Billiard Balls
Billiard balls are at the heart of every pool game, from classic eight-ball to fast-paced nine-ball. However, not all billiard balls are created equal. They come in various types, each designed for specific games and crafted with unique materials and specifications.
1. Pool Balls (American Billiards)
Pool balls are the most commonly used billiard balls, designed for games played on a standard American pool table with six pockets. Here's a closer look at these balls:
Design and Size:
A typical set of pool balls consists of 16 balls: 15 numbered balls and the cue ball.
The numbered balls are divided into solids (1-7), stripes (9-15), and the black 8-ball.
Standard pool balls are 2.25 inches in diameter, with a cue ball often slightly larger or smaller depending on the game.
Common Games:
Eight-ball: Players claim either solids or stripes and then aim to pocket all their balls and the 8-ball to win.
Nine-ball: Players aim to pocket balls in numerical order, with the goal of pocketing the 9-ball.
Straight pool: Players accumulate points by pocketing balls in any order.
2. Snooker Balls
Snooker is a variation of billiards played on a larger table with smaller pockets. The balls used in snooker differ from standard pool balls in several ways:
Design and Size:
A standard set of snooker balls consists of 22 balls: 15 red balls, six colored balls (yellow, green, brown, blue, pink, and black), and a cue ball.
Snooker balls are smaller than pool balls, measuring 2.07 inches in diameter.
Each colored ball has a different point value, with red balls worth one point each.
Common Game:
Snooker: Players aim to accumulate points by pocketing red balls followed by a colored ball, with each color ball being re-spotted until all reds are potted.
3. Carom Balls
Carom billiards, also known as French billiards, is played on a pocketless table. The balls used in carom billiards are different from those in pool and snooker:
Design and Size:
A standard set of carom balls consists of three balls: two cue balls (one white, one yellow) and one red object ball.
Carom balls are larger than pool balls, measuring 2.42 inches in diameter.
Common Game:
Three-cushion billiards: Players aim to hit both the object ball and the opponent's cue ball while hitting at least three cushions in the process.
4. Other Variations
There are additional variations of billiard balls, often used for specialized games or unique formats:
English Pool Balls:
Used in British-style pool, these balls are smaller (2 inches in diameter) and come in sets of red, yellow, and black balls, with a cue ball.
Common games include Blackball and Eight-ball Pool.
Aramith Balls:
Aramith is a popular brand known for its high-quality billiard balls made from phenolic resin, offering durability and consistent performance.
These balls are used in many professional tournaments due to their precision and reliability.