Did you know that you can play a variety of games on a billiards table? Or are you one of those people who is only acquainted with the renowned eight-ball game?
Even if such is the case, there is no need to be concerned. As usual, we’ve got your back.
We took the effort to create a list of the best ten billiards games, some of which you may not be familiar with.
Not only that, but we also provide instructions on how to play them.
Is that correct? Let’s get this party started!
- billiards
This game’s setting is more traditional than contemporary.
A conventional billiards table with six pockets is required.
To play, you’ll also need one white cue ball and 22 colored regular balls.
The cue ball is striking for all other colored balls, ensuring that pocketing is done in the proper sequence.
When a player pockets a ball, they get points.
And each player is free to take as many continuous shots as they like as long as they keep the balls in their pockets.
However, players can strike the incorrect ball, which is deemed a foul. In such a scenario, their opponent receives a point.
Another foul occurs when the player inadvertently strikes and pockets the cue ball.
All fouls result in points for the other team. - A single pocket
The billiard table in the One Pocket game, like the one in the Snooker game, has six pockets.
However, each player is only permitted to utilize one pocket at a time, thus the game’s name.
To gain points and beat their opponents, each player must play strategically.
This involves ensuring that they pocket a ball into a particular pocket.
If a player pockets the object ball into their opponent’s selected pocket, their opponent gets the point, and the game ends. This is considered a misdemeanor.
The balls are then repositioned, and another round starts.
When a player fouls, their opponent gets the point. However, if they commit three consecutive fouls, they would immediately lose the game to their opponents.
However, in the One Pocket game, participants do not require to call their shots. And there is no right or wrong way to place the balls on the table. The more haphazardly they are put in, the better it is for everyone.
For example, if a player plays first, they may fire into whatever corner pocket they choose. The second player automatically uses the other leftover corner pocket. - chess
This billiard game is also known as Carambola or Carrom. And the tables are usually without pockets.
Some tables, however, have a heated slate that may also be used as a playing surface.
The goal of this game is for participants to demonstrate their abilities by successfully passing their cue balls over their opponent’s cue ball and directly into a particular object ball.
The player must complete this task in one shot to gain a point.
The carom game includes many variants, so participants may select the ones they want to play.
However, the most popular is played on a straight rail, and players are not subjected to excessive score limitations.
There is also the Balkline, which is distinguished by a slew of stringent regulations. And playing it necessitates participants dividing the table into different predefined regions (balk spaces.)
Artistic billiards is a version of the carom game that provides more enjoyment than the other variations. Players must complete a total of 76 different shots, each with an additional difficulty level and point value.
Players get points based on how well they hit their shots. That is, the more precise one is, the more points they get, and vice versa. - Billiards in English
The English game is what you need to enjoy a balanced mix of carom and pocket billiards.
Players will need two cue balls and a red object ball for this game.
As a result, each side selects a distinct cue ball to use during the game.
At the start of each game, players/teams must decide who goes first.
They do this by taking turns striking their cue balls across the table, causing them to bounce off the cushion before returning.
The winner is the one whose cue ball is closest to the cushion, and they will go first.
The amount of scores determines the winner, as it does in most billiards games.
They may also score points if their cue ball hits the red ball and then their opponent’s cue ball or if they strike the red ball and pocket it.
Another method to gain points is to hit their opponent’s cue ball and pocket it.
After hitting it with another ball, the cue ball is pocketed.
Furthermore, when players commit a foul, their opponents score a point. The winner is the one who has the most issues.
Here’s how you may utilize spins in the English Billiards game: - The Eight Ball
This is the most well-known of the billiards games.
As a result, it is known by different names in different areas of the world. Some people call it “solid and stripes,” while others call it “spots and stripes.”
Each area has its variation, but one constant is the billiard table, which typically has six pockets.
To play this game, players will need 16 balls and cue sticks. And, at the start of each game, they place all of the balls on a rack in the center of the table (apart from 1 white cue ball).
They then use their sticks to hit the cue ball to shatter the stacked balls.
They next go on to pocket balls. However, there is a catch: a player may only pocket the 7 striped or solid balls, not both.
A player wins if they successfully pocket the first seven balls and then pocket the eighth black ball. The player who is the first to accomplish so is proclaimed the winner.
However, if a player pockets the 8th ball before fully lifting the other 7 balls, their opponent immediately wins.
The same is true when a player unintentionally knocks the eight ball off the playing table.
The video following will assist you in understanding the regulations; - Pool
Straight pool, commonly known as 14.1 Continuous, was the most popular billiard game at championships a few years ago.
However, this has shifted over time as players developed a taste for quicker games.
Players will need 15 object balls and a cue ball to play this game.
And, at the start of the game, the 15 balls are stacked in the center of the table, with just two balls touching the rail. The cue ball may also make contact with the rail.
Following that, players may strike and pocket any ball in the rack, but only after calling it out.
To avoid incurring a foul, they should also indicate the pocket where they aim to sink the ball.
Points are used to rank players. And they get to earn them based on how many balls they successfully pocket.
At the start of the game, the teams participating agree on the maximum amount of points. - ruthless
This billiard game is very adaptable since it enables players to play in three or as teams. They also get to choose how many balls they will use.
In a regular game, however, each player on the team/game receives 5 balls. For simple identification, the balls must be numbered.
The game’s goal is for players to pocket each other’s balls, and the winner is the last person whose ball remains on the table.
Players have the legal right to play as long as they continue to pocket balls every time they shoot.
Another distinction between this game and the ones we’ve previously discussed is that participants can sink just one of their balls, as long as it helps them remain ahead of the competition.
When a player’s balls are completely removed from the table, they are eliminated.
They may only re-enter the game if their opponent commits a scratching foul.
This game has many variants, and in each one, participants agree on the number of balls and people allowed in the game.
As a result, the regulations may differ. - Power Snooker
This game is quite similar to snooker. And most players recognize it as the most well-known kind of snooker game.
The main difference between the two games is the fast-paced nature of power snooker (as the name suggests).
Those who have played both agree that this one is more entertaining, making it an enjoyable game for the participants and the spectators.
In 30 minutes, players use nine red balls. And the score is decided by a player’s ability to hit two red balls at the cushion.
They are allowed to re-rack the balls immediately after each frame to complete the 30-minute time limit. The player with the most points is declared the winner.
And it’s more thrilling now that players may demonstrate their skill by completing each of their shots in under 20 seconds.
If a player does not shoot within 20 seconds, they will lose 20 points and lose their position to their opponents. - Ball
This game is more contemporary than traditional, and it is well known to be played only for monetary gain.
However, it has undergone significant modifications in recent years and has earned a position as one of the real billiard games of the modern-day.
The game is fast-paced, making it appealing to both players and spectators.
Players utilize a total of ten balls, including a white cue ball.
The game’s goal is for players to utilize the cue ball to pocket all nine balls to win.
At the start of the game, all nine balls are stacked on the table, and the players must break the rack.
A player may win if they strike the lowest ball or pocket all nine balls without making a mistake.
The game has many variants, which are distinguished mainly by the number of balls involved. They might be seven, six, or even ten balls. - three balls
This game, as the name implies, is played with just three balls and one cue ball.
Players concentrate on sinking all three balls as quickly as possible with the cue ball.
The game is more pleasant with a maximum of five players, but others may disagree.