IHPA

While 8-Ball reigns as the most widely embraced version of Billiards, the WPA has expanded its offerings to include not just one, but two alternate versions, and now a third—Heyball. Similar to the renaming of “English Pool” to Blackball, “Chinese 8-Ball” has adopted the moniker Heyball. Boasting over 1 million Heyball tables in China alone, it’s safe to say that Heyball has made an impressive splash in the world of Pool.

While Heyball utilizes the standard 57 mm balls found in general Pool play, the table diverges from the norm. Measuring 9ft, it features rounded pockets akin to those used in Snooker, presenting a unique challenge when attempting to pocket the 54 mm balls—a task notably more demanding than on a traditional Snooker table.

Two compelling factors position Heyball as a rapidly rising discipline in Pool. Firstly, its prize money has already exceeded that of any other Billiards discipline. Secondly, thanks to a nuanced rule, Heyball stands as the sole discipline permitting both men and women to compete at the highest professional level, further fuelling its appeal and growth.