Rules for CAROM BILLIARDS


Except when clearly contradicted by these additional rules, the General Rules of Carom Billiards apply.

PLAYERS

Two or two teams.

TABLE

The table should be either 4 feet by 8 feet, 4 1/2 feet by 9 feet, 5 feet by 10 feet, or 6 feet by 12 feet without pockets. Markings include spots in the center of the head string, foot string, and center string. There should be two additional spots on the head string six inches on either side of the head spot.

BALLS

Three balls are used - one red bell, one white ball without spots and one white ball with spots (or a yellow ball).

OBJECT of GAME

To cause the cue ball to contact both object balls on the same stroke.

SCORING

One point is scored when the cue ball contacts both object balls on the same, legal stroke.

OPENING BREAK

The opening break is to be determined by lagging with the winning player having the option of shooting the break shot himself or allowing his opponent to shoot the break shot. For the break shot, place the red ball on the foot spot, the opponents cue ball on the head spot, and the shooters cue ball on the head string within six inches of the center spot. For the break to be legal, The cue ball must contact the red ball first.

RULES of PLAY

  1. For any shot other than break shots, the cue ball may contact either object ball first.
  2. If the cue ball contacts both object balls on a legal stroke, the player continues his turn at the table. If contact with both balls is not made, the player's turn ends.
  3. If the cue ball is in contact with one or both of the other balls, the shooter must either:
  4. If both object balls are within a triangle area formed by a corner and a diamond down each rail from the corner they are to be considered "crotched" balls. The player may score without regard to the crotch area at the beginning of the shooter's inning, or when one, or both, of the object balls leave the crotch area.
  5. If a ball leaves the table spot them in the following order red ball, cue ball of offending player, cue ball of incoming player. The first ball is placed on the foot spot (if it is available), the second on the head spot (if it is available), and the third on the center spot. If the cue ball leaves the table it is a foul, however if the object balls leave the table they are spotted and the shooter continues.

FOULS

The following are fouls for which the penalty is loss of turn:
  1. Playing out of turn.
  2. Accidental contact with any of the balls.
  3. Striking the cue ball twice or with anything other than the cue tip (i.e. cue on the same stroke, shaft, hand, chalk, bridge, etc.).
  4. Push shots.
  5. Making a shot while one of the balls is still in motion.
  6. Shooting wrong cue ball.
  7. Not having at least one foot on the floor while shooting.
  8. If the shooter's cue ball jumps off the table.

The following are fouls for which the penalties are described under unsportsman like conduct:

  1. Intentional interference with the path of the the balls.
  2. Intentional interference with the play of your opponent.

PENALTY for FOULS

The penalty for all unintentional fouls is loss of turn. If a carom is made on a foul, the point is not scored. In cases of intentionally interfering with the motion of the balls, penalties are to be awarded as provided under Unsportsmanlike Conduct in the Tournament Rules and Regulations.
These rules are used by Billy Aardd's Club, NMIMT, Socorro, NM.