The mechanical bridge, also called rake, crutch or rest, is an accessory of the billiard sports table and consists of a stick with a bridge head mounted at its end to support the shaft of the cue stick replacing the hand bridge during shots difficult to reach. You must string to determine who will start the match, which can be based on an imaginary line (head string) or the number of wins (scoring string). 39. Where it is necessary for tax to be deducted from an athlete’s winnings, tax certificates must be issued by the Tournament Organiser to the athletes. 24. If the Tournament has a letter of support from a CF and it is proposed that the application will be granted on varied terms, the General Secretary will liaise with the CF about those variations and seek its approval. 18. The CF, its NF and the Tournament Organiser will each provide to the General Secretary copies of all correspondence (including letters, emails and text messages) in relation to an application made under the previous clause as they occur. 38. If Tournament Organiser is in default of any of its obligations in respect of a Sanctioned Tournament, the WPA may either suspend the sanctioning of the Tournament until the default is remedied or revoke the sanctioning of the Tournament.

The cue ball may contact an object ball directly or it can be made to bounce off one or more cushions before hitting the required object ball. In a variety of the game called three-cushion billiards, the cue ball must also touch a cushion or cushions three or more times to complete a carom. They must be solid because they need to be similar in weight, density, and physical properties. 42. The Tournament date will be reserved and must be respected by the WPA’s CFs and their NFs. 9. Sanctioning is required when an International Tournament is any of a Category 1 Tournament to a Category 4 Tournament. 43. In relation to a Category 1 Tournament. 21.9. any request for the Tournament to be excused from any of the WPA’s Rules and Regulations of Pool. The history of the pool is the same as billiards since the game did stem from billiards. Meanwhile, when talking about pool, it’s often seen as the same game as billiards, but pool is more known outside the United States, including Australia. Snooker is played on a table similar to a pool table but uses nine to 15 balls.

You need 15 balls, but some people play with just nine. It involves 16 balls, which are made up of 15 object balls and one cue ball. Pool involves a table with six pockets. Back in the day, however, pool tables were found in horse race betting parlours. In the 15th century, billiards’ roots can be traced back to a lawn game similar to croquet. Croquet is a very old game, what is billiards widely known and practiced in France since the XI century under the name of 'jeu de mail'. Boxing became prevalent in the 18th and 19th century. Billiards emerged in the 15th century. Billiards is played on a table without pockets. A scratch is when a player pockets the white cue ball at any point during their turn. In play, the object is to stroke the cue ball so that it hits the two object balls in succession, scoring a carom, or billiard, which counts one point. The triangle should point towards the opposite side, or head, of the table (see diagram below). In this regard a Ratified Event is one has been approved by the WPA Board - see paragraph 50 and following below.

In relation to the timing of an application for sanctioning for Championships or Tournaments due to commence before 1 July 2026, the time requirements shall be dealt with by the WPA on a case by case basis, but applications should be made as soon as possible. This is why a protective case is essential for protecting your cue. Note that these two other balls are already on the table, and remember that white and yellow are the cue balls. International Tournaments. A tournament is an International Tournament if it comprises athletes from two or more continents. He will arrive 1 day before the Tournament and leave 1 day after the Tournament. 32. The grant of provisional sanctioning will be subject to such terms and conditions as the Board may impose. If approval is not granted clause 16 above may apply. Balls should be cleaned with a towel or cloth free of dirt and dust, and may also be washed with soap and water.