Billiards | Pool

Billiards | Pool

Description
Description

Billiards, often referred to in specific forms such as pool or snooker, is a cue sport played on a rectangular table with pockets at the corners and along the longer sides. The general aim is to use a cue stick to strike billiard balls, either directing them into the pockets (in games like eight-ball or nine-ball pool) or scoring points through various means (as in snooker). Skills involved include precision, strategic planning, and a good understanding of angles and power. Scoring depends on the game variant: in pool, it's typically about pocketing balls in a certain order or quantity, while snooker involves a point system based on ball values.

Billiards is played worldwide, with major leagues and tournaments primarily in Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

History
History

Billiards originated as a lawn game similar to croquet in 15th-century Europe and gradually moved indoors on a table with green cloth to simulate grass. It evolved over centuries, with the cue stick introduced to replace mallets. Initially, billiards involved pushing the balls, but striking them became the norm. The game diversified into various forms like carom, eight-ball, and snooker, each with distinct rules and equipment. By the 19th century, billiards became more accessible and popular, leading to standardized rules and professional competition. Advances in table design, ball materials, and cue technology enhanced the game's precision and skill level, making it a popular sport and leisure activity worldwide.

Future
Future

Billiards is likely to grow in popularity and accessibility, thanks to technological innovations and digital platforms. Virtual and augmented reality technologies are introducing new ways to play and learn, making the game more interactive and appealing to younger audiences. Online streaming and global competitions are bringing players from different countries together, increasing the sport's international presence.

The emergence of more diverse billiards clubs and informal leagues indicates a growing community interest. These developments, alongside the continuous refinement of equipment and playing techniques, suggest that billiards will maintain its status as a beloved pastime and competitive sport, appealing to both casual players and professional athletes.

Common Questions
Common Questions
How do you play pool?

There are many variations of pool with differing play styles and strategies, but the most common games are straight pool, rotation games, and eight-ball. Straight pool games allow players to shoot openly at any ball on the table to earn points. Rotation games (nine-ball) require that players shoot at balls in order from one to nine. Eight-ball is played with each player shooting at either the striped or the solid balls until they have successfully made them all and can then shoot the eight-ball to win.


How do you rack pool?

The two most common racks for pool are the diamond rack used in nine-ball pool and the full triangle rack used for eight-ball pool. Nine-ball pool is racked with the one ball at the apex and the nine ball in the center. Eight-ball pool is racked with the eight ball in the center and the other balls organized at random with a stripe and a solid at each of the back two corner locations.

How many balls are in pool?


Pool is a general term referring to a variety of different pool games, with the most popular games being nine-ball and eight-ball pool. Nine-ball is played with nine balls in a diamond rack labeled one through nine. Eight ball is played with fifteen balls in a full triangle rack.

Sports

* Under Development *

2.06"-2.69" | 52.5-68 mm (Diameter)
Billiard Balls
2.690
800
GUIDE
3D
Billiard Balls
7 Foot Billiards | Pool Table
Dimensioned drawing illustrating the measurements and sizes of a 7' Billiards | Pool Table

7’ Billiards | Pool Tables are sized smaller than professional regulations for private usage in  tighter spaces such as bars and small homes. 7’ Tables have playing surfaces measuring 78” | 198 cm in length, a width of 39” | 99 cm, and have beds set at 29 1/4”-31” | 74.3-78.7 cm from the floor. A standard 7’ Pool Table has an overall size of 93” x 54” | 236 x 137 cm and a height of 32” | 81.3 cm. A clearance space of at least 11’3” x 14’6” | 3.42 x 4.42 m should be provided for a 7’ Billiards | Pool Table.

Front and side elevation drawings with measurements of a 7' Billiards | Pool Table
7’ Billiards | Pool Tables are sized smaller than professional regulations for private usage in tighter spaces such as bars and small homes. 7’ Tables have playing surfaces measuring 78” | 198 cm in length, a width of 39” | 99 cm, and have beds set at 29 1/4”-31” | 74.3-78.7 cm from the floor.

Front and side elevation drawings with measurements of a 7' Billiards | Pool Table
7 Foot Billiards | Pool Table
Height:
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Surface Length: 78” | 198 cm
Surface Width: 39” | 99 cm
Surface Height: 29 1/4”-31” | 74.3-78.7 cm
Table Length: 93” | 236 cm
Table Width: 54” | 137 cm
Table Height: 32” | 81.3 cm

7’ Billiards | Pool Table Clearances
48” Cue:
11’3” x 14’6” | 3.43 x 4.42 m
52” Cue:
11’11” x 15’2” | 3.63 x 4.62 m
58” Cue:
12’11” x 16’2” | 3.93 x 4.92 m
Area (52” Clearance):
181 ft2 | 16.8 m2

Drawings include:
7' Billiards | Pool Table plan, side elevation, front elevation, room size clearance

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8 Foot Billiards | Pool Table
Drawing with dimensions of a standard 8' Billiards | Pool Table

8’ Billiards | Pool Tables are standard tables sized for usage in homes. 8’ Tables have playing surfaces with a length of 88” | 224 cm, width of 44” | 112 cm, and are set at 29 1/4”-31” | 74.3-78.7 cm high. An 8’ Pool Table has an overall size of 103” x 59” | 262 x 150 cm and a height of 32” | 81.3 cm. A clearance space of at least 11’8” x 15’4” | 3.55 x 4.67 m should be provided for a 8’ Billiards | Pool Table.

Front and side profiles with measurements of an 8' Billiards | Pool Table
8’ Billiards | Pool Tables are tables sized for usage in homes. 8’ Tables have playing surfaces with a length of 88” | 224 cm, width of 44” | 112 cm, and are set at 29 1/4”-31” | 74.3-78.7 cm high. An 8’ Pool Table has an overall size of 103” x 59” | 262 x 150 cm and a height of 32” | 81.3 cm.

Front and side profiles with measurements of an 8' Billiards | Pool Table
8 Foot Billiards | Pool Table
Height:
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Surface Length: 88” | 224 cm
Surface Width: 44” | 112 cm
Surface Height: 29 1/4”-31” | 74.3-78.7 cm
Table Length: 103” | 262 cm
Table Width: 59” | 150 cm
Table Height: 32” | 81.3 cm

8’ Billiards | Pool Table Clearances
48” Cue:
11’8” x 15’4” | 3.55 x 4.67 m
52” Cue:
12’4” x 16’ | 3.76 x 4.88 m
58” Cue:
13’4” x 17’ | 4.06 x 5.18 m
Area (52” Clearance):
197 ft2 | 18.3 m2

Drawings include:
8' Billiards | Pool Table plan, side elevation, front elevation, room size clearance

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Billiard Balls
Diagram comparing the relative sizes of billiard balls used for various cue sports

Billiard balls come in different sizes and designs that vary by game type. Traditionally, billiard balls were made from elephant ivory, but are commonly made from phenolic resin today.

Billiard balls range in diameter from the largest in Russian pyramid and kaisa at 2 11/16” (68 mm) to the smallest in British-style at 2” (51 mm). Other variations of billiard ball sizes are Carom at 2 7/16” (61.5 mm), American-style at 2 1/4” (57.15 mm), and Snooker 2 1/16” (52.5 mm).

Drawing comparing billiard ball dimensions from Russian Kaisa, Carom, American, English, Snooker
Billiard balls come in different sizes and designs that vary by game type. Traditionally, billiard balls were made from elephant ivory, but are commonly made from phenolic resin today. Billiard balls range in diameter from Russian pyramid down to Carom, American-style, British-style, and Snooker.

Billiard balls range in diameter from the largest in Russian pyramid and kaisa at 2 11/16” (68 mm) to the smallest in British-style at 2” (51 mm). Other variations of billiard ball sizes are Carom at 2 7/16” (61.5 mm), American-style at 2 1/4” (57.15 mm), and Snooker 2 1/16” (52.5 mm).

Drawing comparing billiard ball dimensions from Russian Kaisa, Carom, American, English, Snooker
Billiard Balls
Height:
2.06"-2.69" | 52.5-68 mm (Diameter)
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Diameter (Russian kaisa): 2 11/16” | 68 mm
Diameter (Carom): 2 7/16” | 61.5 mm
Diameter (American): 2 1/4” | 57.15 mm
Diameter (Snooker): 2 1/16” | 52.5 mm
Diameter (British): 2” | 51 mm
Material: Phenolic resin

Drawings include:
Billiard Ball sizes: Russian Kaisa, Carom, American, English, Snooker

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8.5 Foot Billiards | Pool Table
Dimensions and drawing of an 8.5' Billiards | Pool Table

8.5’ Billiards | Pool Tables are oversized ‘professional’ tables sized to provide a greater challenge for players. 8.5’ Tables have playing surfaces measuring 92” | 234 cm cm in length, a width of 46” | 117 cm, and have beds set at 29 1/4”-31” | 74.3-78.7 cm from the floor. A standard 8.5’ Pool Table has an overall size of 107” x 61” | 272 x 155 cm and a height of 32” | 81.3 cm. A clearance space of at least 11’10” x 15’8” | 3.6 x 4.77 m should be provided for a 8.5’ Billiards | Pool Table.

Elevation dimensions of the height, length, and width of an 8.5' Billiards | Pool Table
8.5’ Billiards | Pool Tables are oversized ‘professional’ tables sized to provide a greater challenge for players. 8.5’ Tables have playing surfaces measuring 92” | 234 cm cm in length, a width of 46” | 117 cm, and have beds set at 29 1/4”-31” | 74.3-78.7 cm from the floor.

Elevation dimensions of the height, length, and width of an 8.5' Billiards | Pool Table
8.5 Foot Billiards | Pool Table
Height:
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Surface Length: 92” | 234 cm
Surface Width: 46” | 117 cm
Surface Height: 29 1/4”-31” | 74.3-78.7 cm
Table Length: 107” | 272 cm
Table Width: 61” | 155 cm
Table Height: 32” | 81.3 cm

8.5’ Billiards | Pool Table Clearances
48” Cue:
11’10” x 15’8” | 3.60 x 4.77 m
52” Cue:
12’6” x 16’4” | 3.81 x 4.98 m
58” Cue:
13’6” x 17’4” | 4.11 x 5.28 m
Area (52” Clearance):
204 ft2 | 19 m2

Drawings include:
8.5’ Billiards | Pool Table plan, side elevation, front elevation, room size clearance

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Billiards | Pool Table Pockets

Billiard | Pool Tables are engineered with six pockets — one in each corner and two centered on the longs sides. Pockets, varying in design from simple drop pockets to elaborate ball returns, differ in shape and dimension between Corner Pockets and Side Pockets. Corner pockets have openings sized the width of two billiard balls (2 1/4” | 5.7 cm) at 4 1/2”-4 5/8” | 11.4-11.7 cm. Side Pockets have mouths 1/2” | 1.27 cm larger than corner pockets for a total opening of 5”-5 1/4” | 12.7-13.3 cm. The perimeter of a pool table is made up of inner cushions with depths of 2” | 5.1 cm attached to outer rails of 5” | 12.7 cm.

Drawing illustrating the sizes and dimensions of side and corner pockets on a standard Billiards | Pool Table
Billiard | Pool Tables are engineered with six pockets — one in each corner and two centered on the longs sides. Pockets, varying in design from simple drop pockets to elaborate ball returns, differ in shape and dimension between Corner Pockets and Side Pockets.

Drawing illustrating the sizes and dimensions of side and corner pockets on a standard Billiards | Pool Table
Billiards | Pool Table Pockets
Height:
Width:
Length:
Depth:
Weight:
Area:

Corner Pocket Mouth Size: 4 1/2”-4 5/8” | 11.4-11.7 cm
Side Pocket Mouth Size: 5”-5 1/4” | 12.7-13.3 cm
Cushions: 2” | 5.1 cm
Billiard Balls (Diameter): 2 1/4” | 5.7 cm
Rail Depth: 5” | 12.7 cm

Drawings include:
Corner Pocket plan, Side Pocket plan

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