Two different tabletop games are Billiards and pool. Both require the use of a cue stick to hit the ball. Billiards and pool differ in the number and size of the balls and how they are placed on the table. Billiards generally uses three balls, while pool can have anywhere from nine to sixteen.
Billiards consists of hitting three balls at once with a long cuestick. This game was invented in the fifteenth century and evolved into a modern version. This game is often mistaken for pool.
Pool, on the contrary, involves hitting dozens of balls onto a pool table with a cuestick. These balls are typically smaller than those used for billiards. They are usually two and a third inches in diameter. Depending on what game you are playing, you may also need nine to fifteen of these object balls. Some players have one red ball, while others have seven or fewer.
The aim of billiards, is to score the most points within a set time. It requires a lot of practice, but it is a very challenging game to master. Here are some pool shots to help you get started. Bar Games 101 has more information on these and other useful strategies.
Although a pool tables can be smaller than those used for billiards, they should still be large enough that you have enough room to play all of your games. A pool table should measure at most 3.5'x7'. A table should be at least 5 feet by 10 feet if you are looking to play more efficiently.
A billiards table should be covered with cloth. The cloth helps the balls to travel faster and also slows them down.
Billiards as well as Pool are indoor activities, but they have their own rules and features. For example, pool is played on a smaller table with a few pockets while billiards is played on a larger table with no pockets. Different cue sticks sizes are available. You will need a cue that has a longer shaft, and a tip with a thinner tip to match the dimensions of the table.
No matter what game you choose, you'll need a set if balls and a stick. Billiards is played on a snooker, carom, or billiards table. Snooker is more challenging and requires specific tools. Many people enjoy playing pool at home, or at a bar.
Both pool and billiards are very popular in the United States. President Grant is said be the one who installed the first pool table at the White House.