|
Billiards
is generally played on rectangular tables whose length is twice its width.
The surface of the tables is generally a soft green fabric. It has a rubber
cushioning all round the inner edge of the table. The balls are pushed with a cue, the standard length of which
is 57 inches and standard weight around 538 grams. The measurement of the tip of the cues is also
standardized,
as it comes into contact with the balls and affects the shots. The tip
should have a diameter of 0.5 inches.
A
player generally hits only one ball, the white one called the cue ball. All
the other balls are referred to as object balls. Different colored balls
are allotted different points.
|
A Billiards table |
Depending
upon the style of the game chosen, the billiards table may or may not have
holes or pockets. The object of the game is different in both the styles. In
a game played with a table that has pockets, the object is to drive the
object balls into the pockets with the help of the cue and cue ball. These
games are referred to as pocket games and are very popular in many English
speaking countries. Pocket billiards is referred to as pool and is played on
a table slightly smaller than that used for snooker. Versions in this game
are eight ball, nine ball and straight pool, where each version has its own
set of rules.
In
the other game, where there are no pockets, the object of the game is to
bring the cue ball into contact with the object balls.
Such games are called carom games and are popular in Latin America,
Asia and some parts of Europe. Carom Billiards has a version that uses a balk line, which imposes restrictions on the game. Another version uses
restrictions in the form of cushions, wherein for a point to be scored the
cue ball would need to come in contact with three object balls.
Another
variety of the game, which is known as bagatelle and which is popular in
English speaking countries, is played on an oblong board. The board has nine
numbered cups at its head. The arrangement of the cups is circular. One cup
is positioned in the centre and the other eight cups are placed around it in
a circle. The object of the game is to push as many balls as possible into
the hole. Many rules and restrictions govern the scoring. Differences in
rules and equipment are aplenty in different regions of the world.
|
