Bumper Pool Official Rules for Last Ball

Bumper pool shares several similarities with other billiard games, including bank shots, pockets and an emphasis on correct shot power. Unlike other billiard games, bumper pool features 12 bumpers on the table designed to test the player's aiming ability and angle prediction. Much like eight ball, the official rules of bumper pool declare a few specifics about a player's final ball.

  1. Basic Game Rules

    • A bumper pool table consists of one pocket on both ends and 12 rubber pegs (bumpers) positioned around the table. Players attempt to pocket their five balls into the opposite pocket before their opponent does. The game begins with both players simultaneously hitting a marked ball toward the target pocket in a counterclockwise direction. From that point on, players take turns banking balls around the central bumpers while attempting to block the opponent's balls with their own.

    Requirements for Victory

    • Once a player sinks four of his balls, he is eligible to sink his fifth and final ball. The first player to sink the fifth ball wins the game. During the endgame, disadvantaged players must make a difficult decision: do they attempt to block a winning shot with a ball or do they attempt to pocket their balls before their opponent scores the winning shot?

    Last Ball Penalty

    • There is one significant penalty players must remember while attempting to pocket the final ball. If a player accidentally pockets their final ball in their opponent's pocket, they automatically lose. For this reason, players must take special care to move their fifth ball away from the opposing pocket as soon as possible to avoid a loss.