subject: Getting A Piece Of The Pool Pie [print this page] There is a lot of information about the game of billiards, or as it is known in the United States, pool. There are extensive details that go into how the table and accessories are made, rules for the game, how to stand, verbiage used, etc.
Out of all the information that exists regarding pool, this article is just one slice out of the big picture. The article that follows includes basic explanations of some common billiard games, though pool is considered a sport as well.
Nine ball is the most widespread game played in bars and pool halls across the U.S., though One Pocket is familiar as well.
Nine ball is played with nine object balls numbered 1 through 9 and a cue ball. On each shot you aim for the lowest-numbered ball on the table but you don't have to pocket them in order.
If a player pockets any ball on a legal shot they get another shot and continue until missing, fouling, or winning the game by pocketing the 9-ball. After a miss the incoming player must shoot from the position left by the previous player, but after a foul the incoming player may start with the cue ball anywhere on the table.
Players don't need to call shots and a match ends when a player has won the required number of games.
14.1 Pool is a nomination game. The player must nominate a ball and the pocket it will be sunk in.
The player is awarded one point for every pocketed ball on a legal stroke, and is allowed to continue their turn until they fail to pocket a ball or commit a foul. The player can pocket the first 14 balls, but before they can shoot the 15th and last ball, the 14 pocketed balls are racked as before, except with the apex space vacant.
The player then attempts to pocket the 15th ball in a manner so that the racked balls are disturbed and the player can continue their run. The first player to score the predetermined point total for the game is the winner.
One Pocket is a form of pocket-billiards in which each opposing side has one of the foot pockets in which to sink their balls. Both players can not have the same foot pocket.
The winner is the first player to score any eight balls in their pocket. The standard set of object-balls numbered 1 to 15, plus the cue-ball are used.
A player scores a ball when they legally pocket a called ball in their pocket, or when their opponent shoots a ball into his pocket, whether the opponents stroke was legal or not.
There are many different pool table games, but the most popular ones are eight ball, nine ball, one pocket and 14.1 continuous pool.
Eight Ball - is a call shot game played with a cue ball and fifteen object balls, numbered 1 through 15. One player must pocket the solid colored balls of the group numbered 1 through 7 and the other player tries to pocket the striped balls numbered 9 through 15.
The player who pockets their group of balls first, followed by the eight ball, is the winner. In a call shot game, obvious balls and pockets don't have to be called, however the opponent has the right to ask which ball and pocket if unsure of the shot.
Bank and combination shots are not considered obvious. When calling the shot, you never have to indicate details such as the number of cushions, banks, kisses, caroms, etc.
Any pocketed balls on a foul stay pocketed, regardless of whether they belong to the shooter or the opponent.
The term, head string, in pool is known as an imaginary line on some tables, and sometimes drawn directly on the bed of the billiard table.
Most billiard game rules specify that the opening break shot be made from behind the head string. To begin shooting in pool, there are some rules that apply on placement of the cue ball.
Failing to shoot behind the head string, or adjusting the placement of the cue ball for a more accurate shot, are considered fouls. The shooting player may shoot at any ball as long as the base of the ball is on or below the head string.
You can't shoot at a ball which has its base above the head string, unless you first shoot the cue ball below the head string and then after hitting a rail the cue ball comes back above the head string and hits the object ball.
The ball's base (the point of the ball touching the table) determines whether it is above or below the head string. If the incoming player accidentally puts the cue ball on or below the head string, the referee or opposing player must tell the shooting player of the mistake before they shoot.
If the opposing player fails to do this then the shot will be considered legal. When the cue ball is in hand behind the head string, it stays in hand (not in play) until the player drives the cue ball past the head string by hitting it with their cue tip.
The cue ball may be moved by the player's hand or cue, etc., as long as it remains in hand. Once the cue ball is in play it may not be impeded in any way by the player, if it is it is considered a foul.
