“3 ball” can mean a few different things, depending on context, but the two most common are in pool and in golf.

Core meaning

  • In pool/billiards, 3-ball (often written “3 ball” or “three-ball”) is a fast gambling-style game played with only three object balls plus the cue ball, where the goal is to sink all three balls in as few shots as possible.
  • In golf and sports betting, 3-ball can describe a golf betting format or match where three players are grouped together and you bet on (or compete to be) the one with the lowest score for that round.

3-ball in pool (billiards)

  • What it is: A folk/pick‑up game played on a regular pool table with any three object balls and a cue ball.
  • Basic objective: Pocket all three balls in the fewest strokes; every shot counts as a point, and the lowest total points wins.
  • Vibe: Very quick, luck-heavy, and often used for casual gambling or quick competitions in bars or pool halls.

3-ball in golf

  • Golf match format: “Three-ball” can mean a match where three golfers each play their own ball, and each player’s score on a hole is compared against the other two; a player can effectively be in two separate matches at once (vs each opponent).
  • Betting format: In 3-ball betting, sportsbooks group three players together for a round, and you wager on which one will shoot the lowest score in that specific round.
  • Why it’s popular: It gives quick outcomes (settled after one round) and makes a normal three-person group more competitive and fun.

Other slang uses

  • Basketball: “Knock down the three-ball” is slang for making a three‑point shot.
  • Math: A “3‑ball” can mean a three‑dimensional ball (the solid region inside a sphere) in topology.
  • Pawn shops: The classic three-ball symbol is traditionally associated with pawnbrokers.

How to know which “3 ball” someone means

  • Talking about pool hall / bar games → probably the billiards game.
  • Talking about golf, tournaments, odds, or sportsbooks → likely the golf or betting format.
  • Talking about NBA or shooting from deep → the three‑point shot.

TL;DR: “3 ball” is most often either a quick gambling-style pool game with three object balls or a golf format/bet involving three players in one group.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.