33 billiards quiz questions with answers on pool, snooker and carom, from table sizes to shot names. The full answer key sits at the end.
Every question comes with three options and keeps the correct one behind a button, so a group can play it fairly. The answer key under the scoring table brings all 33 billiards trivia questions and answers together in one list. The set works well read out loud in a pub, and the questions about billiards that separate pool from snooker from carom are the ones that decide most rounds, which is why these billiards quiz questions cover all three games.
1. What is the standard size of a pool table for international professional competition?
- A) 8 ft × 4 ft
- B) 9 ft × 4.5 ft
- C) 10 ft × 5 ft
2. Which ball is referred to as the “money ball” in 9-ball pool?
- A) 9-ball
- B) 1-ball
- C) 8-ball
3. Which type of billiards game uses only three balls?
- A) Snooker
- B) 8-ball
- C) Three-cushion
4. What do players use to reduce the friction between the cue and the bridge hand?
- A) Chalk
- B) Talc
- C) Wax
5. In which country did British Army officers invent snooker in the 1870s?
- A) England
- B) India
- C) South Africa
6. What is the maximum number of points a player can score in a single frame of snooker?
- A) 147
- B) 155
- C) 167
7. What is the word used to describe putting a “spin” on the cue ball?
- A) English
- B) Swerve
- C) Bank
8. What is the term for a pool shot in which the cue ball is hit so that it rebounds from the object ball(s) without pocketing any of them?
- A) Jump shot
- B) Safety shot
- C) Stop shot
9. In the game of straight pool, after the break shot, how many balls must be pocketed by the player?
- A) 14
- B) 15
- C) 10
10. What is the term used when a player wins a game of 8-ball by sinking the 8-ball on the break shot?
- A) Jump victory
- B) Golden break
- C) Quick-win
11. Which two earlier billiards games did snooker grow out of?
- A) Straight pool and nine-ball
- B) Carom and bar billiards
- C) Pyramid pool and black pool
12. How many points is the blue ball worth in snooker?
- A) 5
- B) 4
- C) 6
13. What is the area behind the head string on a pool table called?
- A) The rack
- B) The kitchen
- C) The pocket zone
14. Which of these is considered a foul in pool?
- A) Missing the target ball
- B) Jumping the cue ball off the table
- C) Both a and b
15. What is the weight of a standard regulation cue ball on a pool table, in ounces?
- A) 5.5 – 6
- B) 6 – 6.5
- C) 5 – 5.5
16. Which type of billiards game is played on a table without pockets?
- A) Carom billiards
- B) Pool
- C) Russian pyramid
17. What is the diameter of a standard snooker ball?
- A) 2.25 inches
- B) 2.15 inches
- C) 2.07 inches
18. In 8-ball pool, what is the minimum number of object balls a player must legally hit with each shot?
- A) One
- B) Two
- C) Three
19. What is the term for the cloth used to cover a billiards table?
- A) Felt
- B) Baize
- C) Canvas
20. What is the term for a shot in which the cue ball is struck in such a way that it draws back after contacting the object ball?
- A) Draw shot
- B) Bank shot
- C) Follow shot
21. In a standard game of 8-ball, what is the proper numerical order in which the balls should be arranged in the rack, from left to right?
- A) There is no specific order
- B) 1-15
- C) Odd numbers first, then even numbers
22. Which of these is not a World Pool-Billiard Association rule for the break shot?
- A) The break must be played from behind the head string
- B) Four balls must reach a cushion or a ball must be pocketed
- C) The breaker must use a dedicated break cue
23. Which country is known as the origin of carom billiards?
- A) France
- B) United States
- C) China
24. Which billiards game uses a cue ball, a red ball, and a white “opponent” ball?
- A) English billiards
- B) Bar billiards
- C) Straight pool
25. What is it called when the cue ball is pocketed?
- A) A break
- B) A scratch
- C) A snooker
26. What shape is the rack used in the game of straight pool?
- A) Triangle
- B) Diamond
- C) Circle
27. What is the meaning of the term “double kiss” in billiards?
- A) The cue ball contacts an object ball twice in a single shot
- B) Two players make the same shot consecutively
- C) A ball touches both side rails before coming to rest
28. In carom billiards, how many cushions must the cue ball contact before it strikes the second ball?
- A) Zero
- B) One
- C) Three
29. What is the name of the device used to rack the balls in a game of 8-ball?
- A) Triangle
- B) Racker
- C) Ball frame
30. In the game of snooker, what is the standard minimum point penalty for a foul?
- A) 2 points
- B) 4 points
- C) 6 points
31. Which of these billiards games is played with the highest number of balls?
- A) Snooker
- B) Blackball pool
- C) Chinese eight-ball
32. Where must the cue ball be placed for the opening break in eight-ball?
- A) Behind the head string
- B) Anywhere on the table
- C) On the foot spot
33. In the game of snooker, which color ball has the highest points value?
- A) Black
- B) Pink
- C) Blue
Results
| # of Correct Answers | Percentage Range | Label | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0- | 0-49% | Cue BeginnerArmchair Athlete | You've got some learning to do, but don't worry, there's always the next game! |
| - | 50-64% | Pocket PusherRookie Runner | Not bad! Keep practicing, and you'll be a sports trivia champ in no time. |
| - | 65-79% | Bank Shot SpecialistMidfield Maestro | Impressive! You're getting closer to the top, keep up the good work. |
| - | 80-94% | Rack RunnerAll-Star Striker | Wow, you really know your sports trivia! You're a force to be reckoned with. |
| -33 | 95-100% | Billiards MasterLegendary Champion | Unbelievable! You're a true sports trivia master. Your knowledge knows no bounds! |
Billiards Quiz Answers: The Full Answer Key
Every question in this billiards quiz with its correct answer, in the order the questions appear above. Check your score against the table, or use the list as a set of billiards trivia questions and answers for a quiz night of your own.
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What is the standard size of a pool table for international professional competition? | B) 9 ft × 4.5 ft |
| 2 | Which ball is referred to as the "money ball" in 9-ball pool? | A) 9-ball |
| 3 | Which type of billiards game uses only three balls? | C) Three-cushion |
| 4 | What do players use to reduce the friction between the cue and the bridge hand? | B) Talc |
| 5 | In which country did British Army officers invent snooker in the 1870s? | B) India |
| 6 | What is the maximum number of points a player can score in a single frame of snooker? | A) 147 |
| 7 | What is the word used to describe putting a "spin" on the cue ball? | A) English |
| 8 | What is the term for a pool shot in which the cue ball is hit so that it rebounds from the object ball(s) without pocketing any of them? | B) Safety shot |
| 9 | In the game of straight pool, after the break shot, how many balls must be pocketed by the player? | A) 14 |
| 10 | What is the term used when a player wins a game of 8-ball by sinking the 8-ball on the break shot? | B) Golden break |
| 11 | Which two earlier billiards games did snooker grow out of? | C) Pyramid pool and black pool |
| 12 | How many points is the blue ball worth in snooker? | A) 5 |
| 13 | What is the area behind the head string on a pool table called? | B) The kitchen |
| 14 | Which of these is considered a foul in pool? | C) Both a and b |
| 15 | What is the weight of a standard regulation cue ball on a pool table, in ounces? | B) 6 – 6.5 |
| 16 | Which type of billiards game is played on a table without pockets? | A) Carom billiards |
| 17 | What is the diameter of a standard snooker ball? | C) 2.07 inches |
| 18 | In 8-ball pool, what is the minimum number of object balls a player must legally hit with each shot? | A) One |
| 19 | What is the term for the cloth used to cover a billiards table? | B) Baize |
| 20 | What is the term for a shot in which the cue ball is struck in such a way that it draws back after contacting the object ball? | A) Draw shot |
| 21 | In a standard game of 8-ball, what is the proper numerical order in which the balls should be arranged in the rack, from left to right? | A) There is no specific order |
| 22 | Which of these is not a World Pool-Billiard Association rule for the break shot? | C) The breaker must use a dedicated break cue |
| 23 | Which country is known as the origin of carom billiards? | A) France |
| 24 | Which billiards game uses a cue ball, a red ball, and a white “opponent” ball? | A) English billiards |
| 25 | What is it called when the cue ball is pocketed? | B) A scratch |
| 26 | What shape is the rack used in the game of straight pool? | A) Triangle |
| 27 | What is the meaning of the term "double kiss" in billiards? | A) The cue ball contacts an object ball twice in a single shot |
| 28 | In carom billiards, how many cushions must the cue ball contact before it strikes the second ball? | C) Three |
| 29 | What is the name of the device used to rack the balls in a game of 8-ball? | A) Triangle |
| 30 | In the game of snooker, what is the standard minimum point penalty for a foul? | B) 4 points |
| 31 | Which of these billiards games is played with the highest number of balls? | A) Snooker |
| 32 | Where must the cue ball be placed for the opening break in eight-ball? | A) Behind the head string |
| 33 | In the game of snooker, which color ball has the highest points value? | A) Black |
Hungry for More? Check out these Resources!
- Our posts about Billiards
- Wikipedia
- International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF)
- CueballTV YouTube Channel
FAQ
How many questions are in this billiards quiz?
There are 33 questions, each with three options and the correct answer behind the reveal button.
Where can I find the billiards trivia questions and answers together?
The answer key under the scoring table lists all 33 questions with their answers in order, so a full round can be marked at once.
Are these billiards trivia questions hard?
The pool questions are easy for anyone who plays. The snooker scoring, carom rules and the history questions are where most players lose points.
Can I use these billiards questions for a pub quiz?
Yes. Read the question and the three options out loud, let everyone write down a letter, then work through the answer key and count the correct answers.
Do the questions cover snooker as well as pool?
Yes. The set mixes American pool, English billiards, snooker and carom billiards, so no single game gives you all the answers.
What is a good score on this billiards quiz?
More than half is a good result. The scoring table turns your total into a rank, from Cue Beginner at the bottom to Billiards Master at the top.
What is the highest possible break in snooker?
147, made by potting all 15 reds with blacks and then clearing the colors. It is known as a maximum break.
How many balls are used in snooker?
22 in total: 15 reds, six colors, and the white cue ball. The black is worth seven points, the highest of the colors.
What is the difference between pool and carom billiards?
Pool is played on a table with six pockets and numbered object balls. Carom billiards is played on a table with no pockets, where points come from making the cue ball strike both other balls.
