Let’s go over a few general rules of carom pool and how they apply to the game. First off you have to have the correct table size to play carom ball, it should be 4 x8, 4.5 x 9, 5 x 10, or 6 x 12, and no pockets should be on the table. Your table should also include the right markings.

In most games there will be three balls in play, except in four ball.The three balls will be red, white, and yellow. The balls also need to be about 2 3/8” in size.

To figure out who wins the break you must lag. This is where each person will shoot a ball and come the closest to the cushion. On the break shot you must have the balls placed in specific spots to be legal. The red ball is on the foot, opponents cue on head spot, shooter’s cue should be on the head string. In order to have a legal break you will need to hit the red ball first. If you miss the ball the opponent can make you do it again or take the shot themselves.

If you have a jumped ball you will need to place it back in the correct spot, unless that spot has another ball on it. Plus if both the shooter’s and opponent’s cues have gone from the table the shooters ball will be placed first.In placing the balls the red ball should be in either the foot, head or center shot.

The preferred order for spotting the cue balls is: head spot, foot spot, then center spot. The latter spots come into play if the previous ones are occupied by another ball.

Playing safety play has its limits.One player will not be able to play safety two turns in a row.In order for the safety to be legal it must have the cue or object ball hit a cushion after players cue has hit the object ball.

These are the ways you will lose a turn, playing when it’s not your turn, playing safe at the wrong time, accidentally touching any ball, hitting the cue ball twice, any kind of push shot, hitting a ball or any ball when one is in motion. Shooting with the wrong cue, not having a foot on the floor, or if you ball jumps from the table.

 These are a quick list of the general rules of carom pool, but you can always read up on them more.