biljardi

Biljardi is a family of cue sports played on a rectangular table with cues and balls. In most variants the table includes pockets, but some disciplines use a pocketless surface. The games emphasize precision, strategy, and shot-making, with players attempting to strike balls in a prescribed sequence or to score by potting or caroming according to the rules of the variant.

Equipment and table design: Pool tables, common in homes and clubs, typically measure 7 to 9 feet and have six pockets. Carom tables used in three-cushion and related games are larger and pocketless. A standard pool set uses 15 object balls plus a cue ball; carom sets use three balls. Chalk, racks, and various cues complete the setup.

Variants: Pocket billiards or pool includes games such as eight-ball, nine-ball, and straight pool, each with its own rules for object-ball contact, fouls, and scoring. Carom billiards focuses on caroming the cue ball off other balls and cushions, with three-cushion billiards as a prominent discipline.

Competition and governance: International play is organized by bodies such as the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) for pool and the Union Mondiale de Billard (UMB) for carom disciplines. Major events include world championships and professional tours. Regional traditions vary, with distinct rules and formats in different countries.

History: Billiards originated in Europe during the 15th century as a sheltered adaptation of lawn games, evolving into modern pool and carom variants through the 19th and 20th centuries. The sport spread worldwide and developed a diverse ecosystem of clubs, federations, and professional players.