TABLE BALL GAME

Abstract: A table ball game of the kind comprising a flat bed table (1) covered with cloth (12) and pockets (3) spaced around the table (1) and a set of balls, in which the table (1) is circular in plan and is defined by a cushion (2), in that only two pockets (3) are provided arranged diametrically opposite to each other at or adjacent to the cushion (2) and in that one cue ball (5), two identifiable equal sets of player balls and a single game ball (6) are provided. To prepare for a game, preferably the two sets of player balls are mixed and set-up in two triangular arrays (7 and 8), diametrically opposite to each other, at positions perpendicular (in plan) to the pocket positions, the game ball (6) is placed centrally on the table, and the cue ball (5) is placed in either one of two ''D''-areas (4) drawn one around each pocket (3). The game then proceeds according to a set of Rules.

Description: TABLE BALL GAME This invention relates to Table Ball Games- Well-known table ball games include snooker, where the emphasis is on potting and positional, play, and pool where potting is simpler than snooker, but positional play is of particular importance. A common feature of these games is the overall shape of the table and the relative positions of the pockets. 10 An object of the present invention is to provide an alternative table ball game (referred to in the Rules hereinafter as "Arena") with a novel table shape and pocket arrangement. According to the invention, a table ball game of the -~~- kind comprising a flat bed table covered with cloth and pockets spaced around the table, and a set of balls is characterised in that the table is circular in plan and is defined by a cushion, in that only two pockets are provided arranged diametrically opposite to each other at or adjacent 0 to the cushion, and in that one cue ball, two identifiable equal sets of player balls and a single game ball are provided. Preferably, to prepare the table for a game, the two sets of player balls are mixed and set-up in two triangular arrays, diametrically opposite t ' o each other, at positions perpendicular (in plan) to the pocket positions, the game ball is placed centrally on the table, and the cue ball is placed in either one of said two "D"-areas drawn one . around each pocket. To initiate play and to continue a game to a conclu¬ sion, the players play in turn according to the set of Rules set out hereinafter. In order that the invention may be readily understood, the table game will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a half-size (5ft diameter) table with the balls set up to commence a game, and Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-section showing a typical table construction. Referring to Figure 1, the table 1 is circular in plan with a circular cushion 2, and has only two pockets 3 set in diametrically opposite positions. A "D" - area 4 is marked around each pocket and the table centre is marked as a spot. The balls comprise one cue ball 5, preferably white, and thirteen object 'balls comprising two sets of player balls, the sets being readily identifiable, e.g. by being of two different colours, preferably red and yellow, and a game ball 6 which is preferably black. The balls are shown in Figure 1 set-up to commence a game of Arena and it will be noted that the two sets of player balls are mixed and set-up in two triangular arrays 7 and 8 diametrically opposite to each other, and- at positions perpendicular (in plan) to the pocket positions. The black game ball 6 is set on the centre spot and the cue ball 5 in one of the "D" 's. Referring to Figure 2, a typical construction for a full-size (9 ft. diameter) table is shown, comprising a slate bed 9, wooden surround 10 and a wooden holder 11 for the cushion 2, the bed and cushions being covered by green baize clotte 12. The number of player balls can vary depending upon the size of the table. thus, for a full-size table two sets of ten player balls is envisaged. It is intended that the game be commenced and played 10 through to a conclusion according to a set of Rules, as follows:- RULES OF ARENA The game shall be known as Arena and referred to in these rules as the 'game 1 . It is intended that players and ι c teams should play the game in a sportsmanlike manner. It should be clearly understood that the referee's decision is final. 1. REQUIREMENTS OF THE GAME The game is played with 14 (or 22) object balls, 6 (or 10) 0 red, 6 (or 10) yellow, 1 black and a white cue ball. The two groups of red and yellow balls are known as player balls and the black as the game ball. 2. OBJECT OF THE GAME The player or team pocketing their .player balls and then ~ legally pocketing the game ball wins the game. ' 3. COMMENCEMENT OF THE GAME The player balls are mixed and stacked on opposite sides of the table as shown in Figure 1 with the game ball on the centre spot. The cue ball is placed in either 'D 1 area. Order of play is determined by the flip of a coin. The winner of the flip either breaks or requests his opponent to do so. The opening player may pocket either colour player ball in either pocket while aiming from either 'D 1 area. When one ball has been pocketed, this determines whether he continues with red or yellow balls and to which pocket all ' his player balls including the the game ball must go. If no player ball is pocketed then the players continue alter- nately until such a time as a player ball is pocketed. If a player ball is pocketed legally, this entitles t-he player to one additional shot and this continues until either a player fails to pocket a player ball of his colour or commits a foul. Combination shots are allowed provided that the player hits one of his own player balls first. 4. FOULS ON COMMENCEMENT OF GAME. a. If the opening player pockets one player ball of each colour. b. Pocketing two player balls of the same colour, one in each pocket. 5. • FOULS a. If the cue ball is pocketed at any time. b. Hitting an opponents player ball before your own. c. Failing to hit any ball. d. Hitting the game ball before all the player's own player balls have been pocketed. e. Potting an opponents player ball. f. Ball off the table. If it is the game ball, or a player ball it should be replaced on the centre spot, 5 or as near as possible to the centre spot or in line with the 'D' and the centre spot. If it is the cue ball, it should be replaced in either 'D' . g. If a players clothing or body touches any ball. h. If one of your own player balls is pocketed in your 20 opponents pocket. i. Player not having at least one foot on the floor. j. Playing with any ball other than the cue ball. k. Playing out of turn. 1. Playing before balls come to rest. 5 m. ' Playing before balls have been respotted. n. Interfering with the movement of a ball with either body, clothing or cue. o. Striking the cue ball with the cue more than once. 6. PENALTY FOLLOWING ANY FOUL 2 Following any foul, the offending player loses his next turn at the table, and his opponent is entitled to two consecutive visits to the table. This means the on-coming player may go to the table and on his first visit, if he , fails to pocket one of his own player balls he is then 25 ' entitled to another visit. How.ever should ' the on-coming player pocket one of his own player balls on his first visit and fail on his second, he is NOT entitled to another visit. If a player is snookered, (unable to play a full ball shot at any of his player balls, or with the cue ball within the jaws of the pocket) after a foul stroke, then the cue ball may be played from either 'D', moving the cue ball in this manner does not count as a shot or visit. A full ball shot is defined as being able to see the whole circumference of one of the player's own balls, irrespective of whether or not the player can play either or both sides, i.e. The centre of a player ball can be struck by the centre of the cue ball. 7. LOSS OF GAME a. If a player intentionally and unmistakenly seeks to gain advantage by playing directly at a ball other than his own player balls, he will lose the game, except in permitted circumstances. b. A player not making any attempt to play his own player balls, will lose the game. c. A player potting ' the game ball and any other ball on the same stroke will lose the game. d. A player pocketing the game ball before he pockets all his own player balls will lose the . game. e. A player going in off the game ball with the cue ball when the game ball is legally potted loses the game. f. If a player pots two or more of his own player balls in his opponent's pocket. 8. GENERAL a. A push stroke is allowed and a player may play away from a touching ball of his own player balls and be deemed to have played that ball. Should the cue ball be touching an opponents player ball or the game ball, a player shall play away without penalty, providing that the cue ball strikes one of his own player balls. b. Cue ball in hand. When a player has the cue ball in hand he plays from any position in either 'D 1 area in any direction. c. Player in control. A player is said to be in control of the table from the time his body, cue or clothing touches the table prior to his shot through his break and up until the time his opponent addresses the table. Should any balls fall into the pockets during such period, the player is said to have potted same and he is liable to any penalties or benefits normally awarded to him for the potting of that ball or balls as are accorded to him in these Rules of the game. d. The game is completed when the game ball is potted in the winning player's pocket and all remaining balls have come to rest. 9. STALEMATE Should any situation arise whereby a legal shot cannot be played then the game shall be re-started, whether this situation is arrived at by accident or design. If the opinion of the referee is that neither player is allowing the game to progress and a stalemate situation has arisen, then the game shall be re-started. 10. GUIDANCE a. The term 'shot' means striking the cue ball once. b. The term 'visit' refers to one turn at the table, comprising of one or a series of shots. c. The term 'break' refers to the first shot of the game or the first shot of a re-started game. d. The referee should, if possible prevent any offences occurring. e. A referee may, if requested advise on rules of the game. f. Coaching is not permitted during competitive matches, only when playing doubles may players confer between breaks. It will be appreciated from the foregoing Rules .that the game is played somewhat along the same lines as pool, but due to the shape of the table, the restricted number of pockets, and the table size, a greater potting accuracy is required compared with pool.

Claims: CLAIMS . 1. A table ball game of the kind comprising a flat bed table covered with cloth and pockets spaced around the table, and a set of balls, characterised in that the table (1) is circular in plan and is defined by a cushion (2), in that only two pockets (3) are provided arranged diametrically opposite to each other at or adjacent to the cushion, and in that one cue ball (5), two identifiable equal sets of player balls and a single game ball (6) are provided. 2. A table ball game according to Claim 1, characterised in that a "D-area" (4) is drawn around each pocket. 3. A table ball game according to Claim 2, characterised in that, to prepare the table for a game, the two sets of player balls are mixed and set-up in two triangular arrays (7 and 8), diametrically opposite to each other, at positions perpend¬ icular (in plan) to the- pocket positions, the game ball is placed centrally on the table, and the cue ball is placed in either one of said two "D"-areas drawn one around each pocket. 4. A table ball game according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said two identifiable sets of player balls comprise 6 or 10 balls of e.g. different colours, which colours are also different from the game ball and- from the cue ball. 5. A table ball game according to Claim 4, characterised in that, to initiate play and to continue a game to a conclusion, the players play in turn according to the set of Rules defined herein.

Inventors: GADSTON GARY, GADSTON, GARY
Applicants: GADSTON GARY, GADSTON, GARY
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A63D13
IPC codes: A63D15