We’re not going to pretend we play a lot of pool. We have played minimal pool in our lifetime, but when we do it’s always fun. It would be more fun if we were better at it, but we also know it’s one of those activities that requires due time to be decent at. This #SundayFunday, we’re putting in our time.
Pool is a great activity for when it’s raining (or just overall shit weather – we live in Canada so shit weather takes various forms), you’re broke AF, or just feeling super competitive. No matter where you live, there’s usually at least one bar with a pool table. Or, if you’re lucky like Vanessa, you have one in your condo building.
Today we’re playing a basic game of 8-ball pool, one of the most popular pool games, to practice our skills. The goal of the game is to have one player (or team) successful sink the solid-colored balls, followed by the 8-ball in the pockets before the other player (or team) can do the same, but with the striped balls. Easy right?
Pool is not easy. In fact, once we got started we were reminded of how bad we are at pool. But, the only way you can get better is to keep playing. We decided we would laugh at ourselves and each other during the process – judgement was left entirely at the door.
- Access to a pool table
- Pool balls
- Pool cue
- Triangular pool rack
- Competitive spirit
Below is our basic breakdown of how to play 8-ball pool, but if you really want to take it seriously and get the terminology down, there’s a great reference here.
- Look for a small dot or triangle in the centre of the table, about a quarter of the way down the length. This is where you will place the white ball (known technically as the cue ball) to start the game.
- Grab the triangular pool rack and place all of the balls (aside from the white one) inside. The 8-ball should be in the centre of the triangle. Arrange the rack at the opposite end of the table from the white ball, with one corner of the triangle facing the white ball.
- Time to break the rack. Choose who goes first (we suggest rock, paper, scissors). The first player will need to hit the white ball into the triangle of balls to break it and start the game. Use force and give precision your best shot. If you’re a beginner like us, you may not get it the first time and that’s totally cool in our books.
- The first player to sink a ball will then be aiming to sink that group of balls throughout the rest of the game. So, if you sink a striped ball, then you’re officially team stripes. If you sink both a stripe and a solid at the same time then you’ve got your pick between the two groups. I’m a striped gal myself if it comes down to it.
- You get to keep shooting until you fail to pocket a ball, then it’s your opponents turn.
- Once you’ve pocketed all the balls in your group (stripes or solids), it’s time to go for the money shot and pocket that 8-ball.
- Once you pocket the 8-ball it’s mandatory to do a little dance and chirp your losing opponent. Once you’ve done all that, don’t forget to “good game” them and shake their hand.
You can’t play pool without beer, it’s just a fact. Make your beer interesting by opting for this beautifully layered Black and Tan featuring Harp and Guinness. Learn how to pour it here.
Let the games begin with these upbeat, funky jams.