23.10.2025

Pyramid Pool Rules and Billiards Explained: What You Need to Know Before Visiting a Club

When people in the U.S. search for billiards near me or pool halls nearby, they’re almost always looking for the American version of the game: pool. That’s the standard here, and it’s what you’ll find at 95% of local bars and clubs. The typical players are Americans, along with a strong mix of Koreans, Chinese, and Mexican pool enthusiasts. What many don’t realize, however, is that there’s a whole different world of billiards that exists outside the American scene – and that’s the pyramid.

So, what’s the difference between pool and pyramid? And why does it matter when promoting a club or writing ad content? Let’s break it down.

What Is Billiards? And What Kind of Billiards Are We Talking About?

In general, billiards is a broad term that refers to cue sports played on a felt-covered table with balls and a cue stick. But the word “billiards” can mean different things depending on the region:

• In the U.S., billiards almost always means pool – 8-ball, 9-ball, or 10-ball, played on standard 7ft or 9ft tables.
  
• In Eastern Europe and Russia, billiards usually refers to pyramid, also known as Russian pyramid billiards.

So while “billiards” is the umbrella term, most Americans mean pool when they use it. If someone is talking about a pyramid, they’ll often specify the Russian pyramid or simply the pyramid.

What Is Pyramid Billiards?

Pyramid billiards, often referred to as Russian billiards or billiard pyramid, is a much more niche version of the game in the U.S., but it’s a major sport in countries like Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

The biggest visual difference is the table. A Russian pyramid billiard table is massive—12 feet long, with much smaller pockets compared to pool tables. The balls are also larger and heavier, and the rules are stricter.

There are three common rule sets for the pyramid:

• Free Pyramid – You can pocket any ball with any ball.
  
• Combined Pyramid – You call the shot and pocket.
  
• Dynamic Pyramid – You shoot the cue ball directly to score.

Unlike in a pool, where balls are numbered and colored, pyramid balls are all the same color (usually white) with just one slightly different cue ball. That alone changes the dynamics of the game entirely.

Pool Rules – What Most Players Know

If you’ve ever been to a bar or sports lounge, you’ve probably played 8-ball, the most popular version of pool in the US. The game is simple: pocket all your balls (striped or solid) and then pocket the black 8 to win. Other popular formats include:

• 9-ball is a fast-paced game where balls are pocketed in ascending order of number.
  
• 10-ball is a more professional version of 9-ball, where you have to call the shot.

Table sizes can vary depending on the venue. Bars tend to use compact 7-foot tables, while more serious clubs use 9-foot tables, which are considered the standard for tournaments and experienced players. Peaky Sticks, for example, has 9-foot tables, the choice for serious players.

How to prepare for a game of pool and what you should know

Playing pool is a great way to relax, spend time with friends, or even compete. To get the most out of it, it’s important to know a few things:

• Number of players: Pool is usually played by two people, but it can also be played in teams of 2 on 2.
• Equipment: cue, balls, table — all of this is usually provided by the club. No additional equipment is required.
• Game formats: the most popular are 8-ball and 9-ball. In the first, you need to pocket all your balls (striped or solid), and then the black one. In the second, the balls are hit one after the other from 1 to 9.
• Preparation: no special skills are required. The basic rules are easy to learn, even in one game.
• Billiard Venues: When looking for a pool near me, pay attention to the quality of the tables, the atmosphere, and the ability to reserve a table.

If you already have basic skills, the next step is to participate in amateur tournaments, which are often organized by billiard clubs. This is a good way to improve your level, meet other players, and feel the real competitive spirit.

Conclusion

Pool is more than just a game. It is a format of active recreation that is suitable for any level of training. Clear rules, convenient format, accessibility, and the opportunity to develop through participation in tournaments make it an ideal choice for many. Regardless of whether you are looking for a place for your first game or want to improve your skills, finding a good club is easy. Just search for “pool near me,” choose a place that meets your expectations, and go ahead – play, learn, win.