Learn To Play Pool

Want to learn to play pool? Pool is a strategy game that is played all over the world, and eight ball pool is the most common and simplest game of pool to play. There are many other variations of pool games, but today we'll be discussing the eight ball game for people who are just starting to learn to play pool.  Read on for more information on how you can learn to play pool.

What you need to learn to play pool:

• pool table
• cue sticks
• chalk for sticks
• ball rack
• balls
• two people

1. Rack the balls. One player must put all the balls in the triangular rack. The front ball in the rack should be on the foot spot and the white cue ball should be placed on the head spot. Racking the balls takes practice, as the racker must push all the balls forward in the rack and they must remain tightly together as the rack is removed from them.
2. Break the balls. Take your stick and rest the skinny end of the stick between your pointer finger and your thumb. Rest your and on the rail on the side of the pool table.  Only let about twelve inches of the pool stick be move through your finger set up. You use the other hand to grasp the pool stick and push it through. Hit the white cue ball towards the racked balls in order to break up the balls that are in rack formation from the beginning of the game.
3. Continue the game. If any ball - solid or striped - goes into a hole in the pool table, the shooter is that color.  If two balls go in, one of each, the shooter has choice of what they want in terms of solid or striped balls. Each shooter shoots his balls into the pockets until he misses, at which point the other participant gets to have his turn.  He also shoots until he misses, and then they continue to alternate throughout the course of the game.
4. Get the eight ball. The eight ball is the black ball, and can be shot in when a player has put  all his balls - either solid or striped - into the pockets in the pool table. Whoever shoots the eight ball in first wins the game.

That's about all there is to playing pool. The only other thing you need to know is about a scratch. A scratch is when the white cue ball accidentally is pocketed. When this happens, the player has to give up his turn to the opponent. The opponent then gets to place the cue ball wherever he or she wants on the table to best benefit the next shot. Now you know how to play eight ball pool - try it out next time you're around a pool table.