New Pool Game called "Kulay"

Repository...

Another thread revitalized my interest in my own game. So here's a bump for this new game I invented along with a rule change and some other minor rules clarifications.

I'll be using this post as a repository for such rules issues, just in case anyone is actually playing this game.

The rule change is about what to do if you make the 8 on the break (which was never a way to win in Kulay). The rule change is that you now have the option to spot the 8-ball and continue your inning or re-rack and break again.

The other rule change I made shortly after inventing this game was that once a color has become "established" it remains established until all the colors of that pair are removed (before the table became open at the end of your inning so an incoming player always came into an open table). This rule was changed to cause the need for defensive play to make it more interesting and challenging.

Other than that, the rules have not changed in any significant way. It has proven to be a very "clean" game in terms of concept and rules.

Clarifications...

There is no 3-foul rule.

Making the 8 out of turn is not a foul or loss of game. You re-spot it and continue.

If you foul and make the 8 ball when you are SHOOTING the 8-ball, that is loss of game.

Thanks
Fatz
 
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Kulay-Koolie

Pre-Flag Master said:
I have invented a new pool game called "Kulay" (pronounced KOO-lie).

This game involves the colors of the balls, not the groups (as in solids and stripes), and not the numbers (as in rotation games). In this game you actually use the colors. It's sort of a cross between 8-ball and 10-ball.

Here's the general idea. You nominate a color of your choice and shoot that color. If you make your shot, that color is now "established". After pocketing all the balls of the established color, you may then nominate a new color and pocket them, and so on. After all colored balls have been pocketed, you shoot the black 8-ball for the win.

The goals for this new game were to invent a single rack game, where you play until the money ball is made, with no score keeping, no spotting (other than the money ball), using a full rack, that is harder than 8-ball and easier than 15 ball rotation.

It's also harder than 9/10 ball, but easier than one pocket. It has the puzzle solving aspect of 8-ball where you have to find good patterns. And it has the defensive safety play aspect of rotation games. I really like where this game falls in terms of challenge level. I think this game is fun for players of equal skill levels.

Kulay is Filipino for "color". The name "Colors" is already used for another game and I wanted something that sounded unique too. Efren is my favorite player, and the name is partly an homage to him as well. I think the Filipino word sounds "cool" (no pun intended) and I like to think Efren would like this game because it requires thought and creativity.

Some people have said this game is like various other games, such as Cribbage pool and SF's Colors to name a couple. After reading the rules for all the games stated as similar, I have come to the conclusion that there aren't any other games out there that play like Kulay. These other games use one similar concept, using the idea of balls that are paired in same way (usually by color). But the end result is not similar. It's like saying 1-pocket and straight pool are similar because you can shoot any ball you want.

Complete rules to follow. If you're planning on trying this game, please read them. They should be written to completely cover how to play. They are not as long as they seem. Most of it is just a rehash of the standard rules in terms of how they apply to Kulay.

Comments and questions are welcomed. I'm not trying to start a new enterprise here or make any money. I just thought it would be fun to do and if it works as well as I'm hoping, it will be fun to play. I hope others end up playing it and enjoying it too. I think the rules should be solid at this point. But I won't say absolutely set in stone.
Click to expand...

PreFlagMaster,
This sounds great and could be the start of something. I think I will give it a whirl. Send me a rules explanation to aimisthegameinpool@yahoo.com if you have one laying around somewhere on a document. I will give it a shot at my Friday/Sunday game and be back with comments.

I do believe the Pool is at a state where it needs to reinvent itself to some degree and this game sounds like something that makes sense because it sounds more challenging than 8-ball and a lot like the moves of 9-ball.

Great Idea.
 
336Robin said:
PreFlagMaster,
This sounds great and could be the start of something. I think I will give it a whirl. Send me a rules explanation to aimisthegameinpool@yahoo.com if you have one laying around somewhere on a document. I will give it a shot at my Friday/Sunday game and be back with comments.

I do believe the Pool is at a state where it needs to reinvent itself to some degree and this game sounds like something that makes sense because it sounds more challenging than 8-ball and a lot like the moves of 9-ball.

Great Idea.
Click to expand...

Hi Robin,

Thanks for the interest and praise. See post #2 for the complete set of rules. I don't have a formatted document. Just copy, paste, and print post #2. Also See post #22 for some rules clarifications and a (very brief) summary of rules changes (but post #2 has been edited and has all rules changes incorporated already).

I think it's a solid game as far as concept and rules. But I do think that racking pattern rules might need more development. Also, rules changes under consideration are; calling and making the 8-ball early (by carom/combo) would win the game, and adding a 3-foul rule.

I think it would be great to see the pros play this game. It's too tough for a good player to run racks regularly, but I'd like to see what pros could do.

It's easy to get into this game rules wise. But it's hard to stay with it. You really have to like the challenge. A LOT of people say something like it's too random and too much luck involved. The problem is that it is over their skill level (and mine too, but at least I know that). And yet it is easier than 15 ball rotation and one-pocket. When I first made this game, my buddies were a little interested in it for a while, but their interest fizzled pretty quickly. It's hard to get people to change from what they have always done.

And, I disagree that this is the game to shake the pool industry out of it's doldrums. I think pool needs a pro tour and an image change (ie. about hustling). The specific game itself won't have a lot of bearing on that. In fact I think one thing the IPT was on the right track about was using 8-ball because the average joe is familiar with it. If, after pro pool in the US ever makes a come back (which would take at least one generation), then switching to new games might fly - or just having various tournaments of different games. I'd love to see a pro Kulay tournament maybe once or twice a year.

But the reality is that pro pool making a come back is unlikely - let alone Kulay getting established like that. I have no such allusions. I just thought it would be fun to make and play a new game. And I hope that others might enjoy it too.

If you have any questions about how to play, or any comments after you have tried it, feel free to post. Also, read through this thread as I have posted some comments about strategies.

Fatz
 
Change the spelling...seriously.

You can tell people it's pronounced one way or the other all you want and it will make no difference. Anyone who speaks English as a primary language who sees it for the first time will say coo-LAY (most likely) or COO-lay. 99% guaranteed.

It's the oh-NEED-ers all over (with apologies to Tom Hanks).


Buddy

edit - just drop the "a" and it'll be fine...Kuly
 
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tatcat2000 said:
Change the spelling...seriously.

You can tell people it's pronounced one way or the other all you want and it will make no difference. Anyone who speaks English as a primary language who sees it for the first time will say coo-LAY (most likely) or COO-lay. 99% guaranteed.

It's the oh-NEED-ers all over (with apologies to Tom Hanks).


Buddy

edit - just drop the "a" and it'll be fine...Kuly
Click to expand...


Thanks for the input, but the name is based on a specific Filipino word, and changing it would be to make it incorrect. Also, honestly, I'm not sure that people pronouncing it incorrectly would be such a tragedy. :smile:

Fatz
 
Pre-Flag Master said:
Rules...


Standard Racking

  • 8-ball in the middle.
  • One color at the apex and on the foot spot, the other ball of that color in the middle of the back row.
  • No two balls of the same color on the same side of the rack.
  • No two balls of the same color in the same row.

Optional Racking

  • 8-ball in the middle.
  • All other balls placed at random.

Other optional racking patterns may be determined by player agreement. Place the 8-ball in the middle and try colored pairs arranged to make the game more/less challenging as the players see fit...
Click to expand...

Just a note, for standard racking it's not as hard as it seems to achieve this. After placing one color at the apex and on the foot spot, with the other ball of that color in the middle of the back row, and the 8-ball in the middle, then randomly place all the solids on one side of the rack and all the stripes on the other side. Then just make sure no two balls of the same color are in the same row.

Fatz
 
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