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Rules for English Billiards

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English Billiards is very popular not just in England but all around the world thanks to the British Empire. It is a cue sport that is played by two players that use an object ball that is red in color as well as two cue balls that are yellow and white in color.

Each player is using a different color cue ball. This is to attempt to score more points than their opponents and reach the agreed total points required to win the game. It is like chess where you use extreme tactics and strategies. It requires you to think of an offensive move and a defensive move at the same time.

It is played on a table that has the exact same dimensions as a snooker table. Its dimensions must be 3569mm by 1778mm. Each player has a cue that is made from either wood or fiberglass. This cue is used in striking balls.

What differentiates this game from other games is that it uses chalk. While on the game, each player will chalk the end of their cue to ensure that there is good contact that will happen between the cue and the other balls.

This is played with three balls of different colors. Their colors are red, yellow, and white. Each player will also have their own cue ball. One will have the white ball while the other will have the yellow ball. Players will decide who will break first. Usually, they decide this by hitting their cue balls to the length of the table. They’ll be hitting the cushion and must be able to return to them.

Whoever gets the cue nearest to the bulk cushion will have the chance to decide as to whoever breaks first. After the winner is determined,  the red is placed on the billiard sport and whichever player is going to break must place their cue ball in the D.

After this, the player then plays the ball. 

Players will take turns to attempt to score the most amount of points. Players may score in three ways.

  • In Off

This is when the cue ball hits one or more balls and then goes down into a pocket. This will earn them 2 or 3 points. 

  • by pot

This is when any ball other than your cue ball goes into a pocket. This will also earn you 2 or 3 points.

  • By cannon

This is when the cue ball hits both other balls which scores 2 points. Players shall stay there until they fail to score in a shot.

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Rules About Touching Balls In English Billiards

Spot occupied

A spot can be called occupied when the ball cannot be placed on it without that ball touching another ball.

Push Stroke

This happens when the cue remains in contact with the cue ball after the cue ball has commenced its forward motion. Also, it can be as if the cue ball makes contact with another ball except where the cue ball and an object ball are almost touching each other.