TYPE OF GAME

Three ball is a pocket billiards folk game played with three standard pool object balls and a cue ball. The goal is to pocket the three object balls in as few shots as possible. Theoretically, any number of players can participate, in rotation, but more than five can become unwieldy. The game involves a somewhat more significant amount of luck than either nine-ball or eight-ball, because of the disproportionate value of pocketing balls on the break shot.

BALLS USED

Object balls 1, 2 and 3

THREE BALL RACKS

Three object balls (conventionally the 1, 2 and 3 balls) are racked either in a triangle — like a miniature eight-ball or snooker rack — with the apex ball on the foot spot, or in a straight line, again with the lead ball on the foot spot, and the other balls behind it, lined up toward the center of the foot rail. No particular arrangement is necessary, as there is no specific order in which the balls must be pocketed, nor do any of them have specific point values. (see pictures below)

OPENING BREAK

In three ball, players’ turn order is decided at random at the beginning of the game or match, as in other several-player pool games. The cue ball is placed anywhere behind the head string (“in the kitchen”) and a typical hard break (as in nine-ball or eight-ball) is performed. The break is the first stroke of a player’s game, and thus counts toward his or her score. Any balls pocketed on the break are considered to be legally pocketed and the player now only has to sink the remaining balls.

Very good players can sink all three object balls on the break with surprising frequency, resulting in the perfect (but still tieable) score of one point, especially if the balls are triangle-racked; this feat is achieved using an adaptation of the instant-win break technique from eight-ball and nine-ball; the straight rack was introduced to make this more difficult, as it does not provide the contact point and angles that the well-known technique requires.

FOULS IN THREE BALL

Every shot costs one point, and a foul of any kind costs the player an additional one-point penalty. Fouls consist of: pocketing the cue ball; knocking the cue ball off the table; a double hit on the cue ball with the cue stick (including illegal “scoop-under” jump shots); push shots; and (possibly, depending on how serious the game is) accidentally (or otherwise) moving a ball with a hand, the butt of the cue, etc. A shot in which the player pocketed one or more object balls but also fouled incur a one point penalty – a foul always results in a penalty of 1 point. Thus, a break shot that sank all three object balls plus the cue ball is a score of two (one for the actual shot, plus one for the foul), unless the “instant loss” rule (see below) is in effect.

Shots after a cue ball scratch (into a pocket or off the table, or in strict play after accidentally moving the cue ball) must, similarly to the break shot, be taken from on or behind the head string and must go forward across/from the head string, as in typical American barroom eight-ball, rather than taken ball-in-hand anywhere on the table. (However some do play the game using ball-in-hand rules adapted from nine-ball.

If this rule variant is to be used it should be agreed upon clearly beforehand, as many three ball players feel that it makes the game too easy, and observe that ball-in-hand after fouls in nine-ball is a punishment for the fouler and a reward for the opponent, which effectively cancel each other out in three-ball because the fouler illogically receives both punishment and reward.)Object balls knocked off the table are spotted on (or behind, as near as possible) the foot spot, and do not count as fouls (since the mistake already punishes the shooter by requiring at least one more shot to get out.)

Kisses, caroms, kicks, banks, combinations and non-scoop-under jump shots are legal. No shots, including combinations, banks, etc., have to be called as to object ball, pocket, or any other details. “slop” shots are legal. It is not a foul to do a weak break that fails to drive balls to cushions or into pockets. Similarly, it is not a foul to make a weak shot that does not pocket a ball or contact a cushion, since, again, these mistakes are effectively self-punishing, by costing the player a stroke.

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TYPE OF GAME

Ten ball is preferred by some professionals because it is slightly harder to pocket any balls on the break, opponents cannot win the game by pocketing the 10 ball early (such as on the break or on a combination shot), and performing a break-and-run on multiple racks becomes increasingly difficult. The game is played with ten object balls 1 through 10 and the cue ball.

PLAYERS

The game is normally played with two players but can also be played with two teams.

RACK

The ten balls are racked as a triangle as in eight-ball, with the 10 ball positioned in the middle of the rack.(see picture below)

OBJECT OF THE GAME

The object of the game as its name implies, is to pocket the 10 ball on a legal shot to win the game.

OPENING BREAK

One person is chosen to shoot first, or “break”, the rack. Usually this is determined by flipping a coin, or by lagging, especially in professional tournaments in the case of the latter, or it may be ruled by the authority in charge or the sponsor or the players themselves that the winner or loser of the previous game will always shoot first in the next rack. If the player who breaks fails to make a legal break (by contacting the one ball first and pocketing a ball or driving four or more object balls to a rail), the opponent can either demand a re-rack and become the breaker, or continue to play as if it was an ordinary foul. If the breaker pockets a ball and commits no foul, it remains the breaker’s turn.

RULES OF PLAY

In 10 ball, on all shots, a player must cause the cue ball to contact the lowest numerical ball on the table first before the cue ball strikes any other ball otherwise a foul has been committed. Players alternate innings at the table, meaning play continues by one player until he or she misses, commits a foul or pockets the ten ball for the win. The penalty for a foul in ten ball is that the player’s inning ends and the opponent comes to the table with ball in hand, which means the opponent may place the cue ball anywhere on the table prior to shooting.

Ten ball is a relatively fast-paced game and is rarely played by the rack. Instead, players normally play a match to a set number of games, often five, seven or nine. The first player to win that set number of games wins the match.

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TYPE AND OBJECT OF GAME

In straight 14-1 continuous pool, the shooter may attempt to pocket any ball on the table. The object is to reach a set number of points determined by agreement before the game. One point is scored for each ball pocketed where no foul is made. A typical game might require a player to score 100 points, meaning at least 100 balls must be pocketed to win. In professional venues, straight pool is usually played to 150 points. Straight pool is a call-pocket game, meaning the player must indicate the intended object ball and pocket on every shot. How the ball reaches the pocket is irrelevant, so long as the called ball enters the called pocket.

Unlike in most pool games, where pocketing a ball and spreading the balls is the aim on the break, the object in straight 14-1 continuous pool’s standard initial break shot is to leave the opponent with a safety. This is because the call-pocket rule includes the break shot. This makes it similar to the break shot in snooker.

PLAYERS

Two players or two teams

BALLS USED

In Straight 14-1 continuous, all 15 regular balls are used

RACK

Standard triangle rack with the apex ball on the foot spot, 1-ball on the racker’s right corner, 5-ball on left corner. Other balls are placed at random.(see picture below)

STRAIGHT 14-1 CONTINUOUS BREAK SHOT

On the break, either a ball must be pocketed in a designated pocket or the cue ball and at least two additional balls must touch a rail. The failure to accomplish one of these two options results in a foul. Fouling on the initial break results in a special penalty of a loss of 2 points. In addition, the opponent has the choice either of accepting the table in position, or alternatively of having the balls re-racked and requiring the offending player to repeat the opening break.

All other fouls during the game result in a one point deduction, including fouling on an intergame rack. However, a third foul in a row at any time in a straight pool game results in a loss of 15 points (for purposes of this rule, a foul on the initial break, though it is a loss of two points, is not counted as two fouls). The 15 point deduction is in addition to the one point loss for each foul. Thus, the first two fouls are a loss of one point each, and the third foul in a row is a loss of 16 points; 1 point for the foul, and 15 points for it being the third contiguous foul.

INTERGAME RACKING

Because Straight 14-1 Continuous pool is played to a specific number of points normally far in excess of the 15 points (professional matches are usually to 150 points) total available in the initial rack, multiple intergame racks are necessary. Intergame racking employs a separate set of rules from those in place at the game’s start.

To reach the point where an intergame rack becomes necessary, the balls are played until only the cue ball and one object ball remain on the table’s surface. At that time, if neither the cue ball or the fifteenth object ball remains in the rack area (or is interfering with racking in the rack area) the fourteen pocketed object balls are racked with no apex ball, and the rack is placed so that if the apex ball were in the rack, its center would rest directly over the table’s foot spot. Play then continues with the cue ball shot from where it rested and the fifteenth, non-racked, object ball from where it rested prior to racking.

The “Straight 14-1 Continuous” appellation derives from this racking practice, i.e., that fourteen racked object balls and one remaining object ball left in position is presented to the players at the conclusion of each intergame rack. The shooter will then normally try to pocket the unracked fifteenth ball, and at the same time have the cue ball carom into the fourteen racked balls, spreading them so that subsequent shots are available, and a run may continue.

A number of rules have developed which detail what must be done when one or both of the cue ball and fifteenth object ball are either in the rack area at the time an intergame rack is necessary, or are in such proximity to the intergame racking area, that the physical rack cannot be used without moving the one or the other. The rules also vary depending on whether the cue ball or fifteenth object ball are resting on the table’s head spot. Such rules are detailed on the following chart (note therein that the kitchen refers to the area behind the table’s head string).

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TYPE OF GAME

Speed Pool is a solitary billiard game. As its name suggests, one pockets all the balls on the table as quickly as possible. It can be played competitively with the aid of a stopwatch.

PLAYERS

Only one player at a time. Many can compete against each other

BALLS USED

15 regular balls

RACK

The eight ball must be in the middle as in the eight ball game. All other ball are at random.

RULES OF THE GAME

The cue ball must not be in motion when shooting

Object balls can still be in motion when shooting

Ball and pocket must be called, (No lucking the balls in)

Legal shots must be made, or a 10 second penalty will be incurred.

A legal shot involves the cue ball contacting an object ball, and driving it to the rail, or the cue ball hitting a rail after contact, or pocketing an object ball

Any ball may be pocketed, but the 8-ball must be last.

STRATEGY

Observing professionals, one can see them running madly around the table to place their next shot. Unlike most billiard games, the cue ball is mostly used with a stop-shot to minimize the waiting time. Bank shots are legal, but time-consuming, and thus rare. A legal shot to just nudge the object ball for position on an easy shot is preferred.

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TYPE OF GAME

It is played using 5 small bowling pins called skittles, one black and 4 whites, 2 object balls and the cue ball. It is a game unlike no other.

PLAYERS

The game is normally played by two players

BALLS USED

The official rules states using object balls 1 and 3 but since the point values are 3 points for legally pocketing the 3-ball and 2 points for the 1-ball, we prefer using the 2-ball instead of the 1-ball since its point value corresponds to its number.

SKITTLES AND BALLS POSITIONING

The black skittle is set at the exact center of the table. The four white ones are positioned in a cross shape around the black. Two of them are of each side of the black on an imaginary line joining the center of the two side pockets. The remaining two being in front and behind the black on an imaginary line splitting the table in two equal parts. The distance between the black and the whites is 4 inches or 10 cm from center to center.

The whites are assigned a point value from 1 through 4 in a clockwise manner when looking at the table from the head spot. Number one being the closest skittle from the head string.

Most tables have a “D” drawn around the head spot. For those not having that “D”, here are the radius measures for drawing one with a felt tip pen:

The center being the head spot, for 4’x 8’ tables, radius is 7 1/16” (18 cm), for 4½’ x 9’ it is 8 3/8” (21.3 cm), for 5’ x 10’ it is 9 3/8” (23.8 cm) and for 6’ x 12’ it is 11 1/2” (29.2 cm).

The 2-ball is placed at the leftmost point of the “D”, the 3-ball is on the foot spot and the cue ball on the rightmost point of the “D”. (see pictures below)

OBJECT OF THE GAME

To score exactly 31 points coming either from pocketing the object balls, knocking skittles off or using caroms with the two object balls.

SCORING

Players score points in the following ways :

a) for every white knocked off with their corresponding value;

b) Pocketing the 3-ball worth 3 points;

c) Pocketing the 2-ball worth 2 points;

d) Caroming the 2 object balls worth 2 points;

e) Any combination of points on a same shot is totalled.

NUMBER OF POINTS

First player to score exactly 31 points is the winner. Among those 31 points scored, the player must have achieve at least one carom and pocket at least one object ball or knock off at least one white skittle. It means that totalling 31 points by only pocketing object balls is not allowed.

OPENING BREAK

To start the game, the player must shoot on the 3-ball and continues playing as long as he scores points.

RULES OF PLAY

Play starts with the cue ball on the rightmost point of the “D”

After a cue ball scratch, the incoming player has to place it in the “D”. He must then shoot on an object ball in front of the head string (outside the kitchen). If both object balls are behind the head string, he must use a bank shot.

LOST POINTS

Player loses all the points scored in an inning when :

a) the black skittle is knocked off;

b) cue ball does not contact an object ball;

c) cue ball hit a skittle before contacting an object ball;

d) one or more balls jump off the table;

e) player gets more than 31 points;

f) any skittle is knocked off by cue stick, the bridge or any other object or body part. This also applies while the player has the ball in hand and is positioning it.

SPOTTING SPACE OCCUPIED

If an object ball is on a skittle spot, that ball is spotted so that it can be placed on its reserved space. If it is the cue ball, player take it and place it anywhere in the “D”.

If an object ball or the cue ball is located on the space of the object ball to be spotted, the ball to be spotted must be placed on cue ball spot used when the game starts. If this spot is occupied, the ball must then be spotted on the remaining spot.

CUE BALL LYING ON AN OBJECT BALL

When the cue ball is lying against an object ball, no points can be score by shooting on that ball. Player must either shoot on the other object ball and it becomes a legal shot or play a defensive shot on the lying ball. If he caroms or knock off a white skittle, no points are allowed.

POCKETING THE SAME OBJECT BALL CONSECUTIVELY

Players are not allowed pocketing the same object ball more than three consecutive times after it has been spotted at its position. Player pocketing it a fourth time loses all his points. The only exception being if a double shot (for example pocketing the 3-ball a fourth time and knocking off a white skittle). In this case, all the points count and player continues inning.

DIFFERENT WAYS TO WIN THE GAME

1) Player reach exactly 31 points.

2) The four white skittles are knocked off on the same shot and the black one is still standing.

3) The two object balls and the cue ball are all pocketed on the same shot while all 5 skittles are still standing.

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TYPE OF GAME

The six ball game is the same as nine ball but played with 6.

PLAYERS

This game is normally played with two players but can also be played with two teams.

BALLS USED

Ball number 1 through 6 and the cue ball

RACK

Ball are racked using either the diamond as in the nine ball or the regular triangle. The one ball is in the apex and the 6 ball is in the middle of the last row.(see picture below)

OBJECT OF THE GAME

The object is to pocket the six ball using the same rules as in Nine Ball

OPENING BREAK

One person is chosen to shoot first, or “break”, the rack. Usually this is determined by flipping a coin, or by lagging, especially in professional tournaments in the case of the latter, or it may be ruled by the authority in charge or the sponsor or the players themselves that the winner or loser of the previous game will always shoot first in the next rack. If the player who breaks fails to make a legal break (by contacting the one ball first and pocketing a ball or driving four or more object balls to a rail), the opponent can either demand a re-rack and become the breaker, or continue to play as if it was an ordinary foul. If the breaker pockets a ball and commits no foul, it remains the breaker’s turn.

WINNING THE GAME

A player wins in six ball by pocketing the 6 ball at any time in the game in a legal manner, either by hitting it in with the cue ball or with a lower numbered ball in a combination shot. A player can also win by default if the opponent commits three successive fouls. However in most formats, including under BCA rules, the opponent must be told that he or she is “on two fouls” in order to lose by committing a third foul.

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TYPE OF GAME

Seven ball is a speedy rotational game. Averaging only about three minutes per game, contestants shoot at the same seven object balls, permitting players to show skills in making combination and carom shots, defensive shots and placement. At the same time, it is attractive to players of moderate skills and really adapt to handicapping by limiting the number of pockets in which the better contestant can legally pocket the game winning seven ball.

PLAYERS

Two player or two teams.

BALLS USED

Object balls 1 through 7 and cue ball.

RACK

A special rack has been designed for this game. A standard diamond rack (as used in nine ball) may also be used by turning it sideways. The balls are racked in a circle on the foot spot, with the 1-ball at the apex and the balls increasing numerically 1-6 (clockwise in a circle) with the seven ball in the middle of the circle. (see picture below)

OBJECT OF THE GAME

To legally pocket the 7-ball

SCORING

The balls have no point value. The player legally pocketing the 7-ball is the winner.

OPENING BREAK

The starting player must either make an open break or legally pocket an object ball. If not, the incoming player has choice of foul penalty (1), or having the balls reracked and shooting the opening break shot. In subsequent games, players alternate break shot.

RULES OF PLAY

A legal shot requires that the cue ball’s first contact be with the lowest numbered ball on the table. A player must then either pocket a numbered ball or cause the cue ball or any object ball to contact a cushion. Failure to meet these requirements is a foul and Penalty for Fouls (2) applies.

A legally pocketed ball entitles the shooter to remain at the table until failing to pocket a ball on a legal shot.

After a legal opening break, the opponent chooses which side of the table (any of the three pockets on one side) into which he will pocket the seven ball. Balls 1-6 may be pocketed on either side of the table.

Pocketing the 7-ball on a fair opening break wins the game.

Any violation of General Rules  results in Penalty for Fouls (2)

LOSS OF GAME

In Seven ball, a player loses the game by committing any of the following infractions :

a) pocket the 7-ball in a non-assigned pocket after the break;

b) scratches when the 7-ball is the legal object ball;

c) pockets the 7-ball on an illegal shot;

d) misses when the 7-ball is the object ball (optional alternative is to assess Foul Penalty(2));

e) commits three successive fouls.

ILLEGALLY POCKETED BALLS

All spotted and Penalty for Fouls (2) applies.

PENALTY FOR FOULS

(1) Incoming player has cue ball in hand behind the head string and object balls in position, but if the lowest numbered object ball is also behind the head string, it must be spotted.

(2) Cue ball in hand anywhere on the table.

VARIATION FOR SEVEN BALL

Players of unequal ability may be handicapped by assigning them pockets in which they can play the 7-ball. It is suggested that more skilled players shoot the 7-ball into the side pocket on either side of the table and less skilled players shoot it into any pocket.

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TYPE OF GAME

Russian Pyramid is quite different than other games. It is played using 15 white balls and the cue ball is red.
Table : Even though sizes range 7′ (198 õ 99 cm); 8′ (224 õ 112 cm); 9′ (254 õ 127 cm); 12′ (356 õ1 78 cm) the most common variety is the 12′.
Ball size : There are 16 balls (15 white and 1 red) which are larger and heavier than Western billiard balls. There are two regulation sizes: 68 mm and 71 mm.
Pocket size : Pockets are only 2 to 4 mm wider than the diameter of the ball. This makes the game much more difficult and requires greater precision to pocket a ball.
PLAYERS

Normally played with two players or two teams

BALLS USED

To play real Russian Pyramid, you need 15 white balls and one red ball used as the cue ball to start. You can also play using 15 regular balls and the white cue ball to start.

RACK

Balls are racked in a standard triangle. The real start position of the ball are as in the picture below.

RULES AND OBJECT OF THE GAME

The game starts with 15 white balls racked in a pyramid as in eight-ball. One player breaks from the baulk line. In Russian Pyramid the object of the game is to pocket 8 balls. There is no set cue ball, at all times any ball may be used as a cue ball. The first player to score eight balls wins the game. You can also score by pocketing the red cue ball. In this case your opponent must choose a white ball to be taken off the table and the red cue ball is returned to the baulk line. A foul (missing a ball, driving a ball off the table, etc.) is penalized by deducting one of scored balls and returning it back on the table.
If played with regular balls, the same principle apply and players can use any ball as the cue ball.

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TYPE OF GAME

Rotation requires that the cue ball contact the lowest numbered object ball first on each shot. Any ball pocketed on a legal shot counts. It is not necessary to call balls or pockets. This is a game requiring good cue ball control and position play.

PLAYERS

Two or more

BALLS USED

Standard set of 15 balls plus cue ball

RACK

Standard triangle rack with the 1-ball on the foot spot, 2-ball on racker’s right corner, 3-ball on left corner and 15-ball in the center. All other balls are placed at random. (see picture below)

OBJECT OF THE GAME

In Rotation, the object is to score balls of greater point value than the opponent(s)

SCORING

Each legally pocketed object ball has a point value equal to its number. Game ends when a player’s point total mathematically eliminates opponent(s); 61 points in a two-player game. If two or more players tie for highest point total after all 15 object balls have been pocketed, the tied player that legally pocketed the last object ball is credited with the win.

OPENING BREAK

The starting player must either make an open break or legally pocket an object ball. If failing to do so, the incoming player has the choice of either shooting with cue ball in hand behind the head string and object balls in position or having the balls reracked and shooting the opening break shot.

ROTATION RULES OF PLAY

A legal shot requires that the cue ball’s first contact be with the lowest numbered ball on the table. A player must then either pocket a numbered ball or cause the cue ball or any numbered ball to contact a cushion. Failure to do so is a failure.

A legally pocketed ball entitles the shooter to remain at the table until failing to pocket a ball on a legal shot. If necessary, a player is permitted only two legal safeties played by merely hitting that object ball (only) to the near cushion.

When a player legally pockets a ball, he must shoot again. The shooter can’t call a safety and spot a legally pocketed object ball.

When a player has the cue ball in hand behind the head string (as after a scratch) and the legal object ball is also behind the head string, the object ball may be spotted on the foot spot upon request.

It is a loss of the game if a player commits three successive fouls. In more than a two-player game, balls pocketed by disqualified player remain off the table.

ILLEGALLY POCKETED BALLS

All spotted

PENALTY FOR FOULS

In Rotation, there’s no point penalty. Incoming player has the option of either accepting the table in position or requiring offending player to shoot again with the table in position.

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TYPE OF GAME

One pocket is played with the general conventions of Standard Rules of Pocket Billiards. A point is made when a player makes any ball into their designated pocket. The winner is the first to score 8 points. Prior to breaking, the player making the break chooses a bottom corner pocket in which he must sink all his balls for that particular game or inning. The opponent must make his balls in the other bottom corner pocket.
PLAYERS

The game is either a two player or a two team game.

BALLS USED

All 15 regular balls are used.

RACK

Balls are placed in a standard triangle rack entirely at random.(see picture below)

OBJECT OF THE GAME

One-pocket is similar to the game of straight pool in that both games allow you score points for pocketing balls, and each legally pocketed ball earns the shooter one point and another shot. The penalties for a foul (illegal shot) is the loss of one point and in the case of a “scratch” the incoming player gets “ball in hand” behind the headstring. Unlike Straight pool (or 14.1) three consecutive fouls is often considered the loss of the game.

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