instant_zen,
Billiards is a fascinating game. In order to score points, the player must recognize recurring patterns and also know how the balls react off each other and the rails.
At first, 3-cushion billiards can seem like a very formless game, but as you study it more, you will see typical patterns for scoring, and how to play for position and defense.
I don't know where you live, but if you live around Chicago, it's not too hard to find a poolroom that has a billiard table. I am lucky enough to live not too far away from Chris's billiards, so I have access to 5 heated Verhoevens.
If you try billiards, like it, and want to get more into it, check out the book Byrne's New Standard Book of Pool and Billiards (
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... 9?v=glance). It was quite an eye opener for a neophyte like myself. If nothing else, it has a decent explanation of the diamond system and can open your eyes to an extended ticky.
I am curious; does anybody else here play billiards? How did you get into it? Were you a pool player who got into the game, or did you get into it after pool and/or snooker?