Pool (game) Guide!

Hello UE and welcome to my 4th guide. This one is going to be about the great, and often tricky, game of pool.

Straggler's Guide to Pool and Pool-Related Games

Sec 1- Intro to Pool, Supplies needed to play

Sec 2- Rules of the Game

Sec 3- Other pool games

Sec 4- Tips and Tricks to becoming a better pool player

____________________________________________

Sec 1- INTRO TO POOL AND SUPPLIES

Pool is a very entertaining game that can be played with 2+ players. Now, we've all seen people playing pool, and people who are very good at pool, but we may not know how to become so ourselves. This guide will show you a few of those things.

First off, you're going to need a table. You don't have to buy one, as there are many other places you can play pool other than your own home, but I assure you that it's money well spent. My family purchased a table in 2007 and since then I have become the best among my friends, family, and really anyone who wants to play me. We own a Highland Series Limited edition 7-foot table, a very nice one:


It's a make similar to that one, only with a green top. Make sure that if you buy a table, it fits the dimensions of the room well: don't purchase a table that just barely fits, otherwise you won't have room for 5-foot cues as well. Tables can range from $300-2000+, but the ones you'd buy would be within that radius. You don't have to buy your own table. You can practice at a local arcade, or pool hall, or friends house, or even online. However, the online version has only slight resemblance to the real version. But, if you're so inclined:

http://www.candystand.com/play/billiards#

Okay, you're also going to need some cues. I have a couple of 22 ounce and 18 ounce cues which work great, I suggest these weights.



18 oz cue, adjustable so that you can unscrew it when it won't fit against the wall. Ideal.

You'll also need 15 balls of course, 8 solid, 7 striped. And if you don't have one, a pool triangle, for aligning the balls before a break:


Notice how the 8-ball is in the middle. This is how you're going to want to set up your triangle every time, so that the 8 ball has a very low chance of going in the first hit. If it does, you automatically lose D:

Chalk is also good if you don't have it, put it on the tip of the cue. If you've ever hit a ball and it only nicks it or spins in a weird way, chalk will instantly solve that. This is what I mean:


Finally, you'll need people. You can play with just one friend, but don't worry if you've got a lot of people! Pool can still be fun with a crowd!

Sec 2- Rules of the Game

8-Ball

-First, place the balls into the triangle, with the 8 ball in the middle, like above^.
-Next, position the cue ball in the center of the two second dots on the other side of the table, like so:

-Next, just hit the cue ball towards the triangle of balls! If a solid color goes in, you're solids. If a stripe goes in, you're stripes
- Depending on which type goes in, you'll now have to try to hit all of that same type in. Hit balls in by hitting the cue ball so that it ricochets off towards a pocket.
-If you hit an opponent's ball in, or vice versa, it counts for the other player!
-If the cue ball goes in, or goes off the table, take out any ball you put in on that shot, and put it on the black circle indicated on that table (they all have one). Put the cue ball in the place where you put it during the break. It's now the other player's turn. This is called a scratch.
- Once all of the balls have been put away except for the 8 ball, the object is now to get the 8 ball in. For the 8 ball, you must say which pocket it is going in. If it goes in the wrong one, you lose. So be careful. Also, if the 8 ball goes in before you have all your balls in, the other player wins.
-Whoever gets the 8 ball in the right pocket wins!

Now you know how to play basic 8-ball, if you didn't.


Sec 3- Other pool games

TEAM 8 BALL
This game is played when there are than two players, but there has to be an even number. Basically, instead of alternating shots between two players, you join a team with someone and hit every other shot for either stripes or solids, depending on what your team gets.

NUMBERS
This game is played when there are 3 players. One player breaks, and if they get numbers 1-5, 6-10, or 11-15 in, they have to continue to try to sink that number set. The 8 ball is of course disregarded, and if it goes in, it's just a plus for the person who has 6-10. The person who gets all their balls in first, wins.

COMBUSTION
This is a game where you put 15 numbers, written on slips of paper, into a hat. Each player pulls out a slip with a number and shows nobody. This can be played with up to 15 players. The goal is to knock in all of the balls except yours, so it has some skill and some luck. The last player with their ball remaining at the end wins. So, If player 1 gets 6, player 2 gets 15, and player 3 gets 10, and player 3 hits in 6, player 1 is out. If player 2 hits in 10, then he wins. Simple but very fun game to play with a larger group of friends if somebody has a pool table-good for parties, etc.




Sec 4- Tips and Tricks to becoming a better pool player

Hitting:
-Make sure you have plenty of chalk on your cue, trust me, it helps.
-Always hit the center of the cueball, regardless of where it's going to go. This will give you the most accuracy.
-You can work out a position that works for you, but I usually hold the cuetip with my thumb and index finger and rest it on my hand.
-Put spin on the ball when you can! Do this by hitting the ball at an angle. You'll get better if you just practice trying to get a specific ball in a specific pocket, trust me.
-Don't always put your full power into a shot. For straight shots, power is ok, but if you're going for an angle, it can mess up your accuracy and spin if you aim too hard at a ball

Tips for play:
-To decide who breaks, if you can't, bounce for break. This means, one player hits the cueball against the opposite wall of the table. Whoever gets closest to the wall nearest them gets to break
-You may have to use a short cue for some shots. Remember that this cue has much less power, so put more power into your shot with it.
-If you have a ball really close to a pocket, you don't always have to go right for that ball! Block the pocket with it and get a more difficult one in. If it's right in front, you can keep it there and hit it in with ease on your last ball. Trust me, it's a good strategy.



That sums up my pool guide! If anyone would like to add anything, or make any suggestions, I will listen to you! Please give me honest feedback. Thanks.