Eight Ball (8-ball) is a call shot game played with a cue ball and fifteen object balls, numbered 1 through 15. One player must pocket balls of the group numbered 1 through 7 (solid colors), while the other player has 9 thru 15 (stripes).

The player pocketing his group first and then legally pocketing the 8-ball wins the game!

Nine Ball (9-ball) is played with nine object balls, numbered one through nine, and a cue ball. On each shot, the first ball the cue ball contacts must be the lowest-numbered ball on the table, but the balls need not be pocketed in order.

If a player pockets any ball on a legal shot, he remains at the table for another shot, and continues until he misses, fouls, or wins the game by pocketing the 9-ball.

After a miss, the incoming player must shoot from the position left by the previous player, but after any foul the incoming player may start with the cue ball anywhere on the table.

Players are not required to call any shot. A match ends when one of the players has won the required number of games.

Diamond tables were developed by professional players, skilled engineers, and designers. The tables meet or exceed all specifications from the professional billiard tour association. They are also used at major sanctioned tournaments across the United States. Now the only blame for a miss is you!

Object of the Game

• Individual play (two players) or team play (four players – two per team)
• Each player or team selects their color balls (five balls per side)
  
  
• Spot balls on each spot with the spotted cue balls in front of scoring holes. Line up balls so that color balls with match scoring hole color at opposite end.
  
  
• To start the game, each player shoots a spotted cue ball at the same time toward opposite scoring holes. The shot must hit the cushion on the player’s right side.
  
  
• Player coming closest to his scoring hole shoots first. If the player makes his spotted cue ball, he will continue to shoot remaining balls until he misses scoring.
  
  
• The opponent then shoots and tries to score. When no score is made, the other player shoots.
  
  
• Player (or team) that sinks all the balls first wins.

To play billiards, also known as "pool," you need four essential things: 16 billiard balls, one pool table complete with six pockets, one cue stick per player, and one ball rack (note that playing pool requires practice and mental skills).

Pool is an indoor game that requires balls, a cue stick, a table, and a rack. You should have two teams with two or four players on each team.

Toss a coin to decide which team will break the set of balls. Decide who will take solid balls and stripes balls before the start of the game. Adjust the balls with the help of the rack on the middle of the pool table.

Choose the cue stick of appropriate weight and length. Apply the square-shaped blue chalk at the end of the cue stick (this needs to be done before every shot). Now hold the thick end of the cue stick in your right hand.

Stand close to the pool table and place the cue ball on the table. Aim properly at the ball you want to hit into the hole. Keep left food forward and the right one about 2 feet back. Place the left hand with palm facing down on the table. Bend toward the table from left knee and keep the right knee straight. The placement of the hand depends where the cue ball is. Typically, it should be 5-10 inches from the cue ball.

Adjust the shaft of the cue stick between the crease of your thumb and the side of your hand. The thumb has to be raised slightly. Glide the stick back and forth in the crease. Apply a little power to the crease for smooth sliding of the cue stick.

Practice the shot before hitting the cue ball. Hit the cue ball in the center. Aim it so that the ball drops into the hole of the table.

Use the ’mechanical bridge’ to hit if you cannot reach the cue ball. Place the cue stick's ridges at the end of the mechanical bridge. It should be 5-10 inches far from the cue ball. Hit the cue ball hard to break the balls arranged on the rack.

Slide all the balls (either solid or stripes) except the black ball (number 8). The player who pots all the balls for his team and the black ball in the holes, is the winner.