Billiards has always been a family of games that is played on a table, with a cue stick. The cue stick is used to strike balls that move around on the table. There are different types of billiard ball games. In eight ball games and straight pool, 16 balls are used - 15 are colored and one white ball or "cue" ball. Object balls are numbered one through seven and are solid colored. Balls nine through 15 are white and have a colored stripe that matches a corresponding solid ball. The nine ball has a yellow stripe, the 10-ball has a blue stripe, etc. The eight ball is always black. Regulation balls measure 2 1/4 inches and weight about 5 1/2 to 6 ounces. On of the easiest games to play is Three Cushion billiards. It is played on a table that has no pockets and is slightly larger than a pool table. Three Cushion billiards is played with three balls that are red, yellow and white. The object is to have the cue ball hit the two other balls on the table along with three or more rails. Other games include the Straight Rail or Free Game. It requires the cue ball to hit only the two other balls in order to score a point. Balkline is another game like Straight Rail, but the table has lines that are 18"from each rail that create nine boxes on the table. If a player makes one or two, depending on the game, Straight Rail billiards in a box and drive it across a line. Players try to make the ball come back into a box to continue playing. Three Cushion billiards is the most popular game of all billiard games played. |
