Billiards has been around for more than 1000 years. It was developed in Europe in the 15th Century and was played indoors with a ball and a cue. Today, billiards can be found all over the globe in a variety of variations. The goal of most billiards games, is to score more points than your opponent before time runs out. There are many different games and each has its own rules.
The most common billiards games include pool, snooker, English billiards, and carom billiards. Each game has its own cues and balls that players can use to score points. Fouling will reduce players' 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 table is typically a large rectangular structure, made of polished slate or woolen cloth. The table is usually equipped with six pockets. But sometimes, the table can have seven or more. Each pocket is assigned a number to ensure that the ball is placed in the right numerical order.
One of the first billiards games was One-Pocket. This game was initially played on a one-pocket table. 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 is where you can make a combination shot and pocket the balls in numerical sequence. Some versions of pocket billiards are more difficult and require very tight pockets.
Carom billiards is a game that is also widely played across the globe. The goal of this game is to try and get rid of the opponent's cue balls. The table is usually at least 7ft long and heated.
English billiards blends the best of carom with pocket billiards. The most common way to play this game is at one table. The cue may be made from plastic, fiberglass, or wood. The player must reach the cushion closest to win.
American billiards are very popular in the United States. The game of pool is played at a table that has a red object and two other balls. To score points, players will need to keep the red ball. They may be able, depending upon the game, to foul. For example, if the cue ball hits a cushion, the player must 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 one of the most difficult billiards games. Balkline is a tough game and is often played in billiards tournaments. The ball must be struck on either the right or left side of straight pool, unlike straight pool which can only be played with the cueball.