Billiards vs. Pool vs. Snooker - What’s the Difference?

Most would say that they are rather familiar with the rules of Pool, that common table game that is often found in pubs, and pool halls across the world. However, the knowledge tends to end there.

The word ‘Pool’ has become almost ubiquitous across the world to mean any game that uses a table with pockets, a cue stick, and balls.

However, that is simply not the case.

Much like a deck of cards, there are many different games that can be played with these setups that are wildly different from each other. 

In many cases, although it may not be apparent, cue sticks and table sizes are vastly different as well. Billiards, Pool, and Snooker are all three cue games that are totally unique from each other, though they often get referred to under the same name.

Dating back to the 14th century, nobles were quite famous for inventing new and exciting ways to entertain themselves. The prevailing theory is that while lawn games such as croquet had become popular, nobles became frustrated that they could not play them year-round. Thus, they invented indoor, table-top versions of these popular lawn games. From these early versions of table top cue games, evolved the wide range of cue games we see today. 

Following the natural evolution of sports, different families would then begin to establish their own rules, and the ones that were popular stuck around. This is likely why we see so many varieties of cue games that appear to be similar, but are wildly different.

Let’s take a few moments to break down what makes each one of these three games unique, and how they differ from each other.

Billiards

I will start by covering Billiards - or rather, Carom Billiards, because it is often the most misunderstood of the three, and it is in fact the game from which Pool and Snooker both derived. While it may look very similar to its cue game counterparts, Billiards is perhaps the most different of the three.

First, let’s start with the table.

Different Cloth Material:

The table for Billiards typically measures 9.3ft x 4.7ft, although in the USA you may find Billiard tables that measure 10ft x 5ft. The table also utilizes a different material, rather than the felt that is always used for Pool tables. Instead, a Billiard table will use a fabric called ‘baize’ which is made from 100% worsted wool.

No Pockets:

The other primary difference you will immediately notice is the lack of pockets. This is due to the fact that the rules for Billiards do not require the use of pockets at all, thus they are absent in the construction of a true Billiards table.

Only Three Balls:

In Carom Billiards, or often referred to as Three Cushion Billiards, the game is played with three balls; Red, Yellow, and White. The Yellow and White balls are each cue balls, and belong to each player or team depending on your preference. 

The red ball is known as the ‘object ball’.

Larger Balls:

The balls in Billiards are also unique, in that they are slightly bigger than a Pool ball, and considerably larger than a Snooker ball. The standard Billiard ball will measure at 2 7/16 inches and weigh between 7.23 - 7.75 ounces.

Scoring Rules:

The way to score is by hitting your cue ball into the other two balls to get a point. However, in order for a point to be granted, your cue ball must hit three different sides, or cushions, of the table before striking the second ball.

If a player fails to strike three sides, they forfeit their turn. If a player strikes the second ball without hitting three sides, they are penalized a point. Typically the game ends once a player has reached an agreed upon amount of points, for example 50.

Carom Billiards is a rather simple game in concept, but complex in skill.

Pool

Pool is a game that is widely considered as the closest derivative of Billiards, and in fact is often considered a version of Billiards in and of itself. However, there are some key differences that set it apart.

Pockets & Size: 

The most obvious difference, of course, is the presence of 6 pockets. One in each corner, and two at the midway points. The size of a Pool table can vary slightly, and is commonly found in 7ft, 8ft, and 9ft options, however in some rare cases you may see a 10ft Pool table as well.

No matter the length, the Pool table will always be a rectangle with a 2:1 ratio in length and width. Much like Snooker, the table will be coated in felt, typically green in color.

There are several variations of Pool that are commonly played, and each comes with their own sets of rules and playing styles.

In 3-ball Pool there will be 3 balls, in 9-ball Pool there will be 9 balls, and in 8-ball Pool there will be 15 balls.

Balls: 

The balls will be slightly smaller than a Billiard ball, measuring at 2 - 2 3/16 inches, however the weight is rather similar to a Billiard ball.

8-ball Pool is by far the most popular, and practiced version of Pool.

It is played with 15 balls plus one cue ball. The balls will consist of 7 striped balls, and 7 solid balls, as well as 1 black ball (the 8-ball).

The game begins with a break, in which the starting player or team will strike the cue ball into the ‘racked’ balls, with the 8-ball at the center. After the break, each player will take turns striking the cue ball into the object balls until one is potted (hit into a pocket). Based on which type of object ball is potted first, stripes or solids, determines the designated target object balls for each team or player.

The players will then take turns attempting to pot their object balls with the cue ball until all 7 are cleared, finishing with the 8-ball. A player will continue to play until they fail to hit their own object ball, or commit a foul.

A foul can be:

• Hitting the cue ball off of the table.
• Potting an opponent's object ball.
• Hitting the cue ball twice.
• Pushing the cue ball rather than striking.

There are several ways that you can win 8-ball pool, as well. The primary way to win is by pocketing the 8-ball after you have potted all 7 of your own object balls before your opponent.

Other ways to win include:

• Your opponent illegally potting the 8-ball, and thus forfeiting the game.
• Your opponent knocking the 8-ball off of the table, and thus forfeiting the game.

8-ball may appear to be vastly more complicated than Carom Billiards on the surface, however, it is widely considered to be a far more accessible game for cue game newcomers.