Guide to table types and disciplines — the same categories clubs use. Pick a table, then a game.
Pick a table type — the same categories clubs use on billiard.guru. Each section covers games and disciplines with a concise ruleset. For a tournament, always follow the official event regulations.
Five formats clubs list when booking or creating a tournament on billiard.guru.
Free, dynamic, combined, kolkhoz, and fishki — disciplines on the pyramid table.
Eight-ball, nine-ball, ten-ball, and straight pool on 7–9 ft tables.
Classic snooker: reds, colors, snookers, and matches to N frames.
Chinese eight-ball — the main format in Asian and club leagues.
Three-cushion, straight rail, and cadre on fast cloth.
Handicap, etiquette, and tournament regulations — independent of table type.
On billiard.guru, handicap uses 0.5 rating steps with no rounding up: under 0.5 there is no handicap; from 0.5 — a full ball each frame and/or an extra ball in even frames. The stronger player receives the minus.
Organizers can disable half-steps — then only whole ratings count (e.g. 3 vs 1.5 → a 2-ball difference, not 2.5).
Always check the tournament card for exact handicap rules before your match.
This guide is an orientation for players and referees. Exact rules, penalties, and frame format always come from the specific tournament or federation regulations — they may differ from casual club play.
Find an upcoming event or create your own — table type and game are listed on each tournament card.