Types of Games Using Pool Tables

There are a variety of different games that can be played on a pool or billiards table. These games are enjoyed around the world, although some are more often played in one region or another. The type of game you plan on playing the most will influence which type of table you purchase. The main three types of games are billiards, eight-ball, and snooker.

Billiards

There are several different ways of playing billiards, but the two main versions are carom and pocket billiards. There are, however, three different versions of carom billiards: straight, balkline, and three cushion billiards. All of these games are played using a billiards table with no pockets. They also all use the same basic setup of two cue balls and an object ball.

In straight billiards, players score points every time their cue ball hits both other balls on the table. The game is somewhat more difficult than other pool or billiards games and requires more skill to play. Balkline was designed to make it impossible to score points so quickly and easily. The game is based on the concept of the balkline, or a line parallel to one end of the table. Players have to move the object ball past one of the balklines set 18 inches from each rail after they score a point. This keeps the balls from being groups up in one section of the table. In three-cushion billiards, players have to not only hit the other two balls on the table but also must hit at least three rails at the same time.

The final major billiards game is English billiards. It combines both carom and pocket billiards to create a game played with two cue balls and a red ball. Points are awarded based on various actions.

Eight Ball

Eight ball is the most common pool/billiards game played in the United States. It uses one white cue ball and fifteen coloured balls—seven stripes, seven solids, and one black eight ball. The goal is to hit either all the strips or all the solids into one of the six pockets, then sink the eight ball after calling the pocket. While it started in the US, the game is now played around the world, and many eight ball tournaments are held annually.

Nine ball is an alternative form that uses the one through nine balls and the white cue ball. Players must use the cue ball to hit the lowest numbered ball still on the table, with the goal of sinking it. Nine ball is mainly played in tournaments. Three ball is a similar variant that uses three balls instead of eight or nine.

Snooker

Snooker, primarily played in the UK, is played on a pocket billiards table. One of the goals in the game is to snooker the other player by making them foul. It is played competitively in the UK more often than any other pool or billiards game.