Play
American Pool
Forget stars and stripes. It’s spots and stripes are the name of the game on our large Amercian Pool tables.
You can also forget the green baize you might be used to with English Pool. Our tables from the good old U S of A, are blue, and the very best in the country.
Don’t worry. The eight-ball version game in the States is very similar to its English counterpart and it won’t take you long to get to grips with this fast and exciting game.
The rules
RACK UP
It’s easy to get started! Gather your mates, grab some drinks, and ‘Rack Up’ the balls just like the image above.
BREAK
The first player ‘breaks’ by hitting the white cue ball into the other balls. For a good break, 4 of the balls must hit the cushions at the edge of the table.
SPOTS OR STRIPES?
If you pot a stripe, then the striped balls are yours (or spots if you pot one of them). You must then try and pot all your balls in to one of the tables’ pockets. Fail to pot and it’s the other person’s turn.
WIN!
To win, pot all your balls first and finish with the black ball. Wild celebrations and taunting of the opposition are optional!
Foul play
THAT’S MY BALL
A foul is given for failing to hit any ball on the table with the cue ball, hitting the cue ball into a ball that isn’t yours – before it hits one of yours – or potting the cue ball.
WATCH THE BLACK
You automatically lose the match if you pot the black ball before all your other balls. You can also lose by potting the black ball, raising your hands to celebrate, and the white balls rolls into the pocket as well. Hitting the black ball off the table is another great way to lose!
CONDUCT
Your time at Rileys playing American Pool is meant to be friendly. Nobody likes to be jeered or put off when they are about to take their shot. Be a good sport. Or not. It’s up to you!
PARTY TIME
Looking to mix it up, try one of these fun variations of the game:
Killer Pool
A multi-player version of the game that’s perfect for parties. Take one shot before handing it over to the next player. Each time you miss, you get a letter on the way to K-I-L-L-E-R. Win by being the last player at the table. Check out our blog post for more on the rules and tactics.
One-pocket Pool
Sometimes it’s just too easy to play with six pockets. This alternative game brings out your tactical side a bit more. The player making the break starts by choosing a particular pocket that they will need to pot into for the rest of the game. The second player then nominates a different pocket with the same restrictions. A point is scored for each pot and it’s first to eight. Three consecutive fouls and it’s game over!
Cut-Throat Pool
A three-player match in which the objective is to keep your balls on the table. Divide the 15 numbered balls into three sets (i.e. 1-5, 6-10, 11-15). Legally pot your opponent’s balls into they’re out. Win by keeping yours out the pockets.