Pool (cue sports) facts for kids
Pool, also known as pocket billiards, is a fun group of games played with a stick called a cue. You use the cue to hit balls on a special table. This table has six holes, called pockets, around its edges. The main goal of pool is to hit the balls into these pockets.
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The History of Pool: How It Got Its Name
The game we call "pool" got its name in a surprising way! Long ago, places where people gambled on horse races were called "poolrooms." This was because gamblers would "pool" their money together to bet.
These poolrooms often had billiard tables for people to play on. Even though the first "pool" games were played on tables without pockets, the name stuck to pocket billiards as it became more popular.
At first, billiards was seen as a fancy game for rich people. Gambling, however, was not. Because of this, people in the billiards industry tried to change the name. They wanted to distance the game from gambling. But it was too late, and the name "pool" stayed!
Different Ways to Play Pool
There are hundreds of different pool games you can play! Some of the most popular ones include eight-ball, nine-ball, straight pool, and one-pocket. Each game has its own rules and challenges.
You might also hear about a game called snooker. Snooker is played on a table with pockets, just like pool. However, it's considered a separate game with its own rules and history.
There are even some "hybrid" games. These games mix parts of pool with another type of billiards called carom billiards. Examples include English billiards and cowboy pool.
Pool is also a competitive sport. The World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) is the main group that organizes pool competitions around the world. They help set the rules and promote the sport.
Equipment for Playing Pool
Playing pool requires specific equipment. The main pieces are the table, the balls, and the cue stick.
Pool Tables
Pool tables are different from other billiard tables because they have six pockets. Modern pool tables come in various sizes. They can range from about 3.5 feet by 7 feet to 4.5 feet by 9 feet.
Pool Balls
The balls used in pool are usually smaller than those used in carom billiards. Pool balls are typically about 2.25 inches (57 mm) to 2.375 inches (60 mm) across. Carom billiard balls are a bit larger, usually about 2.375 inches (61.5 mm) across.
Cue Sticks
The cue stick is what you use to hit the balls. Modern cue sticks for pool are generally about 58.5 inches (149 cm) long. Older cues, especially those used for "straight pool," were a little shorter, around 57.5 inches (146 cm). Cue sticks for carom billiards are usually about 56 inches (142 cm) long.
Images for kids
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A historic picture of Michael Phelan's Billiard Saloon in New York City from 1859.
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A set of standard pool balls.
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Dutch pool player Niels Feijen at the 2008 European Pool Championship.
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A player getting ready by racking the balls.
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A diagram of an empty pool table.
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How to set up the balls for a game of nine-ball. The 1 ball is at the front, the 9 ball is in the middle, and the other balls are placed randomly.
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