There are different types of games that are being played in the game of Billiard such as the 8-ball game, 9-ball game, 14.1 continuous, one pocket game, wheelchair competition etc. Though all of them have some different rules and regulations, there are some General Rules of Billiards that have been followed in all the games of Billiards. These rules are as follows:
1 Tables, Balls, Equipments: All the games of Billiards are designed for the tables, balls and the equipments that meet the international standards.

2. Racking The Balls: A triangle must be used when the balls are being racked on the table. The apex ball should be spotted on the foot spot. The referee should line up all the balls behind the apex ball and press them together so that all the balls have contact with each other.

3. Striking Cue Ball: The player is required to strike the cue ball only with the cue tip in order to make a legal shot. If he fails to meet this requirement, he will commit a foul.

4. Calling Shots: In the games where call-shots are used, a player can shoot any ball according to his choice, but he must indicate the called ball and called pocket before he shoots. He does not need to indicate in details such as kisses, caroms, combinations, or cushions.

5. Failure To Pocket A Ball: When a player fails to pocket a ball on a legal shot, the referee can announce the player`s inning as over. After that his opponent gets his turn at the table.

6. Lag For Break: This rule is implemented in order to determine the player who will start the game. It is mandatory for each player to use balls of equal size and weight. Usually the balls are shot simultaneously to the foot cushion and back to the head end of the table with the balls in hand behind the head string. One player stays to the left and the other player to the right of the head spot. The player, whose ball remains closest to the innermost edge of the head cushion, wins the lag and gets the chance to start the game. The lagged ball must contact the foot cushion at least once. The player may loss the lag automatically if "The ball that he shot crosses into the opponent`s half of the table"; "The ball fails to contact the foot cushion"; "The ball drops into a pocket"; "The ball jumps off the table"; "The ball touches the long cushion"; "The ball rests within the corner pocket and pass the nose of the head cushion" and if "The ball contacts the foot rail more than once". In any case where both the players have violated the automatic-loss lag rules and/or the referee is unable to determine which player`s ball is closer, then the lag is stated as a tie and the players play it again.

7. Opening Break Shot: The referee determines the opening break shot by implementing either lag or lot rule. The player who wins the lag or lot enjoy the facility to choose whether he will perform the opening break shot or assign it to his opponent.

8. Cue Ball On Opening Break: The player takes the opening break shot with cue ball in hand behind the head string. The referee positions the object balls according to specific game rules. Once the player strikes the cue ball by the cue tip on the opening break, the game is considered to have commenced.

9. Deflecting The Cue Ball On The Game`s Opening Break: If any player stops or deflects the cue ball after it has crossed the head string and is prior to hit the racked balls on the break shot, he will commit a foul and loss his turn. Then, his opponent will have the option to receive the cue ball in hand behind the head string or pass it back to the offending player. In this case, the referee must give a warning that states that a second violation of this rule during the match will result in the loss of the match.

10. Cue Ball In Hand Behind The Head String: If in any game, the opening break is administered or a player`s scratching is penalized by giving the incoming player the chance to have the cue ball in hand behind the head string, then this rule is implemented. Here, the incoming player can place the cue ball anywhere behind the head string. The player who is shooting can shoot at any object ball till the ball is on or below the head string. He cannot shoot at any ball that is based above the head string. He can shoot such balls after he shoots the cue ball below the head string and then hit a rail that causes the cue ball to come back above the head string and hit the object ball. The base is the point of the ball touching the table. This base determines whether it is above or below the head string. In case of the incoming player unintentionally placing the cue ball on or below the head string, the referee or the opposing player should inform the shooting player about the improper positioning of the cue ball before he makes shot and the shooting player will have to reposition the cue ball. If the opposing player fails to inform the shooting player before the shot is made, the referee will consider the shot as legal. It will be considered as a foul if a player positions and shoots the cue ball completely and clearly outside the kitchen. Until the player strikes the cue ball with his cue tip, the cue ball remains in hand (not in play). When the cue ball remains in hand, the player can adjust it by his hand or cue, etc. But, once the cue ball is in play, the player may not impede it in any way and if he does so, it will be a foul.

11. Pocketed Balls: A ball will be considered as pocketed if it drops off the bed of the table into the pocket and remains there as a result of a legal shot. If a ball rebounds from a pocket back onto the table bed, it will not be considered as a pocketed ball.

12. Position Of Balls: The player judges the position of a ball by the base or center where it rests.

13. Foot On Floor: This rule is very much mandatory for the player to keep at least one foot in contact with the floor at the moment he contacts the cue ball with the cue tip. If he does not do so, he will commit a foul.

14. Shooting With Balls In Motion: The referee will consider it as a foul if a player shoots while the cue ball or any object ball is in motion.

15. Completion Of Stroke: When all the balls on the table become motionless after a stroke, the stroke is completed and counted.

16. Head String Defined: The head string does not include the area behind it. That means if an object ball is dead center on the head string, it is playable. However, in some specific games, it is required that a player must shoot at a ball past the head string. Similarly, when the cue ball is in hand behind the head string, it cannot be placed directly on the head string. It should always be behind the head string.