How To Play Bumper Pool? 7 Bumper Pool Rules For Beginners
Key Takeaways
- How to play bumper pool? A bumper pool is a game designed for two players or teams of four. It is played on a specialized table with ten balls.
- A perfect bumper pool game needs a specialized pool table, balls, and cues.
- Top 5 bumper pool cues you should own to elevate your match.
What Is A Bumper Pool?
A bumper pool is a unique variation of billiards played on a smaller, octagonal, or rectangular table. Unlike traditional pools, it requires two players or teams of two.
The game involves ten red and five white balls, each set distinguished by a colored dot. Players aim to sink their balls into designated pockets using pool cues with specific rules governing gameplay.
How To Play Bumper Pool?
The bumper pool is played on a rectangular table with obstacles (bumpers) in the center. Each player or team aims to sink all their balls into their designated pockets but must first contact the rail with their cue ball before attempting to pocket it.
Players take turns shooting from behind the line until all balls are pocketed. The first one who legally pockets all their balls will win the game.
What Do You Prepare To Start A Bumper Pool Game?
Bumper Pool Table
The bumper pool tables have different shapes, which gives you different overall sizes. For example, you can purchase a rectangular or octagonal bumper pool table. Each type of pool table may come with different strategies to play. Depending on individual preferences and playing styles, you can choose the one that fits you most.
- Rectangular bumper pool table: The typical dimensions of a rectangular bumper pool table are 41.5” W x 57.5” L x 32” H. Generally, this size is best for playing and practicing.
- Octagonal bumper pool table: The standard dimensions for an octagon bumper pool table are 48” W x 48” L x 30” H. Besides, these tables are neither as long nor broad as rectangular tables.
Most standard tables have eight bumpers in the table center in a cross formation and two on every side. You can also find bigger tables with more bumpers in the middle.
How To Set Up A Bumper Pool Table?
Before setting up a bumper pool game, you should place the balls in their spots on the table. Most bumper pool tables have two bumpers around the pockets in a different color, red or white.
Each person plays with a pocket that has the color of their balls. Therefore, the player should place the red balls around the pocket with white bumpers and the white balls around the pocket with red bumpers.
In addition, the player should place the spotted ball directly in front of the pocket. The player should also put the other four balls on the pocket bumpers’ side or two on each side and space them evenly.
Bumper Pool Balls
You play bumper pool with ten balls, five red and five white. One spotted red ball and one spotted white ball signify each player’s starting ball. Stay tuned, keep scrolling down, and grasp the rules below.
Bumper pool balls are 2-⅛” in diameter. Therefore, they will be smaller than the standard 2-¼” American-style pool balls. Also, there’s no cue ball in the bumper pool. Instead, you strike the object balls with the pool cue.
Bumper Pool Cues
Because bumper pool tables are smaller than regular ones, you don’t need such long cues. Cues for bumper pool are usually 42” to 48” long.
However, the cue length to use still depends on how tall and long your arms are. For instance, young kids may be more comfortable with a 36” pool cue when playing bumper pool games. In contrast, for most adults, 48-inches is a better cue to choose.
7 Funky Rules To Play Bumper Pool Better
Each type of pool game has different rules. Therefore, billiard players need to know some basic rules for better matches.
- Unlike 8-ball, two bumper pool players shoot the marked balls simultaneously.
- The first ball, with the colored dot, must be hit to the right of the table.
- The player who gets their ball as close to their targeted hole or sinks gets to continue shooting. If the balls are the same distance away, or both players sink their balls, the shooter with the ball stopped first will continue playing.
- If it is their turn, both players must sink their spotted ball before shooting solid-colored balls. Their turn is over if they do not sink a ball after taking a shot.
- If a player hits their ball off the table, they must place it between the primary set of bumpers in the middle.
- If you make a ball you expect to defend with, your opponent gets to take two of their remaining balls and pocket them.
- The winner of the game is the one who sinks all the balls with the same color ring as their pool balls.
Tips In A Bumper Pool Game
The professional bumper pool players’ playing strategy is primarily based on defense and how to play pool. A carefully placed shot can put a ball in your opponent’s way, making it challenging to win their next shot.
For example, if your opponent makes a shot close to their pocket and you have not served yet, you can shoot one of your balls to knock away that ball close to the pocket. Next, you can make a more challenging shot for that ball to go in. With good aim, you could hit a ball toward your hole while defending an easy shot for your opponent.
Besides, the hole in the center of the table between all the bumpers is big enough for one ball to fit inside. Knocking any ball into this center hole takes that ball off the table and must be served again from the starting point.
Top 5 Pool Cues For A Better Bumper Pool Game
Pool Cue Name | Feature | Price |
| Around 1,195$ | |
Lucasi Hybrid LHC97 Natural Birds-Eye Maple Pool Cue |
| Around 890$ |
Players Technology Series HXT15 Two-Piece Pool Cue |
| Around 259$ |
Viper Signature 57″ 2-Piece Realtree Camouflage Billiard/Pool Cue |
| Around 46$ |
Champion Sports White Spider Maple Pool Cue Stick |
| Around 100$ |
FAQs
What is the object of the bumper pool?
The bumper pool’s objective is simple as below.
- There is no cue ball.
- The first player sinks all five balls into the opponent’s pocket.
- Based on the excellent bumper pool strategy, the players hit their balls directly with their cues.
Can you jump the bumpers in the bumper pool?
You can neither jump balls in the bumper pool nor over the bumpers.
Can you hit your opponent’s ball in the bumper pool?
In the bumper pool, it is generally not allowed to hit your opponent’s ball directly. The rules typically require each player’s cue ball to contact the rail (bumper) before hitting any other ball. This rule ensures fair play and prevents players from directly targeting their opponent’s balls without first playing a legal shot.
Dave Pearson
Dave Pearson, the world's leading pool entertainer, is renowned globally as the ultimate exhibition player.
Boasting 20 world records endorsed by the prestigious Guinness Book of World Records, Dave established a legendary history in the sport industry.
What happens if your ball goes in your opponent’s pockets?