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Three-Cushion & Straight Rail Billiards
by
Amy Wall & Francine Crimi
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- Cue ball has to strike three cushions
- Three-Cushion Billiards require much patience
- Straight rail is simplified modern-day carom
There are several variations of pocketless games, but each one of them is a point-scoring game. When you become familiar with three-cushion, you will probably want to explore other versions, but for now let’s just deal with the game you will most likely encounter when you find a pocketless table in your local pool room.
The Object and the Rules
In three-cushion billiards, the goal is to reach a predetermined point total before your opponent. To do so your cue ball must strike three cushions before striking either the object ball or your opponent’s cue ball. If you accomplish this, you will receive 1 point. That’s really the only rule.
Sound confusing? Here’s an example of a legal three-cushion shot: You strike your cue ball into a cushion. After hitting the cushion it strikes the red ball on the table, then it strikes two more cushions before striking your opponent’s cue ball.
It’s not easy, that’s for sure. It will take a lot of patience and precision before you can successfully make these shots, score a point, and always keep safety play tucked away in the wings for when you need it. You keep your turn at the table until you either shoot an illegal shot or do not score a point.
Scoring
On every stroke you have one of two choices: You can go for the count (the point) or you can choose to play a safety. Why wouldn’t you just go for the count? Suppose your cue ball is in a precarious position on the table and you’re not sure you can make the shot. If you’re going to lose your turn, you might as well leave the table in such a way as to make it hard for your opponent to score a point. That’s what safety play is all about. But it’s a good thing that it’s controlled in this game. Just imagine if everyone played a safety on every turn; you’d be asleep before the game reached its conclusion.
Straight Rail
Since straight rail is the simplified precursor to modern-day carom games like three-cushion, you might want to give it a try so you can get used to the world of pocketless pool.
The difference between three-cushion and straight rail is that in straight rail you don’t have to strike three cushions before striking the other two object balls. You aren’t penalized if you do hit a cushion, but you’re not required to hit one either. Once you get used to straight rail, you’ll soon see why players of past generations felt challenged to make the game a little harder.
… from The Everything Pool and Billiards Book. For similar books, please visit Adams Media Bookstore.
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