Content

• Steps

It is much more interesting to play billiards in a pub or bar than in a billiard room or at home, because it's like "king of the hill" - you challenge the winner of the previous game and hold the table if you win. That's because the pool tables are powered by coins and anyone can throw it or put their name on the list to play next. This article will explore the dynamics and etiquette of playing bar billiards with strangers - the rules are slightly different! In the end, we will talk about how to find a bar where you can play billiards.

Steps

1. 1 Be careful, the official rules are not always in use when it comes to "bar billiards". This is how people play in any bar in America and other countries. (The word "bar" will be very often found in the article, but it should be understood as any tavern, pub or pub where there are billiard tables, which are powered by a coin). APA League Rules, World 8 Ball Rules
2. 2 Name the shot exactly - this is the main difference between how good billiard players play in a bar and how those who want to become one play. Name the shot you intend to hit, including the balls that will touch the final ball on the way into the pocket (say "from 4" or "clear" if you do not plan to touch ball 4). It is not necessary to name obvious direct hits. If you have pocketed a ball, but did not name exactly how it will happen, you lose a move, although the ball remains (after all, this is a bar table). You can touch the handrail, this is not a foul. A ball that is pocketed incorrectly is called a slop. Good players are pretty honest when it comes to this - they'll say, "He touched another ball ... your move."
3. 3 The balls are not placed in a solid-striped-solid pyramid. (In reality, with this method of "decoration", solid balls are placed in three corners, which makes no sense.) The main requirement is that ball 8 must be located in front of the central three balls. Many people put ball 1 forward. It is also best to place the striped ball in one of the back corners.
4. 4 Usually, the table is considered open after breaking, even if the ball is pocketed after hitting the pyramid, so the player can choose any ball for the second hit. If he fails to pocket another ball, the table remains open until one of the players makes a successful named hit.
5. 5 Before the ball is pocketed, which will determine your color for the game, according to the rules, you can come up with any combinations (not using ball 8).
6. 6 Once your color (solid or striped) has been determined, you should always touch the ball of your color first. An opponent's ball can be in the middle of your three-ball combo. By the way, if you play with a guy from the United Kingdom, he will call the whole balls "spots".
7. 7 You can’t hit ball 8 first (unless you’re trying to hit it), so when you’re thinking about a combination, don’t cue it with the cue ball. In truth, ball 8 doesn't need to be used at all (until it becomes your final hit target). The rules for using ball 8 differ from bar to bar, from one place to another, etc. In most cases, this is a generally accepted rule or is negotiated by the players before the game itself, it all depends on the place. In any case, ball 8 will never be neutral!
8. 8 You can only hit the cue ball (or make it a carom) and hit the ball of your color. After the cue-ball hits the target ball, this ball can hit the opponent's balls.
9. 9 After the cue ball falls into the pocket, it is positioned behind the front mark (the front line of the table - from diamond to diamond), and the aiming ball should be after the front line of the table.
10. 10 A hit in which it is impossible to determine which of the two balls the cue-ball touched first is always a controversial moment when it comes to ball 8 or the opponent's ball and is often called a "mixed split". According to the official rules, you cannot hit an aiming ball after or at the moment of hitting an opponent's ball, even if you call it a "split". There is no such thing as a "mixed split" allowed. Local rules regarding "mixed split" differ from bar to bar.In most cases, this is a generally accepted rule or is negotiated by the players before the game itself, it all depends on the place.
11. 11 There are no "local rules" that are so widespread that they are unspoken. If they are not specified before the breakdown, then they cannot be accepted. All good bar players play the same everywhere.
12. 12 The winner of the last game and the "owner" of the table can name a few special rules for the next game. This rarely happens, but it's not out of the ordinary. The rules must be agreed upon prior to splitting (or better before inserting a coin). For example, next time play nine, board pool or rotation.
13. 13 In cities where conventions are held or in tourist areas, you may bump into people from other countries (like England or Australia). It's a good idea - and quite funny - to discuss the rules with them.
14. 14 If you are playing in a competition inside a bar, it is often allowed to hit the carom when you are about to pot 8. In some places they require a "clean" hit, but when playing for money, this rule usually does not apply.