Equipment and supplies used in playing billiards or pool are the focus of this portion of our guide.

A popular cue sport, pool has several game types, including eight-ball, nine-ball, one-pocket, bank pool, and straight pool, each with its own nuances and rules. However, each of these games shares a common reliance on specific equipment and supplies.

The pool table is the central piece of equipment for any game of pool. Pool tables come in various sizes, the most common being 7-foot, 8-foot, and 9-foot tables. The surface of the table, known as the bed, is typically made of slate and covered with a smooth cloth, usually green, although other colors are also available. The fabric reduces friction and allows the balls to roll smoothly.

Pool cues, also known as pool sticks, are another important piece of equipment. Pool cues are usually made of wood, although synthetic materials like fiberglass and carbon fiber are also used. A standard cue stick is about 58 inches long and consists of three main parts: the tip, the shaft, and the butt. The tip is made of leather and is the part that strikes the cue ball.

A standard pool set consists of 15 object balls and one cue ball. The object balls are numbered from one to fifteen, and are either solid (balls 1-8) or striped (balls 9-15). The cue ball is usually white and slightly smaller than the object balls. The balls are made of a durable plastic material, such as phenolic resin, to withstand the rigors of repeated play.

In addition to these central pieces of equipment, several accessories are commonly used in pool. Chalk is applied to the cue's tip to increase friction and prevent miscues. A triangle rack is used to arrange the balls into the correct formation at the start of the game. Additionally, some players will use a cue case to protect and transport their cue sticks.

Billiards, also referred to as "carom billiards" or "English billiards," is another cue sport with its own distinct set of equipment and supplies. While billiards and pool share several characteristics, there are notable differences in the equipment used for the game.

Billiards tables are larger than pool tables, having a standard size of 10 feet. Unlike pool tables, billiard tables do not have pockets. The bed of a billiard table is made of slate, like a pool table, and covered with a similar fabric, but the absence of pockets and the larger size contribute to a different style of play.

Billiard cues are similar to pool cues but are often slightly shorter and lighter. They are designed for precision and control, which contribute to the intricate shots required in billiards. The tips of billiard cues are usually smaller in diameter than those on pool cues, allowing for more delicate strikes.

A set of billiard balls typically consists of only three balls: two cue balls (one white, one yellow) and one red object ball. The balls are larger and heavier than pool balls, affecting how they move and interact on the table. The materials used in billiard balls are similar to those used for pool balls.

Like pool, billiard balls require chalk for the cue tips and a cloth to maintain the table surface. However, because billiard tables don't have pockets, there's no need for a triangle rack. Instead, players use various accessories to mark table positions and to accurately measure distances.

For more information and resources on the game itself, please see the corresponding category in our Sports & Recreation category. This category focuses on shopping, highlighting manufacturers and retailers offering equipment and supplies for pool, billiards, or similar games.

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