My Oldest/Newest Hobby

Lately, I've been playing a lot of pool (aka pocket billiards). "Pool" originates from the French word poule, which means "stakes, bounty, or plunder." Or in other words, money. I guess it was meant to be a game for gamblers. "Billiards" is either from the French word "billart," which means stick or "bille" (a ball). If you haven't guessed, the game was popularized in France in the 15th century.

I played a lot of pool when I was a senior in high school. Recently, I've been playing again.

Here are the reasons I love this game:

1. It takes skill. You need coordination and a smooth stroke.

2. Eight-ball is like a chess match. There are so many options: should I play solids or stripes, which ball to hit first, should I play safe, how can I finish this table, etc. You have to run through every option and make the best decision. I'm naturally impatient. Therefore, I'm forced to learn patience with this game.

3. How should I hit it? Center ball? English? Draw? Bank? Cut?

4. It requires focus and concentration. After a few hours, I'm mentally drained. However, this is a great way to escape from your mundane life.

Pool idioms:

Behind the eight ball - in a difficult situation

Call the shots - to tell someone what to do

If you want to get better at pool or anything else in life, observe great players and practice. I think most people fail at the first. They're just watching and not really paying attention.

Here's one of my favorite players.

Here's a great video on the jump shot.


This website has a ton of educational videos.