How to Shoot Pool

The game of pool has been around for hundreds of years. Most commonly found in barrooms this game features a small, velvet covered tabletop with six pockets on it, one in each corner and two in the middle. The rules of the game are rather simple and playing it can be quite fun. These steps will show you how to shoot pool so you can start to enjoy this game.

Things You'll Need

• Pool table
• Pool sticks
• Pool balls
• Pool chalk
• Pool rack
• Friend to play with

Instructions

1. Rack the balls. Using the pool rack, place all of the pool balls in the rack and make sure that the 8-ball is in the center of the rack. Set the balls up on the opposite end of the table with about a foot of room on the table from the edge.

2. Line up the que ball. The que ball is lined up on the opposite end of the table and can not be place any further out than the second notch. All pool tables have several notches in the sides, usually white dots, which help players measure their shots and follow the rules.

3. Learn more about breaking and holding the stick. Rest the thin end of the stick in between your thumb and forefinger with about a foot of stick passing through. Use your other hand (holding hand) to grip the stick in the rear of the stick, about a foot from the end of the stick with your hand wrapped around it. You leverage the stick with your holding hand and apply a swift forward stroke while your other hand guides the stick. The goal is to use the que ball to knock other balls into an intended pocket.

4. Know that the rules of 8-ball pool are simple. One player breaks. If a color goes in (solids or stripes) they are that color. If two go in they have their choice. If three go in, two of one and one of another, they go with the majority. Players keep shooting balls into pockets until they miss a shot at which time the play switches to the opposite player. All players shoot balls into pockets until they have shot all of their colors in. Once this happens they have a shot at the 8-ball (black ball with number eight on it). Whomever gets to the 8-ball and pockets it first wins the game.

5. The rules of scratching in pool. If a player is taking a shot and the white que balls falls into a pocket they forfeit their turn. Additionally, the other player can place that que ball anywhere on the table for their own ideal shot. When this happens it is called a scratch.

6. Winning the game is all about the 8-ball. The idea of the game is to knock all of your balls in and get to the 8-ball first, and pocket it.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice makes perfect and this one takes a little bit of time to get good.

• Always call your shot so there is no question on whether or not you intended to make a shot.