Billiards and pool are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to different games played on similar-looking tables with a cue and balls. Here are the key differences between billiards and pool:

• Table: Billiards is played on a table without pockets, while pool involves a table with six pockets.
• Balls: Billiards uses only three balls, which are red, white (with a spot), and another white one (without a spot), while pool requires 15 balls, but some people play with just nine.
• Cue stick: Both games use cue sticks, but pool cues are longer and have a thinner shaft, while billiard cue sticks are smaller but have a thicker butt and a shorter ferrule that makes the stick taper.

In summary, while billiards and pool share some similarities, such as the use of cue sticks and tables, they have distinct qualities that set them apart. Billiards is played on a table without pockets and only has three balls, while pool involves a table with six pockets and requires 15 balls.