You can be practicing three-cushion in your browser within 60 seconds. No download. No account. Here's the fastest path from "I want to try this" to "I just made my first carom in the simulator."
Step 1 — Open the current simulator
- Open the 3ball.app simulator. It starts in the Position tab with a playable three-ball layout.
- Use Position to place the balls or import a photo, Shot to aim, Solver to search routes and Result to review the session.
- A modern browser with WebGL2 is required; loading speed and visual performance vary by device, connection and scene complexity.
Optional: install the PWA for a full-screen shortcut — see the installation guide.
Step 2 — Take a controlled first shot
- Open Shot and drag the aiming guide on the table.
- Open the cue-ball contact control to set side/top spin and cue elevation; start at centre and a low elevation.
- Choose medium power, then press Shoot.
- For a valid three-cushion point, the cue ball must contact both object balls and make at least three cushion contacts in total before the second object ball. They do not have to be three different cushions.
Change one variable at a time so the replay and route guides remain useful learning evidence.
Step 3 — Pick a learning path (1 minute decision)
Now pick what to learn next based on your background:
- Total beginner: Read What is Carom Billiards? (5 min) → then 7 Drills for Beginners (your 30-day plan).
- Pool player wanting to try carom: Read Three-Cushion vs Pool (5 min) — covers exactly how to translate your existing skills.
- Already play carom IRL: Read Diamond Systems Mastery (15 min) — sharpens your geometric intuition.
- Want to build a serious skill ladder: Read Three-Cushion Complete Guide (the 3,300-word foundation).
Step 4 — Use Drill Mode for repetition
Free Play is great for exploration; Drill Mode is where skill is built. Each drill is a fixed position you replay 30 times, tracking your hit rate.
- Tap the Position tab → Drill Library.
- Pick a position (start with Ticky).
- Hit it 10 times. Note how many you make.
- Move to the next position.
Recommended starter drill set: Ticky, Umbrella, Around-the-Table, Double Rail. 10 reps each = ~10 min daily.
What to do when stuck
- Position seems impossible? Try Brute-force solver — it shows the cue path that scores.
- Aim feels random? You need to learn the Diamond System — geometric aiming.
- Cue ball doesn't go where expected? You're missing english. Read Reverse English Technique.
- Want personal feedback? Use the in-app feedback button to send a screenshot — the team reviews these.
Frequently asked
Q: Is it free? Yes. No account, subscription or payment is required for the web simulator.
Q: Does it work offline? The current web service requires an active connection and recovers the session when connectivity returns.
Q: Which devices are supported? Current phones, tablets and computers with a WebGL2-capable browser. Performance varies with hardware and scene complexity.
Q: Is it multiplayer? No. It is a single-player training and route-analysis tool.