Another one of those posts that make you cringe but here goes: idea for game variation

[dquarasr]

Here's an idea for a pool game with modified rules. It probably works best with 14.1 but can be applied to 8-ball as well.

It's call pocket with a twist. You have to call your NEXT shot, too, not just the ball you're shooting. To get started, you call the pocket on the first ball of your turn, and the next ball. Miss your OB and your inning is over. Make your ball and you shoot again, but you have to shoot it in the pocket you called prior. Miss or make it in a different pocket, and the ball comes up and your turn is over.

At the end of the rack or end of an inning, of course, you start over; next turn at the table you call two shots.

All other rules are the usual you're accustomed to playing under.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

I'd play!

 

[Brookeland Bill]

So you’re calling one ball ahead. Not a bad idea. Straight pool players think this way to begin with. I was taught to think two balls ahead so one ball is not out of reach. Just have to have a little more detail for scratches (ball in hand or in “Texas”?).

 

[justadub]

We used to play that many years, often one more experienced player would have to play call ahead and the beginner just had to call the current shot. It was a different way of handicapping the stronger player, and still making it a bit closer of a matchup versus a beginner. Then occasionally the stronger player would have to call two shots ahead. We used it in 8-ball, I can see that it should work for 14.1, as well.

A good friend used to play that way with me, he was far stronger than I. After a few weeks, I started wanting to call ahead, too, even tho he was still far better. It was fun.

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Straight pool players think this way to begin with.

Sure, players of other games too - calling the second ball before shooting the first forces even more attention, planning and accuracy.

pj
chgo

 

[garczar]

You're right, i'm cringing. The games we have have stood the test of time. Really see no need for more games. This one seems kinda 'gimicky' to me. Whatever floats ur boat.

 

[Kentucky Rack Man]

I ran a pool hall back in late 70’s and this was the game I played with all newbies and you could quickly identify the potential and if they hung around it was very educational.

 

[pt109]

I want more than one option when I play position…it’s called percentage shape ….and it is skillful.

 

[straightline]

Very good developmental restriction. There are many - no count, call the break ball etc...
In short rack games you can require declaring an out after the break. Failure to do so results in a non scoring frame played out for the next break.

Knock yourself out...

 

[DaWizard]

I for one am still adament that there are new poolgames to be designed. Sure, the old games have stood the test of time, but thinking that pool cannot innovate is beyond me.

So I applaud any effort to innovate. Even snooker had a new variant (6 reds) that excites the fans!

 

[Flakeandrun]

This isn't a new game, but a fun modification to add to existing games (as a handicap or training exercise) - I'd play with you

 

[garczar]

I for one am still adament that there are new poolgames to be designed. Sure, the old games have stood the test of time, but thinking that pool cannot innovate is beyond me.

So I applaud any effort to innovate. Even snooker had a new variant (6 reds) that excites the fans!

Six red snooker has been around FOREVER.

 

[Rickhem]

I do this exact thing to help my girl start thinking about connecting the dots. Beginner players get ball-in-hand and just look for the easiest shot, but not what they'll do after, so this is my way of pushing that. I think it helps lower level handicaps a lot to get them thinking past their current shot.

 

[DaWizard]

Six red snooker has been around FOREVER.

Oh my bad, I thought it was new.

Regardless, innovating is always possible. And I think there's still plenty of room for exciting innovation.

 

[L.S. Dennis]

Here's an idea for a pool game with modified rules. It probably works best with 14.1 but can be applied to 8-ball as well.

It's call pocket with a twist. You have to call your NEXT shot, too, not just the ball you're shooting. To get started, you call the pocket on the first ball of your turn, and the next ball. Miss your OB and your inning is over. Make your ball and you shoot again, but you have to shoot it in the pocket you called prior. Miss or make it in a different pocket, and the ball comes up and your turn is over.

At the end of the rack or end of an inning, of course, you start over; next turn at the table you call two shots.

All other rules are the usual you're accustomed to playing under.

Interesting concept, worthy of being road tested although I don't see this being adopted anytime soon

 

[Bob Jewett]

We played it 60 years ago. The local record was 17. Only the next ball had to be called, not the pocket. I think it's a good way to show someone they don't have any precise position. I wonder if Mosconi or Eufemia ever tried it.

 

[Brookeland Bill]

Six red snooker has been around FOREVER.

Six ball wild was a snooker game we played in college in the 60’s.

 

[dquarasr]

We played it 60 years ago. The local record was 17. Only the next ball had to be called, not the pocket. I think it's a good way to show someone they don't have any precise position. I wonder if Mosconi or Eufemia ever tried it.

I mentioned this to one of my opponents last night. He said they play it all the time. I honestly didn't think I could be the only one to come up with it.

They also play a game where you shoot the object ball with your cue toward the CB, with the objective that the OB caroms into a pocket.

 

[SpiderWebComm]

Hasn't this already been created a long, long time ago? It's called 15 ball rotation, 9-ball, or 10-ball. But with a twist.

You don't even have to call the next ball out since it's numerically the next one. Just the pocket.

 

[robertod]

So in 14.1, I am about to break open the rack on a break shot and I have to call my next shot????

Seems to be tough call. Or do you eliminate the rule on opening break shots?