For more info, visit billiards.colostate.edu
Physics of Pool and Billiards
... resources to help learn pool physics.
Where can I find information on the billiards and pool physics work of the great mathematician and physicist Coriolis?

The following instructional articles summarize and illustrate many of Coriolis' original contributions from his 1835 book (which was written in French): (Downloads)

"Coriolis was brilliant ... but he didn't have a high-speed camera - Part I: introduction" (BD, July, 2005).
"Coriolis was brilliant ... but he didn't have a high-speed camera - Part II: high-speed video" (BD, August, 2005).
"Coriolis was brilliant ... but he didn't have a high-speed camera - Part III: cue ball paths are like satellite dishes" (BD, September, 2005).
"Coriolis was brilliant ... but he didn't have a high-speed camera - Part IV: maximum cue tip offset" (BD, October, 2005).
"Coriolis was brilliant ... but he didn't have a high-speed camera - Part V: masse shot aiming" (BD, November, 2005).
"Coriolis was brilliant ... but he didn't have a high-speed camera - Part VI: maximum rolling deflection" (BD, December, 2005).

An English translation of his famous book (external web-link) became available in 2005.
What are approximate values for pool equipment physical properties?

ball diameter: 2.25 in

ball mass: 6 oz

ball mass moment of inertia: 2/5 mR2

ball-ball coefficient of friction (μ): 0.03-0.08

ball-ball coefficient of restitution (e): 0.92-0.98

ball-cloth coefficient of rolling resistance (μ): 0.005 - 0.015

ball-cloth coefficient of sliding friction (μ): 0.15-0.4 (typical value: 0.2)

ball-cloth spin deceleration rate: 5-15 rad/sec2

ball-rail coefficient of restitution (e): 0.6-0.9

ball-table coefficient of restitution (e): 0.5

cue-tip-ball coefficient of friction (μ): 0.6

cue-tip-ball coefficient of restitution (e): 0.71-0.75 (leather tip), 0.81-0.87 (phenolic tip)

Here are some typical values for various shot "speeds" in miles per hour (mph) and feet per second (fps):

touch: 1.5 mph = 2.2 fps
slow: 3 mph = 4.4 fps
medium-soft: 5 mph = 7.3 fps
medium: 7 mph = 10 fps
medium-fast: 8 mph = 12 fps
fast: 12 mph = 18 fps 
power: 15-20 mph = 22-29 fps
powerful break: 25-30 mph = 36-44 fps
Where can I find information and resources on pool and billiards physics?

The billiards and pool physics resources page (external web-link) has lists of references and links to many general interest and technical articles, books, and websites providing excellent resources on this topic.
How does one go about creating a pool simulator?

The physics complexities are dealt with in many good resources. An open-source graphics simulator project called FooBilliard, with source code, is available here (external web-link). An open source project dealing with pool physics can be found here (external web-link): http://billiards2.stanford.edu/FastFiz/main.html.

Virtual Pool is a good commercially available pool simulator. A free demo version can be found on their website here (external web-link)

from John Novak:

Virtual Pool 3 DL is as close to the real thing as you can get.. When I first heard about it over 10 years ago I looked at it as just a computer game. But, it is not. Everything you can do on a real table can be simulated in this game. Cue butt angle, squirt, swerve, etc. Check it out the graphics are amazing... You can even adjust the table cloth speed, rail speed, pocket size and pocket cut... www.celeris.com use the promo code vp3pc1104 and you can purchase it for about 10 bucks, best money you ever spent...This can also be played on line against people all over the world...Give it a try.
For more info, visit billiards.colostate.edu