Billiards is a sport that has been popular around the world for over a thousand years. It was developed in Europe in the 15th Century and was played indoors with a ball and a cue. Billiards can be played in many different ways today. The goal of most billiards games, is to score more points than your opponent before time runs out. However, there are a variety of different games, each of which has its own set of rules.
There are four main billiards games: pool, English billiards and carom billiards. To earn points, each game requires players to use different cues or balls. Players can also foul, which will decrease their points.
In the United States, pool is the most widely played game. It's also very popular in other parts of the UK. A table, balls, and cues are required for each of these games. The table is usually a large rectangular structure constructed of polished slate, woolen cloth or other materials. The table typically has six pockets. However, sometimes there are seven to eight. Each pocket is number with the goal of storing a ball in numerical order.
One-Pocket, one of the first billiards game was invented. This game was originally played on a single 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 is a popular game in the United States and Canada. Pocket billiards is a game where you make a combination shot by placing the balls in numerical order. Some advanced versions of the game require tight pockets.
Carom billiards has a wide appeal and is played around the globe. Players attempt to carom the cue ball of their opponent in this form of billiards. The table is usually at least 7ft long and heated.
English billiards combines the best of both pocket and carom. This game is best played at a single, small table. The cue may be made from plastic, fiberglass, or wood. To win, the player must get closest to cushion.
The two most popular billiards game in America are pool and snooker. The game of pool is played at a table that has a red object and two other balls. To earn points, players need to pocket the red ball. They may be able, depending upon the game, to foul. The cue ball must be thrown at a cushion. The opponent may choose to return the ball to the original spot if the player is unable to pocket it.
18.2 balkline is one of the most difficult billiards games. Balkline is an extremely difficult game that is played in many 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.