Indian cueist Pankaj Advani won his 29th career world title at the WBL World Billiards Championships on 23 October 2026. He defeated England’s Robert Hall 1,906–1,206 in the final, held in Great Wyrley, England. The five-hour match saw Advani recover from a deficit of more than 300 points.
Championship result and career titles
Advani’s victory was his 21st world championship title in billiards. He received the John Roberts Trophy, named after the 19th-century English billiards champion John Roberts Sr. Advani made a break of 587 in the final, the highest break of the championship. A break is a series of points scored during a player’s visit to the table before the turn ends. Advani reached the final after defeating defending champion David Causier 1,607–1,271 in the semi-final. In the quarter-final, he beat Sourav Kothari 1,134–575. In the women’s event, India’s Shruthi L retained her title by defeating Australia’s Anna Lynch 347–222.
English billiards and scoring terms
English billiards is played with three balls: a red object ball and two cue balls, one assigned to each player. Players score through cannons, pots and in-offs. A cannon occurs when the cue ball contacts both other balls in one stroke; a pot sends an object ball into a pocket; and an in-off occurs when the cue ball enters a pocket after contacting another ball. A break records consecutive points scored by a player in a single visit to the table. In the final, Advani’s 587-point break helped him move ahead after Hall missed a shot.
Indian representation in cue sports
Advani competes in billiards and snooker, two cue sports played on a baize-covered table with cues and balls. His 29 career world titles include titles across the two disciplines; the 2026 championship added to his billiards title tally. Shruthi L’s win gave India the women’s title at the same championship.
Important Facts for Exams
- English billiards uses two cue balls and one red object ball.
- A cannon is scored when the cue ball contacts both other balls in one stroke.
- An in-off occurs when the cue ball is pocketed after contacting another ball.
- A break is the total of consecutive points scored in one visit to the table.
The final score was 1,906–1,206, and the match lasted five hours. Advani’s 587-point break was the highest recorded at the 2026 championship.
