Pool is a game of physics, spheres, and geometry. Whenever I'm shooting a rack, I like to pretend that the balls are like my little worlds, planets that bounce around the table. A few years ago, when my friends and I were sick of playing on torn red felt, we decided to restore the pool table and customize it along the way. Now the pockets glow orange and the balls glow all sorts of iridescent colors.

This pool table began its life as a 1970's Brunswick honeycomb table. It saw a lot of use back in the day when my father used to throw block parties. But after 20 years, the rubber rails were worn out and tired. The red felt was torn from failed massé shots and also stained from sexual misuse.   We had to change the rubber on the rails and decided on a new, faster black felt. The table's base and edges was also painted with a stone-like finish and clearcoated.

To get the pockets to glow orange, I purchased six 15" tubes of Street Glow automotive neon, mounted them inside the ball returns, and wired them all in parallel. Together they pull over 55 watts just to illuminate the pockets! The ball returns were lined with mirror-reflective material to maximize the reflected orange light.

Now when I play with my worlds, they glow over a black felted void. The pockets in the corners are like orange suns. Blacklight pool makes a great addition and centerpiece for our Egyptian basement!

Coming soon: game rules for custom billiard games!

* Crossfire

* Pawns and Kings

* Polish Anything

* Colors

* "Strip" Pool

* Sink or Swim

* Gladiator