I've had a few PMs asking me what the game of "38" consists of... Here goes:
You can only play this game with an open table, where you can pull out the "1", "2" and "3" ball constantly.
"1" ball goes on the "foot" spot, "3" ball goes on the "head spot" and "2" ball goes in the center (lined up with center pockets and center short rail diamonds)
Opening shot consists of hitting the "3" ball first, then a designegnated ball, 'You HAVE to open, by calling a billiard off the 3 ball. (I.E. "3 on the 2" is the call. You need to make contact with the 3 ball first, go OFF a rail and hit the 2) If you make your "Opening" shot, now you're on the board to gain points.
You have to alternate between a "billard" or a "shot". If you do one, and make a point, you HAVE to shoot the other style AND make a point to continue shooting, else your turn is over and reverts to the other shooter.
Billiards are always worth 2 points.
Ball pocketed is worth the point of the ball (is why you only play with the "1", "2" and "3" ball. If they are pocketed, they come back out on their designated spots)
If you accumulate points during your run, and you stratch, all points accumulated become null and void. You start at whatever point you where at before the foul.
At the begining of your turn at the table, you can choose either to do a billiard or pocket a ball. But, whatever you chose, you HAVE to execute the opposite shot on the next shot. (hope that makes sense)
Once you've completed your "Open" shot (to start accumulating points), you HAVE to get to 38 points. If you go over 38, then you start over from zero. When you go over 38 points, you forfiet your next shot to your opponent.
To go "OUT", you need to be at 38 points, and do a billiard to scratch. If you pocket a ball, and it happens to be on a "Pocket ball" shot (instead of a billiard shot) for your "OUT" and it goes in... guess what, you just went over 38 and have to start at zero. Either way, if you make a point while going out, you start back at zero, giving ball in hand.
Ball in hand is ALWAYS in the kitchen.
The most points you can get per stroke, is on a "Billiard" called shot. Make the billiard, and pocket the "1", "2" and "3" ball for a total of 8 points (1-2-3 = 6, and 2 points for the billiard equals 8)
The Only shots that count are the called shots, all else are null and void. EXCEPT on the "OUT" shot. If you carom off a ball, other than the one designated, and scratch... you start back at zero.
The "OUT" shot has to be clean, else you start back at zero.
I'm sure this sounds confusing, but I can assure anyone, if you can put this game into your practice time, it will pick your "regular" game up a notch.
I'll try to dig up some "official" rules, but this is the best I can do at this time of night while half asleep.
You can only play this game with an open table, where you can pull out the "1", "2" and "3" ball constantly.
"1" ball goes on the "foot" spot, "3" ball goes on the "head spot" and "2" ball goes in the center (lined up with center pockets and center short rail diamonds)
Opening shot consists of hitting the "3" ball first, then a designegnated ball, 'You HAVE to open, by calling a billiard off the 3 ball. (I.E. "3 on the 2" is the call. You need to make contact with the 3 ball first, go OFF a rail and hit the 2) If you make your "Opening" shot, now you're on the board to gain points.
You have to alternate between a "billard" or a "shot". If you do one, and make a point, you HAVE to shoot the other style AND make a point to continue shooting, else your turn is over and reverts to the other shooter.
Billiards are always worth 2 points.
Ball pocketed is worth the point of the ball (is why you only play with the "1", "2" and "3" ball. If they are pocketed, they come back out on their designated spots)
If you accumulate points during your run, and you stratch, all points accumulated become null and void. You start at whatever point you where at before the foul.
At the begining of your turn at the table, you can choose either to do a billiard or pocket a ball. But, whatever you chose, you HAVE to execute the opposite shot on the next shot. (hope that makes sense)
Once you've completed your "Open" shot (to start accumulating points), you HAVE to get to 38 points. If you go over 38, then you start over from zero. When you go over 38 points, you forfiet your next shot to your opponent.
To go "OUT", you need to be at 38 points, and do a billiard to scratch. If you pocket a ball, and it happens to be on a "Pocket ball" shot (instead of a billiard shot) for your "OUT" and it goes in... guess what, you just went over 38 and have to start at zero. Either way, if you make a point while going out, you start back at zero, giving ball in hand.
Ball in hand is ALWAYS in the kitchen.
The most points you can get per stroke, is on a "Billiard" called shot. Make the billiard, and pocket the "1", "2" and "3" ball for a total of 8 points (1-2-3 = 6, and 2 points for the billiard equals 8)
The Only shots that count are the called shots, all else are null and void. EXCEPT on the "OUT" shot. If you carom off a ball, other than the one designated, and scratch... you start back at zero.
The "OUT" shot has to be clean, else you start back at zero.
I'm sure this sounds confusing, but I can assure anyone, if you can put this game into your practice time, it will pick your "regular" game up a notch.
I'll try to dig up some "official" rules, but this is the best I can do at this time of night while half asleep.