Three cushion billiards refers to a billiards game that is played at a five by ten foot table. The object of the game is to make the cue ball contact three rails before contacting the second object ball. Each successful carom awards one point. The shooter can pocket any of the objects balls. However, an opponent cannot receive a points. The frame is won by the player with the most objects.
To play three games of cushion billiards, you will need a larger table than the normal pool table. A cue ball is placed on one end of the table and a red ball is used on the other. Players use silver dots on the table to line up the shot. This requires exact calculation of angles. The object ball is then pocketed after the shot has been completed.
Three cushion pool is an evolved version straight rail billiards. Its origin is traced back to the 1870s, but it was popularized by Wayman Crow McCreery. McCreery worked as an Internal Revenue Collector in Port Saint Louis. He played the game for his own enjoyment and then eventually patented the concept. Three-cushion billiards became a favourite of many players during the 1950s.
Three cushion billiards are used for shots. The objective of the player is to get the object ball in contact with three rails and then the cueball. While this can be done in any sequence, the main objective is to hit both cushion billiards.
Before hitting an object ball, the shooter needs to call for the bank shot. This shot can be taken in one or multiple rails. However, the most commonly used bank shot is the single-rail shot.
A 3-rail shot can be another type of bank shot. Several different ways can be employed, such as the Magic Spot, which is when the ball hits the rail in one corner of the table and the cushion on the opposite side. Another option is a multi-rail bank shot, or a distant point.
In order to shoot a bank shot, the object must first hit the cushion. This rule is not always true. You can also hit the object ball before bouncing on the rail, or after the cushion. As an example, let's say you have a single rail shot. The object ball bounced off the rail and then went into the pocket.
This game is based on the Standard World Rules. The bank shot can be used by the shooter to take any object ball. Once the object ball is taken, the shooter can move on to the next innings.
The inning ends when the object ball gets pocketed outside of the shooter’s called shot. Follures and illegal breaks will also be noted in italics. Similarly, the opponent can take their turn.
In pool, the main way to get objects is through bank shots. Unlike in nine-ball or eight-ball, the object of Bank Pool is to outscore the opponent(s) in pocketing the balls by using bank shots.