Billiards "American": rules of the game

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:46

The American billiard game is very popular today. Mostly men can be seen at the billiard table. This is played by both the younger and older generation. For many years now, it has also been an international sport. This game has received so much attention due to the fact that it requires strong restraint, tact and clarity. If you want to play at home, then for this you will need billiard equipment, that is, a special table, as well as balls along with additional elements that will have to meet all the requirements of the World Pool Association.

Number of game balls on the billiard table

In order to start, you need to know all the basic rules of playing American billiards. So, the game will be played with sixteen balls. All but one have their specific number. Numbered balls from one to seven have a "solid" color. From nine to fifteen "striped", which means that in the middle they are divided by a strip of a certain color. During the game of billiards "American" these balls will be divided between the players.

Under the number 8 is a black ball, it is necessary to winto score in a certain pocket before the opponent. However, it cannot be pocketed before all of its balls. Even if the ball accidentally hits the pocket, it will be considered a loss for the player who did it. The white ball has no number, it is also called the cue ball. All strikes in the game will be exclusively with it.

Position of balls on the table

In the game of billiards "American" the rules specify exactly how the balls should be placed. To do this, use a triangle, in which all the balls are tightly placed, except for the white one. The front ball must be on the back mark. The back mark is the spot on the pool table. In the next row, you need to put one of the balls of different colors, that is, one “solid” and one “striped”. In the third row, a black ball is placed in the center, and two different ones are placed on the sides. For the fourth row, two balls are used from "solid" and "striped". In the last row, all previously unused balls are placed. There is one rule that the standing balls in the last row on the sides must be of different colors. However, they often use a different way of arranging American billiards. The Russian pyramid in this case is set so that the balls alternate as much as possible.

First Strike Chance

In order to start the game, you need to decide who will break this triangle. To do this, both opponents place any two balls in the "house" part of the table. The balls must be on the same line as well as the same distance from the center longitudinal line. Opponents must hit the ball at the same time. The winner is the one whose ball, after touching the opposite side, will be as close as possible to its original place. The rules of the game of American billiards specify that if the ball of one participant touches the side board, then he loses. In the event that such an error occurred in two players, it will be necessary to replay. But almost always, if you go with a friend to the pool room, it will be much easier to just agree.

Start of party

After you have decided on who will beat first, you can start a game of American billiards. The hit on the white ball should only be applied with a sticker (this is the rubber part of the cue). If the blow occurred with another part of the cue or the hand touched the ball, then this is counted as a mistake in which the player changes. In billiards, a mistake is called a foul. If the triangle is broken, but none of the balls hit the pocket, then the opponent continues the game. In the event that the cue ball flies off the table or falls into a pocket, then it must be returned to its original place. But there is another rule that the white ball can be placed on any spot on the table. How you will play, you need to agree in advance with your opponent.

Also, many people think that the pyramid is considered broken only if at least four balls touched the sides. If this did not happen, the opponent can make a choice, leave everything as it is, or replay it himself. This rule should also be discussed before the game.

You can win from the first hit only if the black ball hitsinto the hole. Such a waste of events is extremely rare. When a black ball flies off the billiard table, it is returned to the table and placed on a certain point. A foul is counted when, after the first hit, the cue ball falls into the pocket.

Game progress

Once the pyramid has been broken, players need to pocket any ball other than the black one. As soon as one of the balls is in the pocket, the table is considered closed. If the player forgot the "striped" ball, then he will need to score them. If "solid" - then they will play.

During the game of billiards "American" a foul may occur, it is counted if the player hit the opponent's ball or the eighth ball with the cue ball. Also, a player receives a foul if, in addition to his ball, the opponent's ball also hit the pocket. A foul results in a player change.

There are some prohibitions regarding hitting. For example, the cue must never slide over the ball. Or when after hitting any of the balls touches the cue, then a foul will be counted. A situation may occur in the game that the cue ball and any other ball will stand very tightly with each other, in which case it will not be possible to hit exactly straight.

End Party

As soon as all "own" balls have been pocketed, black must also be pocketed. It should be hammered into a certain pocket. The pocket in which the eighth ball should be located is opposite to the place where your last pocketed ball hit. In the event that the player pocketed the 8th ball earlier, then he is considered defeated.

When playing American billiards, you oryour opponent may also get fouled. This happens if: a double hit was made, the balls were touched by a hand, clothing or another part of the cue, except for the necessary one. When the "cue ball" is in the pocket after the hit or the balls flew off the table, then this is also a foul. The probability of getting a foul is greater in the game of billiards "American". The rules in this game you can personally adjust. There are certain specifics that need to be discussed before starting with your opponent.