With several pool halls in the Greensboro area, billiards is an activity many Guilford students are using to occupy their free time. When they are not racking their brains preparing for their next exam or paper, they are racking balls for their next game at popular spots like Breakers or Players. Breakers Membership Club is located across the street from campus in the Quaker Village shopping center. Breakers has several tables, and there is never a wait to play. With a membership, you can play for just $3.50 an hour.

In addition to competitive billiards, Breakers offers an exciting atmosphere for Guilford students looking for something new to do. The club consists of a mostly young crowd, an extensive jukebox, and great drink specials for the students who are of age.

Every Sunday Breakers holds large tournaments for competitive players. “You think you’re pretty good until you come on Sunday and play in one of the tournaments,” said James Zimmerman, a frequent billiards player and UNCG student. “Some seriously good players come in here.”

“I’ve started going there every Thursday night with my buddies, and we a have a great time,” said junior Taylor Baker. “Each week we go with more and more people.”

Another great place in Greensboro to play is Players Sports Bar and Billiards. Located at 5211 West Market St, Players adds the sports bar experience to the pool hall.

With relatively cheap pool prices, and several drink specials, it’s a great place to shoot some pool and watch the game at the same time. Players has several TV’s throughout the bar including two huge projection screens.

According to the bartender Luke Kempton, much of the Guilford community can be found at Players. Kempton, ’04, is a former Guilford baseball player.

“It’s my favorite place to go play pool, there always something going on over there,” said sophomore Tyler Ledford, an avid billiards player. “There are a lot of good places to play around here, but I think Players is the best.”

“It seems like I hear about more and more people going out to play pool at night,” said first-year Shawn Maczka. “It’s a good way to get out and relax and have some fun.”

Guilford is not the only place the sport is growing. Almost every week, some type of billiards competition can be seen on ESPN. Various national 9-ball tournaments and trick shot exhibitions offer millions of dollars in prize money.

For the sober students of the Guilford community, Billiards is a great way to go out, meet people and not feel awkward or pressured to drink.

It’s Guilford’s turn to break and the students will need it now that finals have arrived. Mental fatigue could cause you to scratch on the 8 ball.