Billiards is a cue sport that involves striking balls on a felt-covered table using a cue stick. While "billiards" is often used as a general term, it actually refers to a family of games played on a table without pockets (in the case of traditional English or carom billiards), with six pockets (like pool and snooker), or nine holes (bar billiards)

There are three main types of billiard games:

1. Pool (American-style) – The most common type, featuring games like 8-ball and 9-ball, played on a six-pocket table with 16 balls.
2. Snooker – A precision game played on a larger table with smaller balls and 21 object balls.
3. Carom (French Billiards) – Played on a pocketless table with three balls; the aim is to bounce the cue ball off both object balls.

I personally like to play 9-ball pool , but all forms of billiards offer a fun blend of strategy, precision, and focus. They're also a great way to socialise, relax, and challenge friends in a casual yet competitive setting.

Why I Love Playing Billiards

Billiards is more than just a game; it's a blend of strategy, precision, and social interaction. Personally, I love the mental challenge of working out the best shot and planning what my next shot would be. The game is pretty immersive so it's also a form of mindfulness for me and a really good stress buster. I also love improving my hand-eye coordination - it gives me a thrill when I strike the cue ball and it does what I hope it will! Lastly, but definitely not least, I love the chance to catch up with my friends for a little friendly competition and also to meet new people through a shared hobby.

Where to Play Billiards in Sydney

I personally learnt to play back in Indonesia before I moved to Sydney, but in this article (below) I've listed some of the best places in this part of the world to play and learn this fun sport:

Whether you’re a casual player looking to unwind after work or a competitive spirit seeking a quiet challenge, billiards is a timeless game that’s easy to pick up and endlessly enjoyable. From relaxed pubs to club-style venues, Sydney has no shortage of places to enjoy a round of pool with friends.