What are the Differences Between English and American Pool? - Pool Table Buying Advice

Sdílet
Vložit
  • čas přidán 17. 05. 2016
  • English and American pool have the potential to be two very different games, and the differences cover virtually every aspect of the game from the table size, the size and weights of the balls, the type of cloths, the types of cue... The list goes on.
    Here we'll look at each aspect that makes these two styles of cue sport so different.
    Visit us in our Bristol Showrooms: www.homeleisuredirect.com
    Follow us on Twitter: #HomeLeisure
    Like us on Facebook: / homeleisuredirect
    Add us on Google+: plus.google.com/+Homeleisured...
    Follow us on Pinterest: / homeleisure
    Follow us on Instagram: / homeleisuredirect
  • Hry

Komentáře • 561

  • @MattLloydTube
    @MattLloydTube Před 6 lety +218

    So many pubs in England have English tables and American cues

    • @Zachymcsmacky
      @Zachymcsmacky Před 4 lety +5

      Yes! Find that so annoying!

    • @Jmcinally94
      @Jmcinally94 Před 4 lety +10

      I've seen so many English tables with American balls! I reckon people just need to replace the balls and are clueless as to what to do.

  • @larryschweitzer4904
    @larryschweitzer4904 Před 4 lety +11

    I lived in London during the 70s and never saw a pool table in the pubs. As a kid I grew up shooting bumper pool in the tavern. Then my Dad bought a very old 9' snooker table. When I went to (USA) college they had billiards, snooker & pool tables. My German friend & I made pretty good money playing 8 ball. So easy after having played on a snooker table for years. We did get our asses kicked by the old men in the down town pool hall. I now have a 9' snooker table at home. A set of standard snooker balls and a set of 2 1/4" rotation balls. Few of my friends play snooker so they always opt for 8 ball, then get beat easily. I don't think they ever considered the difference in ball size or how it affects the game. I greatly prefer snooker. Thanks for the well done video.

  • @jewby08
    @jewby08 Před 6 lety +136

    This is the definitive English vs American pool comparison video. The combination of accurate information delivered succinctly with high quality production and editing is top quality. Also, the subtlety of the salesmanship is refreshing and commendable. I already have a pool table (English) and it makes me want to buy another one! Thank you, I learned a lot and was highly entertained.

    • @HomeLeisureDirect
      @HomeLeisureDirect  Před 6 lety +10

      Thanks for the amazing feedback Paul. It's much appreciated. We've got plenty more in the pipeline. It's just finding the time to get them filmed. In the mean time please enjoy the rest of our channel. Thanks again.

    • @bighands69
      @bighands69 Před 4 lety +2

      I have an American competition Pool table and Competition grade snooker table. Both are great fun offering two completely different games.

    • @raygrinders3918
      @raygrinders3918 Před 3 lety +1

      I wish the speaker would address the effect of having a cue ball that's smaller than the target. I guess English shooters and tournament professionals have submitted to the aberration, but it still seems to be imperfect geometry: obviously, each collision would produce some upward motion on the target ball. Beyond that, based on diameter only, a larger cue ball wouldn't scratch as much.

    • @santiagocas3683
      @santiagocas3683 Před rokem

      Falta agregar el billar ruso 🥴

  • @johnnixon
    @johnnixon Před 27 dny +1

    Visiting the UK and I love shooting billiards in the US. Thanks for this overview, I was so confused when I saw the red and yellow balls.

  • @prof.g5140
    @prof.g5140 Před 2 lety +28

    Another reason why American balls are numbered as apposed to red/yellow is because, in America, 8ball is typically played with call-all-your-shots rules which means you have to declare which ball and pocket you are aiming for (unless it's obvious). therefore, being able to refer to the specific ball by its number is really useful.

    • @joshuaallgood7030
      @joshuaallgood7030 Před rokem

      Not to mention that there is also 61 rotation, where all 15 balls are shot in order (like in 9-ball) where each number represents the number of points the ball represents. The first player to reach 61 points and above wins the rack.

    • @onlymemes4869
      @onlymemes4869 Před rokem

      ​@@joshuaallgood7030 do you mean higher?

    • @joshuaallgood7030
      @joshuaallgood7030 Před rokem

      @@onlymemes4869 yeah. For some reason, autocorrect on my phone changed it to “older” lol

  • @Hopecaster
    @Hopecaster Před 3 lety +6

    Learning that striking a cue ball makes it go so fast so quickly that it'll cause burn marks on the table is surprising to me somehow. It makes so much sense but it's just something I never thought of

  • @Alan_lay
    @Alan_lay Před 3 lety +8

    My table seems to be a hybrid of the two, it has the American style straight cut pockets with the English width pockets, so I play with English size balls.

  • @liulisheng9452
    @liulisheng9452 Před 4 lety +2

    I love playing pool

  • @ninfabi42
    @ninfabi42 Před 5 lety +28

    That was really interesting. In Germany you often find American Tables with English Cloth, American Balls but English Cues. It doesn't make any sense...

    • @planetX15
      @planetX15 Před 5 lety +2

      Apparently in England its the other way round, English tables American cues.

    • @captmcneil
      @captmcneil Před 4 lety +1

      I don't know m8... I have seen my fair share of pool halls and I have never seen that here in southern Germany, never mind "often". It's also pretty much impossible to shop for pool cues with tips < 12mm around here; there are very few good Billiard shops, and even fewer who sell Snooker / English Pool equipment. Basically everything is American pool.

  • @wDawks
    @wDawks Před 5 lety +13

    Much more interesting than I thought it would be. Very well explained.

  • @happyfeet231259
    @happyfeet231259 Před 5 lety +3

    thanks for explaining the difference between american pool table , the cussions , the pockets , the clothes the cue's and the balls , i' learned a lot,, i'm fascinated by the game wich i like to play a lot when i'm retired , thanks

  • @dhillonsavee
    @dhillonsavee Před 4 lety +2

    Planning to buy One

  • @time4jesus
    @time4jesus Před 5 lety +7

    Very helpful, informative, well put together video. Absolutely top class. Couldn't be more obvious how much you love the sport. I live in Australia, but if I were in the UK I know where I'd be buying from!

  • @tommywilson1906
    @tommywilson1906 Před 2 lety +2

    About to purchase a table from you guys and found this video.......to think i've been playing pool for years and had no idea of all these differences . Thanks a lot for this

    • @HomeLeisureDirect
      @HomeLeisureDirect  Před 2 lety

      It's something we actually find for a lot of our UK customers, especially if they've never been to a pool hall or otherwise. It's amazing what differences you'll find when you take the lid off. :)

  • @scotty193
    @scotty193 Před 4 lety +2

    People always say how big the pocket size is in an American sized tournament table. I play in pub league in Asia and some have the 10 x 5 or the next week you could be playing on an English style pub table. Let me tell you something any table you can play on that doesn't require you to get a rest out should you mess up position is infinitely easier. The larger tables you see being played are that much more difficult to play IMO but its more satisfying. On a side note what ever cue you have wether snooker or pool type stick with what you know, dont use a snooker cue on the English table and smaller balls if you are used to a pool stick, I dont that is for sure.

  • @SantosdeMuerte
    @SantosdeMuerte Před 2 lety +2

    What a brilliant video. Details the many differences in a concise presentation

  • @user-db6nu6tk9l
    @user-db6nu6tk9l Před 3 lety +2

    Thank you.

  • @Novasux
    @Novasux Před 6 měsíci +1

    This is honestly such a good video. There was a few videos I planned on watching about the different tables and you thoroughly answered every single one of my questions. We’ll done

  • @Mrphilharmonic
    @Mrphilharmonic Před 7 lety +34

    The different shape of the cushions also affects the way the balls rebound. The 'wedge' (US) cushions straighten the ball's rebound out much more quickly and when it hits a second rail it actually changes and 'reverses' its direction. This is because the opposite spin has been imparted by the thin edge of the rail. On a flatter cushion (UK and snooker) the balls continue to rebound in the same direction up or down the table.

    • @davidmiller9485
      @davidmiller9485 Před 6 lety +1

      this is an old reply but i think i need to add something to this. The reason for American pool table variance from English cushions is that American cushions are made of two types of material and angle of the cushion. They use a harder rubber edge with a soft rubber backing. The edge causes the ball to bounce and the backing takes the power of the shot. It should also be mentioned that the angle has to be right. To low and the starts flying around and to high and it acts like a catch, causing the ball to come to a full stop.

    • @priyankapinkurajnath6138
      @priyankapinkurajnath6138 Před 5 lety

      Mrphilharmonic px

  • @4Fatty4
    @4Fatty4 Před 7 lety +3

    This video was actually really informative. Thank you.

  • @miiavega
    @miiavega Před 4 lety +4

    If I am not mistaken, it is usual for American cues to have a convex taper, whereas British ones have a straight one. Also, it is very unusual for American cues to be one piece (expcept for house cues).

  • @Beatbailey
    @Beatbailey Před 5 lety +4

    Great Vid, knew nothing about English style pool, now i do. Snooker and pool . Did not know there was English pool.

    • @HomeLeisureDirect
      @HomeLeisureDirect  Před 5 lety +2

      Glad this has cleared things up! This of course isn't counting other cue games such as Carom or Billiards, so this isn't completely exhaustive. :)

  • @mylesgarcia4625
    @mylesgarcia4625 Před 5 lety +3

    What an excellent, very informative video. Thank you.

  • @supercyberfunk
    @supercyberfunk Před 4 lety +6

    I prefer playing American pool. It's just the familiarity with it growing up. When I first saw the tiny English balls, I thought they were some cheesy knockoff. After watching this video, I now know differently. Thanks for the info.

    • @no.7893
      @no.7893 Před rokem +2

      I feel the same way except in reverse. American pool just looks bizarre to me. It's funny how much we prefer what we already know.

  • @weightaminute9342
    @weightaminute9342 Před 4 lety +5

    Huh, I watch both american pool and snooker tournaments and I always found it peculiar how English players potted in the side pockets much more than Americans. I've watched shots being played where I thought there was no way it would go in the side and I was proven wrong. I had no idea it was because of how the jaws are cut until now!

    • @HomeLeisureDirect
      @HomeLeisureDirect  Před 4 lety +4

      Yes, very true! I always found it surprising how American players always shot to the corners when a shot to the middle looked easier. It's only once you play both types of table you realise the distinct differences. 👍🏼

  • @edgewizz862
    @edgewizz862 Před 5 lety +3

    After all these years i have now discovered something. I have an English table with American balls. Trying to cheat the pocket is brutal. I feel better now lol.

  • @thequetzalcoatl2287
    @thequetzalcoatl2287 Před 4 lety +3

    Top notch pool salesman👌🏾

  • @haitammaaloumi7381
    @haitammaaloumi7381 Před 4 lety +2

    Thank you so much !! This was an excellent informative video on English vs American Pool .

  • @russelldeck4168
    @russelldeck4168 Před 3 lety +4

    For English pool table sizes you forget to mention the 5x3 slate bed tables hazelgrove superleague use to make, there use to be one in a really small Pub I use to drink in, it was the only size pub pool table that would fit and even then you had to use a really small cue for some of the shots, shame they don't make 5ft slate bed tables anymore as they are great if you have limited room.

  • @mikematherly4857
    @mikematherly4857 Před 4 lety +2

    This was a very informative video and I enjoyed it very much. Thank you.

  • @LukeFennell
    @LukeFennell Před 6 lety +1

    as someone who is in the market for a table this video is really good. thanks for making it man really interesting.

  • @joshuakyle1646
    @joshuakyle1646 Před 6 lety +1

    Center shots are my best shot on an American table

  • @ethynbarnitz6752
    @ethynbarnitz6752 Před 5 lety

    I luv ur vids. Your voice is calming. Very helpful

  • @jama211
    @jama211 Před 4 lety +2

    This is amazingly helpful, thank you

  • @tonybowen63
    @tonybowen63 Před 4 lety +4

    Very useful video. Will you also be making one about Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish pool now?

    • @HomeLeisureDirect
      @HomeLeisureDirect  Před 4 lety +3

      Yes Tony, then Maltese, Australian and French. Any others you think we should look at adding?

    • @tonybowen63
      @tonybowen63 Před 4 lety +1

      @@HomeLeisureDirect Maybe I was too subtle in my question. My point was about the constant use of the term 'English' when you quite clearly mean 'British'. Why do you persist in labeling the whole of the UK as England?

    • @HomeLeisureDirect
      @HomeLeisureDirect  Před 4 lety +2

      @@tonybowen63 I do agree with you. I knew what you meant. 😂 It stems from both customers and manufacturers referring to them as English rather than British, so we have just perpetuated that. I think most people know it's played throughout the world. Just like American pool is too, but is still always known as American. I guess it comes from the country in which it originated. Good debate though! All the best.

  • @aetd106
    @aetd106 Před 5 lety +2

    In NSW Australia most coin-op tables I've seen are American - home tables were British until Chinese tables came into the offering and pub tables took over the home market (ball return models etc). I prefer playing on American tables because I prefer 9 ball (I'm also cheap so $4 racks means 1 rack of 9 ball and 1 rack of 6 ball) for the skill and position needed versus 8 ball (where most people spray and pray here). But my home table that dad's had for 41 years is a 6ft British style with American cloth (no nap) and that table raised me so I don't mind either - different strokes for different folks

  • @ExLondoner
    @ExLondoner Před 7 lety +11

    Excellent video, thank you!

  • @tchoupitoulos
    @tchoupitoulos Před 4 lety +4

    On older American coin-op tables, the cue ball is actually larger than the object balls. Which makes pulling the cue ball back on shots significantly harder.

    • @johntaylor8463
      @johntaylor8463 Před 4 lety +1

      On English coin-op pub tables the cue is smaller than the others.

    • @tchoupitoulos
      @tchoupitoulos Před 4 lety

      @@johntaylor8463 Yes that was in the video

  • @buddyparks9244
    @buddyparks9244 Před 6 lety +4

    Superb video! I had no clue of so many differences!

  • @gregkleinfall1901
    @gregkleinfall1901 Před 3 lety +3

    What a great video. I already knew some of the differences, but I was clueless about others (like the surface and cushion shapes).

    • @HomeLeisureDirect
      @HomeLeisureDirect  Před 3 lety +1

      Glad to hear you found everything useful! There's definitely a lot more than people give the two games credit for.

  • @daperamids24
    @daperamids24 Před 5 lety +1

    Well explained Sir, thank you very much..

  • @MrTavyB
    @MrTavyB Před 6 lety +4

    A very helpful video - thank you so much!!
    Now I finally understand things and correlations I've been wondering about so far ...:-0 (cue tips, ball sizes, cushions, ...)

    • @HomeLeisureDirect
      @HomeLeisureDirect  Před 6 lety +1

      Thanks for your kind comments. It's much appreciated. You can find all our pool table buying advice videos here, if you need any more help: www.homeleisuredirect.com/pool_tables/buying-advice/

  • @signomar
    @signomar Před 5 lety

    I'm going to Colchester at the university of essex soon. I've never heard about english pool!!!! My game would certainly improve with these tables!!!! I will play every evening!!!!!!!

  • @repbydesign16
    @repbydesign16 Před 4 lety +1

    A very well done video sir! Thank you!

  • @WilliamReginaldLucas
    @WilliamReginaldLucas Před 3 lety +2

    It's frustrating how many places have the wrong types of cue for the table/the wrong balls. Unfortunately I don't have space for a table of my own, but having my own cue is nice! Not the kinda thing I'd take to the pub though so it's still frustrating when you're playing on a 6ft English table with a massive American Cue aha. Luckily I have a Pool/Snooker hall down the road which has English/American Pool tables and Snooker Tables.

  • @sambee8982
    @sambee8982 Před 2 lety +1

    If I was to play one of the American Pool games, I would like to try 7 Ball Pool; the game's easy to understand because the rules are the same as 9 Ball Pool, except there's only 7 balls and the 7 Ball has to be potted on the side chosen by the opponent in order for it to be a legal win.

  • @TheLastFraudster
    @TheLastFraudster Před 5 lety +2

    Worst thing is most pubs give you American pool cues to play English pool with. Unplayable at good levels with massive tips on the cues. Also notice English pool the cue ball is smaller than the object balls cos of the ball return system.

  • @hardcore7298
    @hardcore7298 Před 6 lety +1

    Excellent video!
    Thanks

  • @brdu2747
    @brdu2747 Před 7 lety +3

    Brilliant video ! cheers

  • @5153flash
    @5153flash Před 6 lety +25

    This video made me realize something i have been dealing with for a long time. I found snooker almost impossible when I played on a snooker table years ago in USA. It was hard to make a single ball,,even a very simple straight in shot. I cannot stress how difficult it was to make a ball back then.And have not played snooker since.
    And since,I watch snooker on you tube and cant imagine how the players make the shots they do.
    But I know why. Back then they had full size (american)balls on the snooker table I was using!!! I had no idea there were smaller balls suppose to be used.
    lol All this time I thought these players were doing impossible shots. Can you imagine using a 2 1/4" ball on a snooker table?

    • @HomeLeisureDirect
      @HomeLeisureDirect  Před 6 lety +10

      Actually, we can! The idea you're referring to (Large 2 1/4" balls with snooker pockets) is actually the base idea for the game Chinese 8-Ball. The game is basic English 8-Ball pool rules with 2 1/4 inch balls on a smaller Snooker table (that's 9ft rather than 12) and with the very tight snooker pockets. The game is hugely popular in China because of how challenging it is for players to make shots into such tight pockets, and it makes watching the game incredibly exciting.

    • @5153flash
      @5153flash Před 6 lety

      Yep I have watched that before,i had no clue the ball sizes. I knew the pockets were different. Same as what I was doing on a snooker table. It is difficult to make a ball into the pocket. Cannot touch rail on way in or it more than likely not going in.

    • @time4jesus
      @time4jesus Před 5 lety

      I've been playing most of my life and there's still more to learn! Thank you both!

    • @SoSo-li6dn
      @SoSo-li6dn Před 5 lety +2

      Ummm? who is making american sized balls for snooker? i dont believe you, snooker is hard, granted

    • @rickharrison3522
      @rickharrison3522 Před 5 lety +3

      Still snooker is 10 times harder than pool. Don't think that you will be able to pot easily even single ball in snooker lol. I am playing pools for years, played snooker few times, it's hard af.

  • @sam2026
    @sam2026 Před 6 lety +2

    Very informative, thank you

  • @saadsa3261
    @saadsa3261 Před 4 lety +1

    Well explained. Thank you

  • @salsabil44
    @salsabil44 Před 4 lety +2

    Playing shots to the corners on a US table is ridiculously easy. Perfect for the mugs who miss by a foot!

  • @HoutarouOrekiOsu
    @HoutarouOrekiOsu Před 6 lety +1

    I just wanna say that this is a really well-made video.. If only I had the money to buy a table, there are no places to play where I live.

  • @mrcommentator3640
    @mrcommentator3640 Před 4 lety +1

    Great video for a buyer

  • @SwordInc.
    @SwordInc. Před 6 lety +2

    Nicely done! I really enjoyed this video.

  • @dmknight08
    @dmknight08 Před 5 lety +1

    How do you need to be far more accurate on an English table when the side pockets are round and wide open like that!!! Omg I could shoot those side pockets all day with my off hand! Corners on the English table aren’t that bad either. I use the cuts on the corner pockets to bank, so I do enjoy the corner cuts more, but the English table I would say seems so very much easier. Side pocket angle and banking shots on American tables are what I see most people struggling with. It requires much higher precision, spin and finesse than most of the worst corner pocket shots on an English table.
    I think both are fantastic table styles. I don’t see why anyone who enjoyed pool wouldn’t like to swap up their game from time to time to keep things fresh. Options are fantastic.

    • @peeqo
      @peeqo Před 3 lety

      American tables are much much easier imo. The balls are the biggest difference imo

  • @dhillonsavee
    @dhillonsavee Před 4 lety +2

    Well explained

  • @fterrysmith6753
    @fterrysmith6753 Před 6 lety +1

    I played a great deal of nine-ball on a 4.5 x 9 foot table. I think that is the standard size. As an aside almost all 8 ball tournaments are played on 4 x 8 tables...yes, some saloons or bars have 3.5 x 7 foot tables but they are in the minority here in British Columbia. Also I think the standard size for billiards or 3 cushion billiards in the States is 5 x 10. Thanks for your upload.

  • @tomo9992
    @tomo9992 Před 7 lety +1

    great video, thanks

  • @tkzsfen
    @tkzsfen Před 6 lety +1

    you got me excited! i need to play more 8 pool!

  • @JoeMiyagi
    @JoeMiyagi Před 6 lety +1

    Very informative!

  • @peteragurkis3590
    @peteragurkis3590 Před 6 lety +32

    Actually American coin op table the cue balls usually have a small lining of steel inside and inside of the table there is a large magnet that pulls the cue ball onto a separate track right before it goes into the holder for the object balls

    • @BillM1960
      @BillM1960 Před 6 lety +3

      Interesting little bit of trivia there! Cool! Thanks!

    • @yoyoholck
      @yoyoholck Před 5 lety +1

      In uk the cue ball is smaller

    • @djsnowman06
      @djsnowman06 Před 5 lety +1

      a lot have a different size cue ball

    • @gangsterrodriguez6065
      @gangsterrodriguez6065 Před 5 lety

      @Peter Agurkis you watched that one video huh

    • @johnhoush4366
      @johnhoush4366 Před 5 lety +3

      @@djsnowman06 In the past, they have used smaller and larger cue balls for returns, but the magnetic style is more common today.

  • @freemanedwards5663
    @freemanedwards5663 Před 6 lety +3

    Nice helpful vid thank you

  • @Path2Cissp
    @Path2Cissp Před 2 lety +1

    Top Quality information!

  • @TheFlyingdeuces
    @TheFlyingdeuces Před 5 lety

    Beautiful tables!

  • @ohboats
    @ohboats Před 5 lety

    Thanks for making this video

  • @SSUOFT
    @SSUOFT Před 3 lety +1

    Thank you so much!

  • @vito_keys
    @vito_keys Před rokem +1

    In Indonesia, pepole usually use American balls for 9-foot table, but for 7-foot table, an unusual size is used, larger than English but smaller than American

  • @neilgriffiths6427
    @neilgriffiths6427 Před 6 lety +1

    Thanks, informative - although I just bought a new cue, choice of about 150 in the shop, not one was as big a 11 millimetres - except for their range of American pool cues. 11 Mill is just too big for UK pool.

  • @oponamikwe5011
    @oponamikwe5011 Před 6 měsíci +1

    EXCELLENT EXPLANATION SIRE

  • @mikejames663
    @mikejames663 Před 5 lety +1

    Very interesting.

  • @martyflannigan5052
    @martyflannigan5052 Před 4 lety +1

    well this guy hasn't spent that much time in North America, I'm from Canada and his observations is missed by so much, he has a lot to learn, oh and one other thing I've been playing for 50 years and why do the english rack the 8 on the footstring spot not the top ball in the rack

    • @AndysTravels
      @AndysTravels Před 4 lety

      Thanks for your feedback Marty. We are in the UK, so if you have any info to share that would be really helpful. Thanks.

    • @martyflannigan5052
      @martyflannigan5052 Před 4 lety

      @@AndysTravels it seems most of those tables you play on have snooker pockets, our 8 ball 9 ball table the pockets vary in size depending on the table and the place as you can shim the rails to make the pockets tighter, Diamond tables won't let 2 balls in the pocket side by side, they are now being used in a lot of the pro tournaments in 3 /12 X 7 or 4 1/2 X 9

  • @davidroshone8847
    @davidroshone8847 Před 4 lety +6

    I'm 53 when I started playing pool in my teenage years and through my twenties American pool tables had the same slow cloth and it made the game more difficult, the patterns had to be chosen more carefully and you had to have a powerful stroke. The old cloths seperated the elite players from the good player.

    • @Cap10VDO
      @Cap10VDO Před 4 lety +3

      I'm right with you. Used to be felt; now it's cloth. Different game.

  • @francesco3779
    @francesco3779 Před rokem +1

    Here in Italy we have a particular type of pool table, with pockets that are slightly larger than a regular pool ball, and cushions that are around 2,5” high, we used to play 5 pins on it with huge 69 mm balls. In some italian regions, such as lazio, during world war 2, when the americans landed, they brought with them regular pool balls and started playing pool on such tables, the result was a game called pool 8-15 which is very difficult to play due to the pocket size, it’s almost impossible to pot all the balls at one time, and it’s very hard when it comes to cue ball control. Moreover u must aim at the perfect center of the pocket because if u hit the side of the pocket, due to it’s shape, it will 90% of the times bounce the ball back into the table. Sometimes a single game can last up to 20-30 minutes 😂

  • @garychap8384
    @garychap8384 Před 5 lety +1

    In "Diamond 9" pool, you don't sink 1..8 and then the black. You can sink the black at ANY time to win! The rule is that you must contact the lowest number on the table first, but as long as you do that you can sink the black - and that makes it a VERY tactical game. On a foul the opponent can place the cueball ANYWHERE on the table too, so often there's no coming back from a foul : )
    The best thing about playing diamond 9 on an spots and stripes pay-per-play table is that you get a second game for free. If your opponent catches the black you can then play "Diamond 6" (same rules) by loading up with the unused balls 9-14+BLK
    I love "diamond 9" because at any time there is only ONE ball you can strike legally... and you're always one shot away from winning or losing... this means a lot of tactical play and plenty of trick shots like small tight masse shots. It really drives you to play the harder shots and think about position.
    Screw the reds and yellows! Spots and stripes all the way : )

  • @bertfromnz9069
    @bertfromnz9069 Před 3 lety +1

    well presented video - why would you "dislike: it? thanks

  • @noeldennehy1294
    @noeldennehy1294 Před 3 lety

    Great video.

  • @Team-fabulous
    @Team-fabulous Před 5 lety

    What a very interesting video...

  • @rhodienite4897
    @rhodienite4897 Před 5 měsíci

    My experience of mixing American and English pool equipment:
    -English ball and American cue. I can make a very powerful break, sometimes jumping some of the balls
    - American balls on English table. This can add more challenge. It feels similar to Chinese 8-ball but smaller
    - American 9ft table with English balls. Small balls on a massive table could add variety to your game

  • @kmonyt
    @kmonyt Před 5 lety +3

    Thanks for this! I always thought it was pronounced Sim-moan-iss. Long O sound. The cloth. I've got a 9ft Brunswick at home with Simonis 860 on it!

    • @ebuzek3648
      @ebuzek3648 Před 5 lety

      It is pronounced Sim-moan-is over here in the US. Over here we Break the ball, not Break off. We make the ball, not Pot the ball. We call it using English or Draw, not Side Spin or Screw.

    • @suewoo5
      @suewoo5 Před 4 lety

      See-moan-ees

  • @rnbdanny
    @rnbdanny Před 6 lety +3

    Great video and explanations, many thanks! It seems weird to me to play on any table larger than 7 ft...

    • @HomeLeisureDirect
      @HomeLeisureDirect  Před 6 lety +2

      Yes, certainly a 9ft table feel a lot larger, but with the larger sized balls it feels right after a few games. It all depends what you are used to playing. Once you have played a lot of games on an American table you will feel that a 7ft English table feels tiny.

    • @rnbdanny
      @rnbdanny Před 6 lety +2

      True, I suppose we get used to anything, and if you're used to the 9ft table it may even look silly to you to play on a 6ft...

  • @brucecunningham2944
    @brucecunningham2944 Před 6 lety +5

    Great video, I had no idea the mass yet subtle differences in the two tables. I used to play 8 and 9 ball recreationally with friends and even then I doubt we were following all the rules. I used to notice a lot of Hispanic guys would come in and rent one of the few Snooker tables that I never saw anyone else use. I assumed it was cultural preference over Pool and I have always been fascinated by Snooker because I really had no idea how it was played. I would hear words like Billiards and Pool and Snooker and I would get so confused. Im still confused on most of it but I want to learn. I have seen several videos on the various games and now I find yours to at least clear up English Pool vs. American Pool. Still kinda shady about Snooker but Im still completely lost when it comes to the pocketless games, and then games like 3-Cushion Billiards, Russian Billiards, Italian 5-Pin... What the heck are those and do you have videos on them? So with all that I'll wish you a happy new year from across the pond, as you guys say. And, thanks for the great video!

    • @HomeLeisureDirect
      @HomeLeisureDirect  Před 6 lety +3

      Hi Bruce. I'm glad you found our video useful. For all our videos on English 8 Ball pool and American 9 ball pool please see here: www.homeleisuredirect.com/pool_tables/how-to-play/ We don't cover the other games you mention as we don't sell tables for these. I'm sure there will be other videos available on CZcams to help you. If there is anything else you need just let us know. Thanks.

  • @xavierpaquin
    @xavierpaquin Před 4 lety +4

    I've only seen english-style tables here around Montreal, Canada.

  • @felonboyzmaaz
    @felonboyzmaaz Před 6 lety +1

    thank you.

  • @buelroberts3759
    @buelroberts3759 Před 5 lety +1

    The Ball to pocket ratio is the same. The differences are in the rules of the game. In pool there are many more balls that you are not allowed to hit and therefore create a much more traffic and obstruct shots. Also the balls are bigger on a smaller table and this creates much tighter space to shoot in. Also in pool, since so many different types of shots are required in order to make your way around obstacles, your time practicing is spread out among many different disciplines.

  • @jamesdavis8731
    @jamesdavis8731 Před 6 lety +4

    Excellent video showing the differences, which even most players don't know about. I don't find the English table or game harder. You just had to get used to it. I find the American pool table players to usually be more creative in their shot making and actually more accurate. Now when talking about snooker tables and play that is different. But the ease to pocket balls on a six foot or seven foot table is much different than an eight or nine foot table. Playing on a seven foot table is like taking candy from a baby if you have any skill at all.

  • @BillM1960
    @BillM1960 Před 6 lety +3

    Very interesting video. I had no idea there were that many differences. I guess for your home, it depends on personal preference. I guess in the UK that might be English style, but most of the rest of the world would be the American Style. I guess this is more complicated by the difference in a Snooker Table and an English table too?

    • @HomeLeisureDirect
      @HomeLeisureDirect  Před 6 lety +3

      Personal preference is overall the most important factor. Some of our customers love English, whilst others love American. English pool is largely isolated to the UK in terms of popularity whilst American pool is much more widespread. English Pool and Snooker have a whole host of other differences too, particularly in terms of ball and table size.
      The general advice we can offer is that a Snooker table has the largest table at 12ft in size, with English cut pockets and with balls in between English and American sizes.

  • @IcanbePsycho
    @IcanbePsycho Před 4 lety +1

    I’ve played both & I prefer to play on the English table, mostly because I don’t have to hit the white ball as hard as I do on the American table.

  • @vito_keys
    @vito_keys Před 5 lety +3

    The cue rest is also different between English and American pool. In American pool, it uses the spider-head rest while in English pool, it uses the cross-head rest - the same as in snooker

    • @TheGingerbert
      @TheGingerbert Před 5 lety

      generally we dont use a rest in english pool

  • @andymcneil7660
    @andymcneil7660 Před 4 lety +2

    I love playing pool. I play in my local league despite only being able to use my right hand/arm.

  • @AudreyYun
    @AudreyYun Před 6 lety

    i've been playing on american tables for years and only just now learned about how different english pool is. cool

    • @martinedwards72
      @martinedwards72 Před 5 lety

      Try snooker on a 12x6 table. With tight pockets, it will ruin you.

  • @MD-bk7kb
    @MD-bk7kb Před 3 lety +3

    Ahhhh, I see, so this is why playing on an American table is so piss easy....well explained, cheers.

  • @fossy4321
    @fossy4321 Před 3 lety +1

    It blew my mind when i realised an English Billiard table is different to them all.

  • @cioffidan
    @cioffidan Před 8 lety +5

    Great video. Really useful. On a serious note, could you do a video for a Chinese 8-Ball table? How does it compare and contrast. I am not a fan of the English table and the American tables get criticism for having buckets for pockets. Surely a Chinese table has got the right balance if you want something in between?

    • @HomeLeisureDirect
      @HomeLeisureDirect  Před 8 lety +2

      +Dan Cioffi Hey there Dan, and we're glad you found the guide useful! You may want to have a look at some of our videos with Gareth Potts who has played Chinese 8-Ball at the professional level, and talks about it at quite some length. The general idea though is a 9 foot snooker table (with the same style/size of pockets) using 2 and a quarter inch (American size) balls, making the shots very tight indeed. As Gareth has told us first hand, it makes for a very challenging game! We will definitely look into putting together a video covering Chinese 8-ball though if you want something more in-depth!

    • @thomasheal6286
      @thomasheal6286 Před 8 lety +3

      +Home Leisure Direct It will be great to see rules videos for the different Cue Sports.

    • @BillM1960
      @BillM1960 Před 6 lety +2

      Sounds like the Chinese just bought the wrong balls for a Snooker table and called it Chinese 8-Ball.

  • @harrylongofficial6248
    @harrylongofficial6248 Před 7 lety +30

    this video was really interesting. I play with a snooker cue on snooker and uk pool tables, which has done me well in most matches across Bristol here in the uk. I'v never played an American style table with the bigger ball sizes. So im not sure if with my really narrow tip on my snooker cue, it would pull it off or be subject to damage? should i consider getting hold of an american style cue for the ball size difference? thanks great vid

    • @HomeLeisureDirect
      @HomeLeisureDirect  Před 7 lety +8

      Hi, Yes we would suggest using an American cue for American pool. Due to the ball size and weight difference the snooker cue tip would be smaller than we would recommend, also the brass ferule will cause the cue to feel harsh when striking the cue ball and a lack of "feel". Our showroom is in Bristol, so if you'd like to visit and try some cues please do so. www.homeleisuredirect.com/company/showroom.html Thanks for the question.

    • @toddfisher5040
      @toddfisher5040 Před 6 lety +4

      Been playing American pool my entire life, have used every type of cue out there, doesn't matter the ball size a smaller tip provides better performance no matter ball size and American size balls do not make a difference with cueing and will not damage your tip any more than any other form of pool/snooker. Smaller tip better performance makes no difference, I shoot with a Winchester pool cue size 9 tip brass ferrule and the cue and tip perform just fine, shoot with the cue you're comfortable with no need to stress about tip damage it simply isn't a factor.

    • @dipi71
      @dipi71 Před 6 lety

      Talking about Snooker: is it true that those markings on your usual Snooker table are actually for the 3-ball game of »English Billards«? My friend mentioned this when we tried out English Billards on what I thought was a Snooker table the other day for the first time.
      His reasoning: if the straight line on the »D« continues all the way to the side cushions, it’s an English Billards table, because Snooker players have no use for that whole straight balk line (Snooker players just ever need to reset the white/brown/green/yellow ball within the »D«) - whereas English Billards players use the whole of the balk line in order to play from the head of table (a.k.a. the »kitchen«).
      What do you guys think? Cheers!

    • @soundautomatic1
      @soundautomatic1 Před 6 lety +2

      I'm an American pool player, but i was a pool hall attendant for awhile. That hall had pool, snooker (10 ft) and billiards (no pockets) I'd say if you don't hit hard or only play occasionally on American equipment, stick with a cue you're comfortable with. I'd never do a hard break with a snooker cue. Results are poor. If your going to spend a lot of time playing American pool, get an American style cue (I played billiards for a bit and that's a heap easier with the ultra stiff billiards cue). If you have a chin-on-the-cue style from snooker a bit longer American pool cue, like 60 inches, may feel more comfortable with your stroke. Knew a Canadian snooker player who played wonderfully with a longer cue.

    • @CaptainShonko
      @CaptainShonko Před 6 lety +1

      Well there is the balk line for billiards and the "baulk" line for snooker, and they are measured differently in a subtle manner, to the naked eye I think positioning is still in proportion with the different table sizes. Indeed the baulk line is used for nothing in the snooker game, often referenced as a guide of getting a good safety shot is playing a red when no pot is on and getting the white back up past the "baulk" line, tight on the "baulk" cushion :-)

  • @stevengrappy8664
    @stevengrappy8664 Před 6 lety +3

    I am in the US. and I have wondered the difference. Very well explained thank you. I have been told it is very different but no one could really explain the differences. So much is different, Cloth, ball sizes. Are Snooker balls the same size as English balls including a different size cue ball? Or in Snooker are all balls the same size?

    • @HomeLeisureDirect
      @HomeLeisureDirect  Před 6 lety +4

      Thanks for your kind comments Steven. No, snooker balls are all 2 1/16", whereas English balls are 2" and the cue ball is 1 7/8". Hope this helps.

  • @billcarsonasmr5022
    @billcarsonasmr5022 Před 3 lety +2

    The perfect video explaining iv eva watched

  • @JLawL
    @JLawL Před 2 lety

    They do actually make a 12x6 snooker table that can convert to an American pool table, as any table that is 1/2 as wide as it is long can technically be an official non-tournament pool table. The rails and pockets are interchangeable, and it's got under table storage for both ball sizes as well as the unused rails and pockets.
    It's also $17,600 lol.

  • @kapten-awesome
    @kapten-awesome Před 5 lety +2

    I have no idea why I'm watching this, I don't have afford for a table in my 1bedroom trolley but I'm Mabry will invest in a double trolley for the future. Dreams...

    • @bighands69
      @bighands69 Před 4 lety

      You could start at a local club.