Types of Billiards Games
Billiards, also commonly known as pool, is one of the top games for hobbyists around the world. Pool tables are staples in game rooms and bars because various types of billiards games are relatively simple and fun to play.
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8 Ball
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Perhaps the most common form of billiards played recreationally, 8 Ball involves two players trying to pocket either all of the stripes or solids and then, lastly, the 8 ball.
The player who breaks and knocks in a striped or solid-colored ball has control and will try to pocket that type of ball for the rest of the game. If he knocks in at least one of each type on the break, he can choose which type of ball he wants to try to pocket for the rest of the game. If a player scratches, or accidentally pockets the cue ball, while shooting at the 8 ball, he loses the game. The player who successfully pockets all balls of his type (solid or striped) and lastly the 8 ball wins.
9 Ball
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9-Ball is the most common tournament billiards game, and uses only the balls numbered 1-9. The goal is to knock the balls into the pockets in successive order from 1 to 9; the player who successfully knocks in the 9 ball wins.
At the break, as long as the lowest numbered ball on the table is struck first, any balls pocketed will count. For example, if the 5 ball is the lowest number on the felt, is hit first and caroms into the 9 ball, knocking it into the pocket, the game is over. Usually played with two players, 9 Ball could be played with three or four recreationally. -
One Pocket
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In One Pocket, players try to hit balls into specific pockets. When a player shoots a ball into his designated pocket, he scores a point. Most games are played to eight points. The player who breaks chooses a corner pocket and will shoot at that pocket for the rest of the game, while his opponent shoots into the opposite corner pocket.
14.1
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Straight pool, or 14.1, was once the most popular tournament form of the game, but gave way to shorter forms of billiards like 9 Ball over the years. In this game, players can shoot at any ball on the table and knock it into any pocket. A player scores a point for each successful shot without a foul, and most games are played to 100 points. Each shot must be called to count.
Bank Pool
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This variation is similar to the famous British game of snooker in that each shot into a pocket must consist of a called bank off a cushion. It is like 14.1 in that any ball can be put into any pocket and each successful shot is worth a point. Because of the increased degree of difficulty, most games are played to eight points.
Cribbage Pool
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Cribbage Pool shares its name with the popular game played with dice and cards. The goal is to pocket a ball of any number and then pocket another ball in which the tallies of the two numbers total 15. Examples include 7 and 8, 12 and 3, and 14 and 1. Every successful attempt is worth one point, and the goal is to score five points. The 15 ball is to be made last and counts as one cribbage alone.
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