What Are English Billiards Rules?

Billiards can refer to several different types of games played on a billiards or pool table. A specific number of object balls, cue balls, and cue sticks are used to play these games. The most popular billiards game most people know is 8-ball, a pool game.

However, before the rise of 8-ball as the most recognizable cue sport, English billiards dominated the tables and laid the groundwork for many modern billiards games.

Learning how to play billiards in this English style can broaden your billiard playing skills and give you more options when you want to play a game of billiards or pool.

Whether you're a seasoned pool player looking to expand your repertoire or a curious newcomer, learning the rules of English billiards opens the door to a rich tradition of cue sport mastery. In this guide, we’ll break down the fundamentals, from scoring methods to basic gameplay, so you can start playing—or watching—with confidence.

What Is English Billiards?

English billiards refers to a billiards game invented in England. It is played on a billiards table that has six pockets. The game’s objective is to reach a predetermined point amount before the other player.

Sometimes referred to as British billiards, or simply billiards in the UK, this game combines elements of both pocket billiards and carom billiards. It is played with just three balls: a white cue ball, a yellow cue ball, and a solid red object ball. Each player is assigned either the white or yellow ball as their striker ball.

Players score points through three types of shots: cannons (striking both object balls), pots (pocketing the red or opponent’s cue ball), and in-offs (pocketing their own cue ball after contact). Unlike pool or snooker, which involve clearing a set of balls or winning frames, English billiards emphasizes strategic scoring and maintaining control during extended turns.

The English billiards game rose to popularity in the 19th century and has remained a favorite among enthusiasts who appreciate its blend of precision, patience, and skill.

How Is English Billiards Different From Pool?

English billiards only uses three balls—a solid red, yellow, and white ball. You can use the cue ball, solid red ball, and solid yellow ball from your 8-ball pool set.

Another key difference is that the game is traditionally played on a 12-foot pool table—the regulation table size for English billiards and snooker. However, playing English billiards on a normal-sized pool table at home is perfectly acceptable.

What Are the Official Rules of English Billiards?

The billiards rules for English billiards are not too difficult to learn and include the following:

• All English billiards games are played with only three balls—the red object ball and two cue balls, one white and one yellow.
• The white and yellow balls serve as cue balls. Each player is assigned one of them.
• Players decide who uses which cue ball, typically by agreement or a coin toss. In casual games, a lag shot may be used to determine who goes first.
• During play, if all three balls are in the baulk area (behind the baulk line), and it’s the player's turn to shoot from there, the cue ball must be played from within the “D” and must leave the baulk before contacting another ball that is also in baulk.
• Players agree on a predetermined score to play to—commonly 300, but it can be less.
• The player who reaches the predetermined score first wins the game.
• A player continues their turn as long as they make a scoring shot. When they fail to score, their turn ends.

English Billiards Terminology

Understanding the unique terms used in English Billiards can help you follow the game more easily and communicate confidently during play. Here are some key terms every player should know:

• Cannon – A shot where the cue ball strikes both the object balls (red and the opponent’s cue ball) in a single stroke. Worth 2 points.
• Pot – When an object ball is pocketed. Potting the red ball scores 3 points; potting the opponent’s cue ball scores 2 points.
• In-Off – A shot where the cue ball goes into a pocket after striking another ball. An in-off off the red scores 3 points; off the opponent’s cue ball scores 2 points.
• Hazard – A scoring shot that involves potting a ball or an in-off. There are two types: pot hazards and in-off hazards.
• Break – The number of points scored in a single turn at the table. Skilled players aim to build high breaks without missing a shot.
• Baulk Line – A line drawn across the table close to one end; behind this line is the “D”, from which the game is usually started or restarted after fouls.
• The “D” – A semi-circular area within the baulk line from which the first shot of a game, or any shot after the cue ball has been potted, is taken.
• Miss – A failed attempt to score or legally strike a ball, often resulting in loss of turn and possibly giving points to the opponent.
• Cue Ball – The ball struck by the player’s cue. Each player uses a different cue ball (typically one is plain white and the other is yellow).
• Object Ball – Any ball that the player aims to strike or pot to score points—usually the red or opponent’s cue ball.

How to Play a Game of English Billiards

Playing a game of English billiards follows a structured sequence. Here’s how the game unfolds from the break shot to scoring and ball placement:

1. Lag to determine who breaks
   Each player takes a lag shot to decide who will make the “break shot.” To do this, place the red ball on the spot. Then, each player places their cue ball behind the baulk line (often called the head string in pool), on opposite sides of the table.

2. Take the lag shot
   Each player shoots their cue ball so it bounces off the foot rail. The objective is not to hit the red ball, but to see whose cue ball stops closest to it. That player wins the break.

3. Set up for the break shot
   At the start of play, only the red ball and the breaking player’s cue ball remain on the table. With cue ball in hand, the player places it behind the baulk line (within the “D”) and takes the opening shot.

4. Score if possible
   A scoring shot occurs if the player pockets either the red ball or their own cue ball (via an in-off). Points are awarded based on the type of scoring shot made.

5. Continue until no points are scored
   The player continues shooting as long as they score. When they fail to make a scoring shot, their turn ends. The opposing player then places their cue ball behind the baulk line and must shoot it past the baulk line before contacting an object ball.

6. Keep playing and scoring
   If any ball is pocketed, the player continues shooting until they miss a scoring shot. The game progresses this way until one player reaches the agreed-upon score.

7. Spot the red and cue balls as needed
   Anytime the red ball is pocketed, it is returned to its original spot on the table. If a player pockets their own cue ball, it is also spotted behind the baulk line.

8. Handle the opponent’s cue ball correctly
   If a player pockets the opposing player’s cue ball, that ball remains out of play until the opponent’s next turn.

How to Place the Balls in English Billiards

Proper ball placement is key to fair and consistent gameplay in English billiards. Here’s how to correctly place the red, white, and yellow balls at the start of the game and during play.

Red Ball Placement

The red ball is placed on the billiards table in the same location as the black ball in snooker. Take your triangle rack and place it for the foot spot like you were going to rack the balls for 8-ball pool.

Next, using the middle maker on the foot rail and the side markers on the side rails closest to the foot rail’s pockets as guides, place the red ball behind the triangle rack. The ball should align with these three markers. You will return the red ball to this exact position each time you pocket it.

Cue Ball Placement (White and Yellow)

Each player is assigned a cue ball—either white or yellow. At the beginning of the game and after a cue ball has been pocketed (via in-off or foul), the cue ball is placed in-hand behind the baulk line, also known as the “D”.

• The cue ball must be positioned within the semi-circle known as the “D” and played forward into the main area of the table.
• After a player’s turn ends, their opponent places their cue ball in the “D” to begin their own turn.
• If both object balls (red and the opponent’s cue ball) are also in baulk, the striker must ensure the cue ball exits the baulk area before contacting any other ball.

What Happens When Balls Are Pocketed

Each ball in English billiards has specific rules for how and when it is returned to the table after being potted:

• Red ball – Always returned to its original spot after being pocketed.
• Striker’s cue ball – Spotted in the "D" and played in-hand if potted (via an in-off or foul).
• Opponent’s cue ball – Remains off the table until that player’s next turn.

How to Score English Billiards

Scoring in English billiards is based on three main shot types: pots, cannons, and in-offs. Unlike in pool, potting your own cue ball—called an in-off—is legal and often used strategically to score points.

Standard Ways to Score in Billiards

Here are the core scoring methods used in English billiards:

• Potting the red ball is worth 3 points.
• Potting the opponent’s cue ball is worth 2 points.
• Potting your own cue ball after it contacts the red ball (in-off) is worth 3 points.
• Potting your own cue ball after it contacts the opponent’s cue ball (in-off) is worth 2 points.
• A cannon, where your cue ball hits both the red and the opponent’s cue ball in one shot, is worth 2 points.

Billiards Scoring Combinations

Players can combine multiple scoring methods in a single shot. The highest possible score in one shot is 10 points when all three balls are on the table.

• A "Ten Shot" scores 10 points by combining a cannon, potting the red ball, potting the opponent’s cue ball, and an in-off off the red.
• A "Six Shot" scores 6 points by potting the red ball and then potting your own cue ball off the red (in-off).
• A "Five Shot" scores 5 points by making a cannon and potting the red ball.
• A "Four Shot" scores 4 points by either making a cannon and potting one of the cue balls, or by potting the opponent’s cue ball and then potting your own cue ball off it (in-off).

Keeping all three balls in play increases your chances for high-scoring combinations. It’s especially useful to keep the red ball near the foot rail, where you can build sequences and rack up points quickly.

How to Win English Billiards

A game of English billiards is typically won by the first player to reach a predetermined number of points, most commonly 300. However, this target can be adjusted based on time limits, skill level, or casual play preferences.

Players alternate turns and continue shooting as long as they score. Once a player misses or commits a foul, their turn ends and the opponent takes over. The game continues in this format until one player reaches the agreed-upon score total.

In tournament settings, games may also be played using a time limit rather than a fixed point total. In this format, the player with the highest score when time expires is declared the winner.

To win, players must not only score efficiently but also maintain positional control, keep the balls in play, and minimize fouls that give the opponent scoring opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between English and American billiards?

English billiards is played with three balls on a snooker-sized table and combines elements of carom and pocket play, while American billiards (often referring to pool) typically uses 15 object balls and focuses on potting sequences like 8-ball or 9-ball.

Can you use an American pool cue for English pool?

You can, but it’s not ideal—American cues have larger tips and heavier shafts, while English pool cues are lighter with smaller tips for greater control over the smaller balls.

What is billiards called in England?

In England, “billiards” usually refers to English billiards, though the term may also be used more broadly to describe cue sports in general.

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References:

World Billiards. Official Rules of the Games of Snooker and English Billiards.