Carom billiard games take place on a table without pocket. The table size can range from 8 foot to 12 foot. Only three balls are used in carom billiard games: two cue balls and one object ball.

Opening Break

One the opening break shot, the object ball is placed on the foot spot, the incoming player's cue ball on the head spot and the breaker cue ball on head string about 6 inches away from the center spot. The breaker is required to cause the cue ball to first contact with the object ball.

Object of Carom Billiard Game

The object of the carom billiard game is to score the highest sum of points by causing the cue ball to hit both the object ball and the opponent cue ball on a single, legal stroke. For each successful stroke, the shooter's score is added with one point.

Carom Billiard Game Rules

In carom billiards, in order to complete a legal shot, the player must cause his cue ball to contact one of the object balls. If a player manages to hit both object balls in one legal stroke, he may continue his turn at the table. If a player fails in completing a legal stroke, i.e. if the cue ball does not contact any object ball, his turn must come to an end.

If the player's cue ball is in contact with one or both object balls, he may either shoot away from the object ball/s or place the balls in the break position and repeat the opening break shot.

If the player's cue ball jumps off the table, it will be preferably spotted to the head spot. If the spot is occupied, it will be spotted to the foot spot and if the foot spot is occupied too, the player's cue ball will be spotted to the center spot. If both cue balls have jumped off the table, the shooter's cue ball will be spotted to the head spot.

Fouls

These following circumstances are considered fouls according to carom billiards rules:

If a player plays out of turn;

If a player contacts any ball unintentionally;

If a player touches the cue ball with any object or body part except the cue tip;

If a player performs a push shot;

If a player shoots with his opponent's cue ball;

If a player causes a cue ball to rise off the bed of the table;

Penalties for Fouls

Unless a player performs an intentional foul (either interfere with the path of the balls or with the opponent's play), an offending player will be penalized with the loss of his turn at the table. In addition, if a player caroms on a foul, the point will not be credited to his score.

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