ONLINE BILLIARDS GAINING IN POPULARITY

18 January 2008

Virtual skill in a traditional game


Many traditional games of skill and gambling - think backgammon and some of the older card games - have found new popularity on the Internet, and virtual billiards is about to join the ranks, according to Cyprus-based newcomer to the industry Billiard Magic.com.

The generic term 'billiards' covers all sports played on a baize-covered table with a cue, including snooker, various versions of pool, such as 8-ball and 9-ball pool, and carom, popular in Asia and South America, according to a press release from the company this week.

Snooker is the British version of billiards, and is played on a larger table with 15 red balls and 6 different coloured balls, plus the white cue ball. Snooker works on points, while in pool, the aim is to pocket the most balls.

Pool is the American version of the game and probably the most played version worldwide. In 8-ball, one player plays solids, and the other stripes. The first to pocket all their balls gets to take a shot at the black 8-ball.

Carom is a lesser-known version of billiards, also called carambole, the name deriving from a red Asian fruit resembling the red ball. In carom, players aim to hit two object balls with one stroke.

All of these variations on the genre have been turned into virtual entertainment versions on the Magic Billiards website, which has just launched and offers tournament play and a string of other facilities for players interested in trying something skilled and a little different, using the latest programming and graphics technology. Players use the mouse to angle the cue and hit the ball, varying the strength of the shot by speed, just as in real life.

For regular online snooker players, the online version apparently takes a little getting used to, but it's a lot of fun once the concept is grasped. Part of the entertainment is joining a burgeoning online billiards community and meeting other players with varying levels of skill.

Online Casino News courtesy of InfoPowa