billiards

Billiards is a family of cue sports that involve striking a small ball with a cue stick to propel it along a flat playing surface covered with a cloth. The objective is to sink the balls into pockets placed at the corners and along the longer sides of the table. The game is played on a rectangular table with six pockets, and the most common variations include eight-ball, nine-ball, and straight pool.

The most popular form of billiards is eight-ball, which is played with 15 object balls numbered 1 through 15, with the 8 ball being the most valuable. Players take turns shooting the cue ball to strike and pocket object balls, with the goal of sinking the 8 ball after sinking all of their group's balls. The game is won by the player who legally pockets the 8 ball after sinking all of their group's balls.

Nine-ball is another popular variation, played with nine object balls numbered 1 through 9. The objective is to sink the 9 ball after sinking all of the lower-numbered balls in ascending order. The game is won by the player who legally pockets the 9 ball after sinking all of the lower-numbered balls.

Straight pool, also known as one-pocket or bank pool, is a variation of billiards where the objective is to sink all of the object balls into a single pocket. The game is played with 15 object balls and a cue ball, and players take turns shooting the cue ball to strike and pocket object balls.

Billiards is played in various settings, including recreational clubs, bars, and tournaments. The sport has a rich history and is enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. It requires skill, strategy, and precision, making it a popular choice for both casual and competitive players.