6 Different Pool Games At The Pub You Should Know

Did you know there are more pool game variations than 8-ball pools? Do you know about Carom or One Pocket and how to play them? In this guide, Pearson Cues will help you learn about six different pool games and their basic rules. 

6 Fun-Filled Different Pool Games for Everyone

1. Carom

Among the different pool games, Carom or Carambola is a game played on unique tables without pockets. Few places have these unique tables, but more and more people are getting interested in the game lately.

There are two white balls for two players and one red object ball. Players hit their cue ball to score points, so it goes over their opponent’s cue ball and into the object ball in one shot.

There are different game versions, like one where you aim to hit the balls along straight lines and another called Balkline, which has stricter rules and requires players to divide the table into balk spaces.

2. Balkline and Straight Rail 

Balkline is a type of Carom pool billiards game in which a red ball is used instead of a white one. It has two cue balls. The table is 10 x 5 feet and doesn’t have pockets, but it has lines called balklines dividing it.

Initially, the game was called straight rail and didn’t have balklines. You had to hit both object balls with your cue ball in one shot to get a score. The first player to reach the set points will win.

Some players thought the game was too easy because they scored many points. So, they added balklines to make it more challenging and exciting to watch.

3. Pocket Billiards – Pool

Pool is a flexible game in different types of pool games, including various games played on a table typically seven, eight, or nine feet long. Some different games of pool are below:

• 8-ball pool: 8-ball pool is the standard game with 15 colored balls and a cue ball. After the break, you must pocket their set of balls (either stripes or solids) and final by 8-ball to win.
• 9-ball pool: In this 9-ball pool game rule, you need to pocket the balls in order from 1 – 9 and then last pocket the 9-ball to win.
• 10-ball pool: Like a 9-ball pool, you must pocket the 10-ball to finish and win the game.
• One-pocket: In this game, you pick a pocket and then pocket a certain number of balls into it before your opponent does.
• Bank pool: In  bank pool, you should use techniques to hit and control your balls so that they bounce off the table’s edges and then pocket.
• Straight pool: In all types of pool games, you can only pocket any ball on the table to reach a specific total score in this gameplay.

4. Classic Eight-Ball

The 8-ball pool is the most common game in pool variations, and you’ll probably find it easily at most pool halls, dive bars, and pubs. In this game, you use a white cue ball, seven solid-colored balls, seven striped balls, and a black 8-ball. The table has six pockets.

The balls group together, and one player will start by taking the first shot, called the break shot. If you pocket a solid-colored ball legally, you must only hit it with solids. If you pocket a striped ball, you only play with stripes.

The goal is to pocket all your assigned balls first and then hit the 8-ball in a pocket. If you pocket the 8-ball before finishing your balls, you will lose the game.

5. One Pocket

If you want to play a more challenging game, try one pocket. Its name comes from the game rule: The table has 6 pockets, but each player can only use one at a time. 

You can play with two people or two teams. Each side gets one bottom pocket. The other four pockets are neutral, so any balls pocketed are returned to the table after each turn.

To win the game, you should pocket the most balls in your chosen pocket before your opponent does. It’s all about strategic thinking, not just hitting balls around, so it tests your pool skills.

*Note: If you accidentally put it in the opponent’s pocket, the opponent will get a point, and it’s the end of your turn, as it’s a foul.

After a foul, players put back the balls, and the next player will play. 

Remember, you automatically lose the game if you foul three times in a row.

6. Snooker

Snooker is also a popular pool billiards game. It uses a six-pocket table(about 12 x 6 feet and more extensive than a regular pool table), one white cue ball, and 22 colored balls.

In snooker games, players start by pocketing a red ball, then the other balls in order. The name “snooker” comes from a critical strategy: when you “snooker” your opponent, you make it hard for them to hit their ball in a straight line.

Each time you pocket a ball, you can get points and keep shooting as long as you stay pocketing balls.

But if you hit the wrong ball, it’s a foul, and the other player gets a point.

*Note: Remember not to hit and pocket the white cue ball, as you can lose your turn.

Conclusion

Pearson Cues provided 6 different pool games to give you a bucket list of new games to try and enjoy much fun. From different ways to play pool, easy or challenging, all the game rules and tips are in this guide. 

Gather your friends, grab your cues, step away from the usual pool games, and try different pool table games to find enjoyment.