In Billiards, a cue stick is used to strike billiard balls to drive them around a cloth-covered table that is bounded by cushions (elastic bumpers).

All three Billiards disciplines will be offered in The World Games, namely Carom (3 Cushion), Pool (9-Ball), and Snooker. The equipment and goals are different in each discipline, each discipline is played one on one.

Pool may be the most commonly known Billiards discipline, however, the 9-ball event has a different set of rules compared to the typical 8-ball event. In Pool, athletes hit the lowest numbered ball on the table with the white cue-ball in order to pocket it. If any ball is pocketed on a legal shot, the player remains at the table. Players stay on the table until the 9 ball is pocketed. 

The goal of the game is to pocket the 9 ball on a legal shot. Each 9 ball scores one point and the match is up to a given number of points.

At The World Games, the matches are a race to 11 racks (best of 21) in the men’s event and a race to 9 (best of 17) in the women’s event.

For all 4 events that are part of Billiards at The World Games 2022, the same format will be used.

- Single Elimination Draw format.
- 16 athletes will compete in the first round (Round of 16) as per the draws made based on rankings, as mentioned above.
- 8 winning athletes will compete in the quarter-finals.
- 4 winning athletes qualify for the semi-finals.
- Two losing semi-finalists compete for the bronze medal and winners compete for Gold.

The breaker will play from behind the line (headstring) and hit the 1 ball first with enough power to force a minimum combination of four object balls hitting one or more rails, or being pocketed, or a combination of both (e.g. pocket one ball and have a minimum of two balls cross the line). Failure to achieve that minimum results in a foul and loss of turn, even if a ball has been pocketed. Players will break in alternation.

On each shot, the first ball that the cue ball contacts must be the lowest-numbered ball on the table, but the balls need not be pocketed in order. If a player pockets any ball on a legal shot, they remain at the table for another shot and continue until they miss, foul or win the game by pocketing the 9-ball.

If the 9 ball is pocketed, the shooter wins that rack, and the next begins.

If a player commits a foul, the incoming player is permitted to place the cue ball anywhere on the table.

Fouls include

- failing to contact the lowest numbered ball first,
- failing to make rail contact if no ball is pocketed,
- sending the cue ball into a pocket or off the table.

If a player fouls on three consecutive shots, it results in the loss of that rack.

More information on fouls can be found here.

Athletes must be at the table and ready to play their assigned match at the appointed match-time. If an athlete is late for his appointed match-time, he will be penalized with one frame (rack/set). At 15 minutes, the match is awarded to the opponent. Should both athletes in one and the same match arrive too late, both of them will be disqualified.

The  rules  and  regulations  give  the  referee  and  other  official’s  considerable  latitude  in  penalizing unsportsmanlike conduct. Several factors should be considered in such decisions, including previous conduct, previous warnings, how serious the offense is, and information  that the athletes may have been given at the Players Meeting at the start of the tournament.  

Any athlete who is disqualified from an event will forfeit any and all prize money and medal.

9-Ball Men

1. Carlo BIADO (PHI)
2. Jayson SHAW (GBR)
3. Naoyuki OI (JPN)

9-Ball Women

1. Siming CHEN (CHN)
2. Gayoung KIM (KOR)
3. Yu HAN (CHN)

Pool Men

1. Darren APPLETON (GBR)
2. Jung-Lin CHANG (TPE)
3. Dennis ORCOLLO (PHI)

Pool Women

1. Chieh Yu CHOU (TPE)
2. Gayoung KIM (KOR)
3. Kelly FISHER (GBR)

Pool Men

1. Ralf SOUQUET (GER)
2. Ching-Shun YANG (TPE)
3. Stephane COHEN (FRA)

Pool Women

1. Allison FISHER (GBR)
2. Jasmin OUSCHAN (AUT)
3. Yuan-Chun LIN (TPE)

Pool Men

1. Pei-Weo CHANG (TPE)
2. Thorsten HOHMANN (GER)
3. Rodney MORRIS (USA)

Pool Women

1. Jasmin OUSCHAN (AUT)
2. Chun-Chen CHEN (TPE)
3. Line KJOERSVIK (NOR)

Pool Men

1. Ching-Shun YANG (TPE)
2. Ralf SOUQUET (GER)
3. Thomas ENGERT (GER)

Pool Women

1. Jeanette LEE (USA)
2. Karen CORR (GBR)
3. Chun-Chen CHEN (TPE)

• Molrudee KASEMCHAIYANAN(NZL): 9. in TWG2017
• Chieh Yu CHOU(TPE): 5. in TWG2017, 1. in TWG2013
• Matt EDWARDS(NZL): 5. in TWG2017
• Albin OUSCHAN(AUT): 5. in TWG2017
• Joshua FILLER(GER): 9. in TWG2017
• Kelly FISHER(GBR): 9. in TWG2017, 3. in TWG2013
• Carlo BIADO(PHI): 1. in TWG2017
• Jennifer BARRETTA(USA): 9. in TWG2017
• Monica WEBB(USA): 9. in TWG2017

In Billiards, a cue stick is used to strike billiard balls to drive them around a cloth-covered table that is bounded by cushions (elastic bumpers).

All three Billiards disciplines will be offered in The World Games, namely Carom (3 Cushion), Pool (9-Ball), and Snooker. The equipment and goals are different in each discipline.

Carom Billiards, also called French Billiards, is played with three balls (one white cue ball, one yellow cue ball and one red object ball) on a table without pockets. The object is to complete ‘carom’ by driving one of the cue balls into both of the other balls. The cue balls must make contact with at least three cushions before it hits the last ball. Therefore, Carom is often called three-cushion billiards.  

Carom requires creative solutions, forward-thinking and excellent ball control.

The first player to arrive at 40 points wins.

For all 4 events that are part of Billiards at The World Games 2022, the same format will be used.

- Single Elimination Draw format.
- 16 athletes will compete in the first round (Round of 16) as per the draws made based on rankings, as mentioned above.
- 8 winning athletes will compete in the quarter-finals.
- 4 winning athletes qualify for the semi-finals.
- Two losing semi-finalists compete for the bronze medal and winners compete for Gold.

The players lag (or string) to determine who will shoot first. For the first (break) shot, the red is placed on a spot at one end of the table and the two cue balls at the other. The first shot must be to the red ball.

Although the cue ball must make at least three cushion contacts before contacting the second object ball, a single cushion may be used for multiple contacts. Shots may also be made with cushion contacts before striking either object ball. The players play their innings in turns, sitting on their chair as long as the opponent keeps scoring points.

To score a point, a player’s cue ball must make contact with both the other balls (object balls) in either order and must also make contact with the cushion at least three times before the final ball contact. This counts as one point, regardless of how the point is made. The player continues to shoot until a miss or a foul. If a foul occurs, such as accidentally touching a ball or sending a ball onto the floor, the player’s turn ends, but there is no point penalty.

The match is played up to 40 points with equalizing innings. If the player who started the game is the first to score 40 points, the other player is allowed a chance to make a tie.

A shoot-out will determine the winner in the event of a tie.

Although the cue ball must make at least three cushion contacts before contacting the second object ball, a single cushion may be used for multiple contacts. Shots may also be made with cushion contacts before striking either object ball.

Players have the right of two time-outs of 40 seconds each per match.

A break of 5 minutes is made at the middle of the match. The middle of the match is at the moment where a player reaches or exceeds half of the distance determined for the kinds of game or disciplines of individual competitions at the end of the own inning.

One judge oversees the competition.

Each shot must be played within a 40-second time limit. If a player commits a time violation, the opponent shoots from the opening (break shot) position.

To score a point, a player’s cue ball must contact 3 or more cushions and also contact both of the other 2 balls in one shot.

The last ball must not be contacted until a combination of 3 or more rails and the first object ball have been contacted. This counts as one point, regardless of how the point is made. Either of the other 2 balls may be contacted first, it does not matter which one, it is up to the player.

The player continues to play in the inning until he misses. Each score is added up and marked on a scoresheet. The score is also displayed on a (video) screen.

The match is played of 40 points with equalizing innings; in case that the 2 players reach 40 points, the penalty rule is applied for deciding the winner.

Athletes must be at the table and ready to play their assigned match at the appointed match-time. If an athlete is late for his appointed match-time, he will be penalized with one frame (rack/set). At 15 minutes, the match is awarded to the opponent. Should both athletes in one and the same match arrive too late, both of them will be disqualified.

The  rules  and  regulations  give  the  referee  and  other  official’s  considerable  latitude  in  penalizing unsportsmanlike conduct. Several factors should be considered in such decisions, including previous conduct, previous warnings, how serious the offense is, and information  that the athletes may have been given at the Players Meeting at the start of the tournament.  

Any athlete who is disqualified from an event will forfeit any and all prize money and medal.

3 Cushion Men

1. Daniel SANCHEZ (ESP)
2. Marco ZANETTI (ITA)
3. Sameh SIDHOM (EGY)

3 Cushion Men

1. Marco ZANETTI (ITA)
2. Eddy MERCKX (BEL)
3. Glenn HOFMAN (NED)

3 Cushion Men

1. Dick JASPERS (NED)
2. Torbjorn BLOMDAHL (SWE)
3. Marco ZANETTI (ITA)

3 Cushion Men

1. Daniel SANCHEZ (ESP)
2. Dick JASPERS (NED)
3. Semih SAYGINER (TUR)

3 Cushion Men

1. Daniel SANCHEZ (ESP)
2. Dick JASPERS (NED)
3. Sangchun LEE (USA)

• Daniel SANCHEZ(ESP): 1. in TWG2017, 1. in TWG2005, 1. in TWG2001
• Marco ZANETTI(ITA): 2. in TWG2017, 1. in TWG2013, 3. in TWG2009
• Dick JASPERS(NED): 4. in TWG2017, 1. in TWG2009, 2. in TWG2005, 2. in TWG2001
• Torbjorn BLOMDAHL(SWE): 2. in TWG2009
• Eddy MERCKX(BEL): 2. in TWG2013
• Quyet Chien TRAN(VIE): 5. in TWG2017
• Erick TELLEZ(CRC): 9. in TWG2017
• Pedro PIEDRABUENA(USA): 5. in TWG2017
• Sameh SIDHOM(EGY): 3. in TWG2017

In Billiards, a cue stick is used to strike billiard balls to drive them around a cloth-covered table that is bounded by cushions (elastic bumpers).

All three Billiards disciplines will be offered in The World Games, namely Carom (3 Cushion), Pool (9-Ball), and Snooker. The equipment and goals are different in each discipline, each discipline is played one on one.

In Snooker, athletes compete on a large table with the goal to pot alternating red and coloured balls. Athletes will try to hide the red or coloured balls to be played throughout the game. A player is said to be “snookered” when the cue ball cannot strike both extreme edges of any ball on by a straight shot. Snooker is a very tactical discipline that requires lots of endurance.

The player with the most points once all the balls are pocketed wins the frame. The first player to win three frames wins the match.

For all 4 events that are part of Billiards at The World Games 2022, the same format will be used.

- Single Elimination Draw format.
- 16 athletes will compete in the first round (Round of 16) as per the draws made based on rankings, as mentioned above.
- 8 winning athletes will compete in the quarter-finals.
- 4 winning athletes qualify for the semi-finals.
- Two losing semi-finalists compete for the bronze medal and winners compete for Gold.

Snooker players take turns alternately ‘potting’ red or coloured balls, scoring points for potted balls. The white cue-ball must be struck first, followed by a red ball, on the first shot of a player’s turn. If that red is potted, the next turn may be on any of the colours.

When there are still red balls on the table, the player’s first shot on every turn must hit a red with the cue ball. A pocketed red ball scores 1 point and the next shot must be for any of the other coloured balls, which have values from 2 to 7 points. The coloured ball goes back to its original spot while the reds stay down if pocketed. The game continues alternating reds and colours.

The player’s turn ends on a miss or a foul, and the incoming player takes the balls in position, except for certain situations after a foul. When all red balls are gone, the coloured balls are pocketed in order of value from low to high and stay in the pocket. Black is the last ball to pot.

Each frame may end in several ways. If all balls are potted, the player with the higher score wins the frame. If the total possible points remaining on the table is less than the lead, the trailing player may concede.

If the score is tied when the table is cleared, the black ball is returned to the table and the first score ends the frame.

When there are still red balls on the table, the player’s first shot on every turn must hit a red with the cue ball. When a player has potted a red ball, the next ball must be a colour, and it must be declared if not obvious by the position. If a colour needs to be spotted, but its own spot is occupied, it goes to the highest value spot available.

If a foul was committed, the incoming player may pass the shot back to the fouler, or if snookered may choose any ball (a “free ball”) as the target, or after failing to hit a ball on may have the balls returned to their previous positions and force the fouler to replay the shot.

In rare cases, if a player fails to hit a ball on three times from the same (repeated) position with a direct path to a full hit of a ball on, the frame is forfeited.

Fouls are penalized by awarding four to seven points to the non-fouler, depending on the value of the object ball involved in the foul.

Fouls include

- pocketing the cue ball
- failing to hit a ball on
- pocketing an unintended ball
- sending a ball onto the floor
- disturbing a ball
- shooting a jump shot (in which the cue ball passes over an obstructing ball to contact a ball on)

In rare cases, if a player fails to hit a ball on three times from the same (repeated) position with a direct path to a full hit of a ball on, the frame is forfeited.

When there are still red balls on the table, the first shot on every turn must be to hit a red with the cue-ball.

If red is potted (red is the ball ON), one point is scored. The next shot may be on any of the colours. The red stays in the pocket.

If a colour is potted (which is then the ball ON), the following value of the colour is scored:
- yellow (2 points)
- green (3 points)
- brown (4 points)
- blue (5 points)
- pink (6 points)
- black (7 points)

When all red balls are gone, balls are pocketed from in the order of value from low (2 points) to high (7 points).

Athletes must be at the table and ready to play their assigned match at the appointed match-time. If an athlete is late for his appointed match-time, he will be penalized with one frame (rack/set). At 15 minutes, the match is awarded to the opponent. Should both athletes in one and the same match arrive too late, both of them will be disqualified.

The  rules  and  regulations  give  the  referee  and  other  official’s  considerable  latitude  in  penalizing unsportsmanlike conduct. Several factors should be considered in such decisions, including previous conduct, previous warnings, how serious the offense is, and information  that the athletes may have been given at the Players Meeting at the start of the tournament.  

Any athlete who is disqualified from an event will forfeit any and all prize money and medal.

15-Reds Mixed

1. Kyren WILSON (GBR)
2. Ali CARTER (GBR)
3. Soheil VAHEDI (IRI)

Snooker Men

1. Aditya Snehal MEHTA (IND)
2. Wenbo LIANG (CHN)
3. Dechawat POOMJAENG (THA)

Snooker Men

1. Nigel BOND (GBR)
2. David GRACE (GBR)
3. Mohammed SHEHAB (UAE)

Snooker Men

1. Gerard GREENE (GBR)
2. Junhui DING (CHN)
3. Bjorn HANEVEER (BEL)

Snooker Men

1. Bjorn HANEVEER (BEL)
2. Manalo MARLON (PHI)
3. Shokat ALI (PAK)