How to Play Bumper Pool

Bumper pool became increasingly popular in the 1970s as more people wanted to have a pool game in their homes. The smaller table makes bumper pool ideal for smaller game rooms. Unlike many other pool games, you do not make use of a cue ball (struck by the cue stick) to hit other balls on the table.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• One red ball with a white dot
• Bumper pool table
• At least two pool cue sticks
• Four white balls
• One white ball with a red dot
• Four red balls
• At least one opponent or a partner and 2 opponents

Play Bumper Pool

1. Place the 'marked' ball (the ball with the dot on it) in front of the pocket with bumpers with the opposite color bumpers guarding the pocket. For example, the white ball with the red dot goes in front of the pocket guarded by red bumpers.

2. Place two balls on either side of the bumpers, near the back rail on the same end of the table where your marked ball is located. You should have five balls on the table.

3. Hit the marked ball off the rail to the right at the same time as your opponent (playing off the rail to his right). The player with the marked ball closest to or in his pocket plays again. If both marked balls go in the appropriate pockets, play a second ball in the same manner.

4. Shoot your marked ball into your pocket before you can play any other balls. If you play another ball before your marked ball is pocketed, your opponent can place two of his balls in his pocket.

5. Alternate shots during the game.

6. Take another shot when you make one of your balls in your designated pocket.

7. Win the game by getting your five balls into your designated pocket on the table before your opponent.

Tips & Warnings

• Like all other billiards games, you need to practice a lot to improve your skills.
• You cannot cause the ball you strike to jump another ball or any of the bumpers or your opponent can place two of his balls in his pocket.
• Shooting an opponent's ball causes a penalty allowing your opponent to place two of his balls in his pocket.
• If you cause a ball to leave the table, your opponent can place the ball anywhere on the table and can place two of his balls in his pocket.