1.—The game is twenty-one in number, though sometimes played twenty-four, fifty, sixty-three, one hundred, or more; but twenty-one is the regular game.
2.—At the commencement both persons string for the lead and choice of balls, except when any points are given; then the person receiving the odds plays off at the beginning of the match, and the winner of each game leads afterwards.
3.—In stringing, the person who brings his ball nearest the cushion in baulk has the option of playing first or not, and choice of balls, except when his ball touches the other, or goes into a pocket; in either of which cases the adversary has the option.
4.—At the beginning of the game, the red ball is to be placed on the spot at the further end of the table, and replaced there on being put into a pocket, knocked off the table, or when the balls are broken after a foul stroke, but should any ball be on, or so near the spot, as to prevent the red being placed there without touching the other, in that case the red must be placed in the centre of the table.
9.—A coo (!) is when your ball goes into a pocket, or jumps off the table without touching either of the Others.
18.—Foul strokes are made as follows:—When the striker's ball touches either of the others; touching any ball while rolling; moving another ball in any way while taking aim, or in the act of striking; pushing the balls together when playing with the butt of the cue; playing with both feet off the floor; playing at a ball before it has done rolling; or by playing with the wrong ball. In this latter case, should a hazard or cannon be made, the adversary can have the balls broke and lead off; and should no score be made by such stroke, he can take his choice of balls and play.
19.—In breaking the balls, you take them all off the table place the red on the spot, and both parties play from the baulk.
20.—If the balls have been changed, and it cannot be ascertained by whom, the game must be played out with them as they then are; or even if two strokes have been made before the mistake is discovered, it must still be played out in the same way.
21.—Should the striker, in making a cannon or hazard, knock his own or either of the balls off the table, he cannot score the points made by such a stroke and the opponent plays but the balls are not broken.
23.—Should the striker, when in hand, play at a ball in baulk, his adversary has the option of scoring a miss, or having the balls replaced, and the stroke played again, or of breaking the balls.
24.—If the striker's ball touch another, he must play and should he make a cannon or hazard, the adversary can claim it as foul or he can allow the points to be scored, and the person to play one, but should the striker not score, it is at the option of the opponent to break them or not.
26.—If the last player should alter the direction of the balls while rolling, with cue, hand, or otherwise, the striker may place it where he thinks proper.
27.—A line-ball is when either the white or red is exactly on the line of baulk, in which case it cannot be played at by a person whose ball is in hand, it being considered in baulk.
28.—If the striker's ball is over the pocket and he should, in the act of striking, miss it, but in drawing his cue back knock it into the pocket, he will lose three points, it being a coo.
30.—If the striker should touch his ball by accident when taking aim, it is not a stroke, and the ball is to be replaced; but should he touch it in the act of striking, then it is a stroke.
33.—In a match of four the game is thirty-one, and each person is at liberty to offer his partner advice.
36.—All cramp games are played sixteen up.