Rules & Regulations for Billiards

There are a large number of different games to be played with a billiard table. All of them involve variations of sinking the balls in the pockets by striking them with a cue ball propelled by a wooden cue. Specific rules for each type of game are long and varied. This article is intended as a brief summation of standardized rules for all types of pocket billiards games, applicable regardless of the game itself. You can add specific rules for the game you are playing on top of them--they usually constitute the order in which the balls must be sunk, which player can strike which balls and particulars of scoring--but these guidelines should always be in place during a regulation session on a billiard table.

Features

Billiard tables must be of a uniform rectangular size and have pockets spaced symmetrically on the corners and in the center of the widest lengths. The tables themselves must be between 28 1/4 and 31 inches tall at the bed, with rails at least 1 inch in height and between 4 and 7 1/2 inches wide. It goes without saying that the table surface needs to be perfectly level. The pocket openings should be 4 1/2 inches wide for the corner pockets and between 5 and 5 1/8 inches wide for the side pockets. Balls must be of a uniform size, 5 to 5 1/4 inches in diameter and weighing between 5 1/2 and 6 ounces. Cue sticks need to be at least 40 inches long (there is no maximum length) and weigh no more than 25 ounces.

Features

Balls need to be racked using a regulation triangle, with the ball at the apex (the top of the triangle) placed on the foot spot of the table. Only the tip of the cue may strike or move the cue ball. If any other objects strike any ball in any way, it results in a foul, and the offending player must forfeit his turn (or his next turn if he has acted out of turn). It is also a foul if the cue tip touches any ball that is still in motion. The cue ball may only be struck once by the cue tip until all balls have come to rest. A player must have at least one foot on the ground when making any shot, and his footwear must be of a normal size and thickness. (No strapping phone books to your soles and calling them shoes.)

Features

For games involving called shots, the acting player must name the number of the ball she intends to strike and the pocket she intends to sink it in before she makes any shot. She doesn't need to specify how the shot will be made, nor does she need to account for any additional balls that may be sunk in the process. Failure to pocket a ball--regardless of whether called shots are in effect or not--results in the end of the player's inning. Whenever a player's turn or inning ends--either by fouling or by failing to sink a ball as dictated by the rules--the next player shall take his turn, with each player or team alternating as play progresses.

Features

A foul is incurred any time the cue ball fails to touch the object ball or if it is sunk in a pocket during the course of a shot. The player's turn or inning immediately ends, and further penalties may be applied depending on the precise rules of the specific game.

Features

Spotting the ball takes place whenever the rules of the particular game dictate it. The ball is placed on the foot spot of the table, or as close as possible depending upon the current position of the other balls. If more than one ball must be spotted, the second ball should be placed directly behind the first, in a line leading towards the nearest edge of the table. Any third ball will be placed directly behind the second, any fourth ball behind the third ball and so on until all spotted balls have been laid down. The player whose turn it is may then make a shot as normal.

Features

Occasionally, the balls may be disrupted by non-players or so-called "acts of God" such as earthquakes or spilled drinks. Regardless of the circumstances, if it was determined that the balls were moved inadvertently with no intention of altering the game, then the moved balls should be placed back as close to their original position as can accurately be determined. Play can resume as normal from there.