As any pool fan will be well aware, the power is all in the technique. What you may not know, however, is that this is a game with a rich and varied history, from its origins as a lawn game in 15th century France, to boasting Mary Queen of Scots as one of its biggest fans.
Once intended to separate the aristocracy from the masses, it is now a game of all ages, classes and backgrounds, and a central focus in pubs, clubs and pool halls around the world.
Play your part in the history of this great game, by creating and celebrating your very own table – let the game begin.
Tutorial Video
Click on the video below to get started!
Step-By-Step Images and Instructions
1.
Get a blank sheet of paper, a black pen and a ruler. We will begin with a long, straight line, which is ever so slightly angled up towards the top right hand corner of the page. The line should begin around two inches from the left hand edge, and end around an inch and a half from the right hand edge, with a small break in the line around an inch from the right end. Add a very small black dot to the right hand side of the break.
2.
Follow this by drawing another three lines with a ruler to form a rectangle – one at the bottom of the page, parallel with the one at the top, and two shorter vertical lines on either side. Do not join up the corners of your rectangle yet.
3.
Join the corners with a smooth curve, so that you have an almost totally enclosed rectangle – with the exception of the tiny gap at the top.
4.
Draw six small circles, one in each corner, and at the center of the top and bottom of the table. Make sure these are filled in with a solid, bold black.
5.
Now you need some cues for your pool table. Move to the tiny gap you left in the top edge, and draw two parallel lines with a ruler passing downwards through this gap, to meet in a sharp point at the end – just above the bottom center circle. Join the two lines at the top with a short curve, and then repeat this shape in the middle of the table – the second cue – with the two cues crossing over around two thirds of the way down.
6.
Now, add a small ball just below the second cue, and make sure that the line is slightly thicker at the top.
7.
Add a border to the inside of the table with a solid line which just touches the top of the circles forming the pockets. You might use a ruler for this step.
8.
Then, add another border inside this one with a ruler, this time just touching the bottom of the circles forming the pockets.
9.
Move to the bottom line of the pool table, and add a short, diagonal line heading down and in from both bottom corners. Join these two lines with a long, straight line, parallel with the bottom of the table. You should be able to see an edge beginning to form.
10.
Next, repeat this step from the bottom of the new line you have just drawn this time making the lines just inside the bottom corners rather than straight from the point, and extending them out slightly further to create a larger shape. Then, join these two lines with a long, curved line.
11.
Now for two legs – add two small rectangles to the bottom of the drawing, with one on either side.
12.
Return to the main shape of your table, and add three small, curved lines in a triangle-like shape.
13.
Connect these curved edges with straight lines, so that you have a solid triangle on the table.
14.
Add a slightly thicker line to the bottom and left hand side of the shape.
15.
You can’t play pool without balls! Start by adding small yellow circles inside the triangle – keep these to the bottom of the shape. Next, add a yellow tint to your pool cues.
16.
Now, fill in the rest of the triangle holder with circles, filling in the empty spaces in between with a crisp, sharp black.
17.
Add some red balls to your selection…
18.
Before following this up with some blue!
19.
Continue to shade the balls in the holder, adding orange and blue tints and edges to make sure that you have the complete selection.
20.
Continue to fill in your balls, with a bright blue being added to the palette.
21.
Now, bring the whole table to life with that classic, vivid green felt to totally cover the surface.
22.
Finish by adding the wood detail to the table – add a bright, wood brown shade to the edges of the table, as well as the sides and legs.
And just like that, you are the proud creator of your very own pool table! So, what do you say – anyone for a game?
