In play, the object is to stroke the cue ball so that it hits the two object balls in succession, scoring a carom, or billiard, which counts one point. The skill involved consists of developing one scoring stroke after another. It is perhaps surprising in the circumstances that this book is one of the longer ones in the Lives in Cricket series, but Littlewood has pursued his project with such diligence his book runs to as many as 190 pages. Snooker Cues: Snooker cues are lighter (16-18 ounces) and longer (57-58 inches) with a thinner shaft and smaller tip diameter (9-10.5mm). This design enables precise cue ball control for the smaller snooker balls and the intricate positional play required in snooker, a game emphasizing strategy and finesse. Pool Cues: Pool cues are heavier (18-21 ounces) and shorter (57-58 inches) compared to snooker cues, with a thicker shaft and a larger tip diameter (12.75-13.25mm). This construction provides the necessary power and control for maneuvering the larger, heavier balls used in various pool games like Eight-ball and Nine-ball. The most typically sold sizes of pool tables range from 7 feet to 9 feet in length.

The most common sizes are 7 feet, 8 feet, and 9 feet in length. The cue is a tapered rod of polished wood or synthetic material, ranging in length from about 40 to 60 inches (100 to 150 cm). In Pool, the number of balls in a full set of pool balls varies depending on the type of the game, but a full set includes sixteen balls, each 2 1/4 inches in diameter: eight solid color balls numbered one to eight, seven balls with a color stripe numbered nine to fifteen, and a solid white ‘cue’ ball. Straight pool is a ‘call-pocket’ game, which means that before shooting, players must say which ball will go in which pocket. Chalk. Pool chalk is used to help prevent the tip of a cue from slipping when it hits the cue ball. Chalk in small cubes is applied uniformly to the cue tip permitting the players to strike the cue ball off centre on purpose in order to impart a spinning motion, called "side" in Great Britain and "English" in the United States. Finally, the six coloured balls must be pocketed in the order of their values.

The other principal games are played on tables that have six pockets, one at each corner and one in each of the long sides; these games include English billiards, played with three balls; snooker, played with 21 balls and a cue ball; and pocket billiards, or pool, played with 15 balls and a cue ball. Some of the early billiards tables had obstacles such as hoops or pegs while others had pockets. When attempting a bank shot, it’s essential to consider the position of both the cue ball and target ball, as well as any obstacles on the table. When executing a safety shot, focus on positioning both the cue ball and target balls in such a way that it becomes challenging for your opponent to make an easy next move. Open table. The target balls are not yet determined. Short rails. The short rails are the two narrower sides of the table. Long rails. The long rails are the two wider sides of the table.

These two games use similar hardware but are different due to the objectives of each game and the number of balls used. You must string to determine who will start the match, which can be based on an imaginary line (head string) or the number of wins (scoring string). The name of Ewart Astill will be familiar to those of us of a certain age who, in childhood and adolescence, were regular readers of Wisden, more particularly its records section. The pockets are wider and more forgiving compared to snooker tables. Cushions: The cushions on pool tables are designed to provide a relatively lively rebound, aiding in faster-paced play. Size: Snooker tables are significantly larger than pool tables, what is billiards with the standard size being 12 feet by 6 feet. Carom billiards is played on a table usually 5 by 10 feet (1.5 by 3 m) or 4.5 by 9 feet (1.4 by 2.7 m). When deciding on a pool table size to fit into a home or other space, buyers should also take into consideration the size of the pool cue. The pockets in the four corners of a pool table are known as corner pockets. A player continues at the table for as long as he succeeds in scoring.