Three cushion billiards is a billiard game played on a five by ten foot table. The object of this game is for the cue balls to touch three rails and then contact the second object ball. One point is awarded for each successful carom. A shooter who catches all of the object balls does not earn a point. The frame is won by whoever has the most objects.
The table is bigger than the standard pool table to allow three players to play cushion billiards. On one side of the table, a cue ball is placed and a red ball on the other. To line up a shot, players use the silver dots found on the table. This requires exact calculation of angles. Once the shot has been taken, the object ball should be kept in a pocket.
Three cushion billiards are an evolved version of straight-rail billiards. Although it can be traced back to 1870s, Wayman Crow McCreery popularized it. McCreery worked as an Internal Revenue Collector in Port Saint Louis. He invented the game and enjoyed the game. Three-cushion billiards became a favourite of many players during the 1950s.
The object of a shot in three cushion billiards is for the object ball to contact three rails before it reaches the cue ball. This can be done in any order, but in most cases, the objective is to hit both cushions.
Before hitting the object balls, the shooter must call out for the bank shot. This shot can be taken in one or multiple rails. However, the most common bank shot of all is the single rail shot.
A 3-rail shot, another type bank shot, is also possible. 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.
Typically, when shooting a bank shot, the object ball must hit the cushion first. But there are some exceptions to this rule. The object ball can be hit before it bounces on a rail, or after it has been cushioned. 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.
These rules are based on Standard World rules. To get any object balls, the player can use the bank shot. After the object ball is pocketed, the shooter can proceed to the next inning.
If the object ball has been pocketed against the shooter's call shot, it is considered an out. In italics, any illegal breaks or fouls are also noted. The opponent may also take their turn.
Bank shot is the most common method to take possession of objects in pool. Bank Pool is different from nine-ball and eightball. Bank shots are used to get the ball out of the opponent's hands.