As the winter season of billiards is now opening and all phases of the game will be engaged in during the long evenings in many thousands of homes, we take this opportunity of publishing—as we have several times been requested to do—the rules of two fascinating variants of the game proper, which are known respectively as Cork Pool and Coronation Cork Pool Billiards, both of which sets of rules are the copyright of Messrs. Burroughes and Watts, Ltd., Soho Square, W., from whom any further particulars can be obtained.
This popular game is played by any number of players, with two balls, a red and a white. A cork is placed on the centre spot of the table, and on this the pool agreed upon it put; the red is placed on the billiard spot, and the first person who succeeds in making a cannon from the red to the cork, striking a cushion previous to striking the cork, receives the whole pool.
1.—At the commencement of the game the red ball is placed on the billiard spot, and the cork with the pool agreed on in the centre of the table.
2 —The order of play is determined by giving out the pool balls in rotation from a basket, or by numbered counters.
3.—The first players plays from baulk with the white ball, and each succeeding player from where the white stops; if it is pocketed the next player plays from baulk.
4.—Each player has only one stroke according to his rotation.
5.—Any player making a cannon receives the whole pool.
6.—A cannon can only be made by striking the red first, then a cushion, and lastly the cork.
7.—Should any player miss the red, pocket same, touch the cork, make a cannon on to it without first striking a cushion, play out of turn, or pocket his own white ball, he must pay the same stake as at starting, and add it to that already on the cork.
N.B.—The game is frequently played in private circles with a penalty only for knocking down the cork without striking the red ball and cushion.
1.—The game of "Coronation Cork-Pool Billiards" is played by two or more players, either all against all, or in partnership.
The points are 63 or 126 up, including a number.
2.—The three billiard balls are used, a special red and white cork, and 16 numbers.
3.—When commencing the game, the spot ball is placed on the right-hand spot of baulk line; the plain on the left, the cork on the middle spot; and the red on the billiard spot.
4.—The sixteen numbers in a basket are shaken up and given out, one to each player, first for rotation (lowest first) and then secretly for play.
5.—A player choosing a ball must, when in hand, play always from his own spot.
6.—After choosing a ball, the player continues with the same, if an even number of players; but if an odd number are playing, with the alternate ball.
7.—The baulk line is protection.
8.—The game scores as at billiards, the cork counting ten points after striking a ball, but it is of no consequence which ball knocks the cork down.
9.—If the striker's ball knocks the cork down without hitting a ball, he loses eleven points off his score. Should he, after striking the cork first, hit a ball, he only loses ten points.
10.—Running a coup, giving a miss, or a ball going off the table counts against the player, and the penalty is taken off his score; but a player can give an intentional miss, or run a coup, to suit his own secret number.
11.—A player must make the exact score (63 or 126), including; his secret number. Going over his number he loses the game, if two playing or partners; but if all against all the game continues until a winner is declared.
12.—The cork is replaced where it falls, red part downwards, but if in any way it is impeded by cushion, ball, or knocked off the table, it is replaced on its own spot.
13.—If the cork is jammed in any way between table and cushions, leans against a ball or cushion, or is in any way not lying perfectly flat on the table, it is considered up, and the striker does not count the ten points; but the cork, if it cannot be put up, is placed on its own spot. If the cork is knocked down and stands up again it is considered up, and remains where it stands, and the player does not count the ten points.
14.—If any ball or the cork is impeding a striker in placing his ball on his proper spot, they are moved to their respective spots.
15.—If the red cannot be spotted, the ball or cork occupying the spot is moved as per Rule 14, and if the ball is the striker's, he plays from his own spot.
16.—If the striker is in hand, and his spot is occupied by the opponent's ball, that ball is placed, on its own spot, and is not playable as per Rule 7.
17.—If the striker plays with the wrong ball, and the error is discovered by the opponent before the next stroke, the score does not count, but the balls and cork are placed on their respective spots, and it is left to the opponent to say which player breaks the balls.
18.—The push and spot strokes are not barred, and the balls if touching are still playable.
19.—Foul strokes are.—Playing from the wrong spot; touching a ball, except when in hand; playing out of turn; striking a ball more than once; playing before the balls have become stationary; lifting both feet from off the floor; disturbing the cork in any other way than the proper manner. The penalty is, the striker cannot score.
20.—A player may demand that an opponent stand a fair distance out of the line of sight of cork or ball, whilst in the act of aiming.