Pool

POOL
The history of Pool is very rich. This game has been played by kings and commoners, ladies and
gentlemen alike.
Pool is a family of cue sports played on a pool table having six receptacles called pockets into
which balls are deposited as the main goal of play. Modern pool tables generally range in size
from 3.5 feet by 7 feet, to 4.5 feet by 9 feet. The dimension of balls range from 2.25 inches to
2.337 inches in diameter and weighs 156-170 g. Modern cue sticks are generally 58.5 inches
long.
Types of pool games: Eight-ball, Nine-ball, Ten-ball, straight pool, One-pocket and bank pool.
Eight-ball is the most commonly played game in United States. This game is played with a full
rack of fifteen balls and a cue ball which is denser and heavier than other balls. This contains
two suits, one of solid balls and other of striped balls each of 7 balls. Player have to pocket his or
her suit and then legally pocket the 8
th
ball at the end. The player who does this before his or
her opponent wins the game.
Nine-ball is predominantly professional game. The largest nine-ball tournaments are the
independent U.S. Open Nine-ball Championship and the WPA World Nine-ball Championship. It
uses only the 1 through 9 balls and cue ball. The player at the table must make a legal contact
with the lowest numbered ball on the table or a foul is called. The game is won by a player who
legally pockets the nine ball.
Pool is governed internationally by the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA). The WPA
represents pool in the World Confederation of Billiard Sports, which in turn represents all forms
of cue sports, including carom billiards and snooker in the International Olympic Committee.
Some well-known players in this sport include Efren Reyes in Men’s Eight-ball and Francisco
Bustamante in Men’s nine-ball, both of Philippines origins and Earl Strickland in Men’s nine-ball
of America.