Billiards, a form of pool, has been in popular use for over a thousandyears. It was originally played indoors, with a cue or a ball, in Europe in 15th century. Billiards can be played in many different ways today. Generally, the goal of most billiards games is to amass a larger score than your opponent before the timer runs out. However, there are a variety of different games, each of which has its own set of rules.
Pool, English billiards (or carom billiards), are the most popular billiards game. Each game has its own cues and balls that players can use to score points. Players can foul to earn less points.
Pool is the most popular game in the United States and in many parts of the UK. These games require a table and balls as well as cues. The rectangular table is usually made from polished slate or woolen cloth. There are six pockets on a table. Sometimes, there are seven or eight. Each pocket is assigned a number to ensure that the ball is placed in the right numerical order.
One-Pocket was one of the earliest billiards games. Originally, this game was played on a table with one pocket. Players occupied the left and right sides of the pocket, and they used a curved wooden mace on the other side of the table. This was believed to be the original beginning of billiards.
Pocket billiards has become a very popular game in Canada and the United States. Pocket billiards allows you to make a combination shot, by placing the balls into numerical order. Some of the more complex versions of the game have very tight pockets.
Carom billiards is a game that is also widely played across the globe. Players attempt to carom the cue ball of their opponent in this form of billiards. The table is normally at least 7 feet in length, and is heated.
English billiards combines the best of both pocket and carom. Most often, the game is played on one table. You have the option of making your cue out of plastic, wood, or fiberglass. To win, the player must get closest to cushion.
Snooker and pool are two of the most well-known billiards in the United States. Pool is a game that is played on a table with a red object ball and two other balls. Players pocket the red ball to gain points. Depending on the game, they may also be able to foul. A cue ball hitting a cushion will result in a foul. The player must then make a lag. If the opponent is unable or unwilling to pocket the ball, he/she can place it back in its original location.
18.2 balkline is a difficult billiards game. Balkline is an extremely difficult game that is played in many billiards tournaments. Instead of straight pool where you only use the cue ball, Balkline requires the ball to be struck either on the right or left side.