Pool, a variation of billiards, has a rich history going back to the 1340s, and the faster you learn to play pool, the better you will enjoy the game. When the originators move the game from outdoors to indoors, they covered the tables with green cloth to remember the original grass surface. People still use green on most public tables, but professional events are trending toward blue, which is less straining for the eyes.
The sport has experienced ups and downs in popularity over the centuries, but it is still a beloved pastime of millions of people around the world. You would be hard-pressed to find a bar in the United States that did not have at least one table.
Any new player can learn the game by reviewing the basics.
Tools of Pool
The following is not a list of every single item you can see in a bar or pool hall, but it encompasses all you need to get started and enjoy the game.
- Table
- Balls
- Cue
- Bridge
- Chalk
Table
Pool tables come in many sizes. The only main rule is that they must be twice as long as wide to be considered regulation. Nine-foot tables are the standard for tournaments, while the seven-foot variety is most common in bars and public halls since they allow for more tables to fit in the space. Public tables are often coin-operated.
Balls
People made early pool balls out of materials such as wood or ivory. They were easy to damage and required frequent repairs. A synthetic polymer called phenolic resin forms modern pool balls. This material is easily moldable, provides a small amount of bounce and is tough enough to take a beating.
How many balls you use depends on the exact game you’re playing, but they typically come in sets of 16. Fifteen of these are colored balls numbered 1-15 and are broken down into two groups. Balls 1-8 are colored in one shade and referred to as solids. Balls 9-15 are white with a colored stripe going around the ball and are called stripes. The 16th ball is the all-white cue ball. Players use this ball to knock in the others.
Cue
Here is where things start becoming more personal. Cues are the sticks used to hit the cue ball. They come in various lengths and weights. The casual player is typically fine using cheaper cues made available with public tables, but the serious player gives strong consideration to the feel and design of their cues.
Some players also choose to use a breaking cue. This cue is heavier than a standard cue. Individuals use it solely at the beginning of a game at the break.
Bridge
The bridge stick is a type of cue with a special head that allows players to rest their cues on it to achieve a steady stroke for difficult-to-reach shots. Players who are not physically able to use both hands properly can also make use of the bridge.
Some players refer to the bridge as a “cheater stick,” but it is a legal and valuable tool for those who wish to use it.
Chalk
Pool chalk is a small square of blue chalk that players use to coat the tip of their cue to ensure it properly connects with the ball. A miscue is when a strike does not make solid contact, causing the ball to perform differently than the player intended.
It used to be common to use chalk before every shot, but high-quality, modern chalk holds better and does not have to be applied as often. Chalk prices vary, with some in single-digit prices and others in double.
There are several game variations you can play on a pool table, but the two most common are 8-ball and 9-ball. Each game has its own set of rules and strategies, so we will break them down and explain the basics of each.
The information below will cover a basic introduction to each game. You can get more details on the official rules of play for both 8-ball and 9-ball from the World Pool-Billiard Association.
Learn to Play Pool
To learn to play pool correctly, there a number of different pool-type games you can play. 8-ball and 9-ball are the most common, but you can also play a number of variant games.
It is also a good idea to get an understanding of some of the basic physics of the game of pool table.
8-Ball
The 8-ball game makes use of balls numbered 1-15. The game’s name is due to sinking the 8-ball being the determining factor of who wins or loses.
One person groups balls 1-15 in a triangular mold called a rack on one end of the table. The game begins with one player striking the numbered balls with the cue ball from the opposite end of the table in a move called the break. The player who first pockets a ball is then responsible for pocketing the remaining balls of that group — either stripes or solids. Once a player sinks all the balls in their group, they must knock in the 8-ball to win the game.
A player can lose the game early by knocking in the 8-ball before pocketing all the balls in their group.
9-Ball
The 9-ball variant gets its name based on the number of balls it uses. An individual racks balls 1-9 in a diamond formation with the 9-ball in the middle. A player breaks the balls, and whichever balls remain after the break must be pocketed sequentially from the lowest to the highest number. Whoever pockets the 9-ball when it is the last remaining one on the table wins.
9-ball differs from 8-ball in that if the 9-ball is pocketed out of turn, the offending player does not lose. The ball is instead spotted at a specific spot on the table, and play is resumed.
Conclusion
Pool can be an enjoyable experience no matter your skill level. It is a game that requires skill, patience and strategy. Players not only have their opponent to deal with but also themselves as they decide which shots to take to either pocket their ball or go on the defensive and block the other player from making the shot they would prefer. (See other games to play)
To learn to play pool quickly and correctly, one of the best way to develop better strategies is to gain experience. Just go play!
