What is the difference between American and British English pool?

The Balls. As with their tables, American pool balls are bigger than British ones by ¼ inch. It may not seem like much of a difference, but at 2 ¼-inches, they're heavier and can therefore carry more forward momentum when rolling than the 2-inch British pool balls.

Is British pool harder than American pool?

With the larger pockets and balls, American pool is an easier game to pick up and learn, especially good if you have children you're looking to get into the game. The game is also a good deal faster with the smoother cloth.

Can you use an English pool cue for American pool?

Using a Snooker or English Pool Cue for American Pool

If using an Englsh pool or Snooker cue for American pool, you will notice a definite decline in your quality of play.

What is the British version of pool?

The game of pocket billiards, or pool, which uses six large pocket openings, is primarily the game played on the American continents and, in recent years, has been played in Japan. The game of snooker is primarily British and is played to a small degree in the Americas.

Is British or American pool better?

The cloth is key factor in why American and English pool tables play so differently. American cloth is primarily a synthetic material, its thinner and smoother to touch. The smoothness means less resistance or friction and with it being napless the balls can roll much further and faster.

British vs American Pool - What's the Difference?

Is English or American pool better?

The short answer is that American tables are larger than British tables. The long answer is that British tables are almost exclusively made in 6ft or 7ft lengths. This makes them the best choice for home games rooms, where space and cueing room can be limited.

How is American pool different?

American Pool uses larger balls, and is played with the spots and stripes design on the balls. All American Pool balls are 2 1/4 inch, including the cue ball (the white ball), as well as this American pool balls are heavier.

What is the rule for American pool?

One player must pocket balls of the group numbered 1 through 7 (solid colors), while the other player must pocket balls 9 through 15 (stripes). The player pocketing either group first, and then legally pocketing the 8-ball wins the game.

Can you jump in English pool?

3.27 JUMP SHOTS

Unless otherwise stated in rules for a specific game it is legal to cause the cue ball to rise off the bed of the table by elevating the cue stick on the shot, and forcing the cue ball to rebound from the bed of the table. Any miscue when executing a jump shot is a foul.

Which country is pool the most popular in?

Pool is most popular in America, whereas snooker is most popular in the United Kingdom. Pocket billiards are also popular in other countries such as Canada, Australia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Ireland, and China.

Do you get 2 shots in American pool?

Under APA and BCA Eight-ball rules after your opponent commits a foul you would not get an extra shot, but you would get ball-in-hand meaning you can place the cueball anywhere on the table from where you can then take your next shot. This is true for any foul committed after the break.

Why is pool scooping illegal?

Yes. Here is the pertinent quote from WPA Rule 8.18: A scoop shot, in which the cue tip contacts the playing surface and the cue ball at the same time and this causes the cue ball to rise off the cloth, is treated like a miscue.

Do you get a free ball in English pool?

Following a foul the table is declared 'open' and the oncoming player takes a 'free' shot. In doing so it is permissible to play onto any object ball. Any ball may be potted, including the black if it is 'on'. In each of the three situations, the player taking the free shot is 'on' reds.

What is the 2 shot rule in pool?

In the event of a foul, the opposing player receives two shots and these shots carry (i.e. if a ball is potted on the first shot, the player still has two shots). When a player gets two shots, they can pick up the white ball and place it anywhere behind the line.

Can anyone play in the US Open pool?

The tournament is an open to men, women and wheelchair users, making it a true "open" tournament, in that the only requirement to play in the event is the payment of the entry fee.

What are the rules of British pool?

Objective. The game is played on a rectangular six pocket table with 15 balls (seven yellows, seven reds and one black 8-ball.) To win, a player or team must pocket all their group of object balls in any order, and then legally pocket the 8 ball.

What is the European version of pool?

Blackball pool (sometimes written black ball), also known as English pool, English eight-ball or simply reds and yellows, is a pool game originating in the United Kingdom and popularized across Europe and The Commonwealth, such as Australia and South Africa.

Is American pool the same as billiards?

American pool is a term used in the United Kingdom, and sometimes more broadly outside North America, to refer to pool (pocket billiards) cue sports that make use of formerly American-style and now professionally world-standardised numbered billiard balls that have a standard diameter of 57 mm (21⁄4 in), as opposed to ...

Is snooker American or British?

History. Snooker originated in the second half of the 19th century. In the 1870s, billiards was popular among British Army officers stationed in Jubbulpore, India, and several variations of the game were devised during this time.

What is English in American pool?

English or “side” refers to sidespin applied to the cue ball (CB) by hitting left or right of the cue-ball vertical centerline. Proper usage suggests the term “english” is preferable to “English” for describing sidespin, but “English” is also commonly used.

Is snooker the same as American pool?

What is snooker? Snooker is played with 15 red balls, 6 coloured balls and 1 cue ball - they are all slightly larger than pool balls. Snooker tables are larger than pool tables, but the 6 pockets on a snooker table are smaller than those on a pool table.

What size is English pool?

British Pool Table Sizes. The two main sizes are 6ft and 7ft. The 7ft tables measure approximately 7ft x 4ft, and the 6ft tables are closer to 6ft x 3ft.

Is pool a mental game?

Pool is largely a mental game.