Pool

[wolf63]

On my way back from Morrison's this morning I passed a Pool/Snooker hall.

The sign outside said that people could play:

*Snooker
*American Pool
*English Pool

Is there any real difference between American Pool and English Pool? Why is it English Pool and not British - I am in Scotland. I know that in Snooker and Pool you have to hit a ball so that it hits another ball and that ball should fall into the hole/pocket - but that is all that I know about these games.

Any help appreciate

Susan

[Stephen_G]

Hi Susan. Yes, there are subtle differences between English and American Pool.
English Pool tables are smaller with smaller pockets. Smaller balls and are usually red and yellow in colour, with an 8-ball as the main object.

There are different games to American Pool (Most people play Spots v Stripes - like the English version. Pot your seven balls and then the 8-ball). There's a version where the value of the ball you pot
( 1 to 15: http://www.mercurylei...o.uk/images/spots.jpg ) are the points you gain.

Then there's 9-ball. You only play with balls 1 to 9 (In a diamond formation, as opposed to the triangle formation in the other variations) and you must break by striking the 1-ball. If you pocket the 9-ball (Usually the last to be potted) from the break then you win the "Rack" You can also use a combination shot to play the object ball onto the 9-ball and than can aso win you the "Rack"

The cues used are slightly different too. Professional English Pool players use snooker cues. American Pool cues are heavier. Pros use a cue for the break shot, another for main shots and an even shorter cue for jump shots.

Bet you wished you'd never asked now, huh?

[wolf63]

Thanks (??) for your very detailed answer. I am sure that I understood the first line of your answer. The rest? I will take your word for it that the games of Pool are different.

I played Pool once (1981) and since we didn't know the rules we must have been playing Scottish Pool.

Just remembered Billiards! Why is it all so confusing?