Skip to content
Wondering if you can play pool on a billiards table?
Short answer: yes — but only with tweaks.
In the world of Pool vs. Billiards, pockets, table size, and gameplay matter more than most people realise.
Keep reading to learn what works, what doesn’t, and how to make a billiards table feel more pool-friendly.
Clarifying the Terminology — What Is a “Billiards Table”?
Before deciding whether you can play pool on a billiards table, the term itself needs clearing up.
Many players assume “billiards table” refers to anything with a cue and balls.
But in cue-sports terminology, it has two distinct meanings.
Pool Tables Are a Type of Billiards Table
Pocket Billiards
Pool sits under the wider billiards category as pocket billiards.
Games such as 8-Ball, 9-Ball, and Straight Pool all fall into this group and rely on potting balls into pockets.
Key Feature — Six Pockets
All pool tables have six pockets.
There are four in the corners and two at the sides.
This design sets them apart from pocketless carom tables.
The True “Billiards Table” (Carom Billiards)
Pocketless Design
A traditional carom billiards table has no pockets at all.
This single feature completely changes how the game is played.
Typical Games
These tables are used for games such as Three-Cushion Billiards and Straight Rail.
The focus is on rebounds, spin, and control rather than potting.
The Simple Answer — Why Pocketless Tables Cannot Host Pool
People often ask whether they can play 8-Ball or 9-Ball on a true billiards table.
The honest answer is no, because the equipment and objectives don’t match.
The Physical Impossibility of Pool on Carom Tables
Game Objective Conflict
Pool requires pockets because the aim is to sink balls to score or win.
With no pockets available, a standard game simply isn’t possible.
Ball Count
Pool uses sixteen balls, including the cue ball.
Carom billiards typically uses just three, so spacing, angles, and strategy are very different.
Equipment Differences
Carom tables are often 10 ft long and sometimes heated to keep the cloth fast.
This results in a quicker, more precise playing surface compared with pool.
Can You Play Other Cue Sports on a Pool Table?
While you can’t play pool on a pocketless billiards table, the reverse question is far more flexible.
Pool tables allow for several cross-game adaptations.
Playing Other Games on a Pool Table
Snooker on a Pool Table
Snooker can be played on a pool table, although the game changes noticeably.
The pockets are wider and the balls differ in size, which affects precision shots and strategy.
Carom Games on a Pool Table
You can play simplified carom games by ignoring the pockets.
However, this isn’t usually done in serious play as the table dimensions differ.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the table defines the game.
True pool requires a six-pocket table.
Carom billiards demands a pocketless one.
Understanding the differences helps you choose the right setup for the experience you want.