Official Game Rules

1. Equipment & Setup

• Tilted table featuring three Astrolabe Positions: Position 1, Position 2, and Position 3.
• Two colours of balls (one colour per player or team).
• A clearly marked Play Line (Foul Line).
• 2 players or 2 teams per match.

2. Match Duration

• Each Game consists of two 6-minute Rounds.

3. Core Gameplay

• The Game starts with the player on the right-hand Side.
• Players roll or flick balls from behind the Play Line.
• A player continues taking shots until they fail to score.
• A ball that results in Grouping (does not score) immediately ends the player’s turn.
• Once a player fails to score, their turn ends and the opponent begins their turn.
• The objective is to land balls in Astrolabe Positions to maximise points.
• The furthest position has the highest base score; the closest has the lowest.
• If any part of the body crosses the Play Line during a shot, the shot is void.
• The player or team with the highest total score at the end of the Game wins.

4. Scoring

Base Scoring (by distance)

Bonus Scoring

• Chaining / Stringing:
  Balls must land in adjacent slots within the same Astrolabe Position to form a chain. Only chained balls count for consecutive scoring.
  • Position 1: +1 per additional chained ball
  • Position 2: +2 per additional chained ball
  • Position 3: +5 per additional chained ball
• Grand Slam:
  Filling an entire Astrolabe Position with your balls doubles the total points for that position.
• Combined Bonus:
  If a final ball completes both a chain and a Grand Slam, both bonuses apply.

5. Ball State Rules

• Gutter:
  If a ball enters a Gutter, it is considered out of play and removed for the remainder of the Round. The ball returns to the player at the start of the next Round.
• Foul Balls:
  If any part of the body crosses the Play Line during a shot, the shot is void. The ball is removed for the remainder of the Round.
• Returned Balls:
  If a ball rolls back down the table without entering a Gutter or leaving the Play Area, it remains in play.
• Grouping:
  A ball or group of balls that comes to rest on the board or within the Astrolabe without scoring is considered Grouped. Grouped balls remain in play but do not score and may be used for positional advantage, including blocking or setting up future plays.
• Returned Grouped Balls:
  If a Grouped ball returns to the Play Area on its own or after being struck by another ball, and it has not entered a Gutter, the player may return that ball to their hand and continue to use it during the Round.
• Deliberate Table Movement (Foul):
  If a player deliberately moves or strikes the table to cause balls to return, this is considered a foul. All affected balls belonging to that player are removed from play for the remainder of the Round. Any balls returned to the opponent may be retained by the opponent.
• Knocking an Opponent’s Ball:
  If a player’s shot causes an opponent’s ball to move into an Astrolabe Position:
  • The shooting player scores any points they earned with their own balls, then their turn ends (foul committed).
  • The opponent scores points from the displaced ball if it lands in a scoring position and then takes control of the turn.
  If the opponent’s ball does not land in a scoring position and is simply returned to their hand or side, no foul is committed. The original player may continue their turn as normal.
• Running Out of Balls:
  If a player has no balls remaining during their turn, their turn ends immediately. The opponent must then choose one of the following:
  • Bank Points: End their turn and bank the points in their hand (1 point per ball).
  • Final Sequence: Continue play under Final Sequence rules using all remaining balls in their possession.
• Remaining Balls:
  If a player has any remaining balls at the end of the Round, they score 1 point per ball. Balls that are Grouped do not count toward this bonus.
• Final Sequence:
  During a Final Sequence:
  • The player may play all remaining balls, one at a time, until the Round timer expires or all balls have been played once.
  • Any balls returned to either player are discarded and removed from play.
  • Both players may score from any balls knocked into scoring Astrolabe Positions.
  • If a foul is committed (including causing an opponent’s ball to score), the sequence ends immediately.
  • All points scored up to that moment are counted.
  • Any balls remaining in the player’s hand at the time of the foul do not score.

General Competition Rules

• Fouls: Interference, playing beyond the Play Line, or touching a moving ball results in a penalty. The opponent may be awarded a free shot.
• Tie Resolution: An additional 3-minute Round is played; first to score wins.
• Etiquette: Players must respect opponents, remain quiet during turns, and avoid deliberate fouls.
• Timekeeping: Players must play in a timely manner and must not deliberately delay the Game.

Alternative Match Play

• Games may be played to a target score agreed before the match (e.g. 50 or 100 points).
• Matches may follow a best-of format (e.g. best of 3 or best of 5 Games).
• Each Game ends when a player or team reaches the target score.
• The player or team winning the most Games wins the match.
• Rounds remain limited to 6 minutes.

Optional Rules

• Grand Slam Finish: Scoring a Grand Slam immediately ends the current Round.
• Blocking: If a player places balls on both sides of an opponent’s ball within the same Astrolabe Position, that ball is removed for the Round.
• Advanced Table Mechanics: Additional mechanics such as controlled trajectory or ball conversion may be introduced.
• Multiplier Zones: Certain Astrolabe Positions may award 2× or 3× points.
• Dead Ball Rule: Balls entering designated areas in the second half of a Round may score no points.
• These rules are intended for advanced or alternative play formats.

Terminology & Definitions

• Astrolabe: The comb-like scoring section of the board that captures and holds balls.
• Ball: A round glass ball or marble
• Chaining (Stringing): Adjacent balls of the same colour within an Astrolabe Position.
• Displaced Ball: A ball that is moved by a player’s shot. The owner of the displaced ball may score from it or use it for future shots.
• Final Sequence: A special stage triggered when an opponent has no balls remaining.
• Game: A full match unit consisting of two Rounds.
• Grand Slam: Filling an entire Astrolabe Position with your balls.
• Grouping: A state where a ball or group of balls comes to rest without scoring. Grouped balls remain in play and may be used strategically.
• Gutter: An out-of-bounds area where balls are removed from play.
• Interference: Any action that disrupts an opponent’s turn.
• Play Area: The active area where balls are in play.
• Play Line (Foul Line): The boundary players must not cross when shooting.
• Round: A 6-minute period of play.
• Side: The assigned left or right playing position.
• Stick: A tool used to retrieve balls.
• Umpire: The official responsible for enforcing rules and scoring.