How do you run a "ring game"

gobrian77

gobrian77

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm no gambler.:embarrassed2:

I've recently joined a local eight-ball league, and I plan to have some players over to the house on occasion to play nine-ball as I really prefer the game (plus, the bar tables we play on are abysmal- way worse I'm sure than anything most of you have encountered as they are not only beaten-up but constantly exposed to heat and humidity as they are in open-air environments- my home table is a bit better than that:smile:).

I've heard a lot about "ring games" and how they can accommodate several players at once, but I'm not sure exactly how they work- it's probably not too difficult, but I figured I'd better ask before I try to set one up and look like an idiot (hey- wouldn't be the first time:rolleyes:).

If someone could give me a quick run-down I would really appreciate it.:thumbup:
 
In Thailand...

gobrian77 said:
I've heard a lot about "ring games" and how they can accommodate several players at once, but I'm not sure exactly how they work- it's probably not too difficult, but I figured I'd better ask before I try to set one up and look like an idiot (hey- wouldn't be the first time:rolleyes:).

If someone could give me a quick run-down I would really appreciate it.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

Brian,
In a ring game the players all play as individuals and play in an order determined by who wins. Typically the winner breaks, and the guy who shot last (sold out) gets to shoot second. the other players keep their order.

The way we play in Bangkok, the guy who sells out gives the winner B100. For a break & run, everybody gives the winner B200.

In the US, everybody usually gives the winner money, there is no bonus for a B&R, and there is often money on the 5. Sometimes the order stays the same, but that is an advantage for certain players. I prefer to rotate the order.

When you come to Bangkok next month I'll arrange a ring game so you can watch (or play if you're feeling brave.) We play ring games all the time at Players near Asok.
 
I've only played in a couple of 9-ball ring games ...

but my ah-ha moment was when someone told me that each incoming player didn't have to accept the shot they were left. They could play as many "push shots" in a row as they liked (like after the opening break) until they wanted to shoot the shot or the opponent accepted the shot. So, I had no problem once I was able to play multiple push shots in a row (and made sure the two guys working at the place weren't allowed to play after each other and set up their buddy when there were 4 or more in the game).

Otherwise, all the other normal 9-ball rules are the same.

If this is incorrect, others please educate me.
 
Search UTube. They have many hours of ring games. You should be able to pick up the gyst of the game by listening to the announcers.
 
Many Ways To Play

WoodyJ said:
but my ah-ha moment was when someone told me that each incoming player didn't have to accept the shot they were left. They could play as many "push shots" in a row as they liked (like after the opening break) until they wanted to shoot the shot or the opponent accepted the shot. So, I had no problem once I was able to play multiple push shots in a row (and made sure the two guys working at the place weren't allowed to play after each other and set up their buddy when there were 4 or more in the game).

Otherwise, all the other normal 9-ball rules are the same.

If this is incorrect, others please educate me.
Click to expand...

I've played ring games with push outs and without. In Thailand they play no push out ring games. I actually prefer it that way.
 
Cuaba said:
Brian,
In a ring game the players all play as individuals and play in an order determined by who wins. Typically the winner breaks, and the guy who shot last (sold out) gets to shoot second. the other players keep their order.

The way we play in Bangkok, the guy who sells out gives the winner B100. For a break & run, everybody gives the winner B200.

In the US, everybody usually gives the winner money, there is no bonus for a B&R, and there is often money on the 5. Sometimes the order stays the same, but that is an advantage for certain players. I prefer to rotate the order.

When you come to Bangkok next month I'll arrange a ring game so you can watch (or play if you're feeling brave.) We play ring games all the time at Players near Asok.
Click to expand...


Hey- I'll play.:grin-square:

Hmmm... I really had a few things wrong in my mind.

OK- so let's say we've got four players- #1, #2, #3, #4

Questions:

1. How do you determine who breaks the first game? Lag, coin flip, whatever?

2. Do players ever pool money at the beginning (let's say everybody tosses in 500)- 50 on the 5 and 100 on the 9- a player takes from the pool if he sinks either of those balls)? So, #1 sinks the 5 and takes 50- #2 ends up sinking the 9 and takes 100- now #2 breaks the next rack and things continue in order with no one taking a big hit. I realize with the way you explained it it's easier for players to drop out and new players to join.
 
A 9 Ball ring game is simply 9 ball played with more than two players. Determine order of play any way you want - cut cards, flip coins, pull pills, etc.

Usually you will have say $1 on the 5 ball and $2 on the 9 ball (whatever $ everyone agrees to). You can change the order as often as you want, usually about every 6 games if there are 6 players. This way no one guy gets sandwiched between the 2 best players for the whole night.

The BIG issue with ring games is in playing safeties and hooks. Generally, playing safe is very, very frowned upon. It then is up to everyone to be honorable. Often a shot when missed will smell an awful lot like an intentional safety (or at minimum a "two-way" shot) to the guy who is shooting next, especially if the shooter didn't accomplish position on the next ball.

Not saying this will be a problem with your group of guys, but just wanted to let you know. So get this straight before the game starts.

Whoever sinks the money balls collects that amount from each player. You can settle up after every game or move coins around the diamonds, one diamond for each unit won. When you settle (say because someone leaves or enters) you settle up. Each guy pays the guys who have coins ahead of him however many units the coins ahead are from his coin, and collects from the guys who have coins behind him.
 
Whatever Works

gobrian77 said:
1. How do you determine who breaks the first game? Lag, coin flip, whatever?

2. Do players ever pool money at the beginning (let's say everybody tosses in 500)- 50 on the 5 and 100 on the 9- a player takes from the pool if he sinks either of those balls)? So, #1 sinks the 5 and takes 50- #2 ends up sinking the 9 and takes 100- now #2 breaks the next rack and things continue in order with no one taking a big hit. I realize with the way you explained it it's easier for players to drop out and new players to join.
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Answer #1: You can lag, flip coins, etc. Usually flip coins in the US, and play two way Rock, Paper, Scissors in Bangkok (leave out the scissors.)

Answer #2: I've never seen guys pool money before the game. I guess it would work?
 
The thing I like about the "pooling money" deal is that a weaker player won't take too big of a hit and still has a chance (slim though it may be) to win some $.
 
DogsPlayingPool said:
... The BIG issue with ring games is in playing safeties and hooks. Generally, playing safe is very, very frowned upon. It then is up to everyone to be honorable. Often a shot when missed will smell an awful lot like an intentional safety (or at minimum a "two-way" shot) to the guy who is shooting next, especially if the shooter didn't accomplish position on the next ball.

Not saying this will be a problem with your group of guys, but just wanted to let you know. So get this straight before the game starts.
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Double dog you bet ya to that! That was my main issue the couple of times that I played especially when I got sandwiched between the two guys working at the place.

I've always seen pool as a one-on-one sport and when I approach each individual shot it's either offense or defense or very often I'll play a harder 2-way shot over an easier simple shot. When you take defense away from the game and impose an "honest effort" morality requiring all offense, problems and bad feelings will tend to rise.

I'm game for anything that's fun and stays that way.

As for ring games, not my cup of tea in general but fun when trying to be sociable.

Personally, if there's an even number of players (2 or 4) I'd prefer to play teams (either mixed or scotch doubles and random draw for partners is O.K.). If there's an odd number of players (3 or 5) cut-throat. Six or more players, count me out because I'll fall asleep or loose interest before my next turn.

That way it's still a one-on-one game (either individually or teams) and cuts out the possibility of the "brother-in-law" B.S.
 
On a side note, I've got my first tourney on Thursday (and possibly Friday if we play well enough)- I got on a six-man team (there are six teams total) so we'll play as a group in both singles and doubles matches- I had to try out for the last spot- with no practice on an unfamiliar (and awful) table I sank all seven solids from the break (missed the eight but sunk it on my next turn)- that's WAY above my usual speed, but I made the team.:thumbup:
 
WoodyJ said:
Double dog you bet ya to that! That was my main issue the couple of times that I played especially when I got sandwiched between the two guys working at the place.

When you take defense away from the game and impose an "honest effort" morality requiring all offense, problems and bad feelings will tend to rise.

I'm game for anything that's fun and stays that way.
Click to expand...

I agree that safety play is part of playing pool (I'm an old straight pool player by upbringing :wink:). But safety play in a ring game is what produces bad feelings more than everyone just honestly trying to make legal contact. The problem is that you are not playing one on one. It's not unusual to go for quite a while in a ring game without a decent shot anyway, but when you intentionally hook someone it creates a bad vibe because the next shooter is selling out to someone else entirely. This pisses everyone off since that next guy gets a huge advantage on everyone with ball in hand. BIH is obviously part of the game but at least if it happens "innocently" everyone can deal with it. It can also make it look as thought their are some silent partnerships going on.

It's only human nature. How would you feel if you haven't had a decent shot in the last hour then the guy in front of you intentionally hooks you? It sucks, I'll tell you that much.

Maybe the answer is no safeties allowed, but no BIH either. Play the CB from where it comes to rest and everyone just makes an honest attempt to kick.

Anyway, that's why I like to keep ring games social, a friendly get together for small stakes only. :thumbup:
 
Does anyone have a specific YouTube ring game link?

I found this- Billiards - Diamond Bank Pool Ring Game Lesbians- I don't think that's what you were referring to.:wink:
 
DogsPlayingPool has it down pretty good. I've never played in a ring game with pushouts! I've only even heard of this recently and I've been playing pool since 1962 or thereabouts. Anything on Youtube or anywhere else with announcers is probably a different game entirely. Tournament ring games are another animal altogether.
I've played games with so much on the 5 and 9 and I've played ring games with races to 10 with a point for each 5 and 9 for a flat amount.
Good luck.
 
If you have 3 or more players, play 10 ball.
Determine order by coin toss. Odd man goes first, the rest flip again, etc..
We play $1 on the 5 ball and $2 on the 10.
Person who makes the money ball gets paid by all.
Keep track by having everyone use different coins.
Everytime a money ball is made move your coin one or two diamonds.
No safeties.
No pushouts.
On a foul, the next player has the option to shoot or give it back.
On a scratch, you shoot from the Kitchen.
If the lowest numbered ball is in the Kitchen, it gets spotted.
Any legal shot that pockets the 5, it stays down and you get paid.
Any legal shot that pockets the 10 while the 5 is still on the table, you get paid and the 10 gets respotted.
If the 5 has already been pocketed and the ten is made on a combo, carom or such, it stays down and the game is over.
When keeping track by coins, if only one player is at 0 and the other players are in the money, when the player at 0 makes a money ball the other players coins can be moved back, instead of moving his forward.

This is how we play and there are many other options and preferences.

But just have fun!!!!!

I have another game we play when there are more players. I try to post that one up for you.

Best,

Russ.......
 
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Cool- very helpful run-down.:thumbup:

I'm gonna give it a shot and see what happens (though even with clear rules there are gonna be problems- the locals around here would rather part with their spleens that a couple of bucks:wink:).
 
Pea (pill) Pool

Another fun game when there are 4 or more players is pill (pea) pool.
This is how we play.

With 4 players, all 16 peas are used. Each player gets four peas.
When the one ball is pocketed, it immediately gets respotted and becomes the 16 ball.

With 5 players, 15 peas are used and each player gets 3 peas.

Peas are selected randomly from the bottle, no peaking!!

Select an order by picking one pea each, lowest number goes first, etc..
Select an amount $$ to play for, each pocketed ball is worth $$.

First player breaks, any balls made on the break get spotted.
All shots must be called, no slop, even on the break.

Safeties on the break and when you have no shot are highly encouraged.
You don't want to be the one selling out!!!!

When you make a ball that an opponent has, only that opponent pays you.
When you make a ball that you have the pea for, everyone pays you.

Keep the peas out of sight of your opponents, you don't want them to know what balls are yours.

Incoming player always has the option of pushing out. Up to three, after three fouls, everyone gets paid by the three fouler!

Whoever sells out pays everyone except the person who finished the rack.

Its easiest to pay off the shooter right away. I haven't found a good system to keep track on paper or with coins on the table.

There are probably things I am missing, but this should get you started.

Have fun!!


Russ........
 
gobrian77 said:
Cool- very helpful run-down.:thumbup:

I'm gonna give it a shot and see what happens (though even with clear rules there are gonna be problems- the locals around here would rather part with their spleens that a couple of bucks:wink:).
Click to expand...

Sounds like you need to just play for a small amount that everyone is happy with. We used to play for larger amounts, but play much cheaper nowadays. Everyone stays happy that way!!

We played the 10 ball ring game last night for about 2.5 hours and at the end, maybe 5 bucks changed hands!

We play the Pea Pool game for a quarter a ball and its pretty harmless.

No more $5 a ball games, got too expensive, luckily for me, I usually came out a winner...:thumbup:

Best,

Russ.....
 
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