Trounce any competitor at any game with this tip sheet.

FOOSBALL
Learn ball control. “Maintain possession and you can read your opponent’s defense, waiting for the best shot instead of just hammering away,” says Tracy McMillin, current world champion of foosball open doubles. Practice your passing by playing alone. Add spin to the ball when sliding it through the serving hole to simulate in-game conditions.

DARTS
Good form translates into consistent throws. Make an L-shaped base with your feet—one forward, one to the side. Throw with a stable elbow, and use a tomahawk-chop motion, not a pushing motion, says Buddy Bartoletta, president of the American Darts Organization.

PINBALL
“Hold one flipper up during multiball to catch balls and stop them there. This reduces the chaos and allows you to get a few good shots before losing the balls,” says Daina Pettit, president of Mr. Pinball, an online pinball-machine retailer.

MS. PAC-MAN
Chomp Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde in earlier levels by grouping the ghosts near power pellets and chowing down. “Most people run rampant in blue time, collecting dots—but that’s when you can really rack up the points by eating ghosts,” explains Dwayne Richard, North America’s reigning Pac-Man champion.

Pool: Your Resources

Vintage slate can be the perfect centerpiece for an upscale rec room.

From the Editors of Men's Health Living

Vintage slate can be the perfect centerpiece for an upscale rec room. “Old billiard tables are like old cars,” says Bob Bradford, owner of Antique Billiard Supply and creator of oldpooltables.com. “If you know what to look for, you can find something that won’t just look great but will actually appreciate in value over time, and for less than a new model.” The average pool-table restoration costs $6,000. Here’s how to minimize your costs.

PASS ON PLAIN-LOOKING OR BOXY DESIGNS WITH SQUARE FRAMES.
These stock tables lack character and have a stagnant market value. Intricate woodworking on the legs or body will stand out after refinishing and can add value to the table.

INSPECT THE BODY, LEGS, AND RAILS FOR VENEER DAMAGE.
Think of it like sunburn: Slight flaking is tolerable. But if an entire section is peeling, you’ll need to seek professional help. “If it involves more than an afternoon of veneer work, it’s too much work,” says Bradford.

INVESTIGATE THE SLATE.
“Crawl underneath and look up,” says Ken Hash, owner of Classic Billiards, in Perry Hall, Maryland. “If there’s a crack in the top of the table, you’ll also be able to notice it from below.” Chips around the outside edges of the slate are fixable, but fissures or fractures that run the length or width of the table are deal breakers, says Bradford. Replacing the slate can cost about $1,500.

LOOK FOR TORN POCKETS.
Each onewill add $300 to your restoration price. Replacement involves removing the table’s pocket irons and sending them to a professional leatherworker (hoodleather.com).

DON’T BE SCARED OFF BY BAD FELT.
You’ll probably want to hire a professional to re-felt the table anyway. Tournament-quality fabric will cost about $250, plus installation. Save $100 by opting for Championship Tour Edition (champbilliards.com). “It still plays great, and it wears like iron,” says Derrick Tiers, owner of Billiard Restoration Service.

LOOK FOR BRAND NAMES.
Recognizable names equal resale value. Brunswick is the Rolls-Royce of antique tables. Confirm the authenticity of your find  by checking the gallery at brunswickbilliards.com, or by sending a few snapshots to a professional refurbisher for evaluation.