How to Play Carom Pool

A player earns a point by legally striking the other cue ball and the object ball.

Game play for carom pool or carom billiards is very different from traditional eight- or nine-ball pool. In carom pool, the table is smaller than a standard table and contains no pockets. The objective is to score the highest number of points by striking the object ball and the opponent's cue ball in one hit. Each legal strike adds one point to the player's score, and the game ends when a predetermined number of points has been reached.

Things You'll Need

• Pool balls: one red, one white, and one yellow
• Cue sticks
• Carom table

Instructions

1. Determine who breaks. The breaker is determined by "lagging," meaning each player strikes a single ball from the spot at the starting line (line closest to the bottom cushion) with the intention of having it strike the opposite cushion and return as closely as possible to the bottom cushion. The person closest chooses their cue ball (either the white or yellow ball), and they choose who breaks.

2. Break the balls. For the opening break, place the object ball (red ball) at the foot string and the other player's cue ball at the head string. The breaking player places their cue ball within 6 inches of the center spot. A legal break must hit the red ball first.

3. A legal shot must involve a player's cue ball striking one of the object balls. If a player strikes both of the object balls in a legal shot, he wins a point and may continue. This is called a carom. If a player fails to strike an object ball, his turn comes to an end.

4. A player may "play safety" when there is no viable option for a carom. Playing safety means using the cue ball to strike an object ball, and then one of these balls must hit a cushion. If neither of the balls hits a cushion, this is a foul. Additionally, a player cannot play safety twice in a row.

5. If a player's cue ball comes off the table, it is replaced at the head spot. If this spot is occupied, it is placed at the foot spot, followed by the center spot.

6. If a player caroms but fouls, he is not awarded a point and game play moves to the opponent. Other examples of fouls include using the wrong cue ball, playing out of turn, accidental contact with any of the balls, shooting while another ball is still in motion, or not having at least one foot on the floor while shooting.

References

• LegacyBilliards.com: Carom Pool
• New Mexico Institute: Carom Billiards
• Union Mondiale de Billard: Carom Rules