User:Jak546

Cushions

The game of Cushions.

 Cushions is a Billiards style game usually played on a coin operated American or English Pool table. It is popular as bye passes the need to pay for the table. The game utilizes the white ball and the fact that, even when no money is in the table, the white ball can fall into any pocket without becoming lost in the table. Sometimes referred to as "Coin dodging" or "Free table hopping". The game is played by using a pool cue to hit the correct number of cushions on the table.

Aim of the game
The game of Cushions can be played by any number of players. Each player takes it in turn to hit the white cue ball with a pool cue aiming to hit the right amount of cushions. Each player starts on one cushion and then move onto two when all players have hit the correct number of cushions on the pool table. If a player misses the correct amount of cushions then they are out of the game. Once a player hits a number of cushions that another player is unable to match they have won the game. The games are played as first to ten. Reaching ten first gives you a Set, if two or more players reach ten games at the same time they must play on until one is able to win by two clear games. First to Five sets wins the match.

Rules
Cushions has a strict set of rules and is a game that is played with a high level of etiquette known as "table lore". The main rules of cushions are as follows:

1. Each player takes it in turn to hit the ball.

2. The ball must be stationary before attempting to strike.

3. Each player must hit the required amount of cushions.

4. The game must only be played with the white cue ball.

5. The ball must hit two cushions before it is allowed to hit a Cushion it has already touched. Failure to do this results in the loss of the game.

6. No player is to ask how many shots are to be taken. To do so is to forfeit the game.

7. The winner of the previous game starts the next one.

8. The order must stay the same throughout the game.

9. To pocket the ball results in loss.

10. If Pocketed the white ball must be placed on the spot to restart.

History
The Game of Cushions was started in Manchester, England. Frustrated at the cost of pool tables and the amount of money they were paying for substandard tables, a group of young men developed a game that could be played by any number of people without having to pay any money. Drawing on inspiration from the world of billiards, they developed a game using the table, cue and white ball from the pool table.

Competitions
The Cushions Unified Non-profit Tournament was first held in 2010 in the birthplace of the sport and was won by co-founder Kishan. (Ironicaly from a memorable match in this tournament, where Kishan Played co-founder Jack. Kishan had a chance to win a set five times but each time potted the white ball giving birth to the popular Cushions phrase getting the "Kishes" for being unable to stand the high pressure that goes with game.)

Popular culture
The game has developed a cult following in Manchester, a following that is quickly spreading across the North of England. Cushions enthusiasts are referred to as "Cushioners"