Differences between pool in the US and the UK?

Question

For those of you with first-hand experience playing pool in both the US and the UK, tell me the most striking differences in the way pool is played. I'm talking about playing equipment, rule differences, terminology, etc? To simplify things, let's stick to how pool is played in taverns and pubs. All I know of English 8-ball is that it's often referred to as "black ball". It's played with reds and yellows instead of stripes and solids. The pool tables there are basically bar-sized snooker tables, with the rounded pockets and the "D" markings. I know you call pocketing balls "potting" balls, the cue ball is the "white", etc. Give me an idea of what a Yankee might expect walking into a British pub looking for a game. M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Answer 1

Well I never played in the UK but quite a bit in Canada and Australia-But 95% of that was Snooker But the Big Diff would be Equip like you already have pointed out -The one stand out would be on a foul The incoming player would get 2 shots instead of ball in hand for 1 shot.

I hope you get a better answer than this one from our UK freinds

                                          Later Johnny

Answer 2

I haven't played (or been) to the UK myself, but some visitors to my website say that the table is not 2:1; I think they said it was 7x4 ft.  And there are no diamonds on the tables, so banking and kicking is strictly by eye or feel.

Answer 3

The rules are posted at wpa-pool.com if you want to look them over. I've read them before and remember there's a few weird rules (in comparison to US 8 ball) like if you play a combo and you pocket your opponent's ball, you must pocket your ball as well or it is a foul.

Answer 4

2 shots after foul is an attention getter that got me! Cues tend to be lighter and small much more rounded tip. However this was actually Ireland for me.

Luck

Kevin