About the Carom Billiards category

Billiards Carom Billiards
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Carom billiards (also called carambole billiards) is a cue sport played on a pocketless table (unlike pool or snooker). The objective is to score points by striking the cue ball so that it contacts the other two balls on the table in a single shot.

Key Features of Carom Billiards:

  • Table: No pockets, typically 10 feet long (larger than pool tables).
  • Balls Used:
    • 1 white cue ball (for Player 1)
    • 1 yellow or white with dots cue ball (for Player 2)
    • 1 red object ball
  • Scoring: A player earns a point (“carom”) when their cue ball hits both the opponent’s cue ball and the red ball in one shot.

Popular Variations of Carom Billiards

  1. Straight Rail (Free Game) – Simplest form; just requires hitting both balls in one shot.
  2. Balkline – Divides the table into zones to prevent repetitive scoring in one area.
  3. Three-Cushion Billiards – The most popular version; the cue ball must hit three cushions before contacting the second ball.
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Why is Carom Billiards Popular in the Global Sports Market?

While not as mainstream as pool or snooker, carom billiards has a dedicated global following, especially in:

  • Europe (France, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain)
  • Latin America (Colombia, Mexico, Argentina)
  • Asia (South Korea, Japan, Vietnam)

Reasons for Its Popularity:

  1. High Skill & Precision Required
  • Unlike pool or snooker, carom billiards demands extreme accuracy, spin control, and geometric calculations (angles, rebounds).
  • Three-cushion billiards is considered one of the hardest cue sports.
  1. Fast-Paced & Exciting
  • Since there are no pockets, games rely on continuous ball movement, making it dynamic and engaging.
  1. Strong Tradition in Key Markets
  • In Europe, it’s a classic café sport, like in France and Belgium.
  • In South Korea, three-cushion billiards is televised, with stars like Dick Jaspers (Netherlands), Frédéric Caudron (Belgium), and Choi Sung-Won (Korea) drawing big audiences.
  1. Betting & Competitive Scene
  • Popular in sports betting markets, especially in Asia.
  • Major tournaments like the UMB World Three-Cushion Championship attract top players.
  1. Less Equipment-Dependent
  • No need for pockets, making table maintenance easier.
  1. Growing Online & Digital Presence
  • Platforms like Kozoom stream professional matches, expanding its reach.

Comparison with Pool & Snooker

Feature Carom Billiards Pool Snooker
Table No pockets 6 pockets 6 pockets
Balls 3 (2 cue, 1 red) 9-ball, 8-ball, etc. 22 (15 red, 6 colors, 1 white)
Difficulty Extremely high (angles, cushions) Moderate High (strategy, precision)
Popular Regions Europe, Latin America, Korea USA, UK, Canada UK, China, Europe

Future of Carom Billiards

  • More global tournaments (especially in Asia and the Middle East).
  • Young players adopting hybrid techniques from pool/snooker.
  • Potential inclusion in multi-sport events (like Asian Games).