GENRAL RULES: Here are the general rules approved by the Billiard Congress of America that apply to all pocket billiard games unless otherwise noted by the rules under the specific and individual games.

9-BALL: One of the most popular game in billiards, 9-ball is played with nine object balls numbered one through nine and a cue ball. On each shot the first ball the cue ball contacts must be the lowest-numbered ball on the table, but the balls need not be pocketed in order…read more about the 9-ball rules for more details.

8-BALL RULES: A call shot game played with a cue ball and fifteen object balls. One player must pocket balls with solid colors while the other player pockets the stripes. The player who first pockets his group and then legally pockets the 8-ball wins the game…read more about the 8-ball rules for more details.

8-BALL OPEN TABLE RULES: The table is "open" when the choice of groups (stripes or solids) has not yet been determined. When the table is open, it is legal to hit a solid first to make a stripe or vice-versa…know more about open table rules for 8-ball.

3-BALL RULES: Anything goes in 3 Ball. The only steadfast rule is the scoring of the shots where the number of shots it takes a player to break and pocket all balls is their score. There are also no innings in 3 Ball as it is designed for one player per game…read more about the 3-ball rules for more details.

1 POCKET RULES: A unique game in which only two of the six pockets are employed for legal scoring, any ball may be played and need not be called. It’s a game that requires a wide variety of strokes, cue ball control, shot-making ability, patience and defensive strategy…read more about the one pocket rules for more details.

14.1 RULES: This is a nomination game where the player must nominate a ball and a pocket. The player is awarded one point for every correctly nominated and pocketed ball on a legal stroke, and is allowed to continue his turn until he either fails to pocket a nominated ball or commits a foul…read more about the 14.1 continuous rules for more details.

CAROM BILLIARDS RULES: A game with three colored balls which are a little bit heavier and bigger than ordinary pool balls, players rack up in a table with no pockets having a dimension of 5 feet x 10 feet…read more about the carom billiards for more details.

WHEELCHAIR COMPITITION: The adopted the rules of play by the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation governing all international competitions concerning wheelchair pocket billiards…read on for more details.

SNOOKER RULES: International or "English" snooker is the most widely played form of snooker around the world.