How to Play Pool
We’ve all been there at some point: as kids, we push pool balls around the table with our hands, or as adults we might play aimlessly just to test our accuracy. But do you really know how to play pool? The game comes with unique rules depending on the style of the game. For our purposes, we’ll talk about 8 ball game play. These tips will put you on a path to master the game.
Equipment
To properly play the game, gather all of the necessary equipment. Aside from the table itself, pool only requires a few things:
- Cue Sticks - Used to aim at balls each player wishes to pocket
- Cue Rack - Used to organize all balls prior to game play
- Solid Balls - Game balls numbered 1-7 (player one)
- Striped Balls - Game balls numbered 8-15 (player two)
- 8 Ball - Winning game ball and last to be hit
- Cue Ball - Ball struck with the cue to sink game balls into pockets
Game Play
Once all necessary pieces are gathered and players are ready, the game can begin. Rack all balls into the cue rack at one end of the table (there should be a dot to mark this position), with the 1 ball at the very front, and the 8 ball in the middle. Take aim from the opposite long end of the table (this side should have a dot specifying position, too) with the white cue ball to break the set and put the balls into play.
The object of pool is for each player to sink his/her own game balls into pockets on the table. Figuring out which set belongs to each player is determined by a face-off of sorts, where each side takes a turn until someone sinks a game ball of either color scheme into a pocket, claiming that set (i.e. if you sink a solid ball first, you play solids). Players proceed by rotating control of the table. An individual player continues their turn so long as they are sinking their own balls. After a miss (or a scratch, wherein the cue ball inadvertently lands in a pocket), the other side gets a chance. The overall goal is to pocket all of your balls, followed by the 8 ball.
Scoring
You don’t really gets points in a game of pool, because the main goal is to pocket—or pot—specific balls on the table before the opposition does so with their game balls. In this way, pool maintains a focus on accuracy. You do, however, get some bragging rights if you manage to sink the 8 ball. It’s a bit like catching the snitch in a game of quidditch, where the scoring player ends the game and soaks up the glory. But mind your accuracy, here. Unlike all other game balls which can go into any pocket, you must call which pocket you intend to sink the 8 ball into. If you miss, game play continues until someone successfully sinks the ball into their intended target pocket.
Play Pool and More Games at Zone 28
Pool isn’t complicated on the surface, but it does require some serious accuracy and coordination. Stop by Zone 28 to try your luck at this and 75+ other games in our Game Zone arcade! And don’t forget to check out our new Beer Garden , now open to the public!
