UNITED STATES BILLIARD ASSOCIATION THREE-CUSHION RULES

The USBA sanctioned tournaments are governed by the rules that follow. Any exemptions must be cited in the tournament notice, or talk about and permitted by a majority of the players present before the start of any USBA tournament.

A three cushion billiard is applicable and is a count of one in any of the following cases: If the cue ball hits an object ball and then hits three or more cushions before striking the second object ball;. The cue ball hits three or more cushions and then strikes the two object balls. If the cue ball hits a cushion, then hits one object ball, and then strikes two or more cushions before striking the second object ball.. The cue ball strikes two cushions, then strikes first object ball, and then strikes one or more cushions before striking the second object ball.

Three cushions means three impacts. The number of cushions does not necessarily mean three different ones. A applicable count may be done on one cushion, if the player is using over spin or under spin on the ball.

LAGGING FOR THE BREAK

Each players select a cue ball, which is positioned on the table within the head string, and hit the ball to the foot of the table and return. The side rails may be touched by the ball in lagging, though it is not required. Player whose ball comes to rest closest to the head rail wins the lag. The winner of the lag has the right to shoot the first shot or assign the break shot to the challenger. The winner of the lag has the choice of cue balls, which is then used for the rest of the game.

BREAK SHOT

The opponent's ball is placed on the head spot. Starting player’s cue ball is placed within eight inches to the right or left of the head spot. The red ball is positioned on the foot spot. Starting player must contact red ball first. Failure to contact red ball first is an error and ends the starting player’s inning. On following shots, either red ball or cue ball can be the first object ball.

FOULS WHICH A PLAYER'S TURN IS ENDED

Jumped balls A player starting play while balls are in motion. A player touching any of the balls by hand, part of clothing, cue or any other object such as chalk or pen. The balls shall remain in position to which they were moved.

Push Shot
Double Hit

When shooting, neither foot is touching the floor. Hitting the wrong ball. Touching ball with cue during warm-up. Player interference.

Any foul caused by outside interference is not to be charged as a penalty to the player with shot in progress. If the balls are displaced by the disturbance, they will be restored to their original position as precisely as possible, and the player will continue shooting.

SHOOTING WITH THE WRONG BALL

Shooting with a wrong ball is considered a foul, and ends player’s turn. The opponent or the referee may call this foul. The opponent may call a before or after the shot, while referee calls it only after the shot. Such a foul can be called at any time during a run, but the shooter shall be entitled to all points made previous to the stroke in which error was noticed. The incoming shooter will play the balls as they were left after error was called.

FROZEN BALLS

If during the course of one of the players turns the ball comes to rest in contact with the opponent's ball, or if the shooter's ball comes to rest in contact with the red ball, the shooter has the option of playing away from the ball with which he is in contact with, or decide to have the balls in contact spotted. If an inning ends with the shooter's ball in contact with the next shooter's ball, or the red ball in contact with the next shooter's ball, the incoming player has the option of playing away from the ball in contact, or may choose to have the two balls which are in contact spotted. Only the balls which are in touching are to be spotted. The unfrozen ball is not to be touched. The red ball is spotted on the foot spot, the player's cue ball on the head spot, and the opponent's cue ball on the center spot. If the spot reserved for the ball to be spotted is taken by another ball, the ball to be spotted is placed on the spot usually reserved for the hiding ball. The same rules apply when a ball or balls jump off the table.

When a cue ball is against a cushion, a player may shoot into that cushion, but the first contact will not count. Succeeding contacts with the same cushion are applicable.

When a player's cue ball or the opponent’s ball, or the red ball jumps the table, it is a foul and the player's turn ends. The ball is spotted.

A shot can not be started while balls are still moving, or are still spinning. If a player ignores this rule, it will be a foul and the player’s turn ends.

When the cue ball bounces and rides on top of the rail and returns to the table, the ball is considered in play. It will count as one cushion. If it rides two or more rails, each rail does count as a cushion. If ball remains on top of the rail, it is considered a jumped ball, which is a foul, and player's turn ends.

If while playing a shot the cue ball leaves the playing surface and rides the rail or cushion, regardless of the number of impacts on that cushion, only one impact will be permitted.

If a player has pushed the cue ball with his or her cue, it is a foul and the player's turn ends. A push shot is one in which the cue tip remains in contact with the cue ball after cue ball strikes an object ball, or when cue tip again contacts the cue ball after cue ball strikes the object ball. A double stroke is similar and happens when a player's tip or cue shaft hits cue ball twice. If a billiard is made, it will not count, and the player's turn ends.

All kiss shots are legal, whether they deny a player of an pending score, or whether they assist in a score.

Miscues will not end the player’s turn, unless it is construed that the player’s shaft also touched the cue ball. Not all miscues are fouls, and if a billiard is completed in the miscue stroke, it will be counted and the player’s turn continues.

If a player during the “warm-up” stroking touches the cue ball, it is considered a foul and the player’s turn ends.

A game is considered official when a player scores the number of points designated as constituting a game, even though the opponent has had one less turn at the table. If a scorekeeper is used, the game becomes official after the score sheet is signed by the players. The referee and the scorekeeper should also sign the sheet. After the losing player signs the score sheet, no objection can be made.

If a player at the table is accountable for interference in any manner, it is a foul, and the inning ends. Incoming player must accept balls in position. A player not at the table must not sidetrack the opponent with unnecessary motions or noise. The referee or tournament official may issue a caution or disqualify the player for unsportsmanlike behavior.

If a player cannot start a game as scheduled, the game may be delayed if the tournament director so decides. If a player is not able to finish a game, he forfeits, unless the opponent waives the forfeiture and agrees to finish the game at a time convenient to the tournament management. If a player is unable to return to the tournament, all his games are invalid as they would be in disqualification.

If a player is disqualified in a game, he or she loses that game and gets no points. The opponent is credited with a game won and is given the number of points he or she would have scored had he won the game. If a player is disqualified from a tournament, all his or her games are invalid. The tournament continues as though one less player started when the tournament opened.

If a player cannot start a game, he or she must inform the tournament director in time to allow for a alternate player, or for another pair of players. All tournament competitors are subject to immediate call if a substitute is necessary.

If a referee is officiating and considers a player to be taking to much time between strokes or in determining the choice of shots with the intention of upsetting an opponent, the referee shall warn the player that he runs the risk of disqualification if he pursues these tactics. Continuing to ignore the warning will be proper grounds to disqualify the player. If no is officiating, the tournament a manager shall have the right to invoke this rule.

Intentional safeties are not allowed. If played, the incoming player may accept the balls as they are, or set up a break shot.