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English Billiards is a cue sport that originated in Great Britain where it is also simply referred to as Billiards.

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The sport is played on a table that is of the same size as a snooker table, measuring 11'8" X 5'10", with six pockets around the table. A total of three balls are required, one cue ball for each player, and a red object ball.

At the start of a game, a play called "string", is used to decide which player gets to play first. Then players take turns to make shots and score points. Points are awarded for the following plays :

• Cannon: Hits the other cue ball and the object ball in any order in a single shot, carries 2 points.
• Potting: Pocket the red ball and other cue ball for points 3 and 2 points respectively.
• In-off: Pocket the cue ball, after the object ball or other cue ball is struck first, for 3 and 2 points respectively.

Multiple plays can be combined in a single shot to score a maximum of 10 points in one single play. A match is played for a fixed number of points, usually 300, and the player to reach it is the winner.

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Similar Sports

• Snooker — played on a table with six pockets. It is played using a cue and 22 snooker balls: one white cue ball, 15 red balls and six balls of different colors. Points are awarded for using the cue ball to pot the red and colored balls.
• Footpool — novelty version of billiards using an oversized table and soccer balls.
• See Cue Sports (general)

Related Pages

• Complete list of sports
• The Encyclopedia of Sports