If you’re a pool/billiard addict like myself or you’re just looking to have fun with others or just looking for a fun pool game to play by yourself, you will very much enjoy the game of Bowlliards, also called 10-Ball, but not be confused with the 10-Ball in which you play the balls in rotation (basically the same as 9-Ball, but with one added ball). It’s a great game for solitaire play because you can use it to measure your skill level and you are able to measure your improvement. First, you can review the rules below.

THE RACK

Standard rack position (front apex ball on foot spot), using 1-2-3-4 rack configuration.

OBJECT OF THE GAME

To score a perfect score of 300 points in 10 frames (innings) in solitary play.   In competition, to score a higher point total in 10 innings than opponent(s).

SCORING

Each legally pocketed ball is scored as one point, regardless of ball number.   The points scored as per the “Rules of Play” below are treated exactly as is the pinfall in bowling.

OPENING BREAK

At the start of a player’s inning (frame), he has a free break (no special balls-to-cushion or other requirements once break stroke play commences, and a jumped or scratched cue ball is without penalty). Any balls pocketed on the break are spotted, and the player then follows his break by beginning scoring play with object balls in position and cue ball in hand behind the head string. (The opening break takes place at the start of every inning [frame].)

RULES OF PLAY

A legally pocketed ball entitles the shooter to continue at the table until he fails to pocket a called ball on a shot, or until he has scored the maximum total per inning possible (10).   Player may shoot any ball he chooses, but before he shoots, must designate a single ball that he will pocket and the pocket into which the ball will score; he need not indicate kisses, caroms, combinations or cushions (none of which are illegal).

Player has two chances to pocket the 10 possible balls of each frame. If player legally pockets ten consecutive balls on his first chance of a frame, that frame is completed and player scores the frame exactly as a strike in bowling. If player fails to pocket 10 consecutive balls on his first chance, he takes his second chance immediately.   If he succeeds in legally pocketing the remaining balls on the table, the frame is completed and player scores exactly as a spare in bowling.   If player fails to legally pocket all ten balls in two chances, the frame is then completed and is scored as an open frame in bowling.   All succeeding frames are likewise scored just as in bowling; a “strike” in the tenth inning earns two extra shots, a “spare” one extra shot.

If players tie for high game total in competition, additional innings are played alternately by the tied players, with the first player posting a superior score to that of his opponent(s) being the winner (”sudden death”).

ILLEGALLY POCKETED BALLS

On the break, illegally pocketed balls are spotted prior to the player beginning his scoring play (first chance of frame).   During scoring play, illegally pocketed balls are spotted.

JUMPED OBJECT BALLS

All spotted; no penalty.

CUE BALL AFTER JUMP OR SCRATCH

Only applies if occurring as player’s first foul of a frame: player has cue ball in hand behind the head string to begin his second chance of the frame.

PENALTY FOR FOULS

No points are deducted (note that balls dropped on a foul stroke do not count and must be spotted).   If the foul ends player’s first chance of a frame, he has cue ball in hand behind the head string to begin his second chance of the frame. If the foul end’s his second change (the one to pick up a spare) then his frame is finished.

 RULE VARIATIONS

After the break, all balls stay down. No spotting of pocketed balls.

Play the cue ball from where it is on the table.

If you pocket the cue ball, you get ball in hand, anywhere on the table.

If you pocket any ball (other than the cue ball), your inning continues. Another wards, slop counts. 

The break is probably the most important shot of the game. If you don’t get a good spread of the balls on the break, the game becomes very challenging to break out any clusters of balls. If you are playing the variation of the rules that says you must play the cue ball where it lands, you will want to make sure that the cue ball lands near the center of the table. If the cue ball is near the center of the table, you will have the highest percentage chance of getting a decent shot on an object ball. An object ball is any of the balls on the table except the cue ball. This applies to many other pool games, including 8-ball and 9-ball. If you’re looking for a great break cue, I recommend visiting http://www.zebrabilliards.com for a great selection of very affordable break cues.

 After the opening break, walk the table and find any problem balls. By problem balls, I mean any balls that are either locked up and have no available pockets or are very limited on how many pockets are available for these balls to be pocketed. Another wards, if a ball only has one playable pocket because of other balls obstructing other pockets, this could be considered a problem ball. Look to see if there is a “key” ball that might be able to be pocketed and will give shape to this problem ball that only has one pocket. Other problems that should be considered are balls that are near or on any of the six cushions. When a ball is on the cushion, it only has two pockets available, unless there is another ball on the cushion blocking one of the pockets. When this happens it becomes a very big problem ball and should be addressed very soon in the game. After all problem balls are aware of, prepare to continue your inning. 

The reason I say that the problem balls are addressed soon is because when you are in the early stage of the game, you have more opportunities to address this problem balls because there are more balls on the table. More balls on the table equal more “key” balls to address those problem balls and clusters. 

Also, be aware of any “duck” balls. Duck balls can be your friend or foe. Duck balls are balls that are very near the pocket or even in the jaws of the pocket. Many times duck balls should be addressed and made early in the game because they are blocking the pocket from other balls that can be made in the same pocket. If the duck balls are not an obstructing the pocket for another ball, you might want to leave this ball(s) for the end game or as an insurance ball in case you get out of shape at some point in the game. 

If you are playing with no different variation of rules, and if you pocket the cue ball within your first inning, you must place the cue ball behind the head string and shoot forward. It would be disastrous to do this and have all the remaining balls behind the head string. If this is the case, address the balls located behind the head sting early on so that if you do pocket the cue ball, you will have available balls to shoot.

Remember, this game can be played in competition, but is more a game against yourself. Try to keep most shots simple and easy. Unlike other games, if you get out of shape, you are unable to play a safety shot. It’s a 100% offensive game. Follow some of these simple steps and you’ll play much better and will score higher. Remember to keep score and follow your progress to see if you are improving.

 Good luck and shoot straight!!!

 Matt Uhrich

www.zebrabilliards.com

• Includes 15 coloured and numbered balls
• 1 cue ball, 2 cue sticks, Chalk, Triangle rack, Felt brush
• Not suitable for children under the age of 3 years
• Comes fully assembled
• Size: 51cm x 31cm x 9.5cm (20 x 12.2 x 3.75 inches)

Product Description
This high quality mini pool table comes complete with cues, balls, triangle, chalk and felt brush, everything you need for your own miniature pool tournament!

Just place it on a table and you’re ready to play!

Large enough for a fantastic game of pool, whilst remaining small enough to be packed away into a cupboard or drawer.

Great for adults and children to play on at home or in the office.

New Deluxe Desk/Tabletop Billiards Pool Table Game Set

There are a ton of billiards accessories for you to choose from today, and therefore it can be difficult to find the right ones. Very simply, when choosing pool and billiards equipment, you have your choice of which billiard chairs to pick from, billiard tables, billiards cues, balls, gloves, etc.

Therefore, it can be very easy to get lost in the clutter and end up purchasing the wrong accessories, or simply overpaying for ones you could have found much more cheaply elsewhere.

First of all, before you even begin looking for the right accessories, here is an important tip: try to find all the billiards supplies you purchase used, to save some money. Yes, you can still find very high quality pre owned equipment that comes minus the newer equipment price tag. Here is some important information to help you locate these bargains and great deals quickly.

First of all, billiard chairs are a very important piece of your billiard equipment. They play a very important role in determining how your billiard room will look. Since the chairs is such a vital part of the room, they will really add or diminish the appearance of the overall room look and feel. You don’t spend a lot of money getting the perfect billiard room and then simply having the chairs take away from the look of it. It is important the chairs match the overall decor of the room to give it the look you want.

Keep in mind, these chairs are manufactured both with and without handles and cushions, and which one you decide to purchase is simply matter of how much you are willing to pay. They also come in two different heights; the first site is the counter height and bar height. These are the two most popular kind of billiard chairs purchased, and generally come in about 23 to 25 inches tall.

The ones that come taller than these are known as spectator chairs, and these usually come with a wide seat cushion, arched back, and also beverage holder. Of course, these are more expensive than the regular billiard chairs, but if you do have the money for these top-of-the-line chairs, paying the money it is probably worth it.

Keep in mind, these chairs are generally manufactured from either wood or iron. You can also get them cost designed to match your individual needs. Therefore, if the particular story you are shopping at doesn’t have exactly what you want, you can order the chairs to be manufactured specifically for your rooms appearance.

You can generally have a choice between cherry, mahogany, maple, and just about any type of what that you want to chairs to be made of. The bottom line is, if the store doesn’t have what your looking for, you don’t need to settle for second best; when you pre-order what you want, you can still get the exact chair you want quickly and affordably.

Also, the billiards tables you purchase will certainly be a very crucial part of your equipment as well. When you are searching for billiards tables, there are a lot of different places you can shop as well.

You can find these at cheaper stores such as Kmart, Wal-Mart, and other discount stores. Also, you might try looking in the Internet in places such as the Billiard Zone, Billiard Warehouse, etc. These are two of the most popular billiards websites on the Internet today, and if you do plan shopping online come you should certainly start looking at these sources.

On the Internet there are many different companies that sell billiards tables directly from cheaper countries such as China or other third world countries, you can purchase them for a much more affordable price and if you confine your research to the United States. Also, when looking online, you can generally purchase these a wholesale prices, and sometimes below them. When you look at the store, you will generally full retail price.

Also, you might try looking in magazines for information about the right billiard accessories as well. There are many difficulties that publish these magazines, and therefore finding them really isn’t all that difficult.

Here, you can find reviews on things such as McDermott, Predator, HRUSA, etc. Therefore, when you do your research and know what to look for, finding the right billiard accessories really is not that difficult at all. The most important thing is to know is what to look for beforehand, so you don’t end up paying higher price than you really have to.