Quick answer: “Billiards” is the big family name for games played with a cue and balls on a cloth covered table. Pool, also called pocket billiards, is one kind of billiards, played on a table with six pockets and usually 15 numbered balls plus a cue ball. Carom billiards is played on a table with no pockets, where you score by hitting balls and rails. Snooker is another pocket game played on a larger table with smaller balls. In everyday American talk, people often use “pool” and “billiards” to mean the same thing.
If you have ever wondered why some people say pool and others say billiards, you are not alone. Both words are right. They just mean slightly different things.
What Does Billiards Mean?
Billiards is the general name for cue sports. These games all use a cue stick, balls, and a table covered with cloth and surrounded by cushions, called rails. There are three main branches:
- Pocket billiards (pool)
- Carom billiards
- Snooker
What Is Pool?
Pool is pocket billiards. The table has six pockets, one in each corner and one in the middle of each long side. Most pool games use a white cue ball and 15 colored, numbered object balls.
Popular pool games include:
- 8 ball, where one player shoots solids, the other shoots stripes, and you finish by making the 8.
- 9 ball, where you must hit the lowest numbered ball first and win by making the 9.
- Straight pool, where you call shots and score points to a set total.
- One pocket, where each player gets only one pocket.
Common pool table sizes in homes and bars are 7, 8, and 9 feet long.
What Is Carom Billiards?
Carom billiards is played on a table with no pockets. Instead of sinking balls, you score by making your cue ball hit other balls, and sometimes the rails, in the right way. The most famous carom game is three cushion billiards, where your cue ball must touch the rails at least three times before it hits the last ball. Carom is very popular in parts of Europe, Asia, and South America.
What Is Snooker?
Snooker is a pocket game too, but it is different from American pool:
- The full size table is larger than a pool table, about 12 feet long.
- The balls are smaller.
- It uses 15 red balls and 6 colored balls worth different points.
- Players score by potting a red, then a color, and so on.
Snooker is very popular in the United Kingdom and many other countries.
Quick Comparison
| Pool | Carom | Snooker | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pockets | 6 | None | 6 |
| Balls | 15 numbered plus a cue ball | Usually 3 balls in all | 15 reds, 6 colors, and a cue ball |
| How you score | Pocket balls | Hit balls and rails | Pot reds and colors for points |
So Which Word Should You Use?
In the United States, most people say “pool” when they mean games like 8 ball and 9 ball. “Billiards” can mean the same thing in casual talk, and many pool halls call themselves billiards halls. If you want to be exact, say pool for pocket games and carom billiards for the no pocket games.
Which One Should You Learn First?
For most people in the United States, pool is the easiest place to start because tables are easy to find in bars, game rooms, and pool halls. Once you know the basics of aiming and cue ball control, those skills help in carom and snooker too.
Common Pool and Billiards Words
- Cue ball: the white ball you hit with the cue.
- Object ball: any ball you are trying to hit or pocket.
- Rail or cushion: the rubber edge around the table.
- Break: the first shot that spreads the rack.
No matter what you call it, it is a great game for all ages.
Keep Reading on This Site
- One Pocket Rules: How to Play the Pool Game of Patience and Defense
- Pool Table Sizes: 7, 8, and 9 Foot Tables and How Much Room You Need
- How to Play Billiards: 8 Steps From Setup to Your First Game
- How to Play Cutthroat Pool: Rules for 3 Players in 6 Simple Steps
- Straight Pool Record History: From 526 to 832
- Billiard Terms and Definitions: 25 Words Every Player Should Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pool the same as billiards?
Pool is one kind of billiards. Billiards is the family name for all cue sports, including pool, carom, and snooker.
Does billiards have pockets?
Pool and snooker tables have pockets. Carom billiards tables have no pockets.
What is three cushion billiards?
It is a carom game where your cue ball must touch the rails at least three times before hitting the last ball.
How is snooker different from pool?
Snooker uses a larger table, smaller balls, and 15 reds plus 6 colors that score points.