Instructor: Dave Rubino Course Information:

Office: 170 Esslinger CRN: 13689

Phone: x6-1059 PEI: 221

Office Hours: 12-12:50pm M-H Class Time: 9-9:50am U/H

GRADING:

Skill: Evaluation based on your playing ability at the end of the term 20 pts

Skills test (Thursday Nov. 21,2002) 15 pts

Knowledge: Assignment- see below 15 pts

Quiz- Tuesday Nov. 19,2002 (in class) 30 pts

Affective: On time, attendance, cooperative, prepared, respectful of others, 20 pts follows class and house rules, etc.…

Total= 100 pts

Assignment- Pick one of the three options: (DUE on Tuesday Nov. 5, 2002)

1. Write a 1-2 page, double spaced paper on any topic related to billiards
2. Watch a billiard’s match on ESPN/ESPN 2 and describe the game that’s played, where it’s being played, who played, who won, and as much information that shows me you watched the match
3. Watch a 9-ball and trick shot video (tba)

CLASS RULES:

Infractions of these rules result in a loss of points, depending on severity of the infraction.

1. Be on time and stay for the entire 50 minutes of class.
2. Follow house rules at all times (see below).
3. No swearing and no offensive words, slogans, or innuendo on clothing.
4. Absolutely no begging for grades!
5. No beepers or cell phones in class!

"HOUSE RULES"

1. Treat all equipment with respect and care.

1. Never sit on the tables!
2. Do not mark the playing surface with chalk.
3. Keep chalk and talc away from table surface.
4. Handle the cue sticks with safety in mind.

2. No food or drink on, or near tables.
3. No tobacco products of any kind allowed in billiards area.
4. All players will play with the utmost integrity. No cheating.
5. One foot on the floor at all times. Use the bridge when necessary.
6. No jump shots or masse’s.

Angle Shot: a shot that requires the cue ball to move the object ball an angle to fall into a pocket. Also called a cut shot.

Apex of Triangle: the position of the front ball in the rack.

Bank Shot: the object ball contacts a cushion before being pocketed. It must be called in games that require shots to be called.

Break: the first shot of a game

Bridge: the hand that holds and guides the cue stick during play.

Call Shot: the requirement that a player designate which object ball they intend to make into which pocket.

Carom: when the cue ball intentionally hits off an object ball and is deflected into the object ball intended to be pocketed.

Combination shot: a shot where the cue ball hits an object into another ball with the intent of pocketing the second object ball.

Contact Point: the actual point of contact between the cue and the object ball.

Cue Ball: the solid white, unnumbered ball that must be contacted first by the cue.

Cue Ball in Hand: the cue ball may be put into play from anywhere on the table.

Cue Ball in Hand Behind the Head String: the cue ball is put into play from anywhere behind the head string, but must be aimed toward the foot of the table.

Diamonds: markings on the table rails that can be used as reference points.

Draw Shot: the cue ball is hit below center, causing back-spin so that the cue ball comes back toward the player after contacting the object ball.

English: side-spin applied to the cue ball by hitting to the left or right of center.

Feather Shot: a shot where the cue ball barely touches, or glances off, the object ball: a very thin cut.

Follow Shot: a shot where the cue ball is struck above center causing the cue ball to roll forward after contact with the object ball.

Foot Spot: the center point of the foot string, where the apex of the rack is set

Foul: an infraction of the rules, such as a scratch, usually resulting in a penalty.

Frozen: a ball touching another ball or cushion.

Head String: an imaginary line that travels between the side rails through the head spot.

Inning: a player’s turn at the table.

Jump Shot: a shot in which a ball is caused to rise up off the table. Illegal in our classes.

Kick Shot: when the cue ball hits a cushion before contacting any object ball.

Kill Shot: a dead shot, a cue ball that stops immediately after contacting the object ball.

Kiss: contact between balls.

Kiss Shot: shots in which object balls carom off one or more other object balls to be pocketed.

Kitchen: slang for the area between the head string and head rail.

Lag for Break: a shot to determine shooting order. Each player shoots a ball from behind the head string to the foot cushion trying to return the ball as close to the head cushion as possible.

Masse Shot: a curve shot caused by excessive spin, or English, on the cue ball to cause it to go around an object ball.

Mechanical Bridge: a piece of equipment similar to a cue with a metal device that aids the player in difficult to reach shots. Also called a rake.

Miscue: bad contact between the cue tip and cue ball. You will hear a sharp sound.

Natural Angle: movement of the cue ball after contact with the object ball. Determines leave.

Object Balls: the balls other than the cue ball.

Position: the placement of the cue ball in relation to the next shot. Also called ‘leave’.

Rails: the upper and outer surface of the table, not covered by cloth.

Safety: when a player has no good shot to attempt, he/she strategically decides to leave the opponent with no good shot as well. A player’s inning usually ends with a safety.

Scratch: the cue ball drops into a pocket on a shot.

Spot: the round cloth glued to the playing surface, usually at the foot spot; also, the action of placing an object ball on the foot spot or long string after a scratch.

Stop Shot: a dead ball, a kill, to stop the cue ball immediately upon contact with an object ball.

Triangle: the equipment used for placing the object balls to start a game. Also called a rack.

1. Rack 15 balls with the 8-ball in the middle, a solid ball in one corner and a striped ball in the other.
2. One player will pocket ball 1-7 (solids) and the other player will pocket balls 9-15 (stripes). The player pocketing their group first and then legally pocketing the 8-ball wins.
3. 8-ball is a ‘called ball’ game. Players must call the ball and pocket unless the shot is obvious. If the shot is not obvious, the player must call the shot aloud.
4. The first break is decided by a ‘lag’. The break alternates players from then on.
5. The break is made ball in hand behind the headstring.
6. If a ball is pocketed on the break, the shooter can choose which group of balls to play, example, the table is ‘open’. They do not have to choose the group the pocketed ball belongs to.
7. The table is open when the choice of stripes or solid has not been made. The table is always open following a break. On an open table it is legal to hit a solid ball to pocket a stripe and visa versa.
8. If a ball does not fall during the break, at least four object balls must hit the rails or a foul/scratch has been committed. This is called an ‘open break’. If the player breaking the rack scratches on the break, the opponent gets ball in hand behind the headstring.
9. The choice of group is determined only when a player legally pockets a ball after a break.
10. If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, the breaker can ask for a re-rack or have the 8-ball spotted and continue play. If the breaker scratches while pocketing the 8-ball on the break, the incoming player has the option of a re-rack or having the 8-ball spotted and begins shooting with ball-in-hand behind the headstring.
11. On all shots after the sets have been determined, a player must contact one of his or her group balls first and pocket a ball or cause the cue ball or another object ball to hit a rail or it is a foul.
12. A player continues to shoot as long as he/she pockets balls from the correct group.
13. It is a foul, and the opponent gets cue ball in hand anywhere on the table, if:

1. the shooter contacts an opponent’s object ball or the 8-ball first.
2. The shooter scratches
3. A ball jumps off the table. Do not spot the jumped ball, drop it in a pocket.

1. Illegally pocketed balls remain pocketed.
2. Combination shots are legal if you contact one of your group to pocket another of your group. You can not use the 8-ball as a first contact unless the table is open.
3. When shooting at the 8-ball, a scratch or a foul is not a loss of game unless the 8-ball is pocketed or jumped from the table. A combination shot can never be used to pocket the 8-ball.
4. A player loses the game if he/she commits any of the following infractions:

1. a foul when pocketing the 8-ball
2. pockets the 8-ball on the same stroke as the last of his/her group of balls
3. jumps the 8-ball off the table at any time
4. drops the 8-ball in a pocket other than the pocket called
5. pockets the 8-ball before finishing

1. The balls are racked in a diamond shape with the 1 ball on the foot spot and the 9 ball in the center of the diamond. The other balls can be in any position in the rack.
2. The break is made from behind the head string and the 1 ball must be contacted first. If a ball is not pocketed on the break, at least four object balls must contact the cushions. If this does not happen the opponent gets cue ball in hand.
3. On each shot, the first object ball contacted must be the lowest numbered ball on the table, but the balls need not be pocketed in order.
4. A player shoots until they miss, foul or win the game by legally pocketing the 9-ball.
5. If a player commits a foul, the opponent gets the cue ball in hand and may place it anywhere on the table, not touching any ball or cushion.
6. Players do not have to call shots. Anything that falls counts.
7. It is a foul, and the opponent gets ball in hand anywhere on the table, if:

1. the first ball contacted by the cue ball is not the lowest numbered on the table.
2. No ball is pocketed on the break and four balls do not hit the rails.
3. No object ball is pocketed and no other ball, including the cue ball, hits a rail.
4. The cue ball is pocketed (scratch).
5. If any ball jumps off the table, including the cue ball.
6. When attempting to jump another ball or shoot a masse around a ball, the impeding ball is moved by hand, cue stick or bridge.

1. If a player fouls on three consecutive innings, he/she loses the game.
2. The game ends when the 9-ball is legally pocketed, or when game is forfeited as a result of a foul.

RULES FOR STRAIGHT POOL (Continuous)

1. All 15 balls are racked with the 1 and the 5 in the bottom corners.
2. Decide what number of balls must be pocketed to win the game (in competition games are usually played to 150). In class, start with 20 or 25.
3. First break is decided by a lag. The player who drops the last ball from the previous rack breaks next.
4. The break is made ball in hand behind the head string.
5. Balls may be played in any order with each pocketed ball counting 1 point. The game score is kept on the scorer at the foot end of the table.
6. The shooter must call the ball and the pocket. If they don’t, it is a foul and any made ball is spotted on the foot spot. If the called ball legally falls, any other balls that are pocketed also count and points are awarded in the shooter’s score.
7. If a shooter pockets a ball and scratches (cue ball also falls in), the object ball is spotted and the opponent gets ball in hand. No point is awarded.
8. A player must call a safety if that is the intended play. Pocketed balls are spotted and the player’s inning is over.
9. It is a foul, no points are awarded, and the opponent gets ball in hand, if:

1. a shooter does not call the ball and pocket
2. the shooter scratches
3. A ball jumps off the table. Spot the ball on the foot spot.

10. The game ends when a player legally pockets the designated numbers of balls

1. Rack all 15 object balls with the 1 at the apex, the 2 & 3 in the corners and the 15 in the middle.
2. Break is determined by lag and must be an ‘open break’, that is four object balls to a rail. If this does not happen, opponent may shoot with ball in hand behind the head string or re-racking and breaking him/herself. If a ball drops, shooter gets the points and shoots again.
3. You must contact the lowest numbered ball on the table first, and an object ball must drop or go to a cushion, or the cue ball must touch a cushion. Failure is a foul. (see rule 11).
4. Players shoot until they miss or foul.
5. Each dropped ball is worth the number painted on the ball, example, dropping the 7 ball scores you 7 points. First player to 61 points wins the game.
6. Only two legal safeties can be played. A safety is a legal shot with no intention of dropping an object ball.
7. When a player has ball in hand behind the head string, and the next object ball is also behind the head string, the object ball may be placed on the foot spot.
8. Three consecutive fouls result in a loss of game.
9. Illegally pocketed balls, or balls jumped off the table, are spotted.
10. Cue ball jumped off table or scratch result in opponent getting ball in hand behind the head string or choosing to give opponent ball in hand behind the head string.
11. There is no point penalty for fouls. Incoming player has the option of 1) accepting the table in position, or 2) requiring offending player to shoot again with table in position.

1. Billiards: The Billiard Congress of America Official Rules and Records Book.
2. Byrne’s New Standard Book of Pool and Billiards. Author: Robert Byrne.
3. The 99 Critical Shots in Pool. Authors: Ray Martin and Rosser Reeves.