Solids Meaning in Billiards

Solids refers to the group of object balls numbered one through seven. These balls are painted a single solid color with a small white circle for the number. In a game of eight-ball, one player is assigned the solids while the other takes the stripes. You must pocket all seven of your solid balls before you can legally hit the eight ball. These are often easier to track visually on the table than the more complex striped patterns. Choosing solids after the break can be a strategic decision based on their positions. For example, a player sees that most solids are in the open and decides to target them. They pocket the solid blue two ball to claim that group for the rest of the game. Understanding your assigned group is essential for following the rules and winning the match. It is a basic building block of the most popular pool games.