Pool (Pocket Billiards)

Introduction

Pool also known as Pocket billiards or Pool billiards is a cue sport. It is played on a six-pocket table using a cue (stick) and a set of colored object balls. There are many variations of this game in which eight-ball pool, nine-ball pool, ten-ball pool, black ball pool and 14.1 continuous pool been most commonly played with each variation having its own set of rules. In 8-ball pool and blackball pool, thereare 15 object balls in which those numbered 1 to 7 have different solid colours while balls numbered 9 to 15 are white with different coloured stripes and the 8-ball is solid black.

Players of the 9-ball pool use nine of the numbered object balls in which 1 to 8 are solid coloured and the 9-ball is striped. In 14:1 continuous pool, the 15 object balls are numbered. The sport is also very popular in clubs and bars around the world.

Objective

To score maximum points by pocketing the balls in a predetermined set of order by following all the rules.

Events

Eight-Ball

In this variation, 15 object balls are used. The players are assigned a set of balls to pot either solid colored set or the striped one based on the first ball pocketed by the first player. After pocketing his set of balls, the player tries to pocket the black ball. The first player to pocket his set of balls plus the black ball wins the game.

Nine-Ball

In this variation, 9 object balls are used. The player has to hit the lowest-numbered ball on the table and legally pocket the 9-ball (it must be pocketed last).

Ten-Ball

In this variation, 10 object balls are used. This variation is similar to the 9-ball pool but slightly harder than it. In this game, all shots must be called by the player in attempting to pocket a ball, i.e., the aimed ball and the pocket must be indicated for each shot.

Blackball Pool

In this variation, 15 object balls including a black ball, 7 red balls and 7 yellow balls are used. The player who pockets his group of ball (either red-colored or yellow-colored set) followed by legally pocketing the black ball wins the game.

14.1 Continuous Pool (Straight Pool)

In this variation, 15 object balls are used with the goal to reach a set no. of points before the opponent. Usually, the game is played to 100 or 125 points. In this game, the player nominates the aimed ball and the pocket on every shot, scoring a point every time he/she achieves it.

Participants

The game of pool is played by either individuals (one player each side) or by teams.

Equipment

Pool (Pocket Billiards) - Chalk

Chalk is applied to the cue tip before every shot that avoids slippage between the cue tip and the ball. 

Pool (Pocket Billiards) - Triangle/Rack

A wooden, plastic or metal frame is used to place billiards balls in their correct position on the table at the beginning of the game. 

Pool (Pocket Billiards) - Ball

A white cue ball and colored object balls are used in pool. The balls have a diameter of 2.25-2.375 inches and weighs around 5.5-6 ounces. In 8-ball pool, blackball pool and 14:1 continuous pool, there are 15 object balls and in 9-ball pool, there are nine object balls. 

Pool (Pocket Billiards) - Rest/Bridge

A bridge is a stick with a metal or plastic head which is used to extend a player’s reach on a shot when the ball is too far for the hand to act as a bridge.

Pool (Pocket Billiards) - Cue stick

Two-piece wooden sticks are used in pool that are around 1-1.5 inches long and weighs around 17-21 ounces. The diameter of the stick tip is 12-14 mm.

Pool (Pocket Billiards) - Table

A six-pocket table is used in pool which has sizes ranging from 3.5 x 7 feet to 4.5 x 9 feet. The slate bed of the pool table must be minimum 1 inch thick. The table has an escape tray which holds the pocketed balls in the order in which they went down.

Techniques

Stance

A good stance help the players in achieving the balance needed to play the shots, but there is no rule regarding a player’s stance. However, a common stance opted by many players is bending the front leg and keeping the back leg straight so that the body weight of the player is evenly distributed.

Spinning The Ball

Spinning technique is used to control the direction of the cue ball. Hitting the cue ball on different areas generate majorly one of the three spins: sidespin (hitting the ball on left or right of the center), topspin/follow (hitting the ball on above-center) and backspin/draw (hitting the ball on below-center).

Swerve

It is a technique used to make a ball curve in its path to help a player get out of a tricky situation. The shot is played by lifting the back of the cue and hitting the cue ball to the left of the center for a left swerve or hitting to the right of the center for a right swerve.

Playing Area

A six-pocket table is used in pool which has sizes ranging from 3.5 x 7 feet to 4.5 x 9 feet; it has its length and breadth in a ratio of 2:1. The slate bed of the pool table must be minimum 1 inch thick. The table has an escape tray which holds the pocketed balls in the order in which they went down.

Officials

Referee

Sole judge and controller of the competition who is responsible for the proper conduct of the game.