Billiards

History:

The game of billiards is believed to date back to ancient Persia, and flourished in the 12th century as an outdoor lawn game played by royalty and high society. It was a favorite game of Mary, Queen of Scots, as well as Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI. Pockets were not added to the table until the 19th century.

In America, billiards became a game played by people of all social classes, from the upper class to the working class. As a result, billiards is one of the ten most-played games in the country, according to the Billiard Congress of America.

Object of the Game:

A player uses a cue stick to hit a white ball (the cue ball) against object balls, which are numbered and varied in color. The goal is to hit the object balls into the table's pockets.

Playing Field:

The table is rectangular, twice as long as it is wide. Tables are made in various sizes, but 4.5' x 9 feet is considered regulation size. The playing surface is 29 inches high and features cushions (rubber rails) on all sides. The playing surface is slate covered with felt. The table features 6 pockets, each one five inches in diameter. The pockets are located at each corner, and at the center of each side rail.

The cushion at one end of the table is known as the foot rail, the opposing end is known as the head rail.

The foot string is an imaginary line midway between the foot rail and the center of the table. Likewise, the head string is an imaginary line midway between the head rail and the center.

The head spot is a small circular point on the table located in the center of the head string. The foot spot is located in the center of the foot string.

Equipment:

Cue- a tapered wooden stick with a leather tip, no more than 60 inches in length, usually weighing between 18 and 20 ounces.

Balls- originally ivory, modern billiard balls are made of a hard plastic composite, 2 1/4 inches in diameter and 6 ounces in weight. The cue ball is white and unnumbered. The object balls have varying solid colors (balls 1-8), or colored stripes (balls 9-15).

Rack- a triangular frame used to set up the object balls at the start of a game.

Basic Rules:

These are general rules of billiards. For specific game rules, see straight pool, 9-ball, or 8-ball.

The opening shot is called the break shot. The first shooter is determined by lags, in which each player shoots the cue ball from behind the head string to rebound off the foot rail without the ball contacting the side rails. The player whose ball comes to rest closest to the head rail wins the option of shooting first.

Once the object balls are racked, the cue ball may be placed anywhere between the head string and the head rail.

Players may apply chalk to the tip of their cue at any time. Chalking the tip prevents the cue from slipping when it strikes the cue ball.

A stroke or turn begins when the player hits the cue ball and lasts until all balls on the table stop rolling.

The first player hits the cue ball from behind the head string toward the cluster of object balls. A legal break requires that at least one of the object balls are pocketed. If the break is illegal, the opponent can either play the balls as they lie or ask the opponent to repeat the break.

Each player's turn is an inning, lasting as long as a player continues to pocket object balls. Innings alternate between players.

The shooter must call the number of the ball to be pocketed. If the called ball drops into a pocket, any other balls pocketed on the same shot also count. If the called ball is not pocketed, any pocketed balls from that shot are spotted (put back on the table).

A ball is considered in hand when it has to be set on the table so that play can begin or resume.

A ball is spotted when the cue ball is pocketed (known as a scratch), the cue ball fails to hit the called object ball first before hitting other balls, or if the balls are knocked off of the playing surface.

If a single ball is to be spotted, it is placed on the foot spot. If multiple balls are spotted, they are placed one behind the other beginning with the lowest number.

An object ball is frozen if it lies against a rail or is touching the cue ball. The shooter must hit the frozen ball with the cue ball and pocket the frozen ball, or move it to another rail, or make the cue ball or another object ball touch a rail. A foul occurs if none of these are done.

See:

Straight Pool
8-Ball
9-Ball