If you’ve played pool in a UK pub, you’ve almost certainly played English pool (also called British 8-ball or blackball). Here’s how it compares with the American game seen on TV.
At a glance
| English pool | American pool | |
|---|---|---|
| Balls | 7 reds, 7 yellows, 1 black, cue ball | Balls 1–15 (solids and stripes), cue ball |
| Ball size | Smaller (around 2 inches) | Larger (2¼ inches) |
| Table size | Usually 6ft or 7ft | Usually 7ft, 8ft or 9ft |
| Pockets | Tight, with rounded cushion entrances | Wider, with angled cushion entrances |
| Cue tip | Small, around 8–9mm | Larger, around 12–13mm |
| Common rules | Blackball, World Eightball, pub rules | 8-ball, 9-ball, 10-ball (WPA rules) |
How it plays
The smaller table and tighter pockets make English pool a game of cue-ball control and tactics. Tables are often crowded, so safety play and snookers matter as much as potting. Foul penalties — ball in hand under blackball rules, two visits under World Eightball — shape the tactics too.
Getting started
New to the English game? Start with Level 1 of the Pool Academy, then check the glossary for any terms you haven’t heard before.