COMBINED PYRAMID

When playing Combined Pyramid, the General Rules of Pyramid apply, together with the following specific rules.

1. Objective of the Game

The objective is to score eight points before the opponent.

2. Balls Used

A standard set of sixteen Pyramid billiard balls:

• Fifteen white (ivory-colored) balls used as object balls;
• One colored (preferably yellow), unnumbered ball used as the cue ball.

3. Initial Rack

See §§9.1 and 9.2 of the General Rules of Pyramid.

4. Break Shot

The break shot is played with ball-in-hand from baulk, in accordance with §13 of the General Rules of Pyramid.

5. Rules of Play

5.1 Either an object ball or the cue ball may be pocketed off any object ball.

5.2 If the cue ball is pocketed, the player removes one object ball of their choice from the table and then puts the cue ball back into play with ball-in-hand from baulk, in accordance with §6.

Note: The selected object ball must be removed before the next stroke; otherwise, it remains in play and the score does not change.

5.3 Calling shots is not required. All balls pocketed on a legal stroke are counted.

5.4 Any stroke (except the break) must be completed in full compliance with §20 of the General Rules of Pyramid. Otherwise, a foul is assessed.

6. Putting the Cue Ball into Play (Ball-in-Hand from Baulk)

6.1 The cue ball may be placed anywhere in baulk, but not on the baulk line and not touching any object ball located in baulk.

6.2 If any ball is disturbed while placing the cue ball, a foul is assessed. After removal of the penalty ball, the right to put the cue ball into play passes to the opponent.

6.3 If the cue ball is placed on or slightly over the baulk line, the referee or opponent may warn the player before the stroke. Otherwise, the placement is considered legal.

6.4 Until the cue ball is struck, it may be adjusted by hand or cue (including the tip). Once placed, any stroke constitutes putting it into play.

6.5 Any ball may be pocketed after the cue ball contacts any object ball located outside baulk.

6.6 A stroke from baulk is illegal and penalized if:

1. the cue ball contacts a ball located in baulk before leaving baulk; or
2. the cue ball fails to contact any ball outside baulk.

6.7 If all object balls are located in baulk, the opposite end of the table becomes a temporary baulk, bounded by the back line.

6.8 If at least one object ball is outside baulk, a stroke from the temporary baulk is illegal and penalized.

7. Penalties

7.1 For any foul, the opponent removes any ball of their choice as a penalty ball, after all incorrectly pocketed and jumped balls are respotted.

Note: The penalty ball must be removed before the next stroke.

7.2 If the cue ball is illegally pocketed or jumps off the table, after removal of the penalty ball the opponent puts the cue ball into play with ball-in-hand from baulk.

8. Spotting Balls

All incorrectly pocketed and jumped object balls are respotted in accordance with §25 of the General Rules of Pyramid.

9. Scoring

Each legally pocketed ball counts as one point.
After removal of a penalty ball, one point is added to the opponent’s score.