Canadian Skittles Pool (3 Black Pins Version)
A variation on how to play Canadian skittle pool using 3 black pins (instead of 1 black). These Canadian skittles pool rules were contributed by Billiards Forum member Charles Kovacshazy, of Ontario Canada back in 2023. You can also view the original pdf document with Charly's Rules for Canadian Skittles Pool with 3 Black Pins .
- This is a version that uses 3 black pins (among other colors).
- There's also a version of Canadian Skittle Pool using 1 black pin (among other colors).
Also, if you are looking for variations on this game:
- Visit the thread skittle pool played on a snooker table layout.
- Alternate rules for how to play skittles pool
The "3 black Pin version" of Canadian Skittles Billiards combines some features of Snooker, English, and Pin Billiards. It is played on any standard Snooker table with six pockets, a baulk line, and a "D" half-circle. Two or more players may play. The winner is the first player to reach exactly 31 points without going over but the winning stroke must include knocking down at least one Colored pin legally. An instant win can be made with a Royal or a Natural.
Equipment and Setup
Only three balls are used, a White cue ball for all players, and the Red and Yellow Object balls. 7 Skittle pins are spotted on the table, 3 black and 4 Colored pins (colored pins may be substituted with unpainted pins).
The table is setup with 3 black pins on the long center line, Snooker Pink, Blue and Brown spots. Red ball goes on the Snooker black spot, Yellow ball on Yellow spot, White cue ball in “D”.
Colored pins are: Red, Yellow, Green, and Brown, center spaced 3.25 inches from the black pin at the center. Red pin close to “D”, Green pin far from “D”, Yellow pin left, Brown pin right (if looking towards the top cushion).
Alternate Table Setup Option 3 black pins on the Snooker Pink, Blue and Yellow spots. Red ball on Snooker black spot, Yellow ball on Brown spot, White cue ball in “D”.
How to Play
Before the game starts, each player invests the same amount into the Pot and agree on a value for a foul. For example, $10 Pot and $1 for each foul (X). Once the order of players is determined, the first player plays the cue ball from the "D", the cue ball must first exit the baulk area and then contact a ball. Only the striker can earn points by any or a combination of the following: Caroms, Potting balls, In-offs, or Knocking Colored pins down. Play continues until no points are made, or a foul occurs. A foul re-sets the striker’s score to zero, and an X is marked beside the player’s name. Xs accumulate but the winner does not have to pay for his Xs.
Making a Royal or a Natural in one stroke is an instant win and doubles the Pot value.
Royal: Knock down 4 Colored pins only Natural: Knock down 3 black pins but no Colored pins
Carom is when the cue ball contacts both object balls as the result of a stroke, it is worth 2 points regardless of which ball was struck first. Only 1 carom is counted per stroke and only 3 consecutive Caroms are allowed.
Potting: Yellow ball = 2 pts. Red ball = 3 pts. A ball may be potted from its spot only 3 times consecutively.
In-off is when the cue ball contacts a ball and then goes into the pocket. In-off Yellow = 2 pts. Off Red = 3 pts. This is not a foul. After an In-off, the cue ball must be played from “D”, and it must exit the baulk area.
Knocking Colored pins down without knocking any black pins down earns the striker the value of the pin/s.
Fouls
A foul is an illegal shot or an infraction of the rules, it is marked as an X on the scoreboard, it is a foul if the: cue ball does not contact a ball. cue ball contacts a pin before a ball. cue ball goes into a pocket before contacting a ball. cue ball fails to first make contact outside the baulk area after an In-off stroke from the “D”. striker goes over the Target points. striker attains the Target points without knocking down at least one Colored pin legally. Pin/s or Ball/s do not remain on the playing surface (except when a ball is pocketed). striker touches a ball or knocks a pin over illegally, for example with a cue or a rake (except during re-spotting) Player plays out of turn. fouls must be called before the next shot, otherwise, it is deemed that no infraction occurred.
After a foul the striker’s turn ends and the score is reset to zero, and an “X” is added beside his name. After a foul and a Hook exists. The incoming player has 2 options: Continue to play or request the player to “Shoot Again” thus becoming the striker. If the shot is successful, the points count for the striker. After a foul when the cue Ball is placed in the “D” and if both Object balls are in the baulk area. The incoming player has 2 options: Continue to play or request the player to “Shoot Again” thus becoming the striker. If the shot is successful, the points count for the striker. A Hook is when a direct shot with the cue ball onto an Object ball is obstructed by about a half-ball diameter.
Spotting pins and Balls
Potted balls and downed pins are re-spotted before the next stroke. Pins and balls always spot to their home spot. Pins standing but slightly off position may be re-spotted anytime. If a pin is leaning or touching an Object ball, it shall remain as it is. If a pin leans against the cue ball after a stroke, it remains as is, the next shot is not a foul unless it falls. If a pin cannot be spotted without touching a ball, the ball is spotted to its home spot. If colored pins are spotted wrong, the position counts for points not the color of the pin. A ball exactly on the baulk line is in the baulk area.
Variations
At the start, players draw a secret pea from a bottle, thus adding anywhere from 1 to 16 points to their score. A player has the option to quit play after his turn ends by paying the value of the pot and his Xs.
Canadian Skittles Pool (3 Black Pins Version)
If you have any questions about Canadian Skittles Pool (3 Black Pins Version), please post them in the pool rules forum.
Canadian Skittles Pool (3 Black Pins Version) History
If anyone has more info on the origins of skittle pool, leave a comment below.
The official Canadian Skittles Pool (3 Black Pins Version) are predominently observed in Canada.
How to Play Canadian Skittles Pool (3 Black Pins Version)
Questions about Canadian Skittles Pool (3 Black Pins Version):
- Title: Canadian Skittles Pool (3 Black Pins Version)
- Author: CharlyK (Charles Kovacshazy)
- Published: 2/10/2023 4:39:35 PM
- Last Updated: 2/14/2023 7:32:33 AM
- Last Updated By: billiardsforum (Billiards Forum)
- Source: Submitted by a Billiards Forum Member
Canadian Skittles Pool (3 Black Pins Version)
The Canadian Skittles Pool (3 Black Pins Version) article belongs to the Pocket Billiards Rules category. Pocket billiards is a class of cue sport game commonly referred to as pool.
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