Pool
Officially Pocket Billiards (Pool)
Cue sport played on a 7-9 ft pocketed table with 15 numbered object balls and a white cue ball; primary variants are 8-Ball (stripes vs solids) and 9-Ball (lowest to highest).
What is Pool?
Pool (pocket billiards) is a family of cue sports played on a rectangular table with six pockets — one at each corner and one in the middle of each long side. Players use a cue stick to strike a white cue ball, which then hits numbered object balls that must be pocketed according to the rules of the specific variant. The two most-played variants are 8-Ball (fifteen numbered balls: 1-7 solids, 8-ball black, 9-15 stripes — one player pockets solids, the other stripes, then the 8-ball wins) and 9-Ball (rack of 1-9; players must hit the lowest-numbered ball first; the 9-ball wins). Pool emerged from lawn billiards moved indoors in 15th-century Europe, and modernised in 19th-century America. Modern pool tables are 7 ft (bar/tavern), 8 ft (home), or 9 ft (professional).
Quick facts
Category
Precision Sports
Type
Individual
Players
2–4
Duration
~30 min
Where played
indoor
Field / court
pool table
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
15th-century lawn billiards moved indoors; American 'pocket billiards' codified late 1800s; 8-Ball c. 1900; 9-Ball c. 1920
Olympic
No
Popularity
global
How it works
Objective
Pocket the target balls according to the variant's rules (8-Ball: your group then 8-ball; 9-Ball: legally pocket the 9-ball).
Match structure
In 8-Ball: rack 15 balls; break; the first legally-pocketed ball determines your group (solids or stripes); pocket all your group before the 8-ball; call the pocket for the 8-ball. In 9-Ball: rack 1-9 in diamond with 1 at front and 9 in middle; always hit the lowest-numbered ball first; whoever legally pockets the 9-ball wins the rack. Race-to-N format: first player to win N racks wins the match.
Rules
Basic rules
The break
The opening shot; cue ball hits the rack. In 9-Ball, 3+ balls must reach a cushion. In 8-Ball, 4+ balls must hit cushions unless a ball is pocketed.
Call your shot (8-Ball)
APA and BCA rules require calling the ball and pocket for the 8-ball (most non-8 shots are not called).
Legal hit
Cue ball must first hit the lowest-numbered ball (9-Ball) or your own group (8-Ball); one of your balls must be pocketed or a ball must reach a cushion.
Scratch
Cue ball is pocketed or jumps off the table — opponent gets ball in hand (place cue anywhere).
Winning 8-Ball
After pocketing all your group, call the pocket and legally pocket the 8-ball.
Losing 8-Ball instantly
Pocketing the 8-ball before your group, scratching on the 8, or knocking 8-ball off the table = immediate loss.
Winning 9-Ball
Legally pocket the 9-ball at any time — whether as the first target or via combo/carom shot.
Advanced rules
Push out (9-Ball)
After the break, the shooter may push the cue ball to any position without hitting a ball. Opponent then chooses to shoot or pass.
Ball in hand
After any foul, opponent places the cue ball anywhere on the table. Massive advantage — nearly always wins the rack for a pro.
Safety play
Deliberately leaving the cue ball where opponent has no shot — key tactic at high level.
Jump shot
Legal in most variants; use a shorter jump cue to leap over an obstructing ball. Requires downward angle.
Masse shot
Extreme curve created by hitting down on the cue ball. Impressive but rarely optimal.
Combination and carom shots
Advanced planning that pockets a ball using another ball or a cushion rebound.
Scoring
Games are 'races' — first to N racks wins the match. In-rack scoring is binary: win the rack or don't.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Legally pocketing 8-ball (8-Ball) | Rack won |
| Legally pocketing 9-ball (9-Ball) | Rack won |
| Scratch on 8-ball | Rack lost |
| Cue ball off table | Opponent has ball in hand |
| Failure to hit lowest ball (9-Ball) | Foul, opponent has ball in hand |
Win condition · First player to reach the agreed race-to-N total wins the match.
Playing area
Called
pool table
Dimensions
7 ft / 8 ft / 9 ft models (playing surface 3.5-4.5 m × 1.75-2.25 m); slate bed covered with felted cloth.
Rectangular table with 6 pockets (4 corner, 2 middle side). Playing surface bounded by rubber cushions. Standard cloth is worsted wool (Simonis, Hainsworth).
Equipment
Cue stick
58-in wooden or graphite cue with leather tip; 18-21 oz.
Cue ball
White ball, 2.25 in (57 mm) diameter, 6 oz (170 g).
Object balls
15 numbered balls: 1-7 solids (yellow, blue, red, purple, orange, green, maroon), 8 (black), 9-15 stripes.
Chalk
Applied to cue tip to prevent miscues.
Rack (triangle)
Used to rack 15 balls in a triangle for 8-Ball; diamond rack for 9-Ball.
Bridge / rest
Support for the cue when the shot is out of hand-reach.
Officiating
Professional matches (Mosconi Cup, World Championships) have a referee at each table to call fouls, place balls, and manage ball-in-hand.
- Referee
- Chief Referee
- Statistician
Strategies
Position over pocketing
Elite players think 2-3 shots ahead — pocketing the current ball while positioning cue for the next.
Safety play
If a run-out isn't possible, deliberately hide the cue ball behind another ball to leave opponent snookered.
English (spin)
Add left/right/top/bottom spin to control the cue ball after contact — essential for position play.
Break with intent (9-Ball)
Aim to pocket the 1-ball on the break and leave the cue ball centre-table with a clear shot.
Two-way shots
Attempt a shot that either pockets the ball or leaves a safety — hedging risk.
Terminology
- Rack
- Both the triangle (or diamond) that arranges the balls, and one complete game.
- Break
- The opening shot of a rack.
- Scratch
- Pocketing the cue ball or knocking it off the table — a foul.
- Ball in hand
- Placement of the cue ball anywhere after opponent's foul.
- Safety
- Deliberate defensive shot leaving opponent no clear pot.
- English
- Sidespin applied to the cue ball.
- Draw
- Backspin — cue ball travels backward after contact.
- Follow
- Topspin — cue ball follows the object ball forward after contact.
- Combination
- A shot in which the cue hits ball A which then pockets ball B.
- Kick shot
- Cue ball rebounds off one or more cushions before hitting the object ball.
- Bank shot
- Object ball is hit into a cushion before going into the pocket.
- Run out
- Winning a rack in one visit at the table.
- Snooker
- State where cue ball has no direct line to any legal object ball.
- Bridge
- The hand position that supports the cue during a shot; also a mechanical support.
Major competitions
Mosconi Cup (USA vs Europe, 9-Ball)
annual · USA / Europe alternating · since 1994
WPA World Nine-ball Championship
annual · worldwide · since 1990
WPA World Ten-ball Championship
annual · worldwide · since 2008
US Open Nine-ball Championship
annual · USA · since 1976
World Cup of Pool (doubles)
annual · worldwide · since 2006
Where it is played
Governing bodies
World Pool-Billiard AssociationWPA
Founded 1987 · Lausanne, Switzerland
Official site ↗Billiard Congress of AmericaBCA
Founded 1948 · Broomfield, USA
Official site ↗Matchroom Multi Sport (pro tour)
Founded 1982 · Brentwood, UK
Official site ↗
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Efren 'Bata' Reyes (Philippines) — 'The Magician'; multiple world champion, greatest all-round pool player
- Willie Mosconi (USA) — 15× BCA world champion (straight pool), 526-ball run record
- Ronnie O'Sullivan — technically snooker, but crosses over
- Earl Strickland (USA) — 3× World 9-Ball Champion
- Francisco 'Django' Sanchez Ruiz (Spain) — 2022 World 9-Ball Champion
- Shane Van Boening (USA) — 5× US Open 9-Ball Champion
- Kelly Fisher (UK) — women's world champion
- Alison Fisher (UK) — 11× WPBA World 9-Ball Championship winner
Records
Longest continuous straight-pool run
Willie Mosconi — 526 balls (14.1 continuous) — 1954, unmatched (1954)
Most Mosconi Cup MVPs
Shane Van Boening — 3 (2016, 2019, 2022) (2022)
Fastest 9-ball rack (pro exhibition)
Various — Under 15 seconds
Best-of-11 winning streak (Mosconi Cup format)
Team Europe 2010s dynasty — 9 consecutive Mosconi Cups (2010-2018) (2018)
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Grip and bridge
Grip the cue lightly with the back hand; form a stable bridge with the front hand — closed, open, or rail bridge.
- 2
Stance
Feet shoulder-width; dominant eye over the cue; steady body position.
- 3
Straight stroke
Practice a smooth, straight cue delivery hitting the cue ball's centre.
- 4
Simple potting
Aim for the pocket via the 'ghost ball' method — imagine where the cue must strike the object ball.
intermediate
- 1
Cue ball spin (English)
Learn to apply top, bottom, left, and right spin — and how it affects cue-ball direction after contact.
- 2
Position play
Pot the ball AND leave the cue ball in a good spot for the next shot.
- 3
Basic safeties
Learn to hide the cue behind a ball when a run-out isn't on.
- 4
8-Ball match strategy
Choose your group carefully; keep your key balls close to their pockets.
advanced
- 1
Break optimisation
9-Ball break: cut angle, cue ball placement, controlled speed to pocket the 1 and stay centre.
- 2
Pattern play
Plan a full run-out from break; choose sequences that minimise cue-ball travel.
- 3
Advanced kick and jump shots
Escape safeties with kick shots off cushions or legal jump shots.
- 4
Mental game
Maintain concentration through 100+ racks in tournament play; develop pre-shot routine.
Frequently asked
Is pool the same as billiards?+
Billiards is the umbrella term. Pool = pocket billiards (with pockets). Carom billiards = pocketless. Snooker is a distinct pocketed variant with 22 balls.
What's the difference between 8-Ball and 9-Ball?+
8-Ball uses 15 balls split into solids/stripes; the 8-ball must be pocketed last. 9-Ball uses balls 1-9; you must always hit the lowest ball first, and legally pocketing the 9 wins.
What is 'ball in hand'?+
After any foul, the incoming player places the cue ball anywhere on the table before shooting. At professional level this is nearly always converted to winning the rack.
What size is a pool table?+
Standard sizes: 7 ft (bar/tavern), 8 ft (home), 9 ft (professional). WPA world championships use 9 ft tables.
Can you jump the cue ball?+
Yes — legal jump shots use a downward stroke into the cue ball to leap over blockers. Illegal jumps (scooping under) are fouls.
Who is the greatest pool player ever?+
Consensus picks are Efren Reyes (versatility, imagination) and Willie Mosconi (dominance in straight pool). Modern era: Shane Van Boening or Fedor Gorst.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Pool (cue sports)— Wikipedia
- World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA)— WPA
- Matchroom Pool— Matchroom