Games With Two Cue Balls?

Aaron_S

Aaron_S

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
While I was washing my balls last night... :cool:, I noticed I had an extra cue ball in the rack, and it got me to thinking that someone smarter and more creative than myself could probably come up with some really cool games employing two cue balls. Perhaps there are some games out there already, but I haven't heard of them. Is anyone familiar with any "two cue ball" pool games? I'm envisioning something deeply strategic, like perhaps a new version of one-pocket, but I haven't come up with anything real specific at this point.

Aaron
 
Aaron_S said:
While I was washing my balls last night... :cool:, I noticed I had an extra cue ball in the rack, and it got me to thinking that someone smarter and more creative than myself could probably come up with some really cool games employing two cue balls. Perhaps there are some games out there already, but I haven't heard of them. Is anyone familiar with any "two cue ball" pool games? I'm envisioning something deeply strategic, like perhaps a new version of one-pocket, but I haven't come up with anything real specific at this point.
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Add a red ball and play 3 cushion on your pool table. The extra pockets and drag compared to a carom table would make the exercise quite interesting I suppose.

Or you could simply adapt a pool game's rules and require that one cueball hit the other when a ball is pocketed, else it's a foul. I can envision situations where you'd hide one of the cueballs somewhere and force your opponent to play a safety. I guess there are plenty of ways to be creative...
 
You should just use 2 balls and play some games. Perhaps non breaker's cb spots on the head spot, then play from there. Could be interesting.

there would be trouble differentiating bet the 2 balls though, assuming a matched set for both...
 
Black-Balled said:
You should just use 2 balls and play some games. Perhaps non breaker's cb spots on the head spot, then play from there. Could be interesting.

there would be trouble differentiating bet the 2 balls though, assuming a matched set for both...
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True, you would have to have one ball marked differently somehow, or use two different brands of cue balls. I agree that it could add an interesting element to some games, though, maybe even simple games like 9-ball. It would require a whole different strategy for safety play for one thing, not to mention the effect of just having one more ball in the way to play position around, etc.

I also thought about the possibility of creating a turn-based game, where each player shoots only one shot per turn and must choose to use their shot to try to either score points, improve their table position, or hurt their opponent's table position. Something more akin to chess, where each player has equal opportunity to be offensive/defensive.

Aaron
 
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Fastolfe said:
Add a red ball and play 3 cushion on your pool table. The extra pockets and drag compared to a carom table would make the exercise quite interesting I suppose.

Or you could simply adapt a pool game's rules and require that one cueball hit the other when a ball is pocketed, else it's a foul. I can envision situations where you'd hide one of the cueballs somewhere and force your opponent to play a safety. I guess there are plenty of ways to be creative...
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Yeah, I've tried to play carom-type games on a pool table before. It fun to try, but man those pockets really do take away a lot of shots.

Aaron
 
Shortly after I started playing I heard about a local good player giving a mark two cue balls. I think the mark had the option of which cue ball to shoot when it was his turn. I never got to ask the player about it, so don't know any other details. The mark NEVER won, by the way:grin:
 
Aaron_S said:
Yeah, I've tried to play carom-type games on a pool table before. It fun to try, but man those pockets really do take away a lot of shots.

Aaron
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Aaron

Cowboy Billiards and 38 are two Billiard game I know of that are played on pocket tables. In both games pocketing a ball and making a carom is extra points. I haven't seen those games played in a long time and they are great for learning position.
 
I've seen Marco Marquez practicing with two sets of balls (30 object balls + 2 cue balls) on the table. I forget what he was playing - guessing rotation. He took the option of using either cue ball at any time. I've also heard that Efren practices rotation with 30 object balls, but maybe only one cue ball.

I've tried playing standard games with two cue balls, but it was never interesting enough to stick with. Maybe we didn't try hard enough...

pj
chgo
 
8Ball48043 said:
Two balls .... What an interesting concept.
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Bob Jewett wrote an article for Billiards Digest years ago about a game called 2 Ball. I believe I have it printed out but due to two moves since I may not be able to find it. I'll look Friday.
 
There is Korean 4-ball, which is a variation on the game of 3 Cushion. Each opponent has their own cueball and must come in contact with the two object balls to continue their turn and gain points, there is no need to contact 3 Cushions during this phase of gaining points. Once reaching their final game point, they must complete contact with both object balls via a 3 Cushion shot.
 
A few years ago there was a pretty long thread in which several members helped to develop rules to a two ball game..

If I recall correctly JoeW and I were pretty into it at the time...


Might try seraching that one and see whatI can find.
 
smokeandapancak said:
A few years ago there was a pretty long thread in which several members helped to develop rules to a two ball game..

If I recall correctly JoeW and I were pretty into it at the time...


Might try seraching that one and see whatI can find.
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Interesting! I'll take a look. Thanks.

Aaron
 
its all i got to pass the time, plus azbilliards

its the only pool i get to play offshore tho lmao, that and satisfy my azbilliards addiction....


There I said it, I'm an Addict. :wink:
Grey Ghost
 
Aaron_S said:
I also thought about the possibility of creating a turn-based game, where each player shoots only one shot per turn and must choose to use their shot to try to either score points, improve their table position, or hurt their opponent's table position. Something more akin to chess, where each player has equal opportunity to be offensive/defensive.

Aaron
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That is an excellent idea. 8 ball with 2 cueballs... alternate break, alternate shots... ball in hand if the other player scratches his cue ball, BUT ball in hand for you if the other player sinks your cue ball. Other rules could stay just the same as BCA rules.

Might have to try it out... I have a regular and measle ball at home...
 
I like the idea of having 2 cueballs as "Weight" given to your opponent. Instead of giving someone the 7 ball, give them an extra cue ball. On each shot they can choose either cueball. If YOU were to foul they can get ball in hand with either one of the cueballs (thus getting it out of bad spots, etc.)

I could see one cueball being down on one end of the table by the 6 and 7 ball and the other at the other end cleaning up the 4, 5 and waiting down there for the 8 and 9.

This would be a huge advantage to lower rated players as they usually get in trouble move the cueball all over the place and getting out of line.
 
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