Playing pool involves using a cue stick to strike a white cue ball, which in turn hits other colored and numbered balls into pockets around the edge of a special table, scoring points based on agreed-upon rules to win the game.
Pool is a popular cue sport played on a pocket billiard table with one white cue ball and 15 numbered object balls. It can be played by two individuals, pairs or teams. The fundamental objective is to pocket specific object balls according to the rules of the particular game being played.
Basic Setup and Objective
At the start of a game, the 15 numbered object balls are typically arranged in a triangular rack at one end of the table. One player begins the game by "breaking," which involves hitting the racked balls with the cue ball, aiming to scatter them and ideally pocket a ball immediately.
Gameplay
Players take turns hitting the cue ball to strike one of the object balls.
- Taking Turns: Turns continue as long as a player legally pockets a designated ball or achieves a specific objective related to the rules of the game being played (like hitting the correct ball first).
- Scoring Points: Points are scored for pocketing designated balls in designated pockets. Different pool games have variations on which balls need to be pocketed and in what order or pattern. For example, in one common game, players are assigned either the solid-colored balls (1-7) or the striped balls (9-15) and must pocket all of their assigned balls before legally pocketing the 8-ball.
- Fouls: Players must follow specific rules; breaking these rules (e.g., hitting the wrong ball first, pocketing the cue ball, knocking a ball off the table) results in a foul and the loss of their turn, often with a penalty.
Winning the Game
Winning in pool depends on the specific game type and the agreed-upon score. The first player or side to reach an agreed number of points wins the game. In games like 8-ball, winning involves legally pocketing the 8-ball after all of a player's assigned object balls are pocketed. Other games might require pocketing balls in numerical order or reaching a set point value.
In summary, playing pool requires precision, strategy in choosing which balls to shoot and how to leave the cue ball for the next shot, and adherence to the specific rules of the game variant being played.
