Billiards has been a popular sport for more than a thousand years. It was developed in Europe in the 15th Century and was played indoors with a ball and a cue. There are many variations of billiards. Generally, the goal of most billiards games is to amass a larger score than your opponent before the timer runs out. There are many variations of billiards games. Each game has its own rules.
The most common billiards games include pool, snooker, English billiards, and carom billiards. Players can earn points by using different cues and ball types in each game. Players can also foul, which will decrease their points.
The most played game in the United States, and many parts of the UK, is pool. These games require a table, ball, and cues. The rectangular table is usually made from polished slate or woolen cloth. There are usually six pockets on the table, but sometimes the table has seven or eight. Each pocket has a numerical number, so that you can find a ball.
One-Pocket was the first game of billiards. This game was originally played on a single pocket table. The left and right pockets were occupied by the players, while the mace was used on the opposite side. Although this was not considered to be the official starting point of billiards it is widely believed that it was.
Pocket billiards can be played in both the United States and Canada. Pocket billiards involves making combinations by pocketing the balls numerically. Some of the more complex versions of the game have very tight pockets.
Carom billiards can also be played all over the world. The goal of this game is to try and get rid of the opponent's cue balls. It is typically 7 feet in length and heated.
English billiards combines the best of both pocket and carom. This game is most commonly played on a single table. You can make the cue from wood, fiberglass or plastic. The cue must be placed closest to the cushion in order to win.
The two most popular billiards game in America are pool and snooker. A table with two balls and a red object ball is used to play pool. To win points, players should pocket the red balls. Depending on the game, they may also be able to foul. For example, if the cue ball hits a cushion, the player must make a lag. If the player fails to pocket a ball, the opponent can choose to place the ball back in the original spot.
18.2 Balkline is one the more difficult billiards variations. Balkline is an extremely difficult game that is played in many billiards tournaments. Straight pool is only played with the cueball, so the ball must be struck either on the left or the right side.