2.1 Billiard, cushion, cloth
- The billiard is a table which surface is rectangular, completely smooth and horizontal.
- The billiard table consists of slate with a minimum thickness of 45 mm or of any other material approved by the UMB committee.
- The demarcation of the playing surface is effected by setting up rubber cushions of 37 mm in height at the frontmost point of the cushion. An allowance of plus or minus 1 mm is admitted.
- The size of the free playing surface is 2.84 m in length and 1.42 m in width. An allowance of plus or minus 5 mm is admitted.
- The rubber cushions are fastened to the entire length of an external frame of 12.5 cm in width which surface is entirely smooth and of a homogeneous colour. An allowance of plus or minus 1 cm is admitted. Exclusively a quality concerning the cushions which is recognized and authorized by the UMB committee can be used.
- The surface which reframes the cushions will have indelible marks fixed at regular distance corresponding with 1/8 of the length of the playing surface. Neither the mark of the producer nor any other indication will be allowed to be fastened to the surface of this frame reframing the cushions.
- The cloth which covers the billiard must be new and must have a quality and colour which is admitted by the UMB committee. The required details are published by the committee at the end of chapter I of the world organization rules. The cloth will have to cover at most the slate and the cushions. Exclusively a quality of cloth which is recognized and authorized by the UMB committee can be used.
- The hight of the billiard measured from the ground to the surface which reframes the billiard must be between 75 and 80 cm.
- The billiards meant for an official tournament will be equiped with an electrical heater eliminating any humidity of the slate and of the cloth. This heater with a thermostat will be switched on since the set up of the billiards and during the whole competition in order to ensure the best possible rolling.
2.2 Balls, chalk
- The balls consisiting of three must be of a material and of colours admitted by the UMB committee. The required details are published by the committee at the end of chapter I of the world organization rules.
- These balls are rigorously round and their diameter must be between 61 and 61.5 cm. A ball's weight must be between 205 and 220 gramms or must have another weight agreed by the UMB committee. However, the difference between the heaviest and the lightest ball should not exceed two gramms.
- The chalk should not excessively soil the surface of the game.
2.3 Marking of the spots and starting line
- The places which must be occupied by the balls either at the beginning of the match or in its course as soon as they stopped in contact with each other or bound out of the billiard are named "spots".
- The positions of these spots will be marked by means of a cross drawn as fine as possible with chalk, in pencil or with ink. The marking by setting up small rings is forbidden.
- There are five spots drawn according to the indications of paper A - Marking of the mouches - of the appendix.
2.4 Billiard cue, rake
- The balls are set in motion by means of an equipment made of wood or any other material which is named "billiard cue". The billiard cue may consist of one single piece or may be divided into several parts. The cue must be equiped with a ring at one of its ends called "leather tip". The player is only allowed to use the "leather tip" in order to touch the ball. The player employs one or several cues of his choice and he freely determines its length, weight and diameter.
- The player has the right to use a "rake", a small stick with a stock at the end made of wood or any other material determined to replace the hand in certain positions of the body which are difficult to take.
2.5 Lighting
- The light projected onto the billiard may not be lower than 520 lux on the whole surface, the measuring instrument is put on the cloth to measure it. The light must not be too strong, either; in order not to blind the players. (blinding starts at 5,000 lux concerning direct view) The distance between the source of light and the playing surface must be at least 1 meter.
- The hall should not be in complete nightfall, but it will have to be leghtened with at least 50 lux.