Billiards

(sometimes written cuesports), also known as billiard sports, are a wide variety
of games of skill generally played with a cue stick, which is used to strike billiard
balls and thereby cause them to move around a cloth-covered billiards tablebounded by
elastic bumpers known as cushions.
Historically, the umbrella term was billiards. While that familiar name is still
employed by some as a generic label for all such games, the word's usage has
splintered into more exclusive competing meanings in various parts of the world. For
example, in British and Australian English, "billiards" usually refers exclusively to the
game of English billiards, while in American and Canadian English it is sometimes used
to refer to a particular game or class of games, or to all cue games in general,
depending upon dialectand context. In colloquial usage, the term "billiards" may be used
colloquially to refer to pocket billiards games, such as pool, snooker, or Russian
pyramid.

History

All cue sports are generally regarded to have evolved into indoor games from
outdoor stick-and-ball lawn games (retroactively termed ground billiards), and as such
to be related to the historical games jeu de mail and palle-malle, and
modern trucco, croquet and golf, and more distantly to the stickless bocce and bowls.
The word "billiard" may have evolved from the French word billart or billette, meaning
"stick", in reference to the mace, an implement similar to a golf club, which was the
forerunner to the modern cue; the term's origin may have also been from French bille,
meaning "ball". The modern term "cue sports" can be used to encompass the ancestral
mace games, and even the modern cueless variants, such as finger billiards, for
historical reasons. "Cue" itself came from queue, the French word for a tail. This refers
to the early practice of using the tail of the mace to strike the ball when it lay against
a rail cushion.
A recognizable form of billiards was played outdoors in the 1340s, and was reminiscent
of croquet. King Louis XI of France (1461–1483) had the first known indoor billiard
table. Louis XIV further refined and popularized the game, and it swiftly spread among
the French nobility. While the game had long been played on the ground, this version
appears to have died out in the 17th century, in favor of croquet, golf and bowling
games, while table billiards had grown in popularity as an indoor activity. Mary, Queen
of Scots, claimed that her "table de billiard" had been taken away by those who
eventually became her executioners (and who covered her body with the table's
cloth). Billiards grew to the extent that by 1727, it was being played in almost every
Paris café. In England, the game was developing into a very popular activity for
members of the gentry.
By 1670, the thin butt end of the mace began to be used not only for shots under the
cushion (which itself was originally only there as a preventative method to stop balls
from rolling off), but players increasingly preferred it for other shots as well. The cue as
it is known today was finally developed by about 1800.
Initially, the mace was used to push the balls, rather than strike them. The newly
developed striking cue provided a new challenge. Cushions began to be stuffed with
substances to allow the balls to rebound, in order to enhance the appeal of the game.
After a transitional period where only the better players would use cues, the cue came
to be the first choice of equipment.
The demand for tables and other equipment was initially met in Europe by John
Thurston and other furniture makers of the era. The early balls were made from wood
and clay, but the rich preferred to use ivory.
Early billiard games involved various pieces of additional equipment, including the
"arch" (related to the croquet hoop), "port" (a different hoop) and "king" (a pin or skittle
near the arch) in the 1770s, but other game variants, relying on the cushions (and
eventually on pockets cut into them), were being formed that would go on to play
fundamental roles in the development of modern billiards.

Illustration of a three-ball pocket billiards game in early 19th century Tübingen,

Germany, using a table much longer than the modern type.
The early croquet-like games eventually led to the development of the carom or
carambole billiards category – what most non-Commonwealth and non-US speakers
mean by the word "billiards". These games, which once completely dominated the cue
sports world but have declined markedly in many areas over the last few generations,
are games played with three or sometimes four balls, on a table without holes (and
without obstructions or targets in most cases), in which the goal is generally to strike
one object ball with a cue ball, then have the cue ball rebound off of one or more of the
cushions and strike a second object ball. Variations include three-cushion, straight rail
and the balkline variants, cushion caroms, five-pins, and four-ball, among others.
Over time, a type of obstacle returned, originally as a hazard and later as a target, in the
form of pockets, or holes partly cut into the table bed and partly into the cushions,
leading to the rise of pocket billiards, including "pool" games such as eight-ball, nine-
ball, straight pool and one-pocket; Russian pyramid; snooker; English billiards and
others.
In the United States pool and billiards had died out for a bit, but between 1878 and 1956
pool and billiards became very popular. Players in annual championships began to
receive their own cigarette cards. This was mainly due to the fact that it was a popular
pastime for troops to take their minds off from battle. However, by the end of World War
II pool and billiards began to die down once again. It was not until 1961 when the film
"The Hustler" came out that sparked a new interest in the game. Now the game is
generally a well-known game and has many players of all different skill levels.

Official Rules Of Pool

8 ball rules:

1. OBJECT OF THE GAME Eight-Ball is a call shot game played with a cue ball and 15
object balls, numbered 1 through 15. One player must pocket balls of the group
numbered 1 through 7 (solid colors), while the other player has 9 through 15 (stripes).
The player pocketing either group first and then legally pocketing the 8-ball wins the
game.

2. CALL SHOT In Call Shot, obvious balls and pockets do not have to be indicated. It is
the opponent's right to ask which ball and pocket if he is unsure of the shot. Bank shots
and combination shots are not considered obvious, and care should be taken in calling
both the object ball and the intended pocket. When calling the shot, it is never
necessary to indicate details such as the number of cushions, banks, kisses, caroms,
etc. Any balls pocketed on a foul remain pocketed, regardless of whether they belong to
the shooter or the opponent. The opening break is not a "called shot." Any player
performing a break shot in 8-Ball may continue to shoot so long as any object ball is
legally pocketed on the break.

3. RACKING THE BALLS The balls are racked in a triangle at the foot of the table with
the 8-ball in the center of the triangle, the first ball of the rack on the foot spot, a stripe
ball in one corner of the rack and a solid ball in the other corner.

4. DECISION OF BREAK Flip a coin (NOT OVER THE TABLE). Winner of the coin toss
has the option to break. During competition, players will alternate breaking on each
subsequent game.

5. NO JUMP SHOTS OR MASSE

6. LEGAL BREAK SHOT To execute a legal break, the breaker (with the cue ball
behind the head string) must either pocket a ball, or drive at least four numbered balls to
the rail. If s/he fails to make a legal break, the other player has three choices: A) Play
from there. B) Break again. C) Have the other player re-break.

7. SCRATCH ON A LEGAL BREAK If a player scratches on a legal break shot (cue ball
is pocketed): A) All balls pocketed remain pocketed (exception, the 8-ball: see rule 9).
B) It is a foul. C) The table is open. NOTE: Incoming player has cue ball in hand behind
the head string and may not shoot an object ball that is behind the head string, unless
he first shoots the cue ball past the head string and causes the cue ball to come back
behind the head string and hit the object ball.

8. OBJECT BALLS JUMPED OFF THE TABLE ON THE BREAK If a player jumps an
object ball off the table on the break shot, it is a foul and the incoming player has the
option of accepting the table in position and shooting, or taking cue ball in hand behind
the head string and shooting.

9. 8-BALL POCKETED ON THE BREAK If the 8-ball is pocketed on the break, breaker
may re-rack or have the 8-ball spotted and continue shooting. 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 begin shooting with ball in hand behind the head string.

10. OPEN TABLE The table is "open" when the choice of groups (stripes or solids) has
not yet been determined. When the table is open, it is legal to hit a solid first to make a
stripe or vice-versa. The 8-ball can be used in the middle of a combination, but if it is the
first ball contacted, it is a foul and no stripe or solid may be scored in favour of the
shooter. The shooter loses his turn; the incoming player is awarded cue ball in hand;
any balls pocketed remain pocketed; and the incoming player addresses the balls with
the table still open. On an open table, all illegally pocketed balls remain pocketed.
NOTE: The table is always open immediately after the break shot.

11. CHOICE OF GROUP The choice of stripes or solids is not determined on the break
even if balls are pocketed from only one or both groups. The choice of group is
determined only when a player legally pockets a called object ball after the break shot.

12. LEGAL SHOT On all shots (except on the break and when the table is open), the
shooter must hit one of his group of balls first and pocket a numbered ball, or cause the
cue ball or any numbered ball to contact a rail. NOTE: It is permissible for the shooter to
bank the cue ball off a rail before contacting the object ball; however, after contact with
the object ball, an object ball must be pocketed, or the cue ball or any numbered ball
must contact a rail. Failure to meet these requirements is a foul.
 13. SAFETY SHOT For tactical reasons, a player may choose to pocket an obvious
object ball and also discontinue his turn at the table by declaring "safety" in advance. A
safety shot is defined as a legal shot. If a player fails to declare "safety" to his opponent
and the called object ball is pocketed, the shooter is required to shoot again. Any balls
pocketed on a safety shot remain pocketed.

14. SCORING A player is entitled to continue shooting until failing to legally pocket a
ball of his group. After a player has legally pocketed all of his group of balls, he shoots
to pocket the 8-ball.

15. FOUL PENALTY In the event of a foul, opposing player gets cue ball in hand. This
means that the player can place the cue ball anywhere on the table (does not have to
be behind the head string except on opening break). This rule prevents a player from
making intentional fouls which would put an opponent at a disadvantage. With "cue ball
in hand," the player may use a hand or cue (including the tip) to position the cue ball.
When placing the cue ball in position, any forward stroke motion contacting the cue ball
will be a foul, if not a legal shot.

16. ILLEGALLY POCKETED BALLS An object ball is considered to be illegally

pocketed when that object ball is pocketed on the same shot a foul is committed, or the
called ball did not go in the designated pocket. Illegally pocketed balls remain pocketed
and are scored in favour of the shooter controlling that specific group of balls, solids or
stripes. The penalty is loss of turn only.

17. OBJECT BALL JUMPED OFF THE TABLE If any object ball is jumped off the table,
it is a foul and loss of turn, unless it is the 8-ball, which is a loss of game. Any jumped
object balls are not re-spotted.

18. PLAYING THE 8-BALL. When the 8-ball is the legal object ball, a scratch or foul is
not loss of game if the 8-ball is not pocketed or jumped from the table. Incoming player
has cue ball in hand.

19. LOSS OF GAME A player loses the game by committing any of the following
infractions: A) Fouls when pocketing the 8-ball (exception: See Rule #9). B) Pockets the
8-ball on the same stroke as the last of his group of balls. C) Jumps the 8-ball off the
table at any time. D) Pockets the 8-ball in a pocket other than the one called. E) Pockets
the 8-ball when it is not the legal object ball.

20. COACHING (Applies to team play) A player can ask for a coach any time during the
game. A player can ONLY be coached by a member of his own team. No unsolicited
coaching is acceptable. NOTE: All infractions must be called by the opponent before
another shot is taken, or else it will be deemed that no infraction occurred. THE ONLY
PERSON WHO CAN CALL A FOUL IS THE OPPONENT.
9 ball rules

1. OBJECT OF THE GAME Nine-Ball is played with nine object balls numbered one
through nine and a cue ball. On each shot, the first ball the cue ball contacts must be
the lowest numbered ball on the table, but the balls need not be pocketed in order. If a
player pockets any ball on a legal shot, he remains at the table for another shot, and
continues until missing, committing a foul, or winning the game by pocketing the 9-ball.
After a miss, the incoming player must shoot from the position left by the previous
player, but after any foul the incoming player may start with the cue ball anywhere on
the table. Players are not required to call any shot. A match ends when one of the
players has won the required number of games.

2. RACKING THE BALLS The object balls are racked in a diamond shape, with the 1-
ball at the top of the diamond and on the foot spot, the 9-ball in the center of the
diamond, and the other balls in random order, racked as tightly as possible. The game
begins with cue ball in hand behind the head string.

3. DECISION OF BREAK Flip a coin (NOT OVER THE TABLE). Winner of the coin
toss has the option to break. During competition, players will alternate breaking on each
subsequent game.

4. LEGAL BREAK SHOT The rules governing the break shot are the same as for other
shots except: A) The breaker must strike the1-ball first and either pocket a ball or drive
at least four numbered balls to the rail. B) If the cue ball is pocketed or driven off the
table, or the requirements of the opening break are not met, it is a foul, and the
incoming player has cue ball in hand anywhere on the table. C) If on the break shot, the
breaker causes an object ball to jump off the table, it is a foul and the incoming player
has cue ball in hand anywhere on the table. The object ball is pocketed (exception: if
the object ball is the 9-ball, it is re-spotted).

5. CONTINUING PLAY On the shot immediately following a legal break, the shooter
may play a "push out" (see rule 6). If the breaker pockets one or more balls on a legal
break, he continues to shoot until he misses, fouls, or wins the game. If the player
misses or fouls, the other player begins an inning and shoots until he misses, fouls, or
wins. The game ends when the 9-ball is pocketed on a legal shot, or the game is
forfeited for a serious infraction of the rules.

6. PUSH OUT The player who shoots immediately after a legal break may play a push
out in an attempt to move the cue ball into a better position for the option that follows.
On a push out, the cue ball is not required to contact any object ball nor any rail, but all
other foul rules still apply. The player must announce the intention of playing a push out
before the shot, or the shot is considered to be a normal shot. Any ball pocketed on a
push out does not count and remains pocketed except the 9-ball. Following a legal push
out, the incoming player is permitted to shoot from that position or to pass the shot back
to the player who pushed out. A push out is not considered to be a foul as long as no
rule (except rules 8 and 9) is violated. An illegal push out is penalized according to the
type of foul committed. After a player scratches on the break shot, the incoming player
cannot play a push out.

7. FOULS When a player commits a foul, he must relinquish his run at the table and no
balls pocketed on the foul shot are re-spotted (exception: if a pocketed ball is the 9-ball,
it is re-spotted). The incoming player is awarded ball in hand. If a player commits
several fouls on one shot, they are counted as only one foul. 8. BAD HIT If the first
object ball contacted by the cue ball is not the lowest numbered ball on the table, the
shot is foul. 9. NO RAIL If no object ball is pocketed, failure to drive the cue ball or any
numbered ball to a rail after the cue ball contacts the object ball on is a foul. 10. CUE
BALL IN HAND When the cue ball is in hand, the player may place the cue ball
anywhere on the bed of the table, except in contact with an object ball. The player may
continue to adjust the position of the cue ball until shooting. 11. OBJECT BALLS
JUMPED OFF THE TABLE An unpocketed ball is considered to be driven off the table if
it comes to rest other than on the bed of the table. It is a foul to drive an object ball off
the table. The jumped object ball(s) is not re-spotted (exception: if the object ball is the
9-ball, it is re-spotted) and play continues. 12. NO JUMP SHOTS OR MASSE 13.
THREE CONSECUTIVE FOULS If a player fouls three consecutive times on three
successive shots without making an intervening legal shot, the game is lost. The three
fouls must occur in one game. The warning must be given between the second and
third fouls. A player’s inning begins when it is legal to take a shot and ends at the end of
a shot on which he misses, fouls or wins, or when he fouls between shots. 14. END OF
GAME

On the opening break, the game is considered to have commenced once the cue ball
has been struck by the cue tip. The 1-ball must be legally contacted on the break shot.
The game ends at the end of a legal shot which pockets the 9-ball, or when a player
forfeits the game as the result of a foul. NOTE: All infractions must be called by the
opponent before another shot is taken, or else it will be deemed that no infraction
occurred. THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN CALL A FOUL IS THE OPPONENT.

Poker Pool

POKER POOL RULES Except when clearly contradicted by these additional rules the
GENERAL RULES OF POCKET BILLIARDS apply. TYPE OF GAME Poker Pool is a
game that uses the skill of pool with the luck of the cards to create a game that requires
different strategies each time you play. PLAYERS Two or more players can
play. BALLS USED A complete set of billiard balls 1-15. CARDS USED Custom Poker
Pool Deck (4 cards to match each ball for a total of 60 cards).THE RACK Standard
triangle rack, Balls placed at random. THE GAME A full rack of standard billiard balls is
racked at random with no preset order. The game requires two or more players. Each
player is dealt 5 or 7 cards from a poker pool card deck

(60 cards). After determining the order of play, one player breaks the rack of balls. Any
balls potted off the break that do not match the cards the player holds are returned to
the table in a straight line back from the triangle spot and loses his turn. If off the break
a player pockets a ball that matches a card in his hand, they then must place the card
face up on the rail of the table and if their opponents also hold a card that matches the
ball potted they also place their card face up. A player continues to pot his hand and
place cards face up until they miss or foul. Any ball potted that does not match a card in
that player˙s hand is returned to the table and the next player takes their turn. Before
they make their final ball a player must verbally declare LAST CARD. Game is over
when a player who is at the table has no cards left. PENALTY FOR FOULS After all foul
shots players must draw a further card to add to their hand. Failure to declare LAST
CARD a player must draw a further TWO cards.SCORING Players are penalized one
point per card for all they have left at the end of the game.
Archery

is the art, sport, practice, or skill of using a bow to shoot arrows. The word comes
from the Latin arcus. Historically, archery has been used for hunting and combat. In
modern times, it is mainly a competitive sport and recreational activity. A person who
participates in archery is typically called an archer or a bowman, and a person who is
fond of or an expert at archery is sometimes called a toxophilite.

History
The bow and arrow seems to have been invented in the later Paleolithic or
early Mesolithic periods. The oldest signs of its use in Europe come from
the Stellmoor [de] in the Ahrensburg valley [de] north of Hamburg, Germany and dates
from the late Paleolithic, about 10,000–9000 BC. The arrows were made of pine and
consisted of a main shaft and a 15–20 centimetres (5.9–7.9 inches) long fore shaft with
a flintpoint. There are no definite earlier bows; previous pointed shafts are known, but
may have been launched by spear-throwers rather than bows. The oldest bows known
so far comes from the Holmegård swamp in Denmark. Bows eventually replaced
the spear-thrower as the predominant means for launching shafted projectiles, on every
continent except Australasia, though spear-throwers persisted alongside the bow in
parts of the Americas, notably Mexico and among the Inuit.
Bows and arrows have been present in Egyptian & neighboring Nubian culture since its
respective predynastic & Pre-Kerma origins. In the Levant, artifacts that could be arrow-
shaft straighteners are known from the Natufian culture, (c. 10,800–8,300 BC) onwards.
The Khiamianand PPN A shouldered Khiam-points may well be arrowheads.
Classical civilizations, notably
the Assyrians, Greeks, Armenians, Persians, Parthians, Indians, Koreans, Chinese,
and Japanese fielded large numbers of archers in their armies. Akkadians were the first
to use composite bows in war according to the victory stele of Naram-Sin of
Akkad.[3] Egyptians referred to Nubia as "Ta-Seti," or "The Land of the Bow," since the
Nubians were known to be expert archers, and by the 16th Century BC Egyptians were
using the composite bow in warfare . The Bronze Age Aegean Cultures were able to
deploy a number of state-owned specialized bow makers for warfare and hunting
purposes already from the 15th century BC. The Welsh longbowproved its worth for the
first time in Continental warfare at the Battle of Crécy. In the Americas archery was
widespread at European contact.
Archery was highly developed in Asia. The Sanskrit term for archery, dhanurveda, came
to refer to martial arts in general. In East Asia, Goguryeo, one of the Three Kingdoms of
Korea was well known for its regiments of exceptionally skilled archers.
Rules of Archery

 Archers must adhere to all official rules in terms of the equipment they use in the
performance of their sport, with the main emphasis being on them using no
equipment or accessories that would give an unfair advantage over an opponent.
 The maximum time permitted to shoot an end of three arrows is two minutes, and
four minutes for an end of six arrows.
 Athletes may not raise the bow arm until the signal to start is given and penalties
can be given – in the form of points forfeits – if the bow is drawn after the official
practice has been closed.
 An arrow cannot be re-shot under any circumstances. The arrow may be
considered not to have been shot if it falls from the bow or misfires, or if the
target blows or falls over. Extra time would be given in such circumstances.
 An arrow that rebounds or hangs from the target will still score based on the
mark it makes on the target face. Arrows that stick – Robin Hood-style – in the
nock of another shall score the same as the arrow in which they are embedded.
 Athletes can be disqualified, have points deducted or be banned from
competition for various breaches of rules, based on the severity of the offence.
 If equipment is damaged, appeals can be made to the judge for such equipment
to be replaced or fixed, and any time allowances will be at the judge’s discretion.