Three-cushion rules and scoring

The scoring rule fits in one sentence; the rest is about the break, fouls and keeping score. These are the rules as most tournaments play them. Local leagues sometimes differ in the details, so check before a match.

The point

The cue ball must hit both object balls and touch the cushions at least three times before it hits the second object ball. Cushions before the first ball count. The same cushion can count twice. The object balls may touch cushions or each other; only the cue ball's cushions count.

If the cue ball touches the second ball after only two cushions, it is no point, even if it then goes on to more cushions and touches the ball again. The order is what matters: three cushions, then the second ball.

Turns

Each player has their own cue ball, white or yellow, for the whole game. You keep shooting as long as you score. Miss, and your opponent plays from where the balls stopped. Each turn at the table is an inning, and in most formats the player who broke gives their opponent the same number of innings at the end (the equalizing inning).

The opening position

The break is played from a fixed position. The red sits on the foot spot (the top spot) at one end. The opponent's ball sits on the head spot at the other end. The breaker's cue ball goes on the head string, about 18 cm to either side of the head spot; the breaker chooses the side. The opening shot must hit the red first.

Who breaks is usually decided by a lag: both players play a ball to the far cushion and back, and the one closest to the near cushion chooses.

Common fouls

A foul ends your inning without a point. The usual ones:

• Playing the wrong cue ball.
• Touching a ball with anything but the cue tip, or touching the cue ball more than once (a push or double hit).
• Playing while any ball is still moving.
• A ball leaving the table.
• Having no foot touching the floor when you strike.

Frozen balls

When your cue ball comes to rest touching another ball, you can't play into that ball. Most rules let you either play away from it, or have the balls re-spotted in the break position (the red and your opponent's ball on their spots, your cue ball on the head string). Rules differ on this, so check your league's version.

Game length and averages

Games are played to a number of points: 40 or 50 in many tournaments, less in club play, often with an inning limit. Professional leagues also play sets to 15.

The number everyone quotes is the general average: points divided by innings. Rough guides:

The other numbers on the scoreboard are the high run (the most points in one inning) and the best game average. The Carombo engine is tuned to average about 2.0, like the best players in the world.