Billiards covers a family of games played with a cue and balls on a cloth-covered table. In the United States most people mean pool, or pocket billiards: games like eight-ball and nine-ball, where you sink balls into six pockets. Snooker, played on a bigger table, and carom billiards, played on a table with no pockets at all, have devoted fans too and are worth a try if you find a hall that has them.

You can play at a dedicated pool hall, where tables are usually rented by the hour, or at bars and game rooms with coin-operated tables that charge by the game. A good hall has level tables, straight cues and enough room around each table to take a shot without poking a stranger.

The Date Activity

Pool makes a great date because it's half game, half conversation. There's a natural rhythm of shooting, waiting and chatting, and size and strength matter far less than touch and patience. If one of you is better, use the chance to teach. Showing someone how to make a bridge with their hand or line up a shot is easy, friendly and just a little bit flirtatious.

Choose the place to suit the mood. A quiet hall on a weeknight is good for actually learning the game, while a table in a busy bar is livelier but means waiting your turn and playing to an audience. Keep the stakes silly: loser buys dessert. Pool pairs well with other games, too, so make a night of it with bowling or a stop at the arcade; some entertainment centers have all three under one roof.

On Your Own / With Friends

Pool works best with two to four players per table, so larger groups can rent several tables and rotate partners. With three players, try cutthroat: each person owns five balls and tries to sink everyone else's. Many halls and bars run leagues and weekly tournaments, which are a good way to meet people and improve quickly.

Alone, an hour at a table is time well spent. Practicing the same shot over and over is how most good players learned, and regulars at a hall are often happy to offer a tip or a friendly game.

Good to Know

Ask how tables are priced; some halls charge per table, some per player, and many are cheaper on weekday afternoons. Roll a house cue across the table before you pick it, and choose one that rolls smoothly with a good tip. Chalk before most shots. Basic etiquette goes a long way: don't sit on the table, keep drinks off the rails, and don't stand in someone's line of sight while they shoot. Some halls serve alcohol and admit only adults after a certain hour, so check before bringing younger players.