Over the holiday, I participated in the great DM online tourney held here annually, sort of a combination of 8ball break, straight pool, and rotation. It got me thinking about games to play that would teach you certain skills, but be more fun than drills...and would involve two players (or more). And, well variety is the spice of life and all that... So here's a couple we've been playing at the local pool hall. Who's got others?
1. "8 ball / 2 shot" It is 8 ball, called shot (e.g. BCA or TAP rules, not APA slop-in). However, you have to call both the ball and pocket you're on, plus the next ball and its pocket as well. Like you're on the 7 in the corner, and you intend to shoot the 5 in the side next - that's what you call. If you make the 7, you have to shoot the 5 in the side, regardless of where you wind up...not only that, but you have to then call the following ball and its pocket (e.g. 5 in the side, 3 in the corner) and so on. Obviously once you get on the 8, you do not call the subsequent shot as there isn't one....however, you have already called the 8 in a certain pocket - and if you miss this time, you have to keep trying the 8 in that same pocket on subsequent turns (this can be brutal!). Makes geeting shape a premium; also forces you to try some difficult shots when you get out of shape.
2. "8 ball, in-the-box." Again, 8 ball called shot. There is a box in the middle of the table formed by imaginary lines from the diamonds adjacent to the center diamonds (see diagram below). You call your shot, but must put the CB in the box after the shot to keep playing. Failure to put the CB in the box is ball-in-hand for the incoming player. Again working on CB control.
Here's the "box"
START(
%P[2P2%UU2C7%VU3]7%WB1I1%Xu8I1%Ya4C6%Za6]8%[B0V2%\u7V1
)END
I'm betting there must be dozens of these kinds of "Training Games" - ?
1. "8 ball / 2 shot" It is 8 ball, called shot (e.g. BCA or TAP rules, not APA slop-in). However, you have to call both the ball and pocket you're on, plus the next ball and its pocket as well. Like you're on the 7 in the corner, and you intend to shoot the 5 in the side next - that's what you call. If you make the 7, you have to shoot the 5 in the side, regardless of where you wind up...not only that, but you have to then call the following ball and its pocket (e.g. 5 in the side, 3 in the corner) and so on. Obviously once you get on the 8, you do not call the subsequent shot as there isn't one....however, you have already called the 8 in a certain pocket - and if you miss this time, you have to keep trying the 8 in that same pocket on subsequent turns (this can be brutal!). Makes geeting shape a premium; also forces you to try some difficult shots when you get out of shape.
2. "8 ball, in-the-box." Again, 8 ball called shot. There is a box in the middle of the table formed by imaginary lines from the diamonds adjacent to the center diamonds (see diagram below). You call your shot, but must put the CB in the box after the shot to keep playing. Failure to put the CB in the box is ball-in-hand for the incoming player. Again working on CB control.
Here's the "box"
START(
%P[2P2%UU2C7%VU3]7%WB1I1%Xu8I1%Ya4C6%Za6]8%[B0V2%\u7V1
)END
I'm betting there must be dozens of these kinds of "Training Games" - ?
