_The cushion game_ consists in the striker playing his ball from the top of the baulk cushion, instead of following his stroke upon the table, and is generally played in the winning, or winning and losing game, reckoned equal to giving six points. _Fortification Billiards_, for an account of which see Hoyle. As the _red_, or _winning and losing game_, is that most commonly played, and as its regulations are, with trifling exceptions, applicable to all the others, the following will be found a correct code of the general laws of billiards. For tables of the odds, and a description of particular games, the reader is referred to the later editions of Hoyle. _Rules &c. in the winning and losing carambole game._—1. The game commences by stringing for the lead and choice of balls. 2. In stringing, the striker must place his ball within the striking ring; and, if his adversary desire it, must stand within the limits of the corner of the table. 3. He who, after playing at the bottom cushion, brings his ball nearest to the cushion, at the upper or baulk end of the table, wins the lead, and chooses his ball. 4. After the first person has strung for the lead, if the adversary who follows should make his ball touch the other, he loses the lead. 5. By holing his own ball, either in stringing or leading, the player loses the lead. 6. Should the leader follow his ball, with either mace or cue, beyond the middle hole, it is no lead; and his adversary may make him lead again. 7. The leader must place his ball within the ring, between the striking nails or spots at the upper end of the table: and the same must be observed after every losing hazard has been got. 8. The red ball is to be placed on the lower of the two spots, at the bottom of the table. 9. When either of the white balls has been holed, &c., it must be replaced in, and played from the striking ring, as at the commencement of the game. 10. When the red ball has been holed or forced over the table, it must be replaced on the same spot as at the beginning of the game, and the present striker is bound to see it thus replaced, otherwise he cannot win any points while it is off the spot, and the stroke he may make is deemed foul. 11. If the striker do not hit his adversary’s ball, he loses one point; and if by the same stroke he pocket his own ball, he loses three points and the lead. 12. If the striker force either of the balls over the table, he loses the lead. 13. If the striker force his own, or either of the other balls over the table, after having made a carambole or hazard, he gains nothing, and also loses the lead. 14. If the striker hit both the red and his adversary’s ball with his own ball, this is called a _carambole_ or _carom_. 15. If the striker with his own hole his adversary’s ball, he wins two points. 16. If the striker hole the red ball, he wins three points. 17. If the striker hole his own off his adversary’s ball, he wins two points.