Billiards | The rules & playing method of carom billiards + tips

Billiards is quickly seen by many people as a fun pub game, but it does require some insight and technique, especially at the top level!

Billiard games are divided into 2 types: carom billiards, played on a pocketless table in which the object has to bounce the cue ball off other balls or the table rails, and pocket billiards or English billiards, played on a pocketed table in which the goal is to score points. Earn by dropping the ball into the pocket after hitting another.

In the Netherlands, carom billiards is particularly popular.

Here we will discuss the basics of carom billiards - and its variations - in addition to equipment and strategy.

Carom billiards involves serious skill, often involving angles and trick shots. If you already know pool, carom is the next step!

The rules of carom billiards

Grab a partner and a billiard table. Carom billiards, in all variations, requires two people. It can be played with a third, but standard carom is with two.

You will need your standard billiard table – 1,2m by 2,4m, 2,4m by 2,7m and 2,7m by 1,5m (3,0m) or 6 feet (1,8m ) at 12 feet (3,7 m) without pockets.

This no-pocket thing is pretty important. You could play on a snooker (pocket billiards) or pool table, but you will quickly find that the pockets get in the way and potentially spoil the game.

The billiard table

Here's everything you need to know (and some things you might not know) when it comes to the table:

• Those diamonds are there to use! If you know your geometry, you can use them to aim your shot. We'll cover that in the next section (strategy).
• The rail at which the first player breaks is called the short, or head, rail. The opposite rail is called the foot rail and the long rails are called the side rails.
• The area behind which you break, behind the 'main sequence', is called the 'kitchen'.
• The pros play on heated pool tables. The heat makes the balls roll more smoothly.
• It is green so you can look at it for a long time. Apparently humans can handle green better than any other color. (There is, however, another theory for the green color: Originally billiards was a field sport and when it was played indoors, first on the ground and later on a green table mimicking grass).

Determine who starts

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Determine who goes first by “lag behind”. That's where each puts the ball near the baulk cushion (the short end of the table you break from), hits the ball and sees which one can return it closest to the Baulk cushion as the ball slows to a stop .

The game hasn't even started yet and a lot of skill is needed already!

If you hit the other player's ball, you lose your chance to decide who starts. If you win the punch (lag), it is generally assumed that you choose to go second. The player who breaks usually wastes his turn by lining up the balls and not making a strategic shot.

Setting up the billiard balls

Set up the game. You each need a cue to get started. Billiard cues are actually shorter and lighter than their pool counterparts, with a shorter ring (the white part at the end) and a thicker stock.

Then you need three balls - a white cue ball (called "white"), a white cue ball with a black spot on it ("spot") and an object ball, usually red. Sometimes a yellow ball is used instead of the one with the dot, for clarity.

The person who wins the lag calls out which ball he or she wants (white ball), the white or the dot. It's just a matter of personal preference.

The object ball (red) is then placed on the foot spot. That's the point of the triangle at pole, by the way. The opponent's cue ball is placed in the main place, where you normally end up at pool.

The starting player's cue is then placed on the main string (in line with the main spot), at least 15 inches (XNUMX cm) from the opponent's cue.

So if your ball is in line with your opponent's, it is obviously very difficult to hit both balls on the table. Hence, if you win the lag, you choose to go second.

Determine the specific variation

Determine the rules by which you and your partner want to play.

As with any game that is centuries old, there are variations in the game. Some variations make it easier, some make it harder, and others make it faster or slower.

For starters, each type of carom billiards gives a point by bouncing both balls off the table. There are several options to choose from:

• In straight rail billiards, as long as you hit both balls, you get a point. This is the easiest.
• Two cushion: In one cushion billiards you must hit one cushion (one side of the table) before hitting the second ball.
• Three cushion: In three cushion billiards you have to hit three cushions before the balls come to rest.
• Balkline billiards remove the only flaw in this game. If you manage to get both balls into a corner, you can presumably hit them both over and over and the other never gets a turn. Balkline billiards states that you cannot receive points from a shot where the balls are in the same area (often the table is divided into 8 sections) of the table.

After you've determined how you'll get points, decide at what point number you want to stop. In one cushion, that number is generally 8. But three cushion is so hard, you'll have better luck with 2!

play billiards

Play the game! Move your arm smoothly back and then forward in a pendulum motion. The rest of your body should remain still as you punch through the cue ball, allowing the cue to settle naturally.

There you have it - all you have to do is hit both balls to get a point.

Here is GJ billiards neither with a helpful tip to improve your strategy:

Technically, each turn is called a "cannon". But here are some more details:

• The player who goes first must hit the red ball (it would be weird to bounce the other one anyway)
• If you score a point, you move on to punches
• Playing “slop” (accidentally getting a point) is generally not allowed
• Always keep one foot on the floor
• "Jumping" the ball is a foul, as is hitting a ball while it is still in motion

Usually you want to hit the cue ball right in the middle. Sometimes you want to hit the ball to one side or the other to give it a side spin to make the ball roll to one side.

Control the cue and your attitude

Grasp the cue correctly.

Your shooting hand should grip the back of the cue in a loose, relaxed manner, with your thumb for support and your index, middle, and ring fingers gripping it.

Your wrist should be pointing straight down to keep it from moving sideways when you take your punch.

Your cue hand should usually be holding the cue about 15 inches behind the cue's balance point. If you're not too tall, you may want to hold your hand forward from this point; if you're tall, you may want to move it further back.

Place the fingers of your off-hand around the tip to create a bridge to shape. This prevents the cue from moving sideways when you punch.

There are 3 main handles: the closed, the open and the railway bridge.

In a closed bridge, wrap your index fingers around the cue and use other fingers to stabilize your hand. This allows for more control over the cue, especially on a powerful forward stroke.

In an open bridge, form a V-groove with your thumb and index finger. The cue slides through and you use your other fingers to keep the cue from moving sideways.

The open bridge is better for softer shots and is preferred by players who have trouble making a closed bridge. A variation of the open bridge is the raised bridge, in which you raise your hand to lift the cue over an obstructive ball when you hit the cue.

Use the rail bridge when the cue ball is too close to the rail so you can't slide your hand behind it. Place your cue over the rail and hold the tip steady with your off hand.

Align your body with the shot. Align yourself with the cue ball and the ball you want to hit. The foot that matches your punching hand (right foot if you're right-handed, left foot if you're left-handed) should touch this line at a 45-degree angle.

Your other foot should be a comfortable distance from it and in front of the foot that matches your punching hand.

Stand at a comfortable distance. This depends on 3 things: your height, your reach and the location of the cue ball. The farther the cue ball is from your side of the table, the longer you need to stretch.

Most billiard games require you to keep at least 1 foot (0,3 m) on the floor while punching. If you can't do this comfortably, you may need to try another shot or use a mechanical bridge to rest the tip of your cue when you shoot.

Position yourself in line with the shot. Your chin should rest slightly over the table so that you are pointing the cue down, as horizontally as is comfortable.

If you're tall, you'll need to bend your forward knee or both knees to get into position. You should also bend forward at the hips.

The center of your head or your dominant eye should line up with the center of the cue. However, some professional pool players tilt their heads.

Most pocket billiard players stick their heads 1 to 6 inches (2,5 to 15 cm) above the cue, while snooker players have their heads touching or almost touching the cue.

The closer you bring your head, the greater your accuracy, but with a loss of reach for the forward and backstroke.

Experiment with strategy and game variations

Look for your best shot. This all depends on where the balls are on the table. In carom billiard games that allow it, you want to make punches that hold the balls together so that you can score repeatedly by bouncing them off each other (in other words, not Balkline).

Sometimes your best shot is not a scoring shot (offensive shot) but to knock the cue ball to a place where your opponent struggles to make a scoring shot (i.e. a defensive shot).

Do a few practice shots if you need to. This will release your arm before the actual shot.

Get to know the “diamond system”

Yes, math. But once you understand it, it's pretty easy. Each guide has a number. You take the number of the diamond that the cue would initially hit (called the cue position) and then subtract the natural angle (the number of the diamond on the short rail). Then you get a grade – the grade of the diamond you should be aiming for!

Take the time to experiment! The more you see how many options you have, the better you get and the more fun the game will be.

Also use your carom billiards skills and start playing pool, 9-ball, 8-ball or even Snooker! You will see that these skills will suddenly make you a lot better at pool.

Below are some billiard terms:

Carom: Play with the cue ball in such a way that from that movement the second and third ball are also hit by the cue ball.

Acceleration: This is the initial thrust.

Pull Punch: By playing the cue ball below the centerline, a ball is created that has a recurring roll effect after hitting the second ball.

Carotte: Deliberately leaving the ball difficult for your opponent so that he cannot make a carom (point).

English billiards

Billiards (in this case referring to English Billiards) is a game that is popular not only in England but all over the world thanks to its popularity during the time of the British Empire.

Billiards is a cue sport that is played by two players and uses an object ball (red) and two cue balls (yellow and white).

Each player uses a cue ball of a different color and tries to score more points than his opponent and reach the previously agreed total needed to win the match.

There are many forms of billiards around the world, but it is English billiards that is one of the most common and popular.

Hailing from England, it's an amalgamation of a number of different games, including the winning and losing carom game from above.

The game is played all over the world, especially in Commonwealth countries, but over the past 30 years its popularity has declined as snooker (a simpler and TV-friendly game) has risen in both players and TV.

Here's World Billiards explaining the game:

Rules of English billiards

The object of a billiard game is to score more points than your opponent, and to reach the agreed number of points needed to win the game.

Like chess, it is a huge tactical game that requires players to think both offensively and defensively at the same time.

While it is not a physical game in any sense of the word, it is a game that requires a tremendous amount of mental dexterity and concentration.

Players & Equipment

English billiards can be played one against one or two against two, with the single version of the game being the most popular.

The game is played on a table that is exactly the same size (3569mm x 1778mm) as a snooker table, and in many places both games are played on the same table.

Three balls must also be used, one red, one yellow and one white, and each must be 52,5mm in size.

Players each have a cue that can be made of wood or fiberglass and it is used for punching the balls. All you need is chalk.

During the game, each player chalks the end of their cue to make sure there is good contact between the cue and the ball.

Scoring in English billiards

In English Billiards, the scoring is as follows:

• A cannon: This is where the cue ball is bounced so that it hits the red and other cue ball (in any order) on the same shot. This scores two points.
• A pot: This is when the red ball is hit by the player's cue ball so that the red goes into a pocket. This scores three points. If the player's cue ball touches the other cue ball causing it to go into the pocket, it scores two points.
• In-Out: This happens when a player hits his cue ball, hits another ball and then goes into a pocket. This scores three points if the red was the first ball and two points if it was the other player's cue ball.

Combinations of the above can be played in the same recording, with a maximum of ten points possible per recording.

Win the game

English billiards is won when a player (or team) reaches the agreed number of points needed to win the game (often 300).

Despite only having three balls on the table at a time, it's a highly tactical game that requires a huge amount of clever gameplay and skill to ensure you stay ahead of your opponent.

In addition to thinking in terms of attacking and scoring, it is essential for anyone who wants to win a game of billiards to think defensively and make things as difficult as possible for their opponent at the same time.

• All billiard games are played with three balls, consisting of a red, yellow and white one.
• Each of the two players has their own cue ball, one with the white ball, the other with the yellow ball.
• Both players must decide who should break first, this is done by having both players simultaneously bump their cue ball the length of the table, hit the pad and return to them. The player who gets his cue ball closest to the cushion at the end of the shot gets to choose who breaks.
• The red is then placed on the pool spot and then the player who goes first places his cue ball in the D and then plays the ball.
• Players take it in turns to score the most points and ultimately win the game.
• Players take turns until they don't make a scoring shot.
• After a foul, the opponent can put the balls in their place or leave the table as it is.
• The winner of the game is the first player to reach the agreed point total.

A piece of history

The game of billiards originated in Europe in the 15th century and it was originally, strangely enough, a field sport.

After the game was first played indoors on the floor, the wooden table with a green cloth was created. This rug was supposed to imitate the original grass.

The billiard table developed from a simple table with raised edges, to the well-known billiard table with tires around it. The simple stick with which the balls were pushed forward became the cue, which could be used with great accuracy and technique.

In 1823, the well-known leather at the tip of the cue was invented, the so-called tippers. This allowed even more effect to be applied when punching, such as with a draw ball.

What are the different types of billiard games?

There are two main varieties of billiard games: Carom and Pocket. The main carom billiards games are straight rail, balkline and three cushion billiards. All are played on a pocketless table with three balls; two cue balls and an object ball.

Where is billiards most popular?

Where is billiards most popular? Pool is most popular in America while Snooker is most popular in the UK. Pocket billiards are also popular in other countries such as Canada, Australia, Taiwan, Philippines, Ireland and China.

Is billiards nearing its end?

There are still many serious billiard players. Billiards has decreased in popularity enormously in the last century. 100 years ago there were 830 billiard halls in Chicago and today there are about 10.

Who is the number 1 billiard player?

Efren Manalang Reyes: “The Magician” Reyes, born August 26, 1954 is a Filipino professional billiards player. Winner of more than 70 international titles, Reyes is the first man in history to win world championships in two different disciplines.

How do I get good at billiards?

Make sure you chalk the tip of your cue well and keep your grip relaxed and your cue as flat as possible, study the "drawshot technique".

What is the best way to play Carom?

You keep your palm down and rest your fingertips very lightly on the Carom table. You keep your index finger just behind the rim and make your shot by 'swiping' with your finger.

For extra control, hold the cue between your thumb and third finger to position it before tapping it.

Which finger is best for Carom?

The middle finger/scissors style; Place your middle finger on the board directly behind the center of the cue's edge and touch the cue with your fingernail if possible. Overlap your index finger with your middle finger.

Is 'Thumbing' Allowed in Carom?

Thumbing is allowed by the International Carrom Federation, which allows the player to shoot with any finger, including the thumb (also called “thumbing”, “thumbshot” or “thumb hit”). 

Who Invented Carom?

The game of Carom is believed to have originated from the Indian subcontinent. Little is known about the exact origins of the game before the 19th century, but it is believed that the game may have been played in various forms since ancient times. There is a theory that Carom was invented by the Indian Maharajas.

Who is Carom's father?

Bangaru Babu was first called “the father of Carom in India”. But today, the tireless crusader is immediately recognized as the father of Carom all over the world.

In which country is Carom a national sport?

In India, the game is also very popular in Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Arab countries and surrounding areas and is known by different names in different languages.

Who is World Carom Champion?

In the final of the Men's Carom Tournament, Sri Lanka defeated defending champion India 2-1 in the men's team event to secure their first Carrom World Cup title. India defeated Sri Lanka 3-0 in the women's tournament final to defend the title.

Joost Nusselder, the founder of referees.eu is a content marketer, father and loves to write about all kinds of sports, and has also played a lot of sports himself for most of his life. Now since 2016, he and his team have been creating helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with their sports activities.