One Cushion is basically the same as Three Cushion Billiards with a one rail hit required instead of three. This is a good game for beginning billiard players.

Rack

The red ball on the foot spot, one cue ball on the head spot and the shooters cue ball on the headstring within six inches of the head spot.

Break

The red ball must be struck first by the shooters cue ball.

Valid Shots

Must make a one cushion billiard to continue at the table. A one cushion billiard can be made by:

• striking red or the opponents cue ball, striking one or more cushions with the cue ball before striking the other ball

• the red or the opponents cue ball, striking one or more cushions the cue ball strikes a cushion, then the red or opponents cue ball, then strikes one or more cushions before striking the other ball

• the cue ball strikes one or more cushions, then the red or opponents cue ball, then strikes one or more cushions before striking the other ball

Scoring

Each one cushion billiard is worth 1 point.

Spotting Balls

All balls knocked off the table must be spotted.

Penalty for Fouls

None, players inning ends.

Strategy

For a safe play where you don’t leave an easy shot if you fail to score, try to leave the balls spread out. Don’t leave your cue ball and the red ball in a corner or close to a rail.

If the second object ball is close to a corner -- best is about a ball from each cushion -- it is a very large target.

For position play, try to leave one ball 'large' in a corner. Leave your cue ball near at least one of the other balls – at least the first hit will be easy to control.