biljard

Biljard is a family of cue sports played on rectangular tables with cues and colored balls. In many languages, the term biljard refers to billiards in general, encompassing several distinct games such as carom billiards, pool (pocket billiards), and snooker. Although they share equipment, the rules, table types, and objectives vary.

Carom billiards, the original form in many regions, is played on tables without pockets. Players score by caroming their cue ball off the two other balls and the cushions, or by achieving specific combinations, depending on the discipline. Pool, or pocket billiards, uses tables with six pockets and multiple game variants, including eight-ball and nine-ball, which focus on pocketing balls in a prescribed order or set.

Snooker is the British variant played on a larger table with smaller balls and six pockets. The game emphasizes strategic potting of the red balls and color balls in a defined sequence, with points awarded for each successful pot.

Equipment and play: tables are covered with baize cloth, have cushions along the rails, and use cues, chalk, and ball racks. Balls come in sizes and colors appropriate to the discipline; the cue ball is usually distinguished from object balls.

History and organization: billiard games emerged in Europe in the 15th–16th centuries and evolved into modern forms in the 19th and 20th centuries. International and national bodies govern amateur and professional play, and major tournaments are held for each variant.