Dec 27, 2001 11:15 PM
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(Updated Dec 27, 2001 11:15 PM)
For anyone who thinks this is a review on a swimming pool, please consult your local Websters Dictionary to find the correct definition. Pool is a game played on a table, not water!
Pool is a very fun game to play with friends or family. A large table with 6 holes (called pockets), a cue ball(the white ball) and 15 other colored striped and solid are the other balls.
The object of the game is to knock all the balls into a pocket with the long wooden cue stick. You hit the cue ball towards the ball that you want to sink into the pocket and if you succeed you get to go again.
Solids and Stripes
Pool can be extremely hard game to get the hang of. There is math involved with every shot. Each shot will not always be a straight one into the pocket. You need to hit the ball intended to go in a pocket at such an angle that it will go straight in.
If you get your ball in, but the cue ball also goes in that same pocket or any other pocket, it is called a scratch, and your oppponent can shoot the ball from anywhere.
The way I usually play solids and stripes is that upon breaking the pack of balls in the beginning, whichever ball you get in first is the ball color that you have to get. So if you get a striped ball in, you have to get all the stripes in, WHILE calling all pockets.
After getting all those balls in of your color, the Neutral Black Ball must be called into a pocket.
Overall Thoughts
There are other variations of the game such as snooker which one can play, but the rules are more complicated than the regular Stripes versus Solids. Some tables have bumpers which help you take bank shots (a shot off the side and into the pocket). You can purchase a table from a price range of $500 - $3000. The more expensive tables have the ball holders and nicer fabric. You can play pool at a local hall for just a few dollars a game, or a fixed rate per hour. Either way, pool is great and I suggest you take in a game to see what it is like!
