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Happygrrls' How-To:
Be a pool shark...
Other Fun Games
QUICK TIP
Once you've mastered your shots, you might want to try some other variations of pool. My personal favourite is Elimination, where you can passive-aggressively stick it to someone you really don't like.9-Ball
This game is somewhat like pool, but it only utilizes the number 1 through 9 balls. Rack the balls in a diamond shape (some pool halls will have the specialized 9-ball rack), placing the 9-ball in the middle. The object is to sink the 9-ball, but in order to get to the 9-ball you have to sink the other balls in order. To get another turn, you have to sink a ball. This game uses a little more skill than pool, as there are fewer balls and most of the time the ball you're aiming for will not be directly in the line of a pocket. If you sink the wrong ball, you don't have to take the ball out, but you do lose your turn. The same rules of scratching apply, but instead of placing the ball on the foot spot, it becomes "ball in hand," meaning that the ball can be placed anywhere on the table. In some variations, you can make a combination shot with the 9-ball anytime during the game, granted that the object ball is the number you're currently on. For example, if you're shooting the 4-ball and find that it can hit the 9-ball into a pocket, go for it. If it's the 7-ball that can hit the 9-ball into a pocket, forget it.Elimination
This game is intended for three or more people. Divide the balls evenly amongst you (or give the better players fewer balls). For example, one person will take the 1 - 5 balls, another person will take the 6 - 10 balls, and the last person will take the 11 - 15 balls. Instead of going for your own balls, you're gunning for your opponents' balls. Once someone's stash of balls are all pocketed, he/she is out of the game, and the rest of the players continue until there is only one left.14.1 Continuous
This game continues on and on and on. I played this once, and after three rounds I was ready to go home. Rack the balls as you normally would for pool. This time, you can hit any ball you like, and continue doing so until you miss a shot. Each ball is worth 1 point. Once you're down to the last ball, re-rack the rest (leaving the top ball spot empty) and continue on. You have an option of breaking the racked balls or going for the 15th ball. It's best to come up with a pre-determined number to play until, like 30. If not, you could find yourself at the pool hall all night.Poker Pool
Use a deck of cards, and divide it evenly amongst the number of players. Each card corresponds to a numbered ball - the Ace becomes the 1-ball, the Jack becomes the 11-ball, the Queen the 12-ball, the King the 13-ball. The 14- and 15-balls are extra; players won't get penalized for shooting those in, nor are they obligated (they're mostly sunk as a way to get a position play going). Don't show the other players which cards you have, and only shoot those in your hand. When another player sinks a ball, check your hand to see if it's in your pile. If it is, then you're in luck, and can then drop those cards (and any doubles) along with him/her. The winner is the player who gets rid of their hand first.Snooker
If Snooker and Pool could talk, then Snooker might say something to Pool like, "Who's your daddy?" and Pool would reply, "You are." Arguable one of the hardest games, snooker is all about skill. First, the table is considerably larger, the pockets considerably smaller, and the balls even smaller. The angles utilized in pool don't really apply here, as the table's angles are different. Make the mechanical bridge your best friend - you'll use it a lot here. The object of the game is to score the most points in a game. There are 15 red balls, and 6 coloured balls. Each red ball is worth 1 point. The yellow is worth 2, the green is worth 3, the brown is worth 4, the blue is worth 5, the pink is worth 6, and the black is worth 7. Each player must aim for a red ball first. Once that is pocketed, he/she can shoot a coloured ball (of any colour). If that ball is pocketed, then it is taken out and put back in its spot on the table. The player then goes for a red again, then a coloured ball, etc. The red balls stay in the pocket; only the coloured balls are placed back on the table. Once the red balls are sunk, the players then try to sink the coloured balls in order of points, from lowest to greatest. The player with the most points wins.Recommended
Annex Billiards Club, 507 Bloor Street West
This is for the hardcore pool players. The management insists on quiet at all times, and the regulars can play snooker with their eyes closed (if you ask nicely, they'll give you some great tips). Go here if you want to get serious about your game.Central Billiards, 468 Queen Street West
A great 24-hour spot for those late night pool runs. Mixed clientele of a younger crowd and an older, I'll-play-pool-till-I-die crowd. Go here if the urge to play pool hits you at 3 in the morning.New Times Square Billiards, 356 Yonge Street
This is where I got my start back in the day, but I seldom go nowadays. Great downtown location for accessibility, and the much-needed renovations give this place a better feel (a bonus that most of the equipment is also new, and not moldy like it was before). Go here if you just want to have some fun. A much younger crowd frequents this joint - heck, I used to go all the time when I was in high school and ditching cla - er, on weekends. Sometimes resembles a meat-market, but has a very relaxed atmosphere.
The secret to playing pool is practice, and lots of it. Once you get the hang of it, you should be able to hustle your way to some free drinks, some mad cash, or possibly someone's Mercedes. Keep in mind that it's only a game though - don't take it so seriously, and have fun! No one likes a sore loser. ¤ C.Ho.
[ The equipment, the lingo, the shots. ]