English billiards

English billiards is a form of billiards played on a 6' X 12' rectangular table with pockets in the four corners and in the middle of the long sides (see Snooker for markings and a diagram).

The game is for two players or teams. Two cue balls (originally both white, but more recently one white, one yellow) and a red object ball are used. Each player or team uses a different cue ball; where both cue balls are white, one has a distinguishing mark (usually one or more black dots).

Rules

Beginning the game

First the players 'string', this is done by both players simultaneously hitting a cue ball up the table hitting the top cushion and coming back into baulk. The player who gets his/her ball closest to the baulk cushion can now choose which cue ball he wants to use during the game (either white or yellow, or plain white or spot white depending on which kind of balls are used) and if they break or let the opponent break.

The red ball is placed on the 'spot', which is the black spot in snooker, and the first player begins by playing in hand from the D behind the baulk line. The other cue ball remains off the table until the opponent's first turn, when he plays in hand from the D.

The idea is to leave the balls safe by leaving either a double baulk, or the red in baulk with your cue ball tight on the top side cushion.

Scoring

Points are awarded as follows:

Cannon (striking one's cue ball so that it hits, in any order, the other cue ball and the red ball on the same shot): 2 points
Winning hazard on the red (striking the red ball with one's cue ball so that the red enters a pocket): 3 points
Winning hazard on the white (striking the other cue ball with one's cue ball so that the other cue ball enters a pocket): 2 points
Losing hazard or in-off (striking one's cue ball so that it hits another ball and then enters a pocket): 3 points if the red ball was hit first; 2 points if the other cue ball was hit first; 2 points if the red and the other cue ball are hit simultaneously.

Combinations of the above may all be scored on the same shot. The most points from the one stroke are therefore 10—the red and other cue ball are both potted, a cannon, and a losing hazard off the red.

Winning is achieved by a player reaching a fixed number of points, determined at the start of the game. e.g. first to 300 points or by a timed game, 1hr 20mins etc.

Half-ball shots

Billiards is all about angles; to be able to judge angles you must first know the set half-ball strokes on the table. Half ball is when you strike your cue-ball in the centre and the cue points towards the edge of the object ball you are aiming at. Once you learn the set half ball shots then you can adjust accordingly as you might need to hit thicker, thinner or with running or check side. All of these components make up the basis of billiards. As a beginner you should often play for the natural half ball strokes and as you become more experienced you can experiment with side etc.

Other rules

If the red is potted it is respotted on the 'spot' which equates to the black spot in snooker. After the red has been potted twice off the spot with no other scores it is respotted on the middle spot. When potted from the middle spot it returns to the 'spot' at the top of the table. If the opponent's cue ball is potted that stays off the table.

After an in-off the play continues by playing from hand from within the D behind the baulk line. When playing by hand the player must touch a ball or cushion outside of baulk before striking any ball in baulk with the cue ball. (ie, no masse)

If you are playing from in hand and all the balls on the table are in baulk (either the red on its own or the red and opponent's ball) and you don't make contact with either of the object balls this is called a miss; 2 points are awarded to your opponent but he/she must play from where the balls are after the opponent's stroke.

You may only play 15 hazards in a row, after which you would then have to play a cannon. If only the red ball is on the table (cannons can't be made) then after 15 hazards you can request for the opponent's ball to be placed on the "brown spot" and then play a cannon to continue the break.

If your cue ball is touching an object ball when it is still your visit to the table then the balls must be re-spotted: red on its spot and opponent's ball in the center spot.

Fouls

If a foul occurs, two points are awarded to the opposing player and he has the choice of playing from where the balls lie or he can respot the balls... i.e. the red goes on the spot, the opponent's white goes on the middle spot (the blue spot in snooker) and he plays from hand.

There are a few different ways a foul can occur.

By playing the opponent's cue ball instead of your own.

Making a ball jump off the table.

Missing an object ball during play.

Double hits or push shots.

By Jumping over an object ball and connecting with it on the side in which it is going to land.

From running a "coup" which is to fire your ball straight into a pocket when you are playing from hand and the other (1 or 2) object balls are in baulk. This rule is new in 2006

Miss

A miss is when you are playing from hand and all the other (1 or 2) object balls on the table are in baulk and you hit you cue ball somwhere safe on the table which although sacrifices 2 points, the opponent cannot have the balls respotted as you can do after a foul. You may chose to do this for a few reasons but it is handy in situations where you only need to score few points to win.

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