Japanese 9-Ball Variant

RedEyeJedi

RedEyeJedi

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
From time to time I really enjoy watching these Japanese guys play out of PowerSpace Billiards on this live stream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/powerspace-live

Right now they're playing a strange version of 9-ball that they actually play quite often. It's like a ring-game format, I've seen as many as 5 of them playing it together. Some strange rules include: balls spotted in the center of the table instead of traditional 'spot shots', and when they make the 9, they have to leave the cue ball in the kitchen. If they fail to do so, it results in a traditional spot shot on the 9, though they still need to leave the cue ball in the kitchen. Sometimes it also seems like it's total offense and safeties aren't allowed unless accidental.

What I'm wondering is if anyone is familiar with an American equivalent of this game, and if there's some sort of rule-book for it? Seems like a fun game to play with friends.

Thanks to anyone that can help!
 
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There was a group of Japanese players out by me a few years ago that also played this game all the time. I don't know if there is a rulebook or where it could be found, but I can tell you what they taught me (i played with them on a number of occasions).

PM me if you would like.
 
Here's the basic rules for how I play at my local hall in Tokyo:

5 and 9 are money balls, 5 is worth 1 point and 9 is worth 2.
Balls pocketed in the side and worth double and a break and run (cue ball must come to rest in the kitchen on the final shot) doubles your score for the whole rack.
On a foul or scratch (and depending on the position of the balls), the cue ball can be placed in the kitchen OR left as it lies and object ball can spotted on the footspot, center spot OR played as it lies (incoming players choice).
On pocketing the 9, if the cue ball comes to rest outside of the kitchen, 9 is respotted on the footspot and the next player in line shoots the cue ball from where it lies.
(There are many local variations with very different rules as well)

It can be a very expensive game depending on how much you bet per point, as a lot of players are very good at playing shape for side pocket shots and break and runs being very common among good players. Because of this, players have moved to playing Japanese 10 ball(no call shots) with the 5 and 10 as money balls.
 
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