Billiards

Billiards or in other words, playing pool, or any other sport involving a "cue".

I consider myself to be a fairly competitive person.  As such I will walk into the local pub from time to time only to stare down the pool table in hopes I can come across a friendly game of 8 ball.  I usually will hit up a buddy or friend to join me in a game.  Sometimes I am let down by the response of  "I don't know how to play that".  Even when I do catch a contestant there are usually terms discussed on which type of game to play.  Pool like many other leisure sports, can sometimes have a different set of common rules.  There are even local pool leagues that dictate their own way of playing in their particular league.  In the friendly game mentioned above there are some situations that occur that leave both players looking at each other saying "Um, is it ok that I did that".  Man of means will know the essentials in playing pool and some of its common rules.  So here are the common pool or "billiard" games that one may come across.  First lets talk tables.

Pool Tables

The most common pool table you come across is a "bar size" table. These are a bit smaller then full regulation tables. Regulation tables again are 4.5 feet by 9 feet of playing area.  "Bar Size" tables are 4 feet by 8 feet.  These are very mass produced and are more common because they require less room.  If you were looking to fit a pool table in your den or man cave, anticipate an area of approx 18 feet by 15 feet of complete game area.  This will allow for the length of the cue and plus approx 6 inches or so of cue usage. You will typically see green felt. This is known to be a standard because pool has originated from games that were once played on grass.  Another good reason green is a great color for this game is because if you intend on playing lengthy games.  The color green will have less strain on the eyes as opposed to some other colors.  The sides or "rails" of these tables have rubber inlays to them, so when balls are bumped against the sides they will bounce away from them. There are different consistencies of the rubber on the rails and how they react.  This all depends on the table model.

There are other larger tables in size such as tables used for the game "snooker", or "carom".  These are much larger and the tables are adapted more to their specific game.  For instance the game of carom does not have any pockets.  Snooker tables are very large tables with smaller pockets. I will not venture too far into these games only for the fact they are more of a niche game. 

Game Cues

There are several types of "cues" that are used to play these different pool games.  A cue or "pool stick" is a long typically wood stick that is usually around 57-59 inches long. It is round and tapered from one end to the other.  The larger diameter end is used for holding the cue, and the small diameter end is where the striking tip is.  The striking end of the cue typically has a white ferrule with a leather type of tip on the very end that contacts the ball.  The tips are made in various diameters to help with the different type of use the player prefers.  The wood used in these are typically a hard wood, but some economical cues can be made from pine, or maple.  Higher end cues can be made of many exotic woods like birdseye, rose, or ash.  And some may have a nylon wrapping to them.  There are many methods of making cues, some are even synthetic.  The object of making these are for comfort and integrity.  It is preferred that these do not warp or have any runout to them.  Making a shot with a warped stick may not be as accurate as a cue that is perfectly true.  Many cues that are at the local pub are one solid unit and are made more for reliability.  More expensive cues are split in two and attach usually by a screw and thread type of contact.  This is made so that the cue will keep from warping, and is also handy with storage.  Cues come in different weights usually 15 to 21 ounces. Many players will seek different cue styles for different parts of the game such as breaking cues, or jumping cues.

Pool Balls

The earliest pool balls were made of wood.  As different billiard style sports grew the construction has progressed to different materials.  Early on balls were starting to be made and preferred as ivory.   The ivory trade was discouraged after some time.  Later a new york maker challenged anyone who could come up with a similar type of ball integrity, and then plastics were put into use.  There have been several types of plastic balls produced.  The earlier celluloid plastic balls have been known to explode on heavy impact so something had to be changed.  Now depending on the maker the balls are still made of  different plastics. Most commonly is phenolic resin, polyester and acrylic plastics.  Billiard balls are colored, striped and other marked for their specific games. The common pool balls used are approx 2.25 inches in diameter and can weigh from 5.5 to 6 ounces.

8 Ball

This in my experience is the most common game played.  As far as competition goes it is second to 9 ball.  Again this is the game you will likely play in at the local pub, pool hall, or friends house.  This is also the most modified game as far as rules are considered.  There are numerous officiating councils that dictate game play in the professional levels such as the WPA (wold pool billiard association), the BCA (billiard congress of america).  These are non profitable organizations that have set standards in billiards.  There are many other profitable organizations that run tournys that you will see on TV sometimes, but the WPA and BCA are the most common standard to go by in the amateur levels. 

This game has alot of the standard billiard equipment.  A table with 6 pockets. A "regulation size table" 

A standard game of 8 ball uses 16 balls for game play. One cue ball, seven stripped balls, 7 solid colored balls and one black 8 ball.  The game begins as the 1 through 15 stripped and solid marked balls are "racked" into a triangle shape.  The tip of the rack is to sit on the foot marker which is approx 2/3rds down and center to the table.  The first player will place the cue ball anywhere on the head end of the table behind the 2nd set of rail markers.  The player will then hit the cue ball into the rack of game balls.  In eight ball each player has one turn to attempt to bump a game ball into a pocket with the cue ball.  If the player misses then they must pass their turn to the next player. If the player makes one of their designated balls then they proceed to keep shooting until they are unable to make an object ball.  To deciede who has to shoot either the stripped balls or solid balls depends on the first shot made.  The first player to pocket any ball beside the eight ball or cue ball will use that color set of balls either stripped or solid.  The game is won when all of the players game balls are pocketed then the player is to shoot at the eight ball. If that person makes the ball without scratching then that player wins.  A scratch is a type of foul where the cue ball falls in a pocket while on their turn.  This foul is usually penaltied to a loss of turn.  While shooting the eight ball this can mean the loss of the game.  Again, there are many different variations to this game, if in any competition these rules are readily available.  For leisure play you and your opposing player can discuss whichever is going to produce the most fun.

9 Ball

This is the most competitive billiard game at todays standards.  Nine ball like eight ball includes game balls, and a cue ball.  The game balls only consist of 1 through 9.  The rack is formed in shape of a diamond and again the tip of the diamond is placed on the foot marker.  The tip ball must be the one ball.  The center ball must be the nine ball.  The cue ball like eight ball is placed anywhere in the head table position behind the first two rail markers.  This area is known as the "kitchen".  The first player will break.  Break means when the first player hits the rack with the cue ball, thus starting the game.  Like eight ball when a game ball is not made in a pocket, it will result in the other players turn to shoot.  In nine ball the game balls must be made in order, as well as the next object ball can be the only ball that is hit by the cue ball first.  Hitting any other game ball first will result in a foul.  The game balls need to be pocketed in numerical order.  The game is won when the nine ball is hit in.  This can be done by combination with the next object ball or when all other balls have been cleared.  Like eight ball there can be some rule variations which result in fouls.  These again are determined by the sanctioning body.  Or, by you and your opponent.

Billiards can be very fun.  This sport can be a good relaxing way to spend some time, or can be a intense competition.  There are many specifics to the areas mentioned above, I will hope to touch more on those different topics in more depth at a later time.