5 Fun and Exciting Pool Games for Your Next Game Night
By now, we’re all familiar with a traditional game of pool. Solids or stripes, don’t scratch on the 8 ball, all of that. But did you know that it’s not the only game you can play on a pool table? In this article, we will be discussing five different pool games that will give you fresh, new ways to enjoy your pool table. By the end, you should have a strong understanding of the pool games available to you and how to play them.
8 Ball Pool
This is the game you have already played a million times. But here, for the record, is the game of 8 Ball Pool. 8 Ball Pool is played with 15 balls - a cue ball and 14 object balls. Seven of the object balls are striped and seven are solid. The object of the game is to pocket all of the balls of your designated group (solid or stripes) and then pocket the 8-ball. The game can be played with anywhere from 2 to 15 balls, but the most common game is played with 8 balls.
Take note: there are 16 numbered balls, with numbers 1 to 7 being solid in color, and numbers 9 to 15 being stripped. Ball number 8 is black, and is sometimes called the black ball. There is also a cue ball, which is typically white.
9 Ball Pool
9 Ball Pool is a cue sport played on a pool table with nine balls numbered 1 through 9. It is played with a cue stick and cue ball. The object of the game is to pocket the nine balls in ascending order, pocketing the 9 ball last. The player who pockets the 9 balls first wins the rack (game). 9 Ball is typically played to a certain number of racks. So for example, you and your buddy are playing 9 Ball and you’re playing to three racks. That means the first player to win three racks is the ultimate winner.
9 Ball Pool is a popular game in both casual and competitive settings. It is a relatively simple game to learn, but difficult to master. There are a number of regional and international tournaments held each year. 9 Ball was immortalized in the Paul Newman films The Hustler and its sequel, The Color of Money.
Bumper Pool
This one you may have to seek out as Bumper Pool tables are different from your traditional pool tables. The game is played with 5 red and 5 white billiard balls, with one ball in each set marked. At the start of the game, each set of balls is arranged in five spots near each edge of the table by a pocket with the marked ball placed directly in front of the pocket. The object is for a player to sink all of their balls into their pocket at the opposite end of the table. The player's marked ball must be sunk before the player can shoot any other balls.
Unlike most other billiard games, there is no designated cue ball; any ball may be shot directly with the cue stick, including into a pocket, rather than the more common rule that a cue ball must be hit into the intended ball.
To begin play, both players shoot their marked ball simultaneously, banking the ball off the cushion to their right and attempting to sink their ball in their pocket at the other end of the table. If both players sink their first shot they each select another ball, place it in front of their opponent's pocket and repeat the simultaneous shot. If both players successfully sink all five of their balls in this fashion the game ends in a draw.
A very different take on the game to be sure but one with its own unique challenges that are fun to master.
One Pocket Pool
One-pocket is a pool game in which each player has their own designated pocket. The object of the game is to score points by pocketing any object ball into your own pocket. The winner is the first to score an agreed-upon number of points (usually 8).
It is a billiards game where players can shoot at any object ball regardless of its color or number. There is no need to call shots in this game, unlike in a regular pool.
Cutthroat Pool
There are three players in a Cutthroat pool, and each player is assigned a specific group of balls. The first player is assigned the 1-5 balls, the second player is assigned the 6-10 balls, and the third player is assigned the 11-15 balls. The object of the game is to sink all of the balls in your assigned group. The first player to do so wins the game.
The name is so because of the competitive nature of the game. Since there are three players, each player must be excellent at defending and attacking.
Conclusion
We hope that these ideas have helped you figure out some fun pool games to try next time you have the opportunity. Having these ideas on hand will be helpful when you want to do something new and interesting during the get-together.
If you are looking for a place that can provide you with a large selection of pool tables that can ship across the US, then check out Game Exchange. We are a recreation and entertainment superstore with over 30 years in business. Check out our website today!
Game Exchange of Colorado
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Denver, CO 80204
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