The most popular of the large variety of pocket games are Eight-ball, 9-ball, one-pocket, bank pool and snooker. In 8-ball and 9-ball the object is to sink a designated ball to win. In 8-ball, players must pocket a group of balls, either the solids or the stripes, before they can pocket the eight for the win. In both one-pocket and bank pool the players must sink a set number of balls; respectively, all in a particular pocket, and all by banking. In 9-ball, players must shoot the balls in order, from one through nine. In snooker, players score points by alternating shooting red balls and balls of a different colour.

Straight billiards or straight rail
In straight billiards, a player scores a point and may continue shooting each time his cue ball makes contact with both other balls.

Although a difficult and subtle game, some of the best players of straight billiards developed the skill to drive both balls into a corner and from that position were able to score a seemingly limitless number of points.

The first straight billiards professional tournament was held in 1879 where Jacob Schaefer, Sr. scored 690 points in a single turn[4] (that is, 690 separate strokes without a miss). With the balls barely moving and repetitively hit, there was little for the fans to watch.

Balkline
In light of these phenomenal skill developments in straight rail, the game of balkline soon developed to make it impossible for a player to keep balls in a corner for an interminable period. A balkine is a line parallel to one end of a billiard table. In the games of balkline--balkline 18.1 and 18.2--the players have to drive either one ball or two balls (respectively) past a balkline set at 18 inches from the rail after a fixed number of shots.

Three cushion billiards
Main article: three cushion billiards
A more elegant solution was three cushion billiards, which requires a player to make contact with the other two balls on the table and contact three rail cushions in the process. This is difficult enough that even the best players can only manage to average one to two points a turn.

Eight ball
Main article: Eight ball
In the United States, the most commonly played game is 8-ball played on tables that are 7 feet long. In the United Kingdom the game is commonly played in pubs and it is competitively played in leagues. It is also played as a world championship tournament run by the International Pool Association

Nine ball
Main article: Nine ball
9-Ball is a rotation game where the 1-9 balls are used. The player at the table must make a legal shot on the lowest numbered ball on the table or forfeit his/her turn. The game is won by legally pocketing the nine ball. 9-Ball is the predominant professional game. There are many local and regional tours and tournaments that are contested with 9-Ball. There is no particular governing body of 9-ball. Most places play with a version of "Texas Express" or WPA (World Pool Association) rules. The largest 9-ball tournaments are the independent US Open and the World 9-Ball Championships for men and women. Male professionals have a rather fragmented schedule of professional 9-Ball tournaments at this time (2005). Female professionals have a steady professional circuit that is governed by the Women's Professional Billiard Association.

One pocket
Main article: One pocket
One pocket is a strategic game for two players. Each player is assigned one of the corner pockets on the table. This is the only pocket into which he can legally pocket balls. The first player to pocket the majority of the balls (8) in his pocket wins the game. The game requires far more defensive strategy than offensive strategy, much unlike 8-ball, 9-ball, or straight pool. It has been said that if 8-ball is checkers, one-pocket is chess.

Bank pool
Bank pool has been gaining popularity in recent years. Bank pool can be played with a full rack, but is more typically played with nine balls (sometimes called "9-ball bank") — the balls are racked in 9-ball formation, but in no particular order. The object of the game is simple: to be the first player to bank 5 balls in any order. Bank pool is one of the "cleanest" (no "slop") billiards games — no "kick" shots (you must hit the object ball directly without hitting the rail first); no caroms (you must hit the object ball directly without hitting another ball first); no combinations (cue ball to the object ball then object ball to the called pocket); the object ball can't hit another ball on the way (no "kisses"). Any ball pocketed on a foul, or in the wrong pocket, is spotted. If the cue ball is sunk (or knocked off the table), you must spot (place on or as nearly behind the head spot as possible) any balls that were sunk on that shot, and you "owe" a ball which you must spot as well. If you scratch and you haven't made a ball, you will owe the next one you sink. After a scratch, the cue ball must be shot from behind the headstring. Any ball sunk other than the object ball is spotted after your turn. Technically, fouling during three successive turns means a loss of game, but that rule is largely ignored (players are advised to make sure the rules are clear and agreed-upon before play begins).

Snooker table in starting position[edit]
Snooker
Main article: Snooker
A pocket billiards game originated by British Officers stationed in India during the 19th century. The name of the game became generalized to also describe of one of its prime strategies; to 'snooker'. That is, when necessary, one will attempt to 'snooker' the opposing player, to cause that player to foul or leave an opening to be exploited (see Glossary of pool, billiards and snooker terms - "Snooker) .

In the United Kingdom, Snooker is by far the most popular form of billiards at the competitive level. It is played in many other countries as well. Snooker is far rarer in the U.S., where pocket billiards games such as eight ball and nine ball dominate.