1. Pyramid is played with sixteen balls; viz., fifteen red, and one white.
2. The coloured balls are placed on the table in the form of a triangle, the lowest ball or apex standing on the winning spot.
3. The players string or toss for the lead, both use the white ball, and whoever pockets the greater number of red balls wins, and receives from his opponent the difference between their scores.
4. Whoever wins the string or toss may play first or order his opponent to do so.
5. The next player plays from, the spot on which the white is left by his opponent, except it should have been pocketed or forced off the table, in which case he plays from the baulk as at the commencement.
6. Winning hazards alone score in favour of the players, and the same rules are generally to be observed as at common pool.
7. If either player gives a miss, pockets the white ball, or forces it over the table, he loses one; that is to say, he must place one of the coloured balls which he has pocketed on the winning spot, if unoccupied; if occupied, the ball must be placed on the billiard spot, and if that be occupied, as near as possible behind the winning spot, and a point taken from his score. But if he has not scored, he is said to owe one, and must pay it when he is able.
8. If the striker holes his own ball, or forces it over the table, and at the same time pockets one or more of the coloured balls, or forces them over the table, he gains nothing by the stroke: the coloured balls so removed must be spotted on the table, together with one of the striker's coloured balls, as a penalty.
9. If the white ball touches a coloured one, the player may score all the coloured balls he pockets; he cannot give a miss.
10. Should the striker move any ball in taking aim or striking, he loses whatever may be scored by the stroke.
11. If the striker forces one or more of the coloured balls over the table, he does not score, and the balls must be replaced as in Rule 7.
12. When all the coloured balls but one are pocketed, the player who made the last hazard continues to play with the white ball, and his opponent uses the red, as at single pool.
13. When only two balls are left on the table, should the striker hole the ball he is playing with, or make a miss, the game is finished, and his opponent adds one to his score.