Spice Up Any Billiard Game

            When one brainstorms of the many types of billiard games out there, most think of more common games like Straight Pool, 8-Ball or 9-Ball. In retrospect, however, the possibilities are almost endless. A wide variety of games exist, from long to short, for the novice or the expert. Yet, those who spend a great deal of time in their billiard or rec rooms know that despite how many games there are, the same ones over and over might become a bit dull at times. Even if your list of known pool games is short, there are many ways to liven up existing games, some of which are examined below.

            The use of points in any billiard game is a great way to make things more interesting, even though a host of games exist that already use point systems in game play.  Players could modify a normal game of 8-Ball, for example, by assessing points to the player with any billiard balls remaining on the table at the end of the match.  The game continues, including re-racks, until a predetermined point total has been acquired by one of the players...usually between 50-100 points is a good limit. In this particular scenario, since the object of 8-Ball is to sink your balls, yet a player receives points for leaving balls on the table, the person with the lowest amount of points accumulated would be the winner, as in golf or hearts. Scoring more points here means you are leaving more balls on the table than your opponents – a no-no in billiard games. And points can be handed out in a number of ways, including a point per ball, negative points, or giving each ball the amount of points totaling its face value (1 point for the 1-ball, 4 points for the 4-ball, etc.). To make it even more exciting, extra points can even be given out or taken away for bank shots, combos, rail shots, scratches, fouls and more.

            Making a friendly little bet on games and sports is another time-tested way of spicing up just about any type of competition, either billiard games or otherwise.  Making a small, minimal bet will also keep the game on a friendly level. And like any other sport, billiard games can be bet on in a variety of ways, like wagering a dollar per ball left on the table, a predetermined dollar amount, or a double elimination tournament with prizes awarded for the first few placers. 

If you are not a betting individual and points seem dull to you, try eliminating certain shots to make your billiard match more challenging.  For example, do not allow straight shots; only allow bank shots or combos instead.  Or cease use of the rails, giving penalties if your object ball ever hits the bumpers.  Or just use specific pockets, like the sides; or pick two corners. Anything sunk in a non designated pocket is spotted by your opponent anywhere on the table, with points being assessed, if applicable.