Rules & Scoring
The quick version:
In more depth:
Object of the Game
The object of TerraBall is to make the balls into the holes at your opponent’s end of the table and accumulate points. More points are awarded for making the balls into the smallest holes. The TerraBall is worth the most points. A player or team wins by scoring as many points as agreed to. Generally, a TerraBall game is played to 50 points. A TerraBall match or set consists of playing the best of three games, switching sides after the first game, and rearranging the course after the second game.
Players & Equipment
TerraBall may be played with 2 or 4 players. Singles or Doubles.
To play TerraBall the following pieces of equipment are required:
Table: The table used in TerraBall is approximately 12 feet by 3 feet, although games can be played on differing sized tables. The scoring area on either end of the table is approximately 1 foot by three feet. The scoring area is divided into two sections, the trap area and the pocket area. There are two spots on either end of the table centered one foot in front of the scoring area referred to as the foot spots.
Balls:
8 balls in total. The standard TerraBall set comprises one TerraBall and seven small balls referred to as 7:1.
A substitute TerraBall Set comprising four small balls, 3 medium balls, and one TerraBall is optional, referred to as 4:3:1.
TerraForms: The Terraforms are modular game pieces that are placed on the field of play. Any number of TerraForms can be used depending on player preference. Traditionally, a total of six pieces are used, two large rail pieces, two small rail pieces, and two field pieces.
Rail Pieces: The rail pieces are positioned along the long ends of the table against the side walls. Apart from the bottom of the piece, they have one straight flat edge.
Field Pieces: The field pieces are placed between the rail pieces down the middle of the table. Apart from the bottom of the piece, they are rounded on all sides and have no flat sides.
Pocket Covers: There are three different sized hole covers for the pocket area, as well as solid covers. Three covers are used in each pocket area.
o Players may choose to play with one, two, or three hole pockets (small, medium, large) set up in the scoring area. A solid cover is used to cover any remaining pockets. Traditionally, two hole pocket covers are used (large and small) with one solid pocket cover.
Game Scoring
1 Pocket Scoring
- Small Ball into hole = 1pt, TerraBall = 5pts
2 Pocket Scoring
Small Ball into large hole = 1pt
TerraBall into large hole = 5pts
Small Ball into small hole = 5pts
TerraBall into small hole = 15pts
3 Pocket Scoring
Small Ball into large hole = 1pt
TerraBall into large hole = 5pts
Small Ball into medium hole = 3pts
TerraBall into medium Hole = 10pts
Small Ball into small hole = 5pts
TerraBall into Small hole = 15pts
If a ball thrown during a turn, returns to the player’s own pocket or trap, points are awarded to the opposing team. Referred to as an “Own Goal”. Own goal points are as follows:
Small Ball into trap = 1 point, TerraBall into trap = 5 points
Small Ball into large hole = 5 points, TerraBall into large hole = 10 points
Small Ball into medium hole = 10 points, TerraBall into medium hole = 15 points
Small Ball into small hole = 15 points, TerraBall into small hole = Loss of Game
Points are tallied on an abacus on each end of the table. Each side is responsible for their own point tally.
How to Play
Before beginning a game, players arrange the course game pieces (TerraForms) on the table. Rail pieces may be placed along the side walls on the field of play, but not overlapping the scoring area. Field pieces are placed down the middle of the table away from the rail pieces and between the two foot spots. Field pieces should not be placed inside of the foot spot closest to the scoring area. This allows for a proper throwing area. The TerraForms must lay flat on the table and not overlap other pieces. Players must agree on the course layout before beginning a game.
Each player or team arranges their pocket hole cover positions. The hole positions may be changed after each turn, before the opposing player begins their next turn.
A coin may be flipped to determine which player or teams throws firsts.
To begin, one player or team throws all of the available balls toward their opponent’s scoring area. Players must release the ball before the foot spot closest to them. A ball must contact the field of play and not a TerraForm initially. The balls may be thrown in any order or combination. In doubles play both players on a team must throw at least one ball during a turn. All balls are “in play” during a turn unless they have fallen into the opposing side’s trap area. More than one ball is permitted to be in motion at any one time. A player may score into a pocket by knocking one ball into another as in a carom shot. After all eight balls are thrown in a turn, points are tallied. The balls are then collected from the pockets and from the field of play and the next player or team begins their turn. Pocket hole cover positions may be rearranged at this point before the next turn begins.