Whats the differance in "pool" and "billiards"?

Question

Also, what is "Pocket Pool" or "Pocket Billiards"?

Answer 1

Eightbraker said it all.  He's the man.  I also use "billiards" as a blanket-term for all cue sports, including Snooker, Carom games, and Pocket Billiards (Pool).  M.D.-BCA Instructor/Referee.

Answer 2

There is a difference between Pool and Billiard , Firstly depends on where you came from. In my experience I have found in Australia ,New Zealand ,America and most part of Asia the game of 8 ball is called Pool and in most part of Europe it is called Billiards.

8 ball - Pool

Pocket Billiard - also known as Pool or 8 ball

Billiard - 3 ball game ( red , yellow and & white ball) played on a 12 ft snooker table.

Carom Billiard - 3 ball game played on a 10 ft table with no pocket.

Pocket Pool - its a game played with normal Pool ball and a pack of cards. ( its a money game)

Note : pending on where you come from it might be a different name used.

Answer 3

The game of billiards is played on a 10 foot table with no pockets and only 3 balls. Each player has a cue ball (one slightly off white or yellow) and there is an object ball (usually red) , your opponents cue ball is also an object ball when you are shooting and vice versa. You score points by hitting rails and object balls , thus the name "billiards". Pool is usually used to describe all the pocket pool games , 8 ball , 9 ball , 1 pocket , etc. etc. Pocket pool is just another name for pool. And pocket billiards is just a fancy term for pool used mostly in the European countries. It all sounds a little confusing but I look at it this way, POOL (with pockets) or BILLIARDS (without pockets). I guess it just depends on how you look at it. Some people , including myself , consider the word billiards to include all cue games.

Answer 4

Same thing just different names used in the uk (billiards) and usa (pool)

Answer 5

Billiards is usually played with bigger tables and with smaller balls.  Calls for more precision.  Also, if you learn on a larger billiards table, once you adjust your shot to the smaller tables, you are usually at a supreme advantage.

Peace.

Answer 6

Interesting question. I've heard 'pool' used mainly in America and Billiards in the UK. I wonder if that has anything to do with it.

Maybe cause you "shoot pool" and you "play billiards"?

Answer 7

Both are the same game. Some places they call it pool and some billiards. I think billiards is a higher class name the pool.

Answer 8

check this site for the differences!

Answer 9

If you look it up in the phone book, they are used as the same term.