Pool the customizable card game

[Rocket354]

I actually think a pool card game sounds interesting. Imagine this...

We're playing 9ball, I win the flip and break the balls and pocket a ball. My opponent then has the option of... 1 - allow me to use one of my cards on my next shot, or 2 - force me to use whatever card he selects from his cards. Could be a specific spin or speed or whatever.

Each player only gets so many cards, a certain amount of "spin" cards and a certain amount of "speed" cards. And there could be a few specialty cards that require a specific type of shot, like a stop shot or stun shot or power follow, or masse or kick or bank or jump shot.

Only one card is played for each shot, and the cards can't be reused.

I see a potentially challenging and fun game here!

I've started playing Crokinole (a game originally from Canada that is essentially finger pool/shuffleboard) and they have various card game accessories that do just that. If you're tired of playing the game straight then you can buy a deck of Crokinole cards that gives each player a random secret objective, and/or gives a universal rule change for that particular game, etc. I could definitely see something like that working for pool, although I'm guessing to gain traction it would have to be compatible with gambling.

On some level I feel that one of the biggest obstacles to people learning pool is that it is a very tough game. It takes a lot of experience and practice just to get decent. Something that allows people to feel a sense of accomplishment would probably go a long ways towards attracting and keeping new players. Think about how most people learn poker--wacky games with lots of wild cards. That's because poker in and of itself is boring for newbies--you don't have any hand half the time and most of the time you do have a hand it's a single stinkin' pair. But having quads vs straight flush (vs five of a kind, even) every other hand with wilds allows new players to enjoy the rush, so to speak.

So to recreate that feeling with pool, have cards with secret objectives like "you score an extra point this round if you run three balls in a row" or "score an extra point if you make a bank shot" or "score an extra point if you get ball in hand at some point" etc. Each player gets one randomly. Winning is a point or two and meeting your objective is another point. Players play to 10/15/20/whatever points. Then have rule change cards. One per game. "For this 9 ball game, each player may play one ball out of order at a time of their choosing." Stuff like that. Then there's variety and uniqueness to each game, that could entice more recreational players and, done correctly, might even be attractive to low-stakes gamblers.

 

[BC21]

I've started playing Crokinole (a game originally from Canada that is essentially finger pool/shuffleboard) and they have various card game accessories that do just that. If you're tired of playing the game straight then you can buy a deck of Crokinole cards that gives each player a random secret objective, and/or gives a universal rule change for that particular game, etc. I could definitely see something like that working for pool, although I'm guessing to gain traction it would have to be compatible with gambling.

On some level I feel that one of the biggest obstacles to people learning pool is that it is a very tough game. It takes a lot of experience an practice just to get decent. Something that allows people to feel a sense of accomplishment would probably go a long ways towards attracting and keeping new players. Think about how most people learn poker--wacky games with lots of wild cards. That's because poker in and of itself is boring for newbies--you don't have any hand half the time and most of the time you do have a hand it's a single stinkin' pair. But having quads vs straight flush (vs five of a kind, even) every other hand with wilds allows new players to enjoy the rush, so to speak.

So to recreate that feeling with pool, have cards with secret objectives like "you score an extra point this round if you run three balls in a row" or "score an extra point if you make a bank shot" or "score an extra point if you get ball in hand at some point" etc. Each player gets one randomly. Winning is a point or two and meeting your objective is another point. Players play to 10/15/20/whatever points. Then have rule change cards. One per game. "For this 9 ball game, each player may play one ball out of order at a time of their choosing." Stuff like that. Then there's variety and uniqueness to each game, that could entice more recreational players and, done correctly, might even be attractive to low-stakes gamblers.

I like this! I was just thinking of a challenging game edition between good/experienced players. But there could be a beginner or novice edition also, and it could have cards like "Shoot Again" or "Move an Obstructing Ball" or "Take Ball in Hand" or "Remove Any Two Balls From the Table"...

 

[Rocket354]

I like this! I was just thinking of a challenging game edition between good/experienced players. But there could be a beginner or novice edition also, and it could have cards like "Shoot Again" or "Move an Obstructing Ball" or "Take Ball in Hand" or "Remove Any Two Balls From the Table"...

I think that's on point. Especially since the pool of novice players is much larger than the pool of experienced players. Those cards would be "instances" that you can play. Very similar to:

Crokinole Imperium, 3 Deck Crokinole Card Game Addition

Crokinole Imperium brings three brand new experiences to the classic game of crokinole, by introducing new rules that are combined with rich Medieval-Latin lore. Use each deck individually or combine them for the ultimate match. You and your opponent will represent warring kingdoms and battle on...

www.browncastlegames.com

Three decks: 1) secret objectives, 2) instances (like move a blocking ball), 3) rule change for both players. You can choose any one, two, or all three decks, with one card from each per game.

The novice-level "pool imperium" deck would have a bigger potential market, and seems easier to come up with ideas, in general. I don't know what an expert-level deck would look like, but it could be quite interesting if done correctly.

 

[GentlemanJames]

It's an interesting idea; however, the thing which is historically documented to directly and immediately increase the popularity of pool among the general public is Hollywood movies.

Pool experienced two great jolts of popularity and public interest/participation - once in 1961 with the release of The Hustler, and again, in 1986 with the release of The Color of Money. Sadly, the interest/benefit to the world pool has long since waned, and something is needed to give pool another shot in the arm - so, you are quite correct about that.

However, considering the human zoo and freak-show of humanity which Hollywood specifically uses to promote as it's stars and heroes in today's world - not to mention the overt cultural agenda Hollywood goes out of it's way to force down the throats of the general public simply seeking entertainment - if such a film based on pool was crafted by Hollywood writers and released by woke-pandering studios for modern audiences which created the level of new interest by the general public - which pool most definitely needs - all I can say is these are not characters - fictional or real - which I would care to associate with or be around in a pool hall.

Unfortunately, I can see no other method to achieve the much needed end-goal which needs to be achieved; but, I wish you good luck on your project, nonetheless - GJ

 

[justnum]

Basic Strategy of Pool CCG (Next 2 sentences is my quick pitch)
Pool is about having the power to pocket and managing good position or risk scratching. Learn the ways to manage, and mitigate risk in Pool the CCG.

3 basic playing card types: Break Shot Cards, Shot to Make Cards and Stroke on Shot
Each of these cards have a power and position value from 1-9.

All shots result in a pocketed ball if the power required matches or exceeds the power of the stroke. The position value is a running counter if the absolute difference of an overall run every exceeds 4, the player loses turn for "scratching" The difference in excess power will impact the position counter on the next shot.

Imagine 9 ball game:
Example of basic gameplay: Break drawn with power 9 and position 3. Player plays stroke card with power 10 and position 1. Player continues. New shot card drawn has power 4 and position 7. Player plays stroke card with power 4 and position 3. Player loses turn for scratching because the running position difference is 6.

Next player draws a shot card and process repeats. Until 9 shots are pocketed.

Other card types modify the power and position calculations.
Equipment and Technique Cards
Equipment Card: Predator Cue allows for a variable user chosen power of up to +5 points
Equipment Card: Masters Chalk allows for a fixed adjustment of +2 on position
Technique Card: Soft Stroke adjusts the power required on a shot by -2

Other card types will be included, for now I am looking for feedback on the basic strategy. Thanks all, AZB users are amazing.

Thanks for the feedback. If this is not the right forum to discuss this let me know. I am 100% serious about this project.

 

[justnum]

If there are any playtesters interested in Pool CCG. This card set has the basic strategy cards.

This is for a 9ball rack.

The lag is decided by drawing a shot card face down. Each player selects a stroke card and the winner is decided by who has the least absolute difference in power and position. Stroke card is placed in discard pile.

New shot card is drawn. Player is required to play a stroke card. If the difference in the stroke and shot cards exceeds 4, player loses turn. Player is allowed to play one stroke card and one technique card per turn. Technique cards modify the skill required on the shot card. Assume player misses. The played card remains face up on the table until match ends.

New shot card is drawn.

Game lasts for 9 shots. Winner is decided on the 9 ball.
Attached is a pdf with basic card functions and values.

For marketing and promotions, imagine having player cards, product cards, event cards and a yearly publication to update players on new equipment or competition regulations. If anyone is interested, I am looking for sponsorship or investors, the funds would be to acquire rights to promote established pool products, names, or likeness.