i've heard the game mentioned a few times on this board and was just curious as to the rules of play
thanks, jake
thanks, jake
rules of RAZZLE
- Thread starter bigskyjake
- Start date
Razzle, New England Style
Hi Folks,
<UNDER CONSTRUNCTION>
This post will be a work in progress over the next day or so.
I am piecing the details together from memory, and what I have found online so far.
I am aware that the rules varied slightly depending on location. Razzle seemed to be something
that originated from the "Chicago" game, and spread mostly by word of mouth, among players.
It is an amazing and unusual game, since each game you start out as an individual, and
in most games you will become someone's partner. So, even if you are the weakest player,
you will most likely become someone's partner each game. Partners can discuss the shot before
it is played, thereby opening up an enormous opportunity to learn and share knowledge of how to
play shots, get position, maybe make a money ball in an unusual way, and go 3 rails to hit (and move)
the lowest ball, etc..
General Rules of Play:
Razzle is typically played with four players, in a ring-game fashion.
A "per point" wager is agreed upon, which is usually $1, but can less, or a lot more.
Each "money ball" is worth one a point, the money balls being the 5 8 10 13 and 15.
Highest total numerical value of balls (out of 120 possible) is worth $1
and in addition collects the "scratch pot" at the end of the game.
If each team has 60 points, they split the money in the scratch pool.
A maximum of $6 can be LOST, per person, per game, excluding the costs of scratches.
A maximum of $18 can be WON, by a SINGLE person, per game, plus whatever is in the "scratch pool".
Everyone settles up at the end of the game, and starts fresh in the next game.
In almost all games, you will end up making or losing $0, $2, $4, or $6.
These values will become $1 less, when teams tie in point-total (60 points each).
Slight variations to the game occur when there are only two or three players, which will be covered later.
Pills, cards, or other means are used to determine the order that the players shoot in. In the first
game player #1 breaks. In the second game player #2 breaks, and this continues until 4 games are
completed. At any time, any player can request a "reorder draw", but that draw does not take place until
the four games have been completed.
In EVERY shot, you must MOVE the lowest numbered object ball. It does not have to move first, nor
does it need to contact a rail, but it must move during the shot. Failure to move the lowest ball costs
the player $1, which they deposit in the side pocket, adding it to the "scratch pool". The cue ball remains
exactly where it is.
A scratch results in the re-spotting of all balls made on that shot, and costs $1 to the "scratch pool".
Incoming player has ball-in-hand behins head string.
You continue to shoot until you miss, scratch, or fail to move the lowest ball. When your inning
is complete you take the balls out of the pockets, and keep them somewhere until the end of the
game. When partners form, they pool their accumulated balls, until the end of that game.
Racking Pattern:
<insert image> (yet to be created)
1
8 X
X 5 X
X 10 13 X
2 X 15 X 3
The "partner" ball is the 1 ball. Whoever sinks this ball, partners with the first (other) person to
sink next highest money ball. If one person is able to run the entire rack (rare) there are no
partners established for that particular game.
The general rules of pocket billiards are applicable with the following OPTIONAL exceptions:
The "push shot", when the cue is frozen to a ball (even on a rail) is legal. Remember
that funny shot in "PoolHall Junkies"? It's been around for a long time.
Hi Folks,
<UNDER CONSTRUNCTION>
This post will be a work in progress over the next day or so.
I am piecing the details together from memory, and what I have found online so far.
I am aware that the rules varied slightly depending on location. Razzle seemed to be something
that originated from the "Chicago" game, and spread mostly by word of mouth, among players.
It is an amazing and unusual game, since each game you start out as an individual, and
in most games you will become someone's partner. So, even if you are the weakest player,
you will most likely become someone's partner each game. Partners can discuss the shot before
it is played, thereby opening up an enormous opportunity to learn and share knowledge of how to
play shots, get position, maybe make a money ball in an unusual way, and go 3 rails to hit (and move)
the lowest ball, etc..
General Rules of Play:
Razzle is typically played with four players, in a ring-game fashion.
A "per point" wager is agreed upon, which is usually $1, but can less, or a lot more.
Each "money ball" is worth one a point, the money balls being the 5 8 10 13 and 15.
Highest total numerical value of balls (out of 120 possible) is worth $1
and in addition collects the "scratch pot" at the end of the game.
If each team has 60 points, they split the money in the scratch pool.
A maximum of $6 can be LOST, per person, per game, excluding the costs of scratches.
A maximum of $18 can be WON, by a SINGLE person, per game, plus whatever is in the "scratch pool".
Everyone settles up at the end of the game, and starts fresh in the next game.
In almost all games, you will end up making or losing $0, $2, $4, or $6.
These values will become $1 less, when teams tie in point-total (60 points each).
Slight variations to the game occur when there are only two or three players, which will be covered later.
Pills, cards, or other means are used to determine the order that the players shoot in. In the first
game player #1 breaks. In the second game player #2 breaks, and this continues until 4 games are
completed. At any time, any player can request a "reorder draw", but that draw does not take place until
the four games have been completed.
In EVERY shot, you must MOVE the lowest numbered object ball. It does not have to move first, nor
does it need to contact a rail, but it must move during the shot. Failure to move the lowest ball costs
the player $1, which they deposit in the side pocket, adding it to the "scratch pool". The cue ball remains
exactly where it is.
A scratch results in the re-spotting of all balls made on that shot, and costs $1 to the "scratch pool".
Incoming player has ball-in-hand behins head string.
You continue to shoot until you miss, scratch, or fail to move the lowest ball. When your inning
is complete you take the balls out of the pockets, and keep them somewhere until the end of the
game. When partners form, they pool their accumulated balls, until the end of that game.
Racking Pattern:
<insert image> (yet to be created)
1
8 X
X 5 X
X 10 13 X
2 X 15 X 3
The "partner" ball is the 1 ball. Whoever sinks this ball, partners with the first (other) person to
sink next highest money ball. If one person is able to run the entire rack (rare) there are no
partners established for that particular game.
The general rules of pocket billiards are applicable with the following OPTIONAL exceptions:
The "push shot", when the cue is frozen to a ball (even on a rail) is legal. Remember
that funny shot in "PoolHall Junkies"? It's been around for a long time.
Last edited: