Billiards

Guide Note

Billiards or "cue sports" refer to a broad selection of games played with cues and an assortment of heavy, solid balls on a flat table.

Fast Facts

1. Origin: 15th century England
2. Materials required: Billiard balls, cloth-covered table, rack, cues, mechanical bridge, chalk
3. Types/variations:
   1. Carom billiards: Games played on a table without pockets
   2. Pocket billiards: Also know as pool; games played on a table with six pockets
   3. Snooker: A pocket billiards game with its own separate terminology and set of rules
4. Notable practitioners: Thomas Jefferson, Napoleon, Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, Babe Ruth, Bob Hope

Billiards Tips

1. Set a goal for your shot.
2. Concentrate on the shot you are shooting.
3. Be patient, and take your time shooting.
4. Be sure your stance is stable and solid.
5. Know your table and your environment. Tables can be sensitive.

• Balkline
• Three-cushion billiards
• English billiards
• Snooker
• Eight-ball
• Nine-ball
• Three-ball
• One-pocket
• Bank pool