The free pyramid (unofficial name is “American”) is one of the disciplines of the pyramid game (Russian billiards) . Like the rest of the discipline of the pyramid, arose and is currently the most popular in the territory of the former USSR .
Content
Basic Rules
The game respects the "general rules" of Russian billiards, while there are a number of features. The goal of the game, as in most other types of Russian billiards, is to score 8 balls first.
Balls
The game uses 16 balls. Any of them can be either a cue ball or an aiming ball. Before the start of the game, 15 balls are collected in the shape of a triangular pyramid. The front ball is at the back of the table, and the base of the pyramid is parallel to the short board.
Game
The initial blow (robbery) is carried out with a hand from home. Any aiming ball or cue ball from aiming balls can play. “Order” a hit is not required. With the right hit, all balls scored are counted. A hit is considered correct if other points of the rules of the game and additional conditions of its conduct are not violated.
Ballooning
Single ball put on the back mark. With several balls set, they are set in random order along the line of exposure from the rear mark to the rear side. The balls should be located as close to each other as possible, while not touching. If other balls interfere with their positioning, then the exposed balls are placed in approximately the same line as close to the back mark (as possible), so that they are located as close as possible to the interfering balls (but not touching).
Penalties
If one of the opponents breaks the rules, incorrectly scored (or popped up) balls are put on the table, and after that the second player of his choice simply removes any ball for himself. It is called a free kick. Also, the opponent of the offender has the right to take the next blow himself or give it to the opponent. However, he can not play the exposed balls. The definition of fines in American is almost identical with the corresponding section of the general rules of Russian billiards. The player takes off any ball and makes a hit if the opponent has:
- the ball did not touch any of the other balls;
- upon impact, propih occurs;
- upon impact, not a single ball touched the board twice, or there was not a single collision with the board and a roll to another part of the table.