UK 8 Ball
Topic: Russian Pyramid

For all those who haven't seen Russian Pyramid, check this link out......

Stalev playing Pyramid

The balls are the size of small planets and the pockets are the size of small mouse holes.

Two things to note........

1) No wonder Stalev doesn't miss anything on a 9 foot American table;

2) No wonder Russian suicide rates are the highest in the East if they all play this game

jeez.. apparently the balls are really heavy? this true?

This part of a report by Tom Rossman who played in the 2001 World Championship. Interestingly, Mika Immonen's twin brother also played.


"For those not familiar with Pyramid Billiards, it is a “pocket” game with some unusual characteristics…if compared to our pool table standards. The table is 6 feet by 12 feet; the phenolic balls are “croquet” size (slightly bigger than carom balls); the pockets offer an approximate 1/8 inch clearance on each side of an approaching ball; and cue sticks are 60 – 64 inches in length and weigh between 22 – 25 ounces, which are necessary to withstand the massive impact of the cue stick to the cue ball chosen.
The pocket openings are “reverse cut” – so that shots greater than 30 degrees of cut are nearly impossible to make. For these shots and many others, a player must drive object balls with extreme force through the pocket cushion points (physical compression)…in hope of a score. The overall playing environment becomes a true test of “burning focus”, high speed accuracy, and the patience of “Job”.
There are fifteen white balls and one red ball. After the break, every ball on the table is a cue ball and every ball on the table is an object ball, so that shot selection is immense and sometimes confusing. Defensive strategy reigns supreme in the competitive battle…with an occasional ball being made…as a reward for your mind boggling efforts. One Pocket lovers would enjoy this game of infinite options, assuming they would be willing to adapt to the heavier balls, different cue sticks, and table dimensions.
The basic objective of the game is very simple! A player must make 8 balls before their opponent. There are several types of Pyramid play, with the most common being where “scratches” are allowed. In other words, kissing or caroming one ball off another…with special “spin” applications…and making this ball in any pocket scores a point."

That looks like "FUN" game.....

I played this a coupel of years back at the Amsterdam Open. Wow it was torture. There were 4 of us playing alternate shots and I think i potted 1 red in the whole frame. Doesnt help your confidence one little bit.

no good davy!!!

i'm hopeless mate!

This game is cool!! me and Tony Burton played it in Ukraine when we went to the european youth championships.. we played a lot it was fun and we ended up getting fairly good at it.. we both got 6 balls in a row.

We watched the European pupils champion from 2005 play the current European pupils champion at russian billiards and it was scary.. They were running each other out.. and the do the same on a 9 ball table. The current European champion is russian billiards champion now though so it kinda makes sense.


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UK's Youngest

I also tried the game in Ukraina during the EC, and I played against reigning 9-ball Champions for pupils, Novosad Yevgen from Ukraina.

He teached me the game, and first time I played him I made 5 in a row and won that game.

However, in the next 3 games I didn't make a ball, and he did run 6 and 7... Really impressing.

If you play 1 hour Russian now and then you sure will improve your pocketing skills!!!!

Did you notice that although the pockest were stupidly small and the balls are massive it is still easier than it looks!!!