What are the basic rules of billiards?

What are the fouls in billiards?

It is a foul (scratch) if on a stroke, the cue ball is pocketed. If the cue ball touches an object ball that was already pocketed (for example, in a pocket full of object balls), the shot is a foul. Touching any object ball with the cue ball while it is in hand is a foul.

How do you score in billiards?

Scoring is achieved by "potting" balls, by "cannons", and by going "in off". A ball is "potted" when the cue ball knocks it into a pocket. A "cannon" is when the cue ball strikes first one ball and then the other. A player's ball goes "in off" when it falls into a pocket having first "kissed" (struck) another ball.

What's the difference in pool and billiards?

Billiards is played on a table without pockets. The game only has three balls, which are red, white (with a spot), and another white one (without a spot). Pool involves a table with six pockets. You need 15 balls, but some people play with just nine.

What are the three types of billiards?

A "Billiards" category encompassing pool, snooker, and carom has been part of the World Games since 2001.

The Rules of 8 Ball Pool (Eight Ball Pool) - EXPLAINED!

Is billiards an easy game?

Is billiards an easy or difficult game? It depends. It is easy to put balls, but it is very complicated to dominate the control of the white ball, win continuous matches, compete under pressure ... There is something about billiards that stand outs more than any other, the challenge of this sport.

Do you look at cue ball or object ball?

Best results can vary from one person to another, but it is generally recommended to focus on the object ball (or the center of the ghost ball, desired contact point, ball-hit fraction, or a point on the cloth or cushion) instead of the cue ball during the final stroke.

Is it illegal to hit the 8-ball first in pool?

When the table is open it is legal to hit any solid or stripe or the 8-ball first in the process of pocketing the called stripe or solid. However, when the table is open and the 8-ball is the first ball contacted, no stripe or solid may be scored in favor of the shooter.

What happens if you pocket the 8-ball and the cue ball?

NOTE: If the 8-ball was pocketed the result shall be a loss of game. Pocketing the cue ball or driving it off the table is a ball in hand foul. Scratching on the 8-ball is not a loss of game as long as the 8-ball was not pocketed.

What is the 3 foul rule in billiards?

6.14 Three Consecutive Fouls

If a player fouls three times without making an intervening legal shot, it is a serious foul. In games scored by the rack, such as nine ball, the fouls must be in a single rack. Some games such as eight ball do not include this rule.

Which ball to hit in billiards?

One of the white balls (plain or spot) serves as the cue ball for each player, the red ball and other white ball serving as his object balls. In play, the object is to stroke the cue ball so that it hits the two object balls in succession, scoring a carom, or billiard, which counts one point.

What is the 3 point rule in billiards?

The 3-point break rule is in effect. For a break to be legal a player must drive 3 object balls past the head string, or a combination of 3 pocketed balls and balls above the head string. Failure to execute a legal break is not a foul.

What happens if you sink the cue ball?

The phenomenon of sinking a cue ball is called a Scratch and results in a penalty, and you lose the turn to the opponent. If you pot a cue ball, the opponent gets the cue ball in hand and can place the cue ball anywhere behind the head string during their turn.

What happens if you don't hit the cushion in pool?

The opening player plays at the triangle of object balls by striking the cue ball from any position on, or behind, the baulk line. An object ball must be pocketed, or at least TWO object balls hit any cushion. Failure to do so is a foul break and will result in the balls be re-racked as per rule sheet.

What is a shot in billiards called?

carom: CB deflection off one OB into another. carom shot: a shot where the CB is deflected off one OB and into another to pocket the second ball (i.e., a “billiard” or “CB kiss shot”).

What is the 2 hit rule in pool?

"A double hit is an illegal shot involving the tip of the cue stick coming into contact with the cue ball twice during the execution of a single shot. This foul may occur through double clutching the cue ball, or in situations where the cue ball is nearly frozen to the object ball or rail.

Is scooping the ball illegal in pool?

Is a “scoop” jump shot a foul, even if there is no miscue or multiple hit? Yes. Here is the pertinent quote from WPA Rule 8.18: A scoop shot, in which the cue tip contacts the playing surface and the cue ball at the same time and this causes the cue ball to rise off the cloth, is treated like a miscue.

What is the two shot rule in pool?

Should a foul occur, the opposing player receives two shots, and these shots can be carried on (i.e. if a ball is potted on their first shot, the player still has two shots). When a player gets two shots, they can pick up the white ball and place it anywhere behind the line to gain some advantage over their opponent.

Where do you look when shooting in pool?

Get your eyes on the shot line while standing. Keep your eyes sharp on the OB or cushion target as you drop into your stance and shooting position. As your bridge hand approaches the table, start sighting back & forth between CB & OB.

Can you put the cue ball anywhere?

In the event of a foul call, the opposing player receives cue ball in hand anywhere on the table. This means that the player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table (the cue ball does not have to be behind the headstring except on opening break or immediately after a foul on the break).

Why do you spin a cue ball?

Applying spin gives you more control of the cue ball after it has struck the object ball thus allowing you to control the final position ready to play your next shot. It can also be used to get you out of tricky situations if you are “snookered” and cannot strike the object ball directly.

Is playing pool good for seniors?

Becoming more limber and agile in your movements through playing billiards is a great benefit. Not to mention how your physical confidence improves, as a result of the repetitive movements required to play the game. This can be a great bonus for the elderly, veterans or even those with varying physical limitations.

How long does the average billiards game take?

The average individual match should take between 45 to 60 minutes. A team match should take no more than 2 hours. Individual matches should average 8 to 10 minutes per rack in 8-Ball or 30 to 40 minutes in 9-Ball. A doubles match should average 45 minutes.

How long is a billiards game?

4 Person teams round-robin of 8-ball means 16 games of pool per match, and roughly 4 hours of pool playing at an estimated 15 minutes per game average for 8-ball.