CUTTHROAT Rules and Variations … A Fun Pool Game for 3 or More People

[dr_dave]

FYI, I just posted a new video that discusses and demonstrates the rules of Cutthroat, a fun pool game played by 3 or more people. Important and useful variations are also covered. Check it out:

Contents:
0:00 - Intro
0:22 - Rules Summary
1:41 - Rule Details
2:29 - Strategy and Alternative Rules
---- 3:59 - “fancy shot” rules
---- 7:56 - “Doofus Dave” using 10-times-fuller system
9:32 - Game Variations
10:48 - Coin-Operated Table
12:16 - Wrap Up

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!

 

[WoodyJ]

When we play regular 3-person cutthroat we do 3 things differently:

(1) We always keep the same balls and rotate the break. Too hard for us old farts to remember which balls we are if we switch every game.

(2) When we rack, we have one of each player's balls on the corners and also one of each player's balls in the middle three.

(3) If you decide to shoot your last ball, you keep shooting and if you don't run the table you lose.

 

[skip100]

Once it becomes too easy to run out in cutthroat, you know you are starting to become a decent player.

 

[dr_dave]

When we play regular 3-person cutthroat we do 3 things differently:

(1) We always keep the same balls and rotate the break. Too hard for us old farts to remember which balls we are if we switch every game.

(2) When we rack, we have one of each player's balls on the corners and also one of each player's balls in the middle three.

(3) If you decide to shoot your last ball, you keep shooting and if you don't run the table you lose.

I like your differences, especially 3. I tried to present the game as it is most-commonly played. There are almost endless variations.

 

[dr_dave]

Once it becomes too easy to run out in cutthroat, you know you are starting to become a decent player.

Then you are ready for "running opponent balls in rotation" or "fancy shots only" rules.

 

[WoodyJ]

Once it becomes too easy to run out in cutthroat, you know you are starting to become a decent player.

Agreed. And, if the winner breaks, you can string a lot of balls together and go on a "reign of terror" according to the weaker players.

 

[WoodyJ]

Then you are ready for "running opponent balls in rotation" or "fancy shots only" rules.

We call "fancy shots only" rules by the name of "anything but". That is, "anything but" a regular straight in shot.

Edit: And, when you hit a rail first to make a ball barely off the rail, we say the object ball has to be either a cue tips width or chalk's width away from the rail (whatever you agree on).