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Pool Games |
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The term pool games is the general name given to all billiard games played on a table with pockets. Also known as pocket billiard games, pool games are mostly popular throughout the United States.
History
The origins of billiards is believed to be in an outdoor game, similar to croquet, which was commonly played by French high society on the 14th-15th centuries. About 400 years later, when the billiard game had finally arrived to America, it used to be played in pool halls, where people used to bet on horses. Ever since then, pocket billiard games are still known as pool games.
Pool vs. Billiard
At the beginning of the 20th century, the pool game had begun to be taken seriously. The pool game was no longer an underground activity but an Olympic sport. Therefore, officially, the term pool has been replaced with billiard or pool-billiard.
Equipment
Pool games are all played on long, rectangular tables with six pockets: four corner pockets and two side pockets. Other essential equipment is the long, usually wooden stick called cue (or cue stick, or cue ball), a set of billiard balls and the white cue ball.
Types of Pool Games
8-Ball Pool Game
8-ball is the most well known game of all pool games. The pool game of 8-ball is played with 15 object balls plus the cue ball. The object balls are divided into two groups of solid and striped balls. The 8-ball player's goal is to sink one group of balls into the table pockets according to the specific rules and then to sink the 8-ball to a called pocket prior to his opponent.
9-Ball Pool Game
Up until recently, 9-ball pool used to be played mostly by pro players. Currently, it is commonly played by recreational players as well. Major 9-ball tournaments include the US Open and the World 9-Ball Championship. The pool games of 9-ball pool is played with nine, numbered object balls and the cue ball. The object of the game is to pocket the 9-ball. During the game, the players are required to cause the cue ball to contact the lowest ranked ball on the table.
Straight Pool (14.1 Pool) Game
Straight pool, also known as 14.1 continuous, or 14.1 pool, used to be THE professionals' pool game in the US, but its place has been taken by pool games such as 9-ball and 8-ball. Straight pool is played with 15 numbered object balls. The players' objective is to score a predetermined sum of points (usually 150) before his opponent.
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