American Pool (US Pool)

American pool at a glance

How the game works

All American pool games use the same table and the same set of balls, but the objective changes from game to game:

• 8-ball: the most popular game. One player takes the solids (1–7), the other the stripes (9–15). Pot all your group, then the 8-ball, to win.
• 9-ball: only balls 1 to 9 are used. You must always hit the lowest-numbered ball first, and whoever pots the 9 wins. Fast and spectacular, it's a favourite of professional events.
• 10-ball: like 9-ball but with ten balls, and you must call your shots. Often seen as the fairest test of skill.
• Straight pool (14.1): call any ball into any pocket and score a point per ball, usually up to 100 or more. The game of the legends.
• One-pocket: each player can only score in one corner pocket. A slow, tactical game, sometimes called "chess on a pool table".

The table

American pool tables come in four sizes, named after their approximate length:

• 7-foot "bar box": the coin-operated table found in bars, and the size used in many amateur leagues.
• 8-foot: the most common size for home tables and many pool halls.
• 9-foot: the official size for professional and tournament play.
• 10-foot: very rare today, but still used for a few special tournaments and by players who want the ultimate challenge.

A good table has a heavy slate bed (usually three pieces), firm rubber cushions and a fine worsted cloth. Pockets are wider than on English pool or snooker tables, which makes potting easier for beginners but rewards position play at the top level.

Thinking about a table at home? Check how much space you'll need in our table sizes & room size guide.

Equipment

• Cue: usually about 57–58 in (145–147 cm) long with a 10–13 mm tip, often in two pieces. Many players also carry a lighter break cue and a jump cue.
• Balls: 2¼ in (57.15 mm), numbered 1–15, with solids and stripes. A cue ball of the same size.
• Chalk, bridge and rack: a triangle rack for 8-ball and 15-ball games, a diamond rack for 9-ball. In recent years, thin template racks have emerged and are slowly replacing the old solid racks.

Where American pool is played

American pool is played on every continent. The United States has the largest playing base, with huge amateur leagues and countless bars and pool halls. The Philippines and Taiwan produce many of the world's best players, Vietnam has a fast-growing scene, and the game is strong across Europe, especially in Germany, Austria, Spain, Poland and the Nordic countries.

The professional scene

Top players compete on events such as the World Pool Championship, the US Open Pool Championship and the Mosconi Cup, an annual team event between the USA and Europe. Internationally, the sport is governed by the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA).

Amateur leagues

American pool has one of the biggest amateur league scenes of any sport, with weekly team leagues in bars and pool halls across North America and Europe. Many venues on PoolTrips list league nights.

Famous players and events

Legends of the game include Efren "Bata" Reyes, Earl Strickland, Willie Mosconi and Shane Van Boening, while the Mosconi Cup and the US Open draw the biggest crowds.

A short history

American pool grew out of European billiards games in the 19th century. Straight pool dominated American championships for much of the 20th century, before faster games like 8-ball and 9-ball took over in bars and on television. Films like The Hustler (1961) and The Color of Money (1986) made pool part of popular culture.

Discover other table types

English poola smaller table with tighter pockets and red and yellow balls.Heyball (Chinese pool)American-style balls on a table with English-style pockets.Snookerthe bigger, harder cousin.

Frequently asked questions