Eight ball pool has become a popular billiards game. You can play one or two players. The object is to collect all of the balls within a given group. Although eight ball pool may seem easy to play, it requires skill. You must also know the rules of the game and execute the proper called shots.
There are many variations and rules to eight ball pool. But the basic game is still the same. To place the eight balls in the designated pocket, players use a cue or an "8-ball". When the 8-ball is sunk, the player who pockets it wins the game. A re-spotted eight-ball, or scratch on a shot, gives the opponent a "ball in hand" and the opportunity to win the game. The game ends if the 8ball is not dropped before the last ball.
There are many names for the game, such as snooker and pounce. The game is more about finesse and judgement than it is about hitting harder than your opponent. It is possible to win if you play more aggressively.
Along with a black eight-ball, sixteen object balls are used in the game: fifteen solids plus one striped. The solids are divided into nine numbered balls (the "mimic" or apex ball at the front of a triangle) and one numbered "cue ball." This cueball is also black and does not need to sunk prior to hitting the eighth ball.
The eight-ball can be used to demonstrate the physics behind the game. The eight-ball lies centered in the rack. It is the apex and center of a triangle shaped pyramid. To shoot it, the player must position the cueball all the way to right on the Baulk lines.
Eight ball pool is very easy to play. But it takes skill and finesse to hit the cue ball correctly, so it is recommended that you practice it at a friend's house or at a local pool hall. After you have mastered the basics, it will be fun to expand your repertoire with other variations.
When you play, it is important to remember that eight ball pool rules vary from country to country. Although the main rule is to not knock out the eight ball, there are other rules that may be common across countries. Some countries require that the rack be made up of the same colors and stripes. Others prefer a more flexible approach. Regardless of your preferred style of play, you can be sure that eight-ball pool is an entertaining, fast-paced game that can help you demonstrate your knowledge of geometry and physics.
During the break, you have a chance to shoot the eight-ball or any of the other numbered balls in the rack. The break is legal as long as it does not end in the wrong pocket.