Skip to main content

Story: Billiards, snooker, pool and darts

Layout of a pool table

Image
Layout of a pool table

This is the layout of balls for the start of a game of pool. Pool is commonly played on a smaller table than that used for snooker or billiards. Many of the pool tables in pubs are 7 feet by 3.5 feet (2.13 metres by 1.07 metres). When setting up the balls at the start of the game, the 8-ball is always centred, while the solid and striped balls are evenly distributed. The opening shot is referred to as 'the break.' At the start of this shot the cue ball must be behind the head string. In pool, balls are not replaced on the table once potted, with the exception of the cue ball.

Using this item

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Source: NZ Pool

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Peter Clayworth, Billiards, snooker, pool and darts – Snooker and pool, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/diagram/38478/layout-of-a-pool-table (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Peter Clayworth, published 3 December 2012.