Nick Varner grew-up in Tell City, Indiana and started to  to play pool at age 5 from his father who owned a local pool hall. Soon after graduating from high school in 1966 Varner was winning all sorts of competitions. Varner’s long list of titles is amazing simply breath taking. If you’re curious and would like to check them out follow this link. Also if you’d like to learn more about Varner’s life read all about him on his page found here.

Nick Varner had a simple business model in mind, affordable prices on high quality cues and cases for everyone! and so Nick Varner Cues and Cases was born back in 1999. To this day his brand keeps on growing in demand maybe it’s his 100% satisfaction guarantee that draws a crowd or maybe it’s his incredible customer service team.

Come in to our showroom and check-out Nick Varner product line we carry everything from cues to magic chalk!

800-423-5702 | 503-788-8032
5505 S.E. Johnson Creek Blvd. Portland, OR 97206

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Here at Golden West we are all about the game. Billiards is more a mind game and after reading this poster it made sense. We thought we’d share, If you’re looking to purchase this poster be sure to get in contact with Caballero.

The Secret To Life is Behind The Cue Ball by Being Caballero.

1.      Where you look is where the ball will go.

Never lose focus of your objective. Every action you take should be an action to get you closer; every step should be about moving forward and setting up.

2.      Having talent is good, but practice makes you great.

Way too many people think that natural talent will give them an edge in life. They are wrong. It’s practice what will give you an edge. When you practice enough, your actions and your moves become second nature. At that time, you don’t have to think of your shots any more.

3.      Never show-off how good you are; till you have to show how good you are.

Never brag about your skill or show how good you really are at something simply for vanity. But when you actually have to put your skills to the test, don’t hold back.

4.      Don’t use more power than you can control.

You can tell who’s an inexperience player, as they will try to smash the balls in the hopes that if they miss, another will go down the pocket. Using more force than is needed will usually put you in a worse position than you started.

5.      Play to set up, until you can play to win.

Positioning is everything. Don’t play for the shot you have. It’s more important to set up in the right place, making your following shots easier, and your opponent’s shots harder. The best offense is actually a good defense. The easiest way to win is to not let the other guy shoot.

6.      Think while standing, not while shooting.

When it’s time to think, think. When it’s time to take action, take action. Hesitation and self-doubt during your actions is the easiest way to fail.

7.      When it means everything, play as if it means nothing. Sprezzatura.

Thank you for sharing!

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Tips for Improving your Billiard Game brought to you by our friends over at billiardz.com!

So, maybe you already know how to stroke a ball, and the difference between follow and draw. Your game can still go south on you in a hurry. Here are some tips to consider when you feel the need to make a few adjustments.

1. Every sport played with a ball demands balance, and that surely includes cue games. Precisely how you assume your shooting stance isn’t nearly as important as your being solidly planted – solid enough that you could resist a shove on your shooting side.

2. A stroke should be just that – a smooth, rhythmic motion with a beginning, middle and end. Don’t rush it, and don’t choke it off.

3. One of the key secrets to longer runs in pool is to leave yourself position for angled shots rather than straight-in shots. Angle shots offer you far, far more options for cue-ball position.

4. By all means, bet a few bucks. Morals, aside, you’ll learn to handle the game’s unique pressures much faster and much better.

5. The best way to learn position play is to strive to do whatever’s easiest (whenever possible; it won’t always be).

6. In all the cue games, you directly control zilch except for your body and your cue. (You affect the cue ball only indirectly, and the object balls far less than that.) When your game isn’t going well, your body mechanics are the first thing you should check.

7. When you need to send an object ball along the rail with speed, jacking up your cue slightly seems to help avoid “wiggling” the ball in the pocket jaws; it also eliminates throw.

8. Structured practice is much more valuable than the mere abstract hitting of loose balls. Practice 9-ball or straight pool, and/or some drills.

9. Mosconi’s No. 1 tip: Don’t waste your time with players who are worse than you; play with better competitors, and you’ll learn more.

10. Don’t hold the cue in your fingertips; it’s not a teacup. And don’t strangle the cue either; it’s not a baseball bat.

11. When contemplating where to send the cue ball next, make center table your first option.

12. The world does not come to an end when you miss a shot, or miss position, or lose a game or lose the session. Lighten up. You’ll enjoy yourself more, and win more often.

13. Your most formidable opponent by far in the cue games is the voice(s) in your head. Create a simple command or phrase to block out that interference, such as “Calm,” “Feel the ball,” or “Play your game.”

14. Chalk up before every shot, and do it right. The chalk should move, not the cue.

15. Don’t overhit the balls. It’s a definite symptom of anxiety, costs you accuracy, and is near-suicidal on any table with tough pockets.

16. The universal instruction concerning object balls frozen to the rail is false. Do not attempt to hit object ball and rail at the same time; you won’t even be close. Aim to hit the rail about a credit-card’s width in front of the ball.

17. Three to five practice strokes are plenty. More than that, and you force yourself out of rhythm, and begin to put unnecessary pressure on yourself.

18. Don’t hold onto your cue while you’re in the chair; the tendency is to squeeze it as your impatience grows, and this only produces more tension. Lean it securely next to you.

19. In assuming your shooting stance, you should line the shot up not with your hand or cue, but with your chin. It’s a smoother body move, and the rest will automatically fall into place. Putting your hand down first may result in tentativeness and an awkward, uncoordinated approach to the shot.

20. A good slump-breaker: Change your playing pace radically.

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Moving you’re pool table? moving a pool table is not as easy as it sounds. Most pool tables weigh between 500-900 pounds. Now, it is possible for 10 of your friends help you move the table from point A to point B but not without some bumps along the way. Pool tables are large, heavy, and not meant to be moved once they are constructed. That’s why its really important for you to plan where your table is going to be placed before it’s even ordered.

Here are some things to think about before receiving your table:

1)Is you’re game room big enough for both the pool table and the cues while in use?

According to google “ A Standard 2 piece cues measure at least 58 inches in length. The pool room size needed then is the length of the pool table plus 2 times the length of the cue and the width of the pool table plus 2 times the length of the cue.”

If you don’t have much space its also possible to get shorter cues give us a call to learn more.

2) Does you’re game room have lots of windows or objects that can be easily broken by an accidental flying ball.

Of course this doesn’t happen often but it does happen specially with newer players. They put a lot of power into a shots in hopes of scoring something, anything, which usually ends up in a air ball. To avoid this from happening it’s best you take friendly precautions with some beginners pool lessons found HERE.

So you’ve ordered your pool table but absolutely have to relocate it. We recommend that you call your billiard professionals because moving a pool table is best left to the pros. It might not be free but they are trained, experienced, and have the equipment necessary to move you’re table quickly and effortlessly.

Moving and disassembling pool table:

No need to worry, the best way to relocate your pool tables is by disassembling it. All tables are designed to be taken apart they are all build in pieces after all.

You will need:

-A couple friends off the speed dial to help move the slate and other heavy pieces.

-Tools and Equipment such as staple remover, needle nose pliers, flat head screwdrivers, a socket wrench, a power drill, a carpenter’s level, a pair of moving blankets or bubble wrap, plastic bags for the smaller pieces , packing tape and of course glasses for safety.

-Time and Patience since you’re reading this its probably you’re first time so be patient follow the step-by-step guide paired with a couple of hours and you’ll be successful.

-If this sounds like to much of an adventure for you be sure to not hesitate and contact experienced pool table movers.

How To Move A Pool Table By Yourself: Complete Step-By-Step Guide

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Meet William Frederick Hoppe who is considered the foremost billiards player of all time. An American Billiard champion from 1887 – 1959. Born in New York Hoppe filled his time with billiards starting to practice billiards at a young age and becoming a child prodigy. He had a few exhibitions before winning his first world championship in Paris back in 1906 at age 19.  Thought Hoppe’s billiard life he wrote a couple books such as Thirty Years of Billiards in 1925 and Billiards As It Should Be Played 1941. Hoppe was such a brilliant billiard player he won the world three-cushion championship 12 times and won 51 world billiard titles through his 46 year tournament competition career. After his retirement Hoppe became a goodwill ambassadors for the sport constructing a series of exhibition matches and was the only billiard player to ever hold an exhibition in the White House before a President.

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I always enjoyed chalking up my cue after every shot and you probably do too. So thinking back can you imagine all the times that you sat there and just swirled more and more chalk on your cue stick not realizing you were do it wrong? It makes me laugh remembering.

Above we mentioned that you where doing it wrong but really their is no wrong way to chalk your cue, by doing it the “correct way” you get some added benefits that you might like to know and practice for yourself.

By chalking your cue in a downward stroking motion across the tip of your cue, you can adequately cover the whole tip not just around the center point. When doing a swirling motion your cue it doesn’t cover the very center of the tip and this is where your cue stick impacts the cue ball. Besides, using a stroking motion saves cue chalk and improves the health of your tip.

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The main thing to keep in mind when breaking is power and accuracy. When breaking it is important to hit the header ball straight on, this will transfer the header ball momentum onto the other balls this will spread the balls nicely for you. Remember to always pack the balls tight before breaking.

The proper way to rack up the pool balls depends on the game you are playing it seems like everyone has their own way of racking. Here are a few tips you can bring along next time you play pool.

The top spot for a ball is known as the apex of a rack, this spot should always hold the number one ball.

Eight ball: When racking for an eight ball game its important to set your eight ball in the center of the rack.

Corners: The bottom corners of the rack should be filled with a solid and a stripped ball.

Nine Ball: The nine ball game requires a special diamond shaped rack. The only specifications for racking are as follows. The 9 ball must be placed in the center of the rack and the 1 ball placed at the top of there rack.

These fundamental shots are necessary to be learned by a beginner player. We will discuss the following technics: Follow shots, Stop Shots, Draw Shots and Cut Shots.

Stop Shot: This is caused when a the cue ball is struck and it skids or slides across the table without spinning and once it contacts the object ball it stops dead in its tracks.

Learn How
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIboOjTep7I

Draw(Backspin) Shot: A draw shot is caused when the cue ball hits the object ball and then spins back towards the original shot direction. In executing this shot you are required to hit a firm and confident stroke below is a link to learn how.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uoz7f8-wRRc

Follow Shoot: A follow shot is the most used shot in pool and it can be easy to learn. The follow shot occurs when the cue ball stops momentarily and then continues to follow the object ball at a controlled distance.

Check it out here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hKIWAbPSPc

Cut Shoot: A cut shot refers to a shot that is not straight on, a cut shot is done from the by hitting a side of the object ball.

It is best described here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTKKsLfUPR8

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The concept of playing pool is broken down into a handful set of skills. The very first thing that you need to acknowledge is the mental aspect of playing. When you come to the table you should either check your ego at the door or trust that you will do good and just have fun.

Next, you should pay attention watch for patterns and shots in previous sessions. This way you can learn angles and shots that work and don’t work.

Another useful skill is to know what shots you are / aren’t comfortable with. By practicing you can sharpen your skill, gain confidence and learn to apply speed and spin to your shots. Practice is very crucial, you can set up the same shot a couple of times and try different speeds and spins in order to observe. Overtime you’ll build up your muscle memory, shot library and experience in order to win games!

Why its important to know yours and your opponents comfort zones. The purpose of this is for you to be able to place shots which your opponent cant take. For example placing a shot that is right next to the cushion or maybe you notice they can’t hit far away shoots. This applies to pattern and shot recognition be sure to watch what shots you struggle with and work on those because it’s likely that you’re opponent might see your weakness and pray off them.

Converting your mistakes into a learning experience. Rather than trying to erase the memory and embarrassment of a bad shot, why not learn and try to make the next shot better?
It seems that sometimes people give up before the game is over, instead figure out what went wrong and don’t do it again. Pay attention to your set up, evaluate your shot, acknowledge your mental aspect and try something new.

Improvement comes with hours and hours of practice so be sure to understand your personal billiard goals and go from there starting with why do you play pool?

“There is no glory in practice, but without practice, there is no glory”

-Unknown

This quote says it all, you learn by repetition and each time you practice you’re providing yourself with an opportunity to improve. Billiards is a sport that requires a lot of precise movements, patience and strategy.

Its not necessary that you practice hours a day. Practicing just a few simple sessions through the week will provide growth and experience.

Designing a personal practice session by setting up shoots that improve your weaknesses. Shoot those shots over and over watching and learning from the results. Make the changes necessary for success and then keep on practicing what works.