Billiards vs Pool. There is a Difference
If you ever step into a pool hall, a billiards club, or a local bar or pub, you will find out quickly there is a difference between Billiards vs Pool.
Read this below will help you understand the differences so you will keep in good standings with the locals.
What Is Billiards?
Billiards is a term that describes any type of cue sport. Pool, carom, snooker, and English billiards are all cue sports that fall under billiards.
There are two main types of billiards:
- Carom
Carom billiards originates in France. People play carom on a flat table with no holes.
Pocket billiards is straightforward: sink the balls into the holes.
One thing you need to know about billiards vs pool is that all cue games are billiards, including pool. That doesn’t mean every billiards game is a pool game, however. Think of it like this: Pepsi is a type of soda, but not all soda is Pepsi.
Sounds simple right? Well, you should know a little about the history of billiards first.
History of Billiards
There is no exact person who created billiards. Billiards has been around for a long time. It has evolved bit by bit over the years.
Noble Beginnings
People have been playing billiards for hundreds of years. It is believed to have been created sometime between the 1300s and the 1400s. It began as a game similar to croquet and was popular among the European nobility.
The game was played at a large table with maces resembling golf clubs. There was usually only one hole. Over time it began making waves among the common folk. Billiards was even mentioned in the Shakespeare play Antony and Cleopatra.
Later Changes
The next few centuries brought many developments for the sport. The materials used in the pool table became replaced by ones that allowed for a faster, more enjoyable game.
One development was the invention of cues. People began using these to replace maces. These cues allow for better contact with the ball.
People eventually caught on that you could ricochet balls off of the banks of the table. Discoveries like this meant that the banks became taller and more durable.
In the 1800s, English billiards was imported to America, becoming four-ball billiards. Billiards became very popular in the USA at this time. By 1850, People began using 15 balls instead of four. This gave birth to pool as a sport.
History of Pool
Pool is a quintessentially American pastime.
It is a popular table sport and can be found in most hotels, bars, and casinos. Betting on pool is so popular that it’s likely where the name pool even derives.
By the 1900s, pool began using the 8-ball rule. 8-ball pool is different from the earlier versions of the game because the 8-ball no longer had value. It gives players an additional risk to be wary.
The greatest gift to pool was the casino culture of the late 40s and 50s. Many soldiers returned from World War 2 to see a new era of gambling and recreation. These soldiers had experience with pool overseas and were eager to test their abilities in brand new casinos.
What Exactly Is Pool?
Comparing billiards vs pool, pool is a type of billiards played on a six-pocketed pool table. Most people who have played pool have played 8-ball pool. 8-ball pool is the most well-known type of pool.
The objective is to pocket as many numbered, colored balls as possible. Whoever pockets the most colored balls wins. Pool is supposed to be played between two people.
Players use a wooden cue to strike a white ball, known as the cue ball, against the side of a colored ball. If you accidentally sink a cue ball, you forfeit your turn and you must reset it on the next play.
Never pocket an 8-ball before the colored ones. If you sink a black 8-ball into a hole, you automatically lose. The 8-ball should come in last.
Types of Pool
There is much more than just 8-ball pool. These are the different types of pool:
- Straight pool – Straight pool is no different from 8-ball pool, except it has a score limit. In straight pool, you must reach the agreed score.
- Rotational pool – To win at rotational pool, players must start by hitting the numbered ball of the lowest value. For example, if the lowest number in the rotation is one, you must hit that ball.
- One pocket pool – There is only one legal hole. Players must avoid striking a colored ball into the wrong hole.
What Is English Billiards?
In the United Kingdom, billiards refers to a single sport. Many Americans may be confused by the fact that pool in England has completely different rules. Here is everything you should know.
English billiards is a type of cue sport originating in the United Kingdom. English billiards can be played between individuals or by teams. Each strike counts as a turn for that team.
There are a total of three balls: player 1’s white cue ball, player 2’s yellow cue ball, and a red ball. It is a point-based game where the winning player must reach 12 points.
These points are won by performing a combination of strikes. For example, if your cue ball strikes your opponent’s cue ball and sinks into a hole, you score two points. If it hits a red bowl and then sinks into a hole, you win three points.
Types of English Billiards
There are different types of English billiards. These include:
● Cowboy pool
● Bulldog
● Scratch pool
● 31 pool
● 38 pool
Cowboy pool is the most popular type of English billiards in America.
Snooker
Snooker is a sport that is derived from English billiards. In snooker, you use a cue ball to strike 15 red snooker balls. Each of these balls is worth a single point. There are also six color balls.
All of the balls are unnumbered. Like pool, the objective is to sink each one of these red balls into one of the holes.
Snooker originated in the late 18th century. It was extremely popular among British soldiers in India. This follows a common pattern of billiard sports being popular among stationed soldiers. The reason is probably that billiard tables are small and portable, especially compared to most other sports.
Billiards vs Pool-Summary
Now you know the differences between billiards vs pool. The greatest thing about billiards is that it’s customizable. You can make as many rules as you wish. You can even invent new types of games to play for fun or recreation.
Don’t get caught with your pants down at the pool table. Many people will try to take advantage of your wallet over an unfair bet. Know the different rules and you will come out on top.
