Pool (cue sports)
A group of cue sports played on a six-pocket billiard table.
Pool is a group of cue sports played on a billiard table with six pockets along the rails, into which balls are shot. The most popular pool games include eight-ball, nine-ball, and straight pool, with eight-ball often considered synonymous with the term 'pool'. The sport has a complex etymology and a history rooted in 19th-century English games imported to the United States.
- equipment_table_size
- 3.5 by 7 feet to 4.5 by 9 feet
- ball_diameter
- 2.25 inches (57.15 mm)
- most_popular_game
- eight-ball
- governing_body
- World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA)
Lore & Background
The etymology of 'pool' is uncertain, with the Oxford English Dictionary speculating it derives from the French 'poule' (hen), referring to a medieval game where participants pooled money to throw stones at a live chicken. Alternatively, it may come from the verb 'to pool' meaning to combine stakes. In the British Empire, 'pool' specifically referred to life pool for much of the 19th to early 20th century.
Reader's Guide
Pool games today, with the exception of one-pocket, descend from two English games imported to the United States during the 19th century: English billiards (which became American four-ball billiards) and pyramid pool. Eight-ball appeared at the beginning of the 20th century and is now the most frequently played discipline. The distinctive colored and striped balls appeared by 1889, replacing uniformly deep-red object balls. Nine-ball is the predominant professional game, with major tournaments including the US Open Nine-ball Championship and the Mosconi Cup.
Did You Know?
- The Oxford English Dictionary speculates 'pool' may derive from the French 'poule' (hen), from a medieval game involving throwing stones at a live chicken.
- The distinctive striped and solid ball colors were introduced by 1889; before that, object balls were uniformly deep-red.
- Eight-ball is the most frequently played pool game and is often thought of as synonymous with 'pool'.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pool in the context of cue sports?
Pool is a family of cue sports played on a billiard table with six pockets, where players use a cue stick to strike balls into those pockets. It is distinct from carom billiards, which is played on a table without pockets.
What are the most popular pool games?
Eight-ball, nine-ball, and straight pool are the three most widely played pool disciplines. Eight-ball is so dominant that the word 'pool' is often used as a shorthand specifically for that game.
What are the standard dimensions of pool equipment?
A standard pool table ranges from 3.5 by 7 feet up to 4.5 by 9 feet, and the balls measure 2.25 inches in diameter while weighing between 5.5 and 6 ounces. A modern cue stick is typically 58.5 inches long.
Who governs competitive pool worldwide?
The World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) acts as the international governing body, establishing official rules and sanctioning competitive pool events across the globe.
Where did pool originate historically?
Pool's lineage traces to 19th-century English cue games that were imported to the United States, where they evolved into the distinct pocket-based disciplines recognized today.
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