If you’re a fan of cue sports, you might already be aware that billiards encompasses various games played on a table with cue sticks and balls. Each game has unique rules and objectives, providing players with diverse challenges and entertainment. In this article, we’ll explore some popular types of billiards games that you can enjoy.
1. Eight-Ball
Eight-Ball is one of the most well-known billiards games around the globe. Played with a total of 16 balls – one cue ball (white) and seven solid-colored balls (numbers 1-7), plus seven striped balls (numbers 9-15) – it’s an exciting test of skill, strategy, and precision.
Objective:
The objective in Eight-Ball is to pocket all your designated group of balls (solids or stripes) followed by sinking the eight-ball to win. Players take turns shooting until they miss or commit a foul.
2. Nine-Ball
Nine-Ball is an action-packed billiards game that requires players to have excellent shot-making abilities. Unlike Eight-Ball where all numbered-balls are used, only nine colored-balls numbered from one through nine are utilized in this fast-paced variant.
Objective:
In Nine-Ball, the goal is to legally pocket the nine-ball using only shots that contact the lowest-numbered ball first. The player who sinks the final ball wins; however, if any foul occurs during gameplay such as missing or scratching on shots without contacting the lowest number first – penalties apply.
3. Straight Pool
Straight Pool is often regarded as a classic among experienced pool players. In this game, all 15 numbered balls are used, and each player aims to reach a specific target score before emerging victoriously.
Objective:
The main objective of Straight Pool is to accumulate points by pocketing any ball legally. Players must call both the ball they intend to sink and the pocket where it will go. Once a player reaches their chosen target score (often 100), they win the game.
4. Snooker
Hailing from England, Snooker is highly popular in many Commonwealth countries and offers its own set of unique challenges compared to other billiards games.
Objective:
In Snooker, players aim to pocket red balls alternately with colored balls into designated pockets on the table’s edges. The game ends when all reds have been sunk, followed by sinking the colored balls in ascending order of their value (yellow being worth two points up until black worth seven).
5. Carom Billiards
Last but not least, Carom Billiards – also known as carambole – is an intriguing cue sport played without pockets on the table surface.
Objective:
The primary objective of Carom Billiards is for players to strike their cue ball so that it contacts both object balls during a shot (“caroms”). Points can be scored using various methods such as hitting one or both object balls or striking them in specific ways off cushions on the table.
No matter which type of billiards game you choose to play, you’re guaranteed hours of entertainment while honing your skills and competing against friends or fellow enthusiasts. So grab your cue stick and get ready for some thrilling cue sports action!