log in
sign up or:

By using this site you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service

forgot password?

Trilliards Snooker Rules

These are the rules of an old game played on a snooker table called "Trilliards". Trilliards was noted as "an anti-fluke game".

Trilliards Rules - Order of play:

Player A. plays with the plain white ball, and may score only by winning hazards. Player B., following player A., plays with the spotted white ball, and may score only by losing hazards. Player C., following player B., plays with red, and may score only by cannons.

Fouls and Scoring in Trilliards

If a player:

  1. makes a stroke which he is not entitled to make, or
  2. gives a miss, or
  3. forces a ball off the table, or
  4. runs a coup, or
  5. plays with the wrong ball, or
  6. plays from a wrong position,

... then each of the other players scores the point for each such error.

For each legitimate stroke that a player makes (provided he plays with his proper ball and from the proper position), he scores two points, even if the stroke accomplished be a fluke. If by one and the same stroke a player makes a legitimate shot, and also commits one or more errors, his break ends; but he counts his points for the legitimate shot (except when he has played with the wrong ball or from the wrong position), the other players scoring for the error or errors.

Example: A. pockets the red ball and the spot white, making a cannon in so doing. He counts two for each winning hazard, and B, and C. each score 1 for the cannon. A.'s break ends, and B. proceeds to play.

How to Play Trilliards

  1. The game is "25 up". e.g. play continues until a player reaches 25 points.

  2. Legitimate strokes score before penalties. Thus, the score being A. and B. 24 each, C. 23, C. plays and makes a cannon. C. wins the game, though his error brings the scores of A. and B. up to 25.

  3. The players determine by lot, as in pool, which is to play as A., B., and C.

  4. At the outset of the game the red ball is placed on the billiard spot, spot white on the centre spot, and plain white on the centre spot of the D.

  5. A player in hand must play from the centre spot of the D. If that is occupied, from the right-hand spot. If that also is occupied, from the left-hand spot.

  6. A player in hand must play out of baulk, the baulk being a protection, as in billiards. A ball lying half in and half out of baulk is reckoned in baulk. If a ball is more than half out of baulk, the player in hand may play at any part of such ball.

  7. If a ball is pocketed, and is not forthwith to be played from hand, it shall, if a white ball, be spotted on the center spot. If that is occupied, on the pyramid spot. If that is occupied, on the billiard spot. If it is the red ball that is in question, it shall be spotted on the billiard spot. If that is occupied, on the pyramid spot. If that is occupied, on the center spot.

  8. If, when a player is to play, the cue ball is touching another, the balls shall be taken up and spotted as follows:

    • If it is A.'s or B.'s turn to play, player's ball on the center spot of the D., the other white ball on the center spot, red on the billiard spot, and the player plays from the center spot of the D.
    • If it is C.'s turn to play, the balls are spotted, as in rule 6, and C. plays from the billiard spot.
  9. If A. pockets a ball twice in consecutive strokes, in one and the same break, from any particular spot, that ball shall not be re-spotted on that spot for the next stroke. It shall be spotted instead on the nearest unoccupied spot. In this rule "spot" signifies only the center, pyramid, and billiard spots.

  10. The penalty for playing with a wrong ball or from a wrong position may be claimed by either of the other players, but only before a player has played in succession to the player at fault.

  11. On the game being won, the two losers can continue to play till one of them reaches 25, the other paying for the table. If penalties accruing from the winner's final stroke carry either or both of the losers to 25, the losers, if continuing to play under this rule, shall play as if such penalties had not accrued.

Trilliards Snooker Rules

If you have any questions about Trilliards Snooker Rules, please post them in the pool rules forum.

...or view existing Trilliards Snooker Rules questions in the forum.

Trilliards Snooker Rules History

These rules were written by "A.R.B. (Ratnagiri, India)" while "in the field" and his original article was included in the November 1912 issue of The Billiard Monthly.

The official Trilliards Snooker Rules are predominently observed in India.

How to Play Trilliards Snooker

  • Title: Trilliards Snooker Rules
  • Author: (Billiards Forum)
  • Published: 1/7/2017 1:18:22 PM
  • Last Updated: 1/7/2017 3:07:50 PM
  • Last Updated By: billiardsforum
  • Source: The Billiard Monthly, Issue 25, November, 1912

Trilliards Snooker Rules

The Trilliards Snooker Rules article belongs to the Snooker Rules category. Snooker is a type of cue sport game that is played on a snooker table.

Trilliards Snooker Rules Comments

There are not yet any comments. Please post one below. All comments are moderated.

Reply and share your comments below:

upload a photo or document

use plain text or markdown syntax only