8 Pool Games

In pool halls, bars and bowling alleys, most people stick to eight-ball on the pool table, but there are myriad games and variations to keep you intrigued and learning. Pool offers many possibilities for games, with different balls, numbers of players and goals that don't have to be boring or slow. Playing different games on a pool table teaches you different aspects of the game while improving your fundamentals.

  1. Nine-Ball

    • Nine-ball can be played on any size pool table and uses a rack of one through nine. When a player pockets the nine ball, the game is over. Players take turns and try to make the balls in order from 1 to 9. They may hit the target ball into the nine ball and make it, winning the game. Variations include call-your-pocket, slop and ball-in-hand. Usually players participate in a first-to-three type game called a race, due to the volatile nature of the game.

    Eight-Ball

    • Most people who've played pool know how to play eight ball. Use a standard 15-ball rack and each player has either stripes or solids. When a player pockets the eight ball, the game is over. Whether a player is stripes or solids depends on who pockets something first. Different countries, regions and even bars have their own variations.

    Three-Ball

    • Three-ball can be played by large groups or an individual. Each player takes turns with a rack of three balls in a triangle and tries to pocket the balls in as few strokes as possible. The break counts as one stroke so the lowest possible number of strokes is one, if a player makes all three balls on the break. When playing in large groups, the person with the lowest stroke count wins the game or the pot.

    Golf

    • Golf is usually played on a snooker table, but works for regular-size pool tables, too. Each player has their own ball which they must pocket in each hole in a certain order. Once a player makes his ball in the correct pocket, the ball is spotted and he shoots again. It is a game of defense and precision. This version is good for gambling, while another version consists of individual play with the possibility of competition.

    One Pocket

    • One pocket is a game played with a 15-ball rack in which the players must pocket the balls in a predetermined foot corner pocket. Players take turns; the player to pocket the last ball wins. In a variation, the first player to pocket eight balls wins. After every few balls pocketed, players remove the balls from the pocket. This game is uncommon but is featured in the film "Turn the River."

    Straight Pool

    • Straight pool was popular until the rise of televised pool events which favor faster games like eight-ball and nine-ball. In the movie "The Hustler," Minnesota Fats and Fast Eddie play it for high stakes. Using a 15-ball rack, the object of straight pool is to pocket balls for one point each until a predetermined number of points have been attained. Once 14 balls have been pocketed, the balls are racked again.

    Pocket Billiards

    • Pocket billiards is usually played on a snooker table, but works for any size. Three red balls are placed in the center of the table aligned with the center, the foot spot and the head spot. Players must make contact with two red balls before shooting a ball into a pocket. Players score two points for making contact with two red balls and one point for each ball they pocket after that. Games are played to a certain number of points. Players must not exceed the predetermined amount or they start over. Balls are spotted after pocketed.

    Cutthroat

    • Cutthroat is a common bar or pool hall game for three people who want to play together. Using a standard eight-ball rack, players take turns pocketing balls. Either by pregame decision or order or balls pocketed, players are assigned the 1 through 5, the 6 through 10 or the 11 through 15. The object is to pocket the other players' balls before yours are gone. If you scratch, your opponents each spot one of their balls. It's called cutthroat because you may pocket your own balls to keep shooting.