The size of the pool table and room for playing billiards. Billiard terminology

Today there are 4 types of billiards: American pool, Russian billiards, snooker and carom. The rules in each game are different and the game is played differently, but in Russian billiards, pool and snooker they play on a billiard table with pockets, but in carom they play on a table without pockets. For one type of billiards or another, billiard tables of different geometries are used.

We'll start today with American pool. This is one of the types of billiards that is very popular all over the world. This rule has not bypassed Russia and Ukraine in popularity. What's the point? So, the main feature of this type of game is the table, which has a size of 9 feet and huge pockets - approximately 13 cm each. They play with 16 multi-colored balls, which are 5.72 cm in diameter and which must also be rolled into pockets according to certain rules. The rules are simple and this attracts many fans, and due to the geometry of the table, the game becomes simply amazing.

Another type of billiards is Russian billiards. This type of billiards involves playing on a table with pockets and has received great amount fans not only in Russia, but also in Poland, Mongolia, Finland and Greece. The table for this game is 12 feet in size - this is a tournament table, but this is not necessary; for this type of game you can use tables of smaller sizes: 11, 10 feet, etc. They play the same way as in the previous form with 16 balls, but their diameter is 6.8 cm. As for appearance balls, so 15 balls are numbered from 1 to 15 and are of the same color, and the 16th is not numbered and has a different color. Pockets in Russian billiards larger diameter the ball by only a few millimeters. The object of this game is to hit an unnumbered ball with the cue, which in turn will hit another or other balls that must be pocketed. These features are the components of Russian billiards.

This is a type of billiards where there are no pockets on the table. It has become widespread throughout Europe, America, Indonesia and Japan. They play on a table measuring 10 pounds, which has no pockets and only 3 balls with a diameter of 6 cm. Two balls out of three - white, and the third is red. The goal of this type of billiards is to hit a ball with a cue, which in turn should hit several sides and then hit another ball. This type of billiards is considered the most difficult.

This type of billiards, like pool and Russian, has pockets. They play on a table measuring 12 feet, considered a sports option, where the pockets are almost 12 cm in size. The game uses 22 colored balls with a diameter of 5.24 cm, of which 15 are red, and the remaining 7 are of different colors. Each multi-colored ball has its own value in the game. I can emphasize that this game has not changed its rules for more than 10 years, which attracted outstanding Englishmen with its complexity.

The dream of every billiards lover is to have his own billiard table. And if you have the fortunate opportunity to realize this dream, then keep in mind that a billiard table is one of those purchases that is made once and for all. And therefore you should approach the choice very thoroughly. The best thing you can do is to contact a billiards salon, where experienced sales consultants work who will help you understand all the technical intricacies, but a preliminary educational program from experts will not be amiss.

So what information does a pool table buyer need?

The first thing you need to know is the exact dimensions of the free space where you are going to install the table. You must understand that for a comfortable game there must be sufficient distance between the table and the walls for the swing of the cue: so on each side you should add standard length cue (1.5 m). If you just need a few centimeters to install a table of the desired size, you should consider purchasing a shortened cue for side shots. A visual table of the minimum room dimensions for installing a billiard table will help you navigate:

When choosing a room where you will place the table, keep in mind that in the billiard room the temperature must be maintained constant (from 5 to 30 degrees), air humidity should not exceed 65%, the table should be no closer than 2 m from a source of moisture or open fire ( fireplace, stove). Do not place the table outside, as it must be protected from direct sun rays and precipitation. The ceiling in the billiard room should be high enough so that the lighting above the table can be located at a height of 80-120 cm. In this case, only special lamps with several shades that provide diffused light should be used for lighting. After all, for aiming in the game, billiard balls should under no circumstances cast a shadow.

Do not forget that a billiard table is quite heavy equipment, and the flooring in the billiard room must withstand a load of up to 200 kg per square meter. The heaviest element of a billiard table is the plate, but the frame, legs and sides also weigh a lot. Especially if the billiard table is equipped with a metal frame that reinforces the frame or frame and table supports. This metal frame allows you to minimize the “leash” of the table. Often the floor will sag unevenly under the weight of a massive table with a slate slab, which weighs up to one and a half tons, and this can significantly change the tolerance of the playing field. And even in clubs where the floor is specially leveled, the tables still sooner or later “lead” due to vibration during impacts, which also disrupts the geometry of the pockets, and they begin to “snap.” The two-plane (vertical and horizontal) fastening of the boards to the base of the playing field can also reduce side vibrations. This “monolithic” mount also increases the accuracy of the ball’s reflection from the board.

Another important point– the base of the playing field.

Polymer concrete, MDF or chipboard (laminated chipboard) are justified only for significantly reducing the cost of the table to the detriment of its playing properties. The laminated chipboard base is the most “budget” option, which also provides minimal weight to the table. However, lovers of savings who bought a table made of laminated chipboard will have to get used to increased background noise (you can hear the balls rolling). Laminated chipboard wears out quickly, deforms with even the slightest bounce of the balls (billiard balls very often jump on laminated chipboard due to its lower density compared to slate) and is unstable to humidity and temperature changes.

Synthetic granite (synthetic granite), used by some manufacturers as an analogue of a stone base, will not provide high playing properties either. This composite material, which is based on marble chips, and the binder is epoxy resins. He is the least quality material in a row stone foundations playing field, as it tends to crumble. Therefore, a perfectly even coating cannot be ensured.

Marble and granite are also not ideal bases for a playing field. For a number of reasons, marble-based slabs are currently practically not produced. It is quite difficult to obtain a uniform marble slab of sufficient size and thickness. The surface of marble is more sensitive to damage and is more difficult to polish than the surface of Ardesia. The cost of a marble slab is disproportionately higher than the cost of slate. Unlike marble and granite, slate does not have shells and the surface of the slab is more uniform. Granite and marble have a crystalline structure, which is more fragile and unreliable.

Thus, a perfectly flat playing surface that will ensure the natural movement of the balls should consist only of stone slabs. What is meant by a “stone” foundation? This is the so-called ardesia or slate, mined in different countries, for example, in Italy or China. Initially, Italian ardesia was considered of higher quality, but Lately The quality of Chinese slate has improved significantly, this is due to more modern equipment being used to cut and polish slate. In addition, each set of billiard slabs manufactured goes through a quality control process. Boards are sold and receive a quality certificate only if they pass several stages of control (horizontal control using a level or computer system, control of the thickness, length and angles of the slab, control of the distance from the holes to the side of the slab, control of the cut between the pockets).

The popularity of Chinese stone is growing rapidly, and the price continues to fall due to growing production volumes. Shale structure and natural conditions in which it was mined have a decisive influence on the quality of the final product, in particular on the stability of the slabs and their resistance to pressure. Chinese slate mines are located under open air. The rock layers in them are formed naturally, with an angle of about 45 degrees. Because of the special structure of Chinese mines, shale is more difficult to extract than Brazilian or Italian ones. The extracted material must be processed half by hand, half by machine, and always in strict accordance with the natural structure of the vein from which it was extracted.

Each slab must be polished with high quality. The plates are joined together with an accuracy of 0.125 mm, and the seams between them are carefully puttied and sanded. The plates used in billiard tables are massive, durable and elastic - if a ball weighing 290 g falls onto the playing surface from a height of 1.5 m, then there will be no chips or cracks on the table.

The playing plane is leveled with high accuracy. According to the requirements of the Russian Billiard Sports Federation, in order for the balls on the field to ideally follow the given trajectory, the limit of the longitudinal inclination of the playing surface relative to the horizontal plane should not exceed 0.5 mm, and the transverse inclination - 0.25 mm. And only an experienced professional assembler will be able to achieve such an ideal level. In addition, when assembling a billiard table, many standards must be met, without which it is impossible normal game, for example, the geometry of the pockets. Pocket standards are defined by the FBI as part of the requirements for tournament tables and equipment. Standard width the angle of the corner pockets is 72-73 mm, the central pockets are 82-83 mm. In this case, the ratio of the corner and central pockets should be strictly proportional (72-82/73-83). The bracket must be properly attached to the board. Thus, after purchasing a table, you should definitely use the services of an assembler from a company showroom. Such assemblers undergo training at a billiard factory and are well acquainted with the specifics of the table you have chosen. The process of professional assembly, screeding, puttying, grinding, nailing, and setting will take six to eight hours, but the pleasure of playing in this case is guaranteed.

An important attribute of a billiard table is rubber. The most important quality bead rubber is elasticity. In this case, the rubber should not be too soft, otherwise the ball will “fall” into it, or too hard, which will also negatively affect the ball’s rebound. And of course, the rubber must be glued correctly.

The profile, hardness and other qualities of the rubber are determined by the type of billiard game, because balls for different types of billiards have different weights and diameters. The ball must touch the rubber at a point just above the center of the ball, otherwise the balls may fly off the table or bounce onto the field after being reflected from the board. The shape of snooker rubber is similar to the letter “G”, pool rubber has a triangle in cross-section, carom rubber and Russian billiard rubber have a generally identical shape, an irregular trapezoid.

The height from the level of the playing field to the point of contact with the rubber for Russian billiards is 42–42.5 mm, for a pool - 36.6 mm. The radius of curvature of the rubber in the corner pocket is 12–13/8–10 mm, in the middle pocket 15–16/10–12 mm. The angle of inclination of the rubber relative to the upper plane of the bead is 8–10°.

The quality of bead rubber depends on the geometric shape, chemical composition, natural rubber content ratio, vulcanization method and the presence of reinforcing fabrics. High-quality rubber has a stable, homogeneous composition and geometric shape, uniformly changing the angle of reflection in proportion to the force of the ball hitting the side.

What should a billiard table be made of? For wood, it is best to choose a material from your geographic area. The classic wood for a good Russian billiard table is oak and ash. Their hard, dense structure is very durable and resistant to mechanical damage. An oak or ash board has increased rigidity, due to which it vibrates less and reflects the ball more accurately. For the budget category of tables, manufacturers use MDF or combined options– sides and legs made of wood, MDF frame.

It is also necessary to choose the right cloth. This is very important, since the cloth has a direct impact on the nature of movement billiard ball.

The most common types of cloth and its characteristics:

Happy shopping and have fun playing!

The most popular and world-famous types of billiards:

• American
• Russian billiards
• cannon
• snooker

American- together with Russian billiards, it is the leader in popularity in the territory of Eastern Europe. American is played with all 16 balls, each of which is both a cue ball and an object ball. You can play with any ball on the table. The goal of the game is to pocket 8 balls and the first one to pocket them wins.
Before the start of the game, 15 balls are placed in a pyramid without taking into account their numbers. After the first hit, you can play with any ball and pocket “yours” from other balls.
There is no need to assign balls and order a pocket in advance, since it does not matter how many balls fall from one hit.

Pool is an American pocket billiards. The holes here have been expanded and the table dimensions have been reduced. Pool is a game of order that uses a cue ball and 15 object balls, numbered 1 to 15. One player must pocket the balls in the group numbered 1 to 7 (solid) and the other player must pocket the group of balls numbered 1 to 7 (solid) and the other player to pocket the group of balls numbered 9 to 15 (stripes). The game is won by the player who first pockets the balls of any group and then pockets ball number 8 with a correct shot.

Russian billiards- the most popular type of billiards in our country. The peculiarity of the game is the size of the holes, which are almost equal to the size of the balls. The game uses 15 marked white object balls, which are set in the shape of a pyramid before the game starts, and a 16th ball of a different color, which is used as a cue ball.

Cannon- one of the oldest French games, which is a type of billiards. In this game there is no need to pocket the balls, so the game is most often played on billiard tables without pockets. The game uses 3 balls, two of them white and one colored. Two white balls are the players’ cue balls; to distinguish them, they usually put dots or the like. The point of the carom game is to determine best strike, in which the cue ball, having touched one of the balls, touched the other. The goal of the game is to make the previously agreed number of caroms (usually 25, the price of one carom is 1 point).

Snooker- one of the most popular types of billiards in the UK. There can be two or more players, divided into teams or each for himself. Snooker is played with 21 balls, 15 of them are red, which are placed in a pyramid, and 6 are colored, each of which is located at a certain level on the table. Each player uses the same white white ball (cue ball) to hit the colored balls. If the cue ball hits a pocket, the player receives a penalty point. Players must alternately pocket colored and red balls. While the red balls remain on the table, the pocketed colored balls are placed in their positions. The player who scores the most points wins.

The trick to snooker is to leave the white ball in such a position for your opponent every time that unsuccessful shots become inevitable.

There are more than 30 types of billiards games; they can be divided into 5 large groups:

• Russian billiards;
• sports pool;
• entertainment pool;
• snooker;
• cannon.

Russian billiards- a type of billiards with pockets, most widespread in the territory of the former Russian Empire. A large number of There are fans of this game in Finland, Poland, Mongolia and Greece. The game is played on tables measuring 12 feet, with sixteen balls with a diameter of 68 mm. Fifteen balls are numbered from one to fifteen, the sixteenth ball is unnumbered and has a different color. The pockets in Russian billiards are “strict” and differ from the diameter of the ball by several millimeters. This is the main feature of Russian billiards. The sizes of tables for Russian billiards can be smaller; the size of 12 feet is tournament size.
In the most popular type of game, Russian billiards, the goal is to get the cue ball (the ball that is hit with a cue) into the pocket after colliding with another ball. This, along with the features of Russian billiards described above, is another feature that distinguishes it from other types of billiards, where falling a cue ball into a pocket is punishable by a fine.

American pool- a type of billiards that has become widespread throughout the world. Its popularity is gradually growing in Russia. The main feature is small size table, 9 feet and large pockets, about 130 mm. The game is played with sixteen multi-colored balls with a diameter of 57.2 mm, which are played into pockets according to certain rules. Thanks to this geometry of billiard equipment, the game of pool is very dynamic and fleeting. The simplicity of the technology constantly increases the number of its fans. Tables for American pool can be smaller in size; 9 feet is the tournament size.

Snooker- a type of billiards with pockets, which became widespread in England and its former colonies. The game is played on tables measuring 12 feet ( sports version) with pockets measuring about 120 mm. Twenty-two colored balls are used for the game, of which fifteen are red and seven are multi-colored, with a diameter of 52.4 mm. Multi-colored balls have different values. The game is played according to fairly complex rules that have not changed for decades, thereby emphasizing the well-known conservatism of the British.
Snooker tables are also available in smaller sizes; 12 feet is the tournament size.

Cannon- a type of billiards without pockets. It is most widespread in Europe, Northern and South America, Japan and Indonesia. The game is played on tables measuring 10 feet, without pockets, with three balls with a diameter of 60 mm. Two balls are white, one is red. A carom is a special shot in which the cue ball first touches one ball, and then, touching two or three sides, it must touch another ball. According to many masters, carom is the most difficult game to billiards.

The game was invented in India in 1875. The game turned out to be more difficult than the famous “American” and “pyramid”. Arouses interest more in the complex movements of the balls than in winning.

Previously, first-year cadets who had no everyday experience were called snookers. And then one day in the game, one of the officers, Neville Chamberlain, used this word to describe his partner, who found himself in a difficult situation and did not know how to get out of it. He had to play a colored ball that was covered by others. This position in billiards came to be called “snooker”.

Then this game moved to England, but did not become popular until 1920, when Joe Davis appeared. He introduced cue ball control and ball scoring, which made the game much more difficult. In addition to pocketing the balls, now we also had to keep an eye on the cue ball.

Snooker became especially popular in the 60s. Color television played a big role in this and two players - Ray Reardon and John Spencer, who organized exhibition games, traveling throughout England. Snooker then developed as a sport. Competitions began to be held, expensive prizes were awarded to the winners, which attracted a new generation of players. In 1980-1981, Steve Davis became the first British champion. He improved his game and after some time won the world championship. This athlete is still considered one of the strongest players.

Soon the Japanese, Chinese, and Americans began playing snooker. New talents have appeared - John Parot, Neil Foulds, Stephen Hendry.

In 1973 it was created International organization billiards and snooker. Since 1985, it has become the governing body.

Snooker is played on the same table as billiards, with only 22 balls - 15 red, 6 colored and 1 white cue ball. On one snooker table you can play not only two players, but also several players. The principle of the shot order is simple: if the shot does not bring winning points, the next player takes the shot.

Snooker table: The game is played on English tables measuring 12x6 feet (3569x1778 mm) or 10x5 feet, the diameter of the balls is 52.4 mm.

Number of players: Two.

Snooker ball set: 15 red balls, 6 colored balls and a white cue ball.

Colored balls have a certain point value: red - 1, yellow - 2, green - 3, brown - 4, blue - 5, pink -6, black - 7.

Purpose of the game: You need to score more points than your opponent.

Account management: Points are scored by playing the balls correctly, getting the corresponding number according to the color of the balls; the opponent's penalty points are added. The game ends according to the rules of the game after all the balls have been played. But if there is only one black ball left, then it is played until the first score or first violation.

1. Kickoff

The right to choose the order of strikes in the first game is determined by lot or drawing. The initial blow is made from the hand from the sector (see figure). The cue ball must touch the red ball, otherwise a penalty is imposed. Penalty points are awarded to the entering player, who can play from the current situation or ask the opponent to take the kick again.

2. Ill-potted balls

Incorrectly pocketed red balls are not fielded. Incorrectly pocketed colored balls are marked out.

3. Placing balls

Red balls are not exposed. Colored balls are placed on their marks. If the mark is occupied, then they place on the free mark corresponding to the ball of the highest value. If all the marks are occupied, then the colored ball is placed as close as possible to the original mark on the back side. If a pink or black ball cannot be placed in the indicated place, then they must be placed closer to their point, but towards the middle of the table.

4. Popped object balls

Popped red balls are not spotted, but colored balls are spotted and a penalty is imposed.

5. Played balls

Balls are considered played (pocketed) if they result in the right blow fall into the pockets. A ball reflected from a pocket onto the playing surface of the table remains in play. An object ball that falls into a pocket as a result of a deliberate roll down the board is not counted and is placed in accordance with the rules of the particular game, and no penalty is imposed.

6. Jumped cue ball

When the cue ball pops up, the opponent entering the game plays from his hand from the sector. In this case, you can pocket any of the next balls.

7. Snooker (mask)

The cue ball is in the snooker position (masked) - if it is not possible to make a direct hit on any of the next object balls. If a direct hit is possible on at least one of the object balls, then there is no snooker.

8. Touching balls

Two balls touch each other tightly. In this case, the blow is struck away from center line connecting the centers of two balls. Otherwise, the blow is erroneous (missed).

9. Missing the ball

If the cue ball misses, a penalty is announced. The player entering the game can accept the existing position or invite the offender to play from the original position, i.e. repeat the blow.

10. Free ball

If the cue ball is in the snooker position after an infringement, then a “free ball” is declared. If the opponent takes this position and makes a shot, he can declare any ball to be next. The cost of the announced ball is equal to the cost of the next one (which would have to be hit). A penalty is imposed if the cue ball does not hit the called ball or the cue ball after the strike is masked by a free ball, unless only the pink and black balls remain on the table. If a free ball is pocketed, it is fielded and the player is credited for the value of the next ball. If the next ball is played, the player is credited with its value. If both a free ball and a regular ball are played, then only the value of the next ball is counted. (“Snooker is different.” The cue ball is in the “snooker is different” position).

11. Lip hold

The cue ball is considered to be placed behind the lip of the pocket if the sides do not allow the cue ball to hit any of the next balls directly. If the cue ball is placed behind the lip after a violation, then the opponent either takes this position and strikes, or strikes with his hand from the sector.

12.Miss

If a player can hit the object ball or part of it with a direct hit, but does not hit, then the referee declares miss. After determining the miss, the cue ball is placed in its previous position, unless this situation is beneficial to the player who made the mistake. After the ball (or balls) have been restored to their previous position, the players’ opinions are heard, but the referee’s word is decisive.

13. Hanging balls

• - if the ball is pocketed not as a result of a collision, then it is placed in its original place;
• - if a player makes a mistake during a shot, the opponent gets the points and each ball is put back in its original place.

14. Bugs

• - after a mistake, the opponent plays from the place where the cue ball stopped;
• - if several mistakes are made during a strike, then the opponent receives points for the worst of them;
• - after a mistake, at the request of the opponent, the player must hit further;
• - if a miss is determined, the player must shoot from the restored position.

15. Fines for violations

For the following violations a fine of established amount, but not less than 4 points.

• 1. In the amount of the cost of the next ball, if:
  • the balls did not stop before striking;
  • hitting the cue ball several times;
  • there was a separation of both legs from the floor;
  • the blow was made out of turn;
  • incorrect hand strike from the sector;
  • missed object balls;
  • the cue ball fell into the pocket;
  • with a free choice of ball, the cue ball still remained in the “snooker” position;
  • the cue ball has executed a jump shot (i.e. the cue ball jumps over any ball before colliding with the object ball).
• 2. In the amount of the value of the object ball or more valuable ball associated with the violation, if:
  • an unusual ball entered the pocket;
  • the cue ball does not hit the object ball;
  • a punch-and-pull was performed;
  • the player touched the balls with anything other than the cue sticker;
  • the ball jumped overboard.
• 3. In the amount of the cost of the next ball or the corresponding 2 balls(whichever is greater): when the cue ball hits these two balls at the same time, except in the case of 2 reds or a free choice.
• 4. In the amount of seven points, if:

  a mistake was made after playing the red ball, but before ordering the colored ball;

  any ball is used other than for play;

  played in red when color is next;

  any ball is used instead of the cue ball.