Variations to Billiards (Pool)

There are many variations to pool. The most common pool game played is 8-ball. 9-ball is also played quite about. Other games that you can play include 7-ball, bobcat pool, and more.

9-Ball

The object of 9-ball is to either make a combination shot that pockets the 9-ball or make the lowest ball until you have a good shot at the 9-ball. Only balls 1 through 9 are racked for this game.

8-Ball

The object of 8-ball is to make all of your balls and then make the 8-ball to win the game. One player shoots at the stripes only and the other player shoots at just the solids.

7-Ball

7-ball pool is played like 9-ball but it use balls one through 7 instead. The 7-ball is racked in the middle, just like 8-ball and 9-ball, and the remaining balls go in a circle around it. You have to make the balls in order until the 7-ball is the last ball on the table.

There is big difference in this version of pool. Before the game, you pick a side of the table that will be your side to make the 7-ball. The person that is not breaking chooses the sides. Once you are down to just the 7-ball, you must make the 7-ball in a pocket that is on your side of the table to win. If you make the ball on the other players' side then you lose.

BobcatPool

To play bobcat pool, two balls are placed near each pocket. The balls do not have to be in a certain order. The rack is placed in the middle of the table. The object of the game is to make at least one ball on every shoot without missing or a ball making contact with the rack. To start the game the cue ball is placed behind the head string and shot at a ball that is below the head string. For a little extra difficulty another ball can be placed in the rack. Once all the balls are made, remove the rack and try to make the extra ball.

Circles

Circles is a variation on 8-ball or 9-ball. The table is racked the same way and you break the same way. The rules are pretty much the same with the exception of shooting the cue ball into an object ball. The object ball is shot into the cue ball.

An example is if your shooting at the 3-ball you hit the 3-ball with the pool cue, it then hits the cue ball and the 3-ball goes into the pocket that was called. All the shots in this game are carom shoots. Learning how to do carom shots will help out a lot in all pool games.

Other Games

Another game that you can play is one that you try to knock a quarter out of a circle. To play this, use a piece of chalk to draw a circle on the table. Next place a ball in the circle and place the quarter on the ball. This is just a fun game you can play with kids.

A fun game for smaller children or someone that just wants to play a really quick game is 3-ball. All you rack is the 1-ball, 2-ball, and 3-ball. You play with the same rules as 9-ball. This is just a much simpler version of pool.