Billiards – More Than 8-ball Pool
Josephine Thunder asked:
8-ball is the most popular billiard game in the world. It is so popular, that 8-ball pool is almost a synonym for billiards. However, 8-ball is only a part of a one big happy family of billiard games.
8-ball pool, 9-ball pool, snooker, one pocket, balkline are all cue sports games. They all share a rectangular cloth-covered table, a long cue stick, a set of balls and an ambition to score, but they differ in their rules, objects, and even their terminology.
Generally, billiard games divide into two types: pocket billiard games and carom billiard games. Pocket billiard games, usually referred to as pool games, are the type of billiard played on a table that has six pockets. In pocket billiard games, the players aspire to sink the balls into the table pockets, according to specific games rules.
Carom billiard games, on the other hand, are played on pocketless tables. Only three billiard balls are involved in the carom games. The purpose of the players in most carom games is to maneuver their cue ball so it will carom off the other two balls, again, according to the specific requirements of the game.
8-ball pool is a pocket billiard game. Other popular pocket billiard games include 9-ball pool, 14.1 continuous (formerly known as straight pool) and even snooker. Snooker is the most popular cue sports in the UK. Even though snooker is played on a pocketed pool table, it is not governed by the same association that administrates pocket billiard rules. Therefore, pocket billiard general rules do not apply to snooker.
The equipment used in snooker games is also different from the one used in pocket billiard tournaments. For example, the snooker table is a bit larger than the standard pool table plus its pockets are narrower. The terminology used in both billiard games is different as well. While pool players’ goal is to “pocket” the “object balls”, snooker players aim to “pot” the “red” or the “on-ball”.
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8-ball is the most popular billiard game in the world. It is so popular, that 8-ball pool is almost a synonym for billiards. However, 8-ball is only a part of a one big happy family of billiard games.
8-ball pool, 9-ball pool, snooker, one pocket, balkline are all cue sports games. They all share a rectangular cloth-covered table, a long cue stick, a set of balls and an ambition to score, but they differ in their rules, objects, and even their terminology.
Generally, billiard games divide into two types: pocket billiard games and carom billiard games. Pocket billiard games, usually referred to as pool games, are the type of billiard played on a table that has six pockets. In pocket billiard games, the players aspire to sink the balls into the table pockets, according to specific games rules.
Carom billiard games, on the other hand, are played on pocketless tables. Only three billiard balls are involved in the carom games. The purpose of the players in most carom games is to maneuver their cue ball so it will carom off the other two balls, again, according to the specific requirements of the game.
8-ball pool is a pocket billiard game. Other popular pocket billiard games include 9-ball pool, 14.1 continuous (formerly known as straight pool) and even snooker. Snooker is the most popular cue sports in the UK. Even though snooker is played on a pocketed pool table, it is not governed by the same association that administrates pocket billiard rules. Therefore, pocket billiard general rules do not apply to snooker.
The equipment used in snooker games is also different from the one used in pocket billiard tournaments. For example, the snooker table is a bit larger than the standard pool table plus its pockets are narrower. The terminology used in both billiard games is different as well. While pool players’ goal is to “pocket” the “object balls”, snooker players aim to “pot” the “red” or the “on-ball”.
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Snooker & Pool: Get a Grip!
Pete Williams asked:
In snooker or pool, the grip is where every stroke starts, get this wrong and you will find that more and more of your shots are being missed.
The first thing that players tend to do (especially those new to the game) is grip the cue too tight. Why is this a problem? This causes a problem as the muscles in the arm will tighten through the shot, this can cause a lot of unwanted sidespin or cause us to miss the right spot on the cue ball entirely.
To be a successful player your grip needs to be relaxed and maintain a constant pressure throughout every shot, whether it be a delicate cut or a powerful draw stroke. Every time, where possible, the grip pressure has to be constant.
If the grip is too loose then the opposite can happen, the cue can be dropped whilst attempting a pot or literally get thrown out of the hand.
As with most things there is never a definitive right or wrong answer and it is about finding a position on the cue that is comfortable for you. Here are some helpful hints:
Find the balance point of your cue by balancing it on your index finger until it stops wobbling
Your grip should be behind this point so that the weight of the cue goes through the ball
Experiment with your hand in different positions and find something comfortable
6-10 inches behind the balance point is a good start
Grip the cue with index and middle finger and the thumb on top (creates a “V” between thumb and index finger)
Palm should be touching the cue and then move away when going through your stroke
Remember the key thing is to keep the grip relaxed, just feel for yourself the tension in your arm if you grip the cue too tightly. Tension in the arm will mean you miss more shots.
If you follow all these tips you’ll find that your snooker or pool will improve, remember get a grip…
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In snooker or pool, the grip is where every stroke starts, get this wrong and you will find that more and more of your shots are being missed.
The first thing that players tend to do (especially those new to the game) is grip the cue too tight. Why is this a problem? This causes a problem as the muscles in the arm will tighten through the shot, this can cause a lot of unwanted sidespin or cause us to miss the right spot on the cue ball entirely.
To be a successful player your grip needs to be relaxed and maintain a constant pressure throughout every shot, whether it be a delicate cut or a powerful draw stroke. Every time, where possible, the grip pressure has to be constant.
If the grip is too loose then the opposite can happen, the cue can be dropped whilst attempting a pot or literally get thrown out of the hand.
As with most things there is never a definitive right or wrong answer and it is about finding a position on the cue that is comfortable for you. Here are some helpful hints:
Find the balance point of your cue by balancing it on your index finger until it stops wobbling
Your grip should be behind this point so that the weight of the cue goes through the ball
Experiment with your hand in different positions and find something comfortable
6-10 inches behind the balance point is a good start
Grip the cue with index and middle finger and the thumb on top (creates a “V” between thumb and index finger)
Palm should be touching the cue and then move away when going through your stroke
Remember the key thing is to keep the grip relaxed, just feel for yourself the tension in your arm if you grip the cue too tightly. Tension in the arm will mean you miss more shots.
If you follow all these tips you’ll find that your snooker or pool will improve, remember get a grip…
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Online Snooker Rules
brislet asked:
Snooker is a totally different game than pool, although its origins come from the same place. Snooker is played on a pool table with larger dimensions and with a different set of balls and longer cue sticks.
In Snooker, in addition to the white cue ball, there are 21 target balls, 15 red and 6 colored. Each ball color has a different point value. The red balls are worth 1 point, the yellow balls are worth 2, the green are worth 3, the brown are worth 4, the blue are worth 5, the pink are worth 6 and the black is worth 7.
Here’s how the game works. First you must pocket a red ball and then after every red ball that’s pocketed, you should pocket a color ball. This will allow you to gain the point value of the colored ball. If there are still red balls on the table, the colored balls are returned to their place on the table (there is a designated location for each colored ball) in order to continue gaining points. When there are no more red balls on the table, then the players must aim to pocket the colored balls. This must be done according to their point value. The overall objective of the game is to get more points than your opponent by the end of the game.
If a player causes the white cue ball to hit the wrong ball (either a colored before a red, or the wrong color at the end of the game because it’s out of order) then it’s considered a foul. When a player gets a foul, the player’s turn is over and his opponent gains points for the foul. The opponent can allow the player to then do-over the hit and if the player with a foul continues to foul (three in a row), then he automatically loses the frame.
Online snooker is played the same as offline snooker. Many players like to play snooker online in order to practice their skills and learn additional strategies as they go along. It’s a great way for players who are learning snooker (and who might not have access to snooker tables, etc.), to play the game and develop their personal skills and strategies.
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Snooker is a totally different game than pool, although its origins come from the same place. Snooker is played on a pool table with larger dimensions and with a different set of balls and longer cue sticks.
In Snooker, in addition to the white cue ball, there are 21 target balls, 15 red and 6 colored. Each ball color has a different point value. The red balls are worth 1 point, the yellow balls are worth 2, the green are worth 3, the brown are worth 4, the blue are worth 5, the pink are worth 6 and the black is worth 7.
Here’s how the game works. First you must pocket a red ball and then after every red ball that’s pocketed, you should pocket a color ball. This will allow you to gain the point value of the colored ball. If there are still red balls on the table, the colored balls are returned to their place on the table (there is a designated location for each colored ball) in order to continue gaining points. When there are no more red balls on the table, then the players must aim to pocket the colored balls. This must be done according to their point value. The overall objective of the game is to get more points than your opponent by the end of the game.
If a player causes the white cue ball to hit the wrong ball (either a colored before a red, or the wrong color at the end of the game because it’s out of order) then it’s considered a foul. When a player gets a foul, the player’s turn is over and his opponent gains points for the foul. The opponent can allow the player to then do-over the hit and if the player with a foul continues to foul (three in a row), then he automatically loses the frame.
Online snooker is played the same as offline snooker. Many players like to play snooker online in order to practice their skills and learn additional strategies as they go along. It’s a great way for players who are learning snooker (and who might not have access to snooker tables, etc.), to play the game and develop their personal skills and strategies.
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There’s More Than Just Eight-ball to be Played on Pool Tables
MJ Marks asked:
My high school years was spent on an Air Force Base in Italy, and many times after school, I would find myself hanging out at the Community Center playing pool with some of the GI’s. I fancied myself a fairly good player because I occasionally got a lucky shot, but in retrospect, I really wasn’t very good at all. At the time, we always played eight-ball, and only associated that game with pool tables, but since then have learned many other games that are a lot of fun to play. So if you are looking for some variety, consider some of the following games:
Nine ball
Three ball
One-pocket
Bank pool
Snooker
Let’s take a closer look at how each of these games are played.
Nine-ball
This game only uses the cue ball and the 1 through 9 balls. The balls are racked in a diamond shape with the one ball in the front and the nine ball in the middle. Though the balls can be pocketed in any order, the cue ball must first make contact with the lowest numbered ball on the pool table. The game is won by sinking the 9 ball, and a match is won by winning a predetermined number of games. When a shot is missed, the next player starts play with the cue ball in the position left by the other player. If a foul was committed, the incoming player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table.
Three-ball
When there is a lack of numerous pool tables, but many players, this is a good game to play. It just uses the cue ball plus three other balls. The object is to sink all three balls in the fewest number of strokes. One player plays until all 3 balls are pocketed, all strokes counted. Then the next player starts, trying to sink all three balls in fewer strikes. Often this game is played in innings, consisting of three or five rounds.
One-pocket
This is a two player game with each player choosing a pocket. The object is to shoot a majority of the balls (8) into your pocket. Fouls occur if you shoot your ball into the wrong pocket on the pool tables. This game often takes more strategy than other billiard games.
Bank pool
This game can be played with either a full rack (15 balls) for a long game, or with nine balls (lately more popular) for a shorter game. You have to sink a ball by banking it off of one of the sides. Shots are normally called. The first player to bank and sink eight balls is the winner (in the shorter game, five balls must be pocketed).
Snooker
Snooker can be played on average sized pool tables. The game requires 15 red balls, and six balls of various colors (1 each of yellow [2], green [3], brown [4], blue [5], pink [6] and black [7]) and a white cue ball. Each red ball is worth 1 point, the color balls are then worth 2 – 7 points as labeled above. The 15 red balls are racked up in the traditional triangle at the beginning of the game. Each colored ball has a set point on the table. The object of the game is to get the most points. First you have to sink a red ball in a pocket, and then any colored ball (remember the point value of each ball is important ). The red ball remains in the pocket, but any colored ball is replaced to its original starting place on the table after it is sunk. You receive points for each ball you sink. When you miss a shot, it is then the other players turn. Once all the red balls are gone, the color balls then have to be sunk in numerical order. The player with the most points, wins. Points can also be earned through fouls (such as sinking balls out of order – like two red ones in a row).
These are most the of the official games that are played on pool tables, though they all have more detailed rules, and many of them offer variations. So, next time you are looking for something to do, head on down to your local pool hall where they have a lot of pool tables, and try something new when you play pool with your friends.
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My high school years was spent on an Air Force Base in Italy, and many times after school, I would find myself hanging out at the Community Center playing pool with some of the GI’s. I fancied myself a fairly good player because I occasionally got a lucky shot, but in retrospect, I really wasn’t very good at all. At the time, we always played eight-ball, and only associated that game with pool tables, but since then have learned many other games that are a lot of fun to play. So if you are looking for some variety, consider some of the following games:
Nine ball
Three ball
One-pocket
Bank pool
Snooker
Let’s take a closer look at how each of these games are played.
Nine-ball
This game only uses the cue ball and the 1 through 9 balls. The balls are racked in a diamond shape with the one ball in the front and the nine ball in the middle. Though the balls can be pocketed in any order, the cue ball must first make contact with the lowest numbered ball on the pool table. The game is won by sinking the 9 ball, and a match is won by winning a predetermined number of games. When a shot is missed, the next player starts play with the cue ball in the position left by the other player. If a foul was committed, the incoming player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table.
Three-ball
When there is a lack of numerous pool tables, but many players, this is a good game to play. It just uses the cue ball plus three other balls. The object is to sink all three balls in the fewest number of strokes. One player plays until all 3 balls are pocketed, all strokes counted. Then the next player starts, trying to sink all three balls in fewer strikes. Often this game is played in innings, consisting of three or five rounds.
One-pocket
This is a two player game with each player choosing a pocket. The object is to shoot a majority of the balls (8) into your pocket. Fouls occur if you shoot your ball into the wrong pocket on the pool tables. This game often takes more strategy than other billiard games.
Bank pool
This game can be played with either a full rack (15 balls) for a long game, or with nine balls (lately more popular) for a shorter game. You have to sink a ball by banking it off of one of the sides. Shots are normally called. The first player to bank and sink eight balls is the winner (in the shorter game, five balls must be pocketed).
Snooker
Snooker can be played on average sized pool tables. The game requires 15 red balls, and six balls of various colors (1 each of yellow [2], green [3], brown [4], blue [5], pink [6] and black [7]) and a white cue ball. Each red ball is worth 1 point, the color balls are then worth 2 – 7 points as labeled above. The 15 red balls are racked up in the traditional triangle at the beginning of the game. Each colored ball has a set point on the table. The object of the game is to get the most points. First you have to sink a red ball in a pocket, and then any colored ball (remember the point value of each ball is important ). The red ball remains in the pocket, but any colored ball is replaced to its original starting place on the table after it is sunk. You receive points for each ball you sink. When you miss a shot, it is then the other players turn. Once all the red balls are gone, the color balls then have to be sunk in numerical order. The player with the most points, wins. Points can also be earned through fouls (such as sinking balls out of order – like two red ones in a row).
These are most the of the official games that are played on pool tables, though they all have more detailed rules, and many of them offer variations. So, next time you are looking for something to do, head on down to your local pool hall where they have a lot of pool tables, and try something new when you play pool with your friends.
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