick shots are a great way to add style and showmanship to your game! Instead of just hitting the balls around the table, you can now put on a spectacular performance. One of the most reliable ways to ensure that you nail your trick shots every time is to use different pool cues for various shots. 

Depending on the size of your line and its length, design and material construction can significantly affect your shot's power, accuracy and direction. So why stick with one cue when you can try them all? Have fun experimenting with different lines to find the perfect setup for each shot!

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Be Creative And Have Fun With It!

Billiards trick shots can be a ton of fun! Taking the time to try out different moves and develop unique ideas is a great way to foster creativity. If you're feeling stuck, there are plenty of online tutorials and tips to give you new perspectives on how to do the trick shots. 

Whether with your friends or yourself, put your mind in creative mode and enjoy the challenge! Try some fantastic combinations and remember to have fun – that's the key ingredient for making awesome trick shots.

Conclusion

Learning to do billiards trick shots can be a great way to show off your skills and impress others. Whether you're just starting or looking to advance your game, these tricks will add a unique flair to your pool-playing experience. 

With enough practice and dedication, you'll soon become an expert in billiards trick shots. So don't be afraid to get creative and have some fun! Good luck and happy shooting!

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[larathia]

On the ‘masterminds’.

I mentioned this over in a Reddit thread, but I figured hey, why not, I’ll stick it over here too. For filing purposes.

A lot is made of Fyodor and Dazai being ‘alike’. In intelligence, I’d say they are - they’re both brilliant, and both somewhat isolated as a result of that brilliance. But when it comes to scheming, they’re very different people.

Fyodor is a spider. Fyodor loves to spin webs within webs, traps within traps. Fyodor’s ideal setup is one where even if you get past the first trap, you must fall into the second. And even if you beat that too, you must fall into the third. And fourth. And so on, until one of them gets you.

When you hear Fyodor talking about people being ‘predictable’, and outcomes being ‘predictable’...don’t think of this as Fyodor running all the scenarios and figuring out Just Which One will happen. Think, instead, of a scientist in a lab, and a maze he’s constructed with traps and rewards scattered along it, and various little shitty things on every corridor to screw with perception. When Fyodor says your actions are ‘predictable’, what he means is you’re a mouse in his maze. You’re predictable because he’s controlling what you see, what you hear, what you know. 

Fyodor manipulates by controlling ‘the rules’, as Ranpo put it. And he’s nigh unbeatable if he can railroad you enough so that you HAVE to follow them. But if you can get outside his ‘rules’, or break through all of the traps he’s set up (which WILL take a while, as he loves to nest them), he isn’t good at plotting on the fly. Change the rules quickly enough, and you can put him in a scenario he can’t scheme his way out of.

In discworld terms - Fyodor is a wizard. His magic is built around changing the world.

In gaming terms, Fyodor is a dungeon master whose traps are a dungeon you have to get to the bottom of. Fyodor’s defined the corridors, the monsters, and the traps in advance. If you manage to get through them, he doesn’t have a second dungeon lying around...but he’s very, very good at making you go where he wants in the dungeon he’s laid out.

Dazai is a crow or raven. Dazai almost never sets out to fuck someone’s shit up. That’s too much work. He’s not a big fan of work. Rather, Dazai scemes through knowledge of the gears that motivate people, the gears of human interaction. Dazai focuses not on the board, but on the pieces and how they move - and whether they can change to move some other way. 

When you hear Dazai say that a situation is ‘predictable’, or an outcome is ‘predictable’, you should imagine a professional pool player. Someone who can send that cue ball with just the right spin and speed to break the table any way he wants, who can picture the way each and every ball on the table will roll.

Where Fyodor uses his great intelligence to set up web after web, Dazai uses his own to store massive files about every person he’s ever met. He knows what makes them happy, what makes them sad. What would be a nice surprise, and what would send them storming off in a rage.  Sometimes, corvid-like, he plays tricks on people just to see how they’ll react, and that becomes part of the ongoing file.

When Dazai manipulates, it’s all down to people. It’s about putting the right person in the right place at the right time to get the outcome he wants. This makes him far better able to react on the fly than Fyodor, but the downside is ...well. People are not billiard balls. People are much more complex than billiard balls. And if there’s something about one of the people Dazai needs to ‘move’ that he doesn’t know? That missing knowledge will result in a cascading miscalculation. Shit will go wrong.

In discworld terms, Dazai is a witch; his magic isn’t about changing the world. It’s about changing the minds of the people in it.

In gaming terms, Dazai would be the guy who picks up the contract to plumb the dungeon, and then goes all Ocean’s Eleven picking exactly the right party to get through all the death traps.

[vollesroah]

I played snooker as a child, standing on a chair to reach but after realizing that I am useless at the game gave up in early adulthood. Yes men can hit harder, like in pool, but the balls then just fly away randomly and often enough I have seen some man pot the black in the first shot and then forfeit the game. The only advantage then is that some reds may be near enough to a pocket to be able to take them in a second shot and go on to the third, cleaning up. However snooker is a game of skill not strength, hence its name and a grown woman has more than enough strength to distribute the balls in the break and find opportunities for a follow on shot. I accept the comments from those women who have been in competitions i.e. have experience that men are using strength to gain an advantage but one day a 5'6" woman player will come up against a 6' woman whose size gives her an advantage, so there is little to be gained from just a male/female split.

Muscle memory is one thing only: practice (and more practice.) No male advantage, just investing the time and energy needed. A player arguing that is automatically second league for not putting the time in.

What I would suggest for competitions is that

(1) the competition tables are made just a little smaller and lower for women to help with their reach. Not every woman is 5'9" plus. Then men would have no size advantage and the advantage lies again with the most skilled player.

(2) maybe that the person making the break hands over immediately to the second player, i.e. no advantage from hitting the first shot like a baseball player in the hope of having an easy second shot.

There are some extremely good, skilled women players and if you are ever snookered in a game, it is hard to get out of it and strength is not your friend. If I remember right, snooker, or at least billiards was originally a parlour game for women, not men.

What I find really worrying is this quote:

"I don’t believe that women can compete against men on a level playing field in sport. We are wired differently, we think differently. We are mentally different,” said Catalano."

Help !! That is just a doom loop. If you believe you are not good enough to compete, how can you ever hope to win ? That mindset need to be challenged and changed.

As an aside, watching women arm wrestle men and win is always good to watch, not because the men lose, because they know before hand that it is a setup and are still big enough to take part, but for the confidence the women gain and the winner's smile that they take away with them.

Women will only ever gain the confidence that they can beat men fairly by going into competition with them, failing, learning and doing it again until they win.

Just my thoughts. I can be wrong.

Yet another case for SheWon.com. Not just any case, one where a grown ass white dude was allowed to compete against an 11 year old girl of color in the name of inclusiveness.

By Amy Hamm February 22, 2024

A trans-identified male is set to compete against women as the reigning Women’s Snooker Champion at the English Women’s Snooker Championship on May 24 in Walsall, UK. Jamie Hunter, 27, became the top women’s player following a semifinal victory against a young girl last year.

Hunter first rose to prominence during the English Women’s Snooker Champion finals in 2023 after he came out victorious against Mary Talbot-Deegan, finishing 3-1. Hunter had managed to make it to the finals after he beat out Ellise Scott, an 11-year-old rising star in the snooker world, taking 2-0 against her in the semifinal grouping. The event had been Scott’s debut in the tournament, and, prior to her match against Hunter, she had achieved three match victories against experienced female opponents.

Hunter had been participating in women’s cue sports since 2021, just one year after he “came out” as transgender.

Prior to transitioning, Hunter played in a mixed-sex amateur league for five years. Speaking with Snooker Zone in 2021, Hunter admitted that he had no intention of competing professionally until he discovered that there was a women’s tour.

“Until this year, cue sports was just a hobby, something I done once, maybe twice a week, but now finding out about the Women’s snooker tour, I believe that will change,” he said at the time. “They make out as if I played snooker as a man, I was rubbish, so decided to do it in the women’s instead. I changed my gender for my wellbeing and my life, not for anything else.”

Hunter received significant backlash after his 2022 US Women’s Open win, when former women’s world champion Maria Catalano criticized the policies enabling males to compete against females. In an interview with The Sportsman, Catalano argued that women’s snooker should exclude males from female categories, as some rugby leagues have, to ensure fairness for women. 

“We have fought so hard for our rights in the past – myself, Reanne Evans and others got people to write letters to allow us to play in leagues and clubs that banned women. I don’t believe that women can compete against men on a level playing field in sport. We are wired differently, we think differently. We are mentally different,” said Catalano. 

The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) publishes a mixed sex international ranking of players. The highest-ranking female on their current list, Mink Nutcharut, is listed at 119.

In response to the criticism of his wins against women, Hunter has framed the backlash as transphobia.

“Everybody’s human. Regardless of what choices you make. You should treat everybody with respect,” said Hunter speaking to a BBC journalist last fall. Bizarrely, Hunter was interviewed while he sat in a gaming chair in a dark bedroom — which he refers to as “the dark girl cave.” The room has a transgender pride flag pinned up on the wall behind him.

The upcoming English Women’s Snooker Championship is set for May 24, 2024. It is being organized by the English Partnership for Snooker and Billiards (EPSB), which is the national governing body for the sport in England. They describe their goal as creating a “structured coaching environment that will inspire all regardless of gender, ability, or ethnicity to fulfil their potential in our sport.” 

The EPSB has a diversity, equity, and inclusion policy with a lengthy section on discrimination, including a ban on any “condition, rule or practice [that]… particularly disadvantages people who share a protected characteristic.” As for their list of protected characteristics, the EPSB includes “gender, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, religion, age, disability, HIV positivity, working pattern, caring responsibilities, trade union activity or political beliefs.”  

The English Women’s Championship is set to take place at the Landywood Snooker Club in Walsall, UK, on May 24.

This is not the first time a male has dominated women’s cue sports, sparking backlash from players and fans.

Last November, a female pool player refused to compete against a trans-identified male opponent at a women’s championship in Wales. Lynne Pinches received an outpouring of support as video began to circulate showing her walking away from the table after being matched to play against Chris Haynes.

Days later, two more female pool players refused to compete against Haynes in solidarity with Pinches during the Ultimate Pool tournament in Blackpool, UK.

In January, Pinches headed an effort to launch a lawsuit against the World Eightball Pool Federation (WEPF) and Ultimate Pool Group (UPG), accusing the governing bodies of subjecting women “to direct sex discrimination and harassment on the grounds of sex.”

What does he have to gain from this?

ENTRY FEES AND PRIZE MONEY

Entry: £30

Winner: £200 

Runner-Up: £100 

Semi-Finalists: £50

[denyscowan]

Five Easy Tips To Choose The Right Billiard Balls

The first thing most people learn when they start playing billiards is to stay focused at the ball while shooting. In fact, this is a very common thread across all games and sports which require good hand-eye coordination. Although you might be able to see the differences between a set of billiard balls, most beginners don't know how they differ from each others, besides the colors and numbers. If you're looking to purchase your own table and creating your own billiards room You might want to know why some sets are a bit pricier than other sets. There's more to the billiard ball set than meets the eye. When you need an useful reference about billiard balls, navigate to this site.

The Story of Pool Billard Balls

Since the game's beginning during the 15th Century the billiard ball has been constructed from a variety of materials, including clay, bakelite, celluloid crystallite, ivory steel, plastic and in the earliest form, wood. From 1627 to the mid-20th century, the predominant of the ball's materials was ivory. Oddly enough, the search for a substitute to ivory was not prompted by environmental concerns. The reason was on the need to reduce production costs and the increasing concern for the safety of elephant hunters.

In the 1900's, we saw the advent of celluloid, a viable substitute for the ivory pool ball. Unfortunately, celluloid only achieved little success because it frequently exploded during delivery, something that many dislike. Due to the popularity of companies like Aramith the phenolic resin has become the most popular material used in the billiard ball. Polymers and polyester are closely following.

Continue reading to find out more about billiard balls sets and follow these five simple guidelines to choose the best type for your billiards setup.

Roundness

Every billiard ball set is round, isn't it? It's true that cheaper balls tend to look round, however they're not being held to the same standards by the manufacturers. To ensure smoothness, quality balls are rigorously tested.

Density

Uniform density is essential for a high-quality Billiard ball. If it isn't there, the ball won't move straight, no matter in the event that you hit a straight shot.

Elasticity

While elasticity might seem odd in the context of stopping shots and billiard balls but it's a crucial idea. Without the proper elasticity you'll not be able to make the perfect stop shot or roll the ball into the next the way you want.

Finish

It might not appear as though it will make a difference in the beginning, but billiards balls with lower quality will wear faster and show chipped finishes quickly. Make sure you purchase high-quality balls, and don't stress about finish wear over time.

Peace of Mind

The purchase of a cheap billiards ball set may save you a few bucks today but in the long run, it's simply not worth it. From holding you back as a player, or simply not last as long, purchasing a poor set of billiard balls isn't the best deal. For everyone, from novice to pro, a great set of billiards balls is money well spent.

[emeraldtawny]

Drug Dealer!AU Lancelot & Edgar: A Dangerous Game

More AU shenanigans. If you haven’t seen the setup to this AU, I suggest reading it here otherwise this fic will make very little sense to you. Enjoy~ ^w^

An oddly quiet night for the usually bustling Cradle nightlife. The sky’s precipitation wards off the majority of the partying crowd, leaving only a few stragglers desperate for that ecstasy. Though what kind of ecstasy in particular...let’s just say that’s a dangerous question to ask. 

The distant pumping music from Cat’s Cradle stretches out even into the slums of the back alleyways, the rain adding to the dreariness and desolate air surrounding the mostly abandoned streets. A man who looks completely out of place amidst it all walks with mild haste, the hood of his trenchcoat shielding his face from the rain and his leather shoes rippling the puddles they step into. He knows he’ll be fine as long as he remains silent; so long as he can utilise the foreign chemicals mingling in his bloodstream.

“Are you sure he went this way?”

“No doubt about it. That rich bastard wouldn’t cut through the alley. He’d probably ruin his designer shoes and sulk to the reporters about it.”

His lips purse into a fine line, his blue eyes narrowing in a similar way. Keeping his head down, he slows to a stop and leans back against the cold stone wall beside him, the lack of shelter fazing him none against the falling rain.

“Let’s check back around the clubs. He’s probably trying to be a snake and slip by unnoticed.”

“Hold up. Let’s check the community hall first to be sure.”

(Ah, good. They’re at least a street away from me.)

Confident he’s in the clear and breathing a short sigh, he pushes himself from the wall and begins to walk back out to the main streets.

“They certainly were persistent, weren’t they?”

He stiffens and stops dead in his tracks at the voice; a voice far too light and happy to be real. He turns toward its source, his eyes narrowing further at the man who somehow managed to sneak up behind him. His smile is as fabricated as the cheery tone his bell-like voice rings out, only further furrowing Lancelot’s brows.

“How long have you been here?”

“Long enough to understand your predicament. And I must say, what a handy predicament it is for me.”

His smile only brightens at Lancelot’s face twisting in contempt.

“Now now, Lancelot. We can’t let the Beautiful Beast sully his good looks. It seems to be the only thing you have left. Well, that and your “side-business”.”

His voice clearly insinuates the air quotes, making Lancelot’s eyebrow twitch. With no delay and a simple tilt of his head as his insistence to follow, the man turns back down the alley the way he supposedly came. Lancelot’s sigh is drowned out by the continually pattering rain before swiftly catching up to the shorter man.

“Your namesake is awfully misleading, Agent Bright. You look more used to the shadows than I do.”

That earns him an amused chuckle, though Lancelot can sense the edge behind it and how close it was to striking a nerve.

“I’m not on business tonight so just Edgar is fine, if you will.”

Edgar doesn’t flinch at Lancelot’s pointed comment, and the latter remains stoic at his lack of response.

The two men emerge from the alleys into one of the side streets, the streetlights fighting against the haze that the rain clouds the air with to illuminate the night. Seemingly unfazed by the rain despite having no umbrella or hood, Edgar crosses the street but pauses midway to turn back to Lancelot. With the disgruntled expression, Lancelot follows behind, unsure of where exactly this night is about to go.

…

The echoing of the rain still rings in Lancelot’s ears despite now being under shelter, its downpour turning tumultuous as soon as he stepped into the building Edgar led him to. A stroke of luck, or a perfect plan to keep him locked in a cage with a two-faced demon, he thinks to himself. Said demon removes his bomber jacket and gives it a single firm shake before making use of the empty coat stand at the entrance.

“I don’t plan on taking too much of your time, so long as you give me the answers I need,” He speaks while combing his fingers through his wet bangs to push them off his face, “As corrupt as you are, you still value agreements and abide by them. Just making sure that still rings true.”

Lancelot has lost track of the number of times he has sighed out his displeasure tonight. Following Edgar’s lead, he removes his jacket and occupies an empty hook, all the while taking the time to scan the surroundings. A local bar, this particular one near-empty aside from the owner behind the counter. Lancelot’s thoughts are disrupted as a new sound other than the rain enters the fray to amplify his oncoming headache.

He walks to where Edgar is setting up the billiard balls on the used yet sturdy pool table, his entire being disenthused. The negativity from him is palpable, enough to make Edgar chuckle, his jade eyes narrowing in delight.

“I’m sure you know the rules?” He addresses Lancelot, tucking away the equipment and leaving the perfect triangular arrangement of billiards.

He frowns. “Yes, but I thought you came here to talk.”

“Patience, Lancelot.” Edgar grabs one of the nearby pool cues and tosses it to his opponent who catches it with ease, “There is a method to my madness.”

Left with little options and sighing for the umpteenth time, Lancelot gets into position to break the billiards and begin the game. 

For the longest time, no words are uttered between the two men, only the clacking of the balls colliding with one other and them rolling across the green velvet fabric filling the white noise the rain outside does not fill. Both were on an equal footing from the beginning, each of them sinking at least one ball per turn. Now, with only two balls left to each man, does Edgar decide to pipe up.

“I’m assuming you’re upholding your end of the deal?” He speaks casually, but his eyes are focused as he arches his back over the table to get a clear shot.

Lancelot waits patiently until after Edgar has taken his shot - a clean sink into the waiting pocket - before speaking.

“Of course. No one aside from me and anyone you may have told knows you’re a dirty cop. And even without the agreement, you gave me a good reason to not tell anyone.”

Edgar’s smile speaks eloquently of his satisfaction and subtle smugness. “Indeed. What impeccable deduction on my part.”

His next shot has the white ball clipping his ball at just the wrong angle and it hugs the wall without falling into its rightful place. Lancelot moves around the table to gauge his next shot, but the looming feeling of Edgar’s eyes on him pulls his focus back to him.

“I’ve told you that I haven’t spoken a word about you to anyone. You doubt me?”

A knowing smile and an amused glimmer in Edgar’s eyes irks Lancelot at its sight, “Not at all. I’m just curious at something.”

“That’s a dangerous habit to have in this city...” Lancelot mutters, slipping the top of the cue to rest on his knuckle as he gets into position.

The cue hits the white ball dead centre and it bounces with mathematical precision off the walls towards its target. Sadly, it too falls victim to an off-angle collision and the ball rolls aimlessly into the side wall just short of the pocket. Lancelot’s lips purse in annoyance whilst Edgar’s quirk up.

“I’m curious-” He sidles up next to Lancelot, who realises the white ball is in a perfect position for Edgar’s next shot, “-as to what you have planned with your little endeavour of a side-business.”

Lancelot can only watch as Edgar easily sinks the linear shot given to him. All that remains is the black eight ball sitting expertly untouched since its initial break from the beginning of the game. Moving around the table with quiet confidence, the smile plastered on his face doesn’t reach his eyes as he meets Lancelot’s from across the table.

“You’re aware of the rules concerning this final ball, correct?”

Lancelot’s eyebrows narrow at the clearly leading question, but is too tired of his games at this point to argue against him.

“Yes. If you sink the eight ball before sinking the rest of your balls, you automatically lose the game.”

“Correct.” 

Edgar’s tone remains level, yet the air of seriousness radiating from him has Lancelot studying him more intently than before.

“You lose if you sink the eight ball before the other balls have been sunk. Meaning, you’re punished for trying to finish the game before you’ve got everything else in line.”

Crystal blue eyes turn cold as ice as they glare at Edgar, the discontentment of what he’s insinuating clear on Lancelot’s face. It fazes Edgar none, however, and the quick succession of taps as the balls of contrasting colours collide echoes out, the eight ball rolling slowly - forebodingly - into the corner pocket. Lancelot’s eyes remain on where the eight ball fell, almost as if his gaze could burn through the table to bring it back. The sound of Edgar setting his pool cue back onto the rack pulls his eyes back to him.

“Lancelot, whatever you have planned in that mind of yours, I can already tell you that cutting corners will do you no good. Don’t go trying to finish the game too quickly now.”

Without another word, Edgar breezes past Lancelot and heads for the door, a polite smile gracing his lips before he grabs his jacket and exits the bar, the rain’s sounds crescendoing in that split second the door was open. Alone with his thoughts once again, Lancelot glances at the pool table, his billiard balls the only ones left.

(That’s implying I have time to play by the rules; a luxury I don’t have. Besides, rules were meant to be broken.)

The heels of Lancelot’s shoes click softly under the rain’s accompaniment as he too grabs his jacket and takes his leave, the billiard balls on the table left unplayed and as a sign for Lancelot to not be left defeated in this much bigger game.