Korona Rulebook

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

• 1. Korona equipment
  • 1.1 Table
  • 1.2 Discs
  • 1.3 Cue
  • 1.4 Lubricants
  • 1.5 Use of aids
• 2. Rules of play
  • 2.1 Object of the game
  • 2.2 Starting setup of the game
  • 2.3 Starting the game
  • 2.4 Course of the game
  • 2.5 End of the game
  • 2.6 Rules of striking
  • 2.7 Touching of a disc by persons other than the players
  • 2.8 Deadlock
  • 2.9 Four-player game
• 3. Players
  • 3.1 Unsportsmanlike conduct
  • 3.2 Warnings
  • 3.3 Disturbing a shot
  • 3.4 Leaving the board
  • 3.5 Resignation
  • 3.6 Referee
  • 3.7 Scorer
  • 3.8 Help given by officials
  • 3.9 Cleaning the board

1. Korona equipment

1.1 Table

Dimensions: the dimensions of the board are 3 feet by 3 feet ± 10 mm. Permitted table materials are birch and birch veneer. The edges of the board must have a raised rim whose height must be at least 2 mm greater than the target discs used. The rim must be made of the same material as the board.

Pockets: there is a pocket in each corner of the board, so there are four (4) pockets on the board in total. The diameter of a pocket must be at least 50% of the diagonal of the square bounded by the striking lines.

Board markings: the board must have the following markings:

• four straight striking lines
• a centre circle, the centre point of which must be clearly marked

The board must also have a mark halfway along each rim to indicate the position of the target discs in the starting situation.

Picture of the board and its markings: (not reproduced)

1.2 Discs

Korona has discs of two sizes. The larger disc is called the striker and the smaller ones target discs. There is always one striker per player. There are 8 or 16 target discs per player, depending on the agreed manner of play.

• The diameter of the striker must be 50 mm ± 5 mm and its height 12 mm ± 5 mm. The colour of the striker must be black or the same as the target discs.
• The diameter of a target disc is 25 mm ± 5 mm and its height 12 mm ± 5 mm. All target discs of the same player must be uniform in colour.

A disc or set of discs may be changed by mutual agreement of the players or by decision of the referee.

Discs may be made of either wood or plastic. The weight of the striker may not exceed 14 grams. The maximum weight of a small disc is 7 grams.

1.3 Cue

The cue may not exceed in length the width of the playing area (the table excluding the rims). No minimum length is defined.

1.4 Lubricants

To make the board slippery and to ensure steady movement of the discs, the board may be lubricated with potato flour.

1.5 Use of aids

The use of aids other than those in these rules is prohibited in Korona.

2. Rules of play

2.1 Object of the game

Korona can be played as a game for two, three or four players. The rules are the same regardless of the number of players. The course of play for four and three players is presented in section 2.9.

The aim of the player is, with the help of the striker, to pocket target discs in accordance with these rules. By agreement of the players or by decision of the referee, there are 8 or 16 coloured target discs per player. The players must have an equal number of discs at the start of the game.

2.2 Starting setup of the game

At the start of every game, the target discs are placed on the board, using the cue as an aid, in a horizontal row against the edge of the board. Each disc in a row of discs must be in contact with a) the neighbouring discs and b) the rim of the board. The outer ends of the row of discs must be equally far from the side rims of the board.

2.3 Starting the game

The starter of the first game of a match is determined by a line shot. The line shot is won by the player who strikes the striker closer to the centre point of the centre circle. Measurement is made from the centre of the disc. The winner of the line shot may choose who starts. The player who lost the previous game always starts the next game. The order of play remains the same for the whole match (the agreed number of games).

2.4 Course of the game

When the player who starts the game has been determined as described in 2.3, the first turn of the game begins. A turn means a period of play that includes one or more shots by the same player. A game always includes at least two turns, but most often more. A turn continues as long as the player succeeds in his shot, that is, pockets one or more target discs. After a successful shot the striker is returned to the striking line and the player may try again to pocket. This continues until the turn ends. A turn ends with the player's foul or an unsuccessful shot. After this the turn passes to the other player.

2.5 End of the game

The game is considered finished when one of the players has, within the rules, pocketed all of his target discs and the other player has completed his possible equalising turn. This player is the winner of the game. The other player has the chance of an equalising turn if he was not the player who started the game. The game may end in a draw if the other player succeeds, in the equalising turn, in pocketing the remaining target discs. As a result of a flagrant and deliberate foul, the referee of the match may declare the other player the winner even in the middle of a game, and the game ends there.

2.6 Rules of striking

A shot is considered completed when the striker has touched the striker disc with the tip of the cue and all discs on the board have stopped after the shot. A shot may be direct or indirect:

• in a direct shot the striker hits a target disc without touching the rim of the board or an opponent's disc
• in an indirect shot the striker first hits the rim of the board or an opponent's disc and only then a target disc

An indirect shot must be made known to the referee and the opponent before the shot is made. If an indirect shot is not made known to the referee and the other player before the shot, the referee must rule the shot a foul and that player's turn ends. Discs that have gone into a pocket are not returned to the board.

Shots must always:

• start from the player's own striking line
• be directed forwards

As a main rule, shots do not need to be called in Korona. Calling means that the player must make known to the referee and the opponent which target disc he intends to pocket into a particular pocket. Calling is, however, mandatory in the following game situations:

• when the referee asks for it
• in an overshot: an overshot is when the player pockets into the pockets behind his own striking line. If a target disc is shot into these pockets without being called, the disc must be lifted back onto the table

Occasionally in Korona one or more discs end up outside the board. In that case the target discs of the player whose turn it is that flew out are lifted back onto the board. The opponent places them in any position he wishes inside the centre circle. The opponent's discs that flew out are considered legally pocketed. If the striker ends up outside the board or in a pocket, the opponent may lift one already pocketed target disc of the player whose turn it is into the centre circle.

The following shots are fouls in Korona:

• pushing shot: a pushing shot occurs when the tip of the cue touches the striker more than once, or the tip of the cue is in contact with the striker when the disc is already clearly moving forward
• deliberate foul: the player must always make the shot to the best of his ability. When shooting, one must also always try to hit one's own target disc first. For a deliberate foul the referee awards the turn to the next player

When preparing to shoot, the striker may be placed on the striking line with the help of the cue, and no foul is then made even if the tip of the cue touches the striker.

2.7 Touching of a disc by persons other than the players

If a disc has been moved by someone other than the shooter, the referee must return it to its original place without a separate penalty. This rule refers to a disc being moved by a completely outside person. A player also cannot be penalised for movement of a disc caused by the referee or another natural obstacle.

2.8 Deadlock

If the game situation has reached a deadlock and the situation does not open up within a few shots, the referee decides at his discretion on restarting the game. If one of the players refuses a new start, the referee lets the game continue for a previously announced number of turns (usually 3 turns for each player).

2.9 Four-player game

In a four-player game the starter is decided as in a two-player game. After that the turn passes clockwise. Matches are played to a conclusion. The four-player game is not a team game. The opponent referred to in these rules is generally considered to be the player next in turn.

3. Players

3.1 Unsportsmanlike conduct

If in the referee's opinion a player:

• uses purposelessly too much time to make a shot, or
• otherwise behaves in an unsportsmanlike way, or
• refuses to continue the game

the referee must either warn the player of loss of the game or, at his discretion, rule the game lost. In a very serious case the whole match may be ruled lost. A warning given by the referee is valid for the whole match.

3.2 Warnings

For lesser offences the referee may give a warning. After a warning the next offence leads to loss of the game.

3.3 Disturbing a shot

While the shooter is making his shot, the opponent may not disturb the other player. The referee has the possibility of penalising a player for disturbing behaviour (see warnings and unsportsmanlike conduct).

3.4 Leaving the board

If a player has to leave the room during the opponent's turn, he may name a representative to follow the turn and safeguard his rights. This situation must be made known to the referee before leaving.

3.5 Resignation

Only the player whose turn it is may resign. When a player has resigned a game or match, the other player is ruled the winner.

3.6 Referee

The referee must be just and impartial and rule according to the rules. The referee is responsible for the game proceeding in accordance with the rules and correctly. The referee must intervene in errors he notices.

The role of the referee does not include:

• answering questions that the rules do not give permission for
• giving a hint if a player is about to make a foul
• giving any opinion or advice that affects the course of the game
• answering questions about the score difference

If the referee does not himself notice a foul, he may use the view of the scorer or another official in making his decision.

3.7 Scorer

The scorer records the fouls made, the total score situation and the series of shots. The referee may act as the scorer.

3.8 Help given by officials

The referee or another official may, for example, hold or move the lamp during a shot if the player so wishes. The referee or another official may give necessary assistance to a disabled player as the situation requires.

3.9 Cleaning the board

The referee may, at any stage of the game, clean the board against debris, foreign objects etc., in which case:

• the position of a disc must be marked before cleaning
• a special disc marker may be used for marking
• the disc marker must be treated as equivalent to the disc for as long as the cleaning of the board lasts. If the other player touches or moves the disc marker he must be penalised as the shooter would be in that case. The referee may return the disc marker or disc to its original place if he considers it necessary