Did you know that the name billiards came from the French word billee which means a ball?
All around the world people enjoy playing pool for fun. This popular game has been around for over 600 years, and it’s no surprise that the game is still enjoyed today.
If you’re interested in starting to play pool, you may be asking yourself, “how to play pool?” Keep reading to learn pool basics plus the rules of this fun game!
The Rack
In order to properly enjoy a game of pool, it is important to know the rules and how to rack pool balls. Racking the pool balls simply means arranging them in a specific way before starting the game.
There are many different ways to rack the pool balls, but the most common method is to arrange them in a triangle. The triangle should be tight so that the balls are touching each other. Once the balls are properly racked, the game can begin!
The Break
If you’re playing by yourself, you can just start shooting at the balls. But if you’re playing with someone else, you need to know the order of play. The player who breaks the rack can choose to have the cue ball in hand behind the head string (the break shot), or he can shoot from anywhere on the pool table.
If the player makes a ball on the break, he gets to take another shot. If he doesn’t make a ball, the other player gets to take the first shot and can then shoot at any of the balls on the table. If he sinks a ball, he gets to take another shot. But if he doesn’t sink a ball, his turn is over and it’s the other player’s turn.
The Shot
The first thing you need to do is to choose which type of pool game you want to play. Once you have chosen the game you want to play, you need to decide who goes first. This is usually done by flipping a coin.
You will need to use a pool cue to hit the white ball, also known as the cue ball. In order to ensure a clean and successful shot, it is important to test a cue for straightness. This can be done by holding the cue at eye level and sighting along the length of the cue.
The cue ball will then hit the other balls on the pool table. Your goal is to either pocket the balls or make the cue ball bounce off of the cushions and hit the other balls.
The Foul
If a player pockets the cue ball, it is a foul, and the other player gets to shoot. Players can also foul by incorrectly hitting the cue ball, pocketing the wrong type of ball, or failing to hit any balls at all.
If a player fouls twice in a row, the other player gets to play with the cue ball in the “push-out” position, meaning they can place the cue ball anywhere on the table before shooting.
The Fun in Playing Pool
In conclusion, playing pool is a great way to have fun and socialize with friends. By knowing the basics of the game, the rules, and the winning shot, you can enjoy yourself while playing and improve your skills. So get out there and start practicing!