Pool Games

If you or your customers are looking for a few ideas to add variety to the game of Pool then try some of these popular variations, most of which can be run as a pool knockout competition.

Speed Pool

Pool The aim is to pot all the balls in the fastest time.

Balls are set up as for normal pool. The game can be decided on a single frame or the best time out of three frames. Each frame should be timed by a non player. The balls can be potted in any order except the black ball, which must be potted last. In the event of a tie, a decider will be played.

A player’s visit to the table will end if the black ball is pocketed whilst the other balls remain on the table or the black ball is not pocketed on a separate stroke.

Soccer Pool

This game requires red and yellow pool balls and is based around the game of football. The winner is the player who has potted the opposing team’s 'players' and the referee (black ball).

The red and yellow balls are lined up on opposing ends of the table approx. 3 inches from the cushion. The white ball is placed in the centre next to the black ball (the referee).

Red balls are used as players for one team and yellow for the other. Goals are scored by potting the white ball into the other team’s goal (the two corner pockets) by using your team players.

After each goal is scored the scorer then attempts one shot to pot one of their opponent’s players (into any pocket). If they miss the game continues, if they score the player then attempts another goal.

Fouls are committed if the white ball is potted in the middle. A foul may also be committed if a player does not hit the white ball before any other or an opponent accidentally pots a ‘player’ before scoring a goal.

As in traditional pool a foul results in two shots. The winner is the player who has potted the opposing team’s players and the referee (black ball).

Killer Pool

The player with a ‘life’ remaining at the end is the winner. Any number of players can participate. Balls are set up as for normal pool. Any ball can be potted including the black ball in any order. All players have three ‘lives’. The players take their shots in rotation and must pocket one ball only on each visit. If they do not pot a ball they lose a life. This continues until only one player is left who is then the winner.

Best Shot

Pool The winner is the player who can pot all the balls in the least number of shots. Balls are set up as for normal pool. The game can be decided on a single frame or the lowest score out of three frames. The player with the lowest number of shots at the end is the winner. In the event of a tie a decider will be played.

One Hundred & Eighty

The first player to score 180 wins. Balls are set up as for normal pool. The white ball is placed in the D and the player who breaks also gets an extra shot. Balls can be potted in any order and a player keeps going until they fail to pot a ball, pot the white ball or miss a ball completely - then it’s the next players turn.

If the white ball is potted the next player can put it anywhere on the table. The number of each ball equals its points value. The player who successfully pot sufficient balls to score 180 is the winner. They must finish exactly on 180.

Diamond Nine

The player who scores the most points wins. The balls are set up in a diamond shape with the number 9 ball in the middle and the number 1 ball at the front. The white ball starts in the D. The player must try and pocket the balls in number order starting at number 1. For each successful ball potted the player is awarded one point. The player continues until they fail to pocket the ball or make a foul.

A foul (Diamond Lil) is made when a player hits the wrong number, pots the white or misses a ball. The next player can place the white ball anywhere. One point is given for each correct ball pocketed and the player who pockets the number 9 ball receives an extra five points.