Billiards has been a popular sport for more than a thousand years. It was originally played indoors, with a cue or a ball, in Europe in 15th century. 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. In each of these, players use different cues and balls to earn points. You can also foul players, which will decrease your points.
In the United States, pool is the most widely played game. It's also very popular in other parts of the UK. A table, balls, and cues are required for each of these games. The table is typically a large rectangular structure, made of polished slate or woolen cloth. There are six pockets on a table. Sometimes, there are seven or eight. Each pocket is assigned a number to ensure that the ball is placed in the right numerical order.
One-Pocket is one of the earliest games in billiards. Originally, this game was played on a table with one pocket. Players occupied both the left and the right side of the pocket. They used a curved wood mace on their opposite sides. Although it was not considered the official start of billiards, it is believed that this is where the sport began.
Pocket billiards can be played in both the United States and Canada. Pocket billiards allows you to make a combination shot, by placing the balls into numerical order. Some of the more complex versions of the game have very tight pockets.
Carom-billiards is another popular game. This game involves players trying to get the opponent's cue ball. The table is normally at least 7 feet in length, and is heated.
English billiards is a hybrid of carom and pocket billiards. The most common way to play this game is at one table. The cue can be made of wood, fiberglass, or plastic. To win, the player must get the closest to the cushion.
Two of the most common billiards games in the United States are snooker and pool. Pool is a game where you play with two other balls and a red object. To win points, players should pocket the red balls. Depending on the game, they may also be able to foul. A cue ball hitting a cushion will result in a foul. The player must then 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 can be a difficult game. It is also a popular choice for 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.