Pool Basics: Equipment Glossary

This will give a basic knowledge of the equipment used in pool and is great for someone with no prior knowledge or experience in pool. People with a working knowledge of pool will find very little information here that they don't already know.

Pool Balls

Pool balls are round balls with one white cue ball and a set of numbered balls going from one to fifteen. There is one black ball (8), a set of striped colored balls (9-15) and a set of solid colored balls (1-7).

Cue Balls

Cue balls are the white ball that you use to knock the rest of the balls into the pockets. You hit it with the tip of your pool cue (also called a stick) to get it to impact the other balls.

Aramith Pool Balls

Aramith pool balls are hard, wear-resistant balls that will last many times longer than the average pool ball. They are fairly expensive, but for someone who plays often on their table, it would be a good money saver in the end.

Pool Ball Colors

There are seven colors of pool balls (not counting eight or the cue), there are two red, light blue, dark blue, light orange, orange, green and yellow. One of each is striped and the other one is a solid.

Pool Ball Set

A set of pool balls will include 16 total balls, one white cue ball, a black eight ball and 14 colored balls, 7 striped and 7 solid. Aramith makes a premium set of pool balls that last longer and wear less on your cloth.

Pool Pockets

On the two long sides of a billiards table, there are three places for the balls to fall called pockets, one on each corner and one on in the middle. When you get all of your balls, including the final eight ball, you win the game.

Pool Brushes

A pool brush is used to clean debris off of your pool table cloth to ensure an even surface for the balls to roll over. It also keeps your table looking nice and clean without any hair or other particles on it.