Rules for BOWLLIARDS
Except when clearly contradicted by these additional rules, the General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply.
TYPE OF GAME
Bowlliards is a game that applies the scoring concepts of bowling to
pocket billiards. It is one of the few games that can be quite
interesting as a solitary exercise since, like bowling, there is a
perfect game score to strive toward, and a player can measure his
improvement quite easily over the course of time playing Bowlliards.
PLAYERS
Any number of people (for reasonable completion times figure four
to six individuals).
BALLS USED
Any ten object balls, plus cue ball.
THE RACK
Standard rack position (front apex ball on foot spot), using
1-2-3-4 rack configuration.
OBJECT OF THE GAME
To score a perfect score of 300 points in 10 frames (innings) in
solitary play. In competition, to score a higher point total in
10 innings than opponent(s).
SCORING
Each legally pocketed ball is scored as one point, regardless of ball
number. The points scored as per the "Rules of Play" below are
treated exactly as is the pinfall in bowling.
OPENING BREAK
At the start of a player's inning (frame), he has a free break
(no special balls-to-cushion or other requirements once break
stroke play commences, and a jumped or scratched cue ball is
without penalty). Any balls pocketed on the break are spotted,
and the player then follows his break by beginning scoring play
with object balls in position and cue ball in hand behind the
head string. (The opening break takes place at the start of
every inning [frame].)
RULES OF PLAY
A legally pocketed ball entitles the shooter to continue at the
table until he fails to pocket a called ball on a shot, or until
he has scored the maximum total per inning possible (10).
Player may shoot any ball he chooses, but before he shoots, must
designate a single ball that he will pocket and the pocket into
which the ball will score; he need not indicate kisses, caroms,
combinations or cushions (none of which are illegal).
Player has two chances to pocket the 10 possible balls of each frame. If
player legally pockets ten consecutive balls on his first chance of a
frame, that frame is completed and player scores the frame exactly as a
strike in bowling. If player fails to pocket 10 consecutive balls on his
first chance, he takes his second chance immediately. If he
succeeds in legally pocketing the remaining balls on the table, the
frame is completed and player scores exactly as a spare in bowling.
If player fails to legally pocket all ten balls in two chances,
the frame is then completed and is scored as an open frame in bowling.
All succeeding frames are likewise scored just as in bowling; a
"strike" in the tenth inning earns two extra shots, a "spare" one extra
shot.
If players tie for high game total in competition, additional
innings are played alternately by the tied players, with the
first player posting a superior score to that of his opponent(s)
being the winner ("sudden death").
ILLEGALLY POCKETED BALLS
On the break, illegally pocketed balls are spotted prior to the
player beginning his scoring play (first chance of frame).
During scoring play, illegally pocketed balls are spotted.
JUMPED OBJECT BALLS
All spotted; no penalty.
CUE BALL AFTER JUMP OR SCRATCH
Only applies if occurring as player's first foul of a frame:
player has cue ball in hand behind the head string to begin his
second chance of the frame.
PENALTY FOR FOULS
No points are deducted (note that balls dropped on a foul stroke do not
count and must be spotted). If the foul ends player's first
chance of a frame, he has cue ball in hand behind the head string to
begin his second chance of the frame. If the foul end's his second
change (the one to pick up a spare) then his frame is finished.
These rules are used by Billy Aardd's Club, NMIMT, Socorro, NM.