Russian Pyramid

Russian Pyramid

Vision Billiards is the only distributor in the US and Canada that sells Russian Billiard (Russian Pyramid) tables certified by International Pyramid Committee (IPC) and European Pyramid Committee (EPC). All Russian Billiard tables are European-made using top-of-the-line, computerized quality management system, ISO 9001, to ensure highest quality, be it Russian Pyramid table, Snooker or American Pool. All of our table styles can be modified to fit Russian Pyramid size standard.  You can view our table styles here.

Russian Pyramid, also known as pyramid or pyramids (пирами́да in Russian) and often called Russian billiards (ру́сский билья́рд in Russian) or Russian pool, has several differences from Western pool. Russian billiard is popular in the countries of the former Soviet Union and increasingly around the world where Russian expats have migrated.

Differences between Russian Pyramid and other Billiards games:

Table

Even though tables sizes vary, the official tournament size table for Russian Pyramid is the 12 ft model. This is the same size preferred for snooker.  It is much larger than a standard American pool table (7 ft and 9 ft being the most common sizes for that style of game).

Balls

There are sixteen balls, as in pool, but fifteen are white and numbered, and the cue ball is usually red. The official tournament balls sizes are larger and heavier than Western billiard balls. Smaller balls are available for the smaller table sizes, for amateur play.

Pockets

The corner pockets are only 4–5 mm wider than the diameter of the ball. The central pockets 14–18 mm wider than the diameter of the ball. This makes the game’s mechanics like an oversized version of snooker, requiring greater precision shooting than in pool.

There are several variations of Russian pyramid, but the three most common are the following, each of which have slight variations on the rules:

  • Free Pyramid (American pyramid): At any point any ball may be used as the cue ball. Players can pocket the cue ball and then the scorer must choose a white ball to be taken off the table.
  • Dynamic Pyramid (Petersburg Pyramid): Only one ball is the cue ball. The player may place the cue ball at any area of the table, but may not pocket the cue ball.
  • Combined Pyramid (Moscow Pyramid): Only one ball is the cue ball. Players can pocket the cue ball and then the scorer must choose a white ball to be taken off the table. The player then places the cue ball in the baulk area where balls can be only pocketed in side and far corner pockets.

All three games begin with fifteen numbered white balls racked in a pyramid, as in American Pool. The first player breaks the rack with the cue ball from the baulk line. The object of the game is to pocket eight balls to win the frame. After pocketing the cue ball, the scorer must choose a white ball to be taken off the table. In Combined Pyramid, then the player places the cue ball in the baulk area. Balls can be pocketed in side and far corner pockets only.

If you have any questions about the tables we sell for Russian Pyramid, feel free to call us. You can browse our traditional tables that can be made into Russian Pyramid here.