14 Pool Table Games Beyond 8-Ball (With Rules for Each)

There are at least 14 pool table games worth knowing beyond standard 8-ball. Every one of them is played on the same table you already have. The only things that change are the rack, the rules, and how you win. I’ve played most of these regularly, and learning even 3-4 of them made me a noticeably better overall player. They also keep game nights from getting stale when everyone is tired of the same 8-ball routine.

All you need is a decent all-around cue (the Players HXT15 handles all of these well) and the same table you already have. Here’s a quick reference for all 14:

Quick Comparison

Playing with 3+ people? Cutthroat (3-5 players), 3-Ball (up to 5), Bowlliards (up to 4), and Baseball Billiards (2+) all work for groups. Scroll down or check our 3-player pool games guide for more options.

Now let’s break down each game.

1. 8-Ball

Two players, 15 balls, and the most-played pool game on the planet. After the break, the first ball legally pocketed determines whether you’re solids (1-7) or stripes (9-15). Clear all your group, then pocket the 8-ball in a called pocket to win. A scratch on the 8-ball shot when the 8 drops is an automatic loss.

Rack: All 15 balls in triangle. 8-ball in center, 1-ball at apex, one solid and one stripe in the back corners. (how to rack properly) Break: From behind the head string. At least 4 balls must contact a cushion. Win condition: Pocket all your group balls, then legally sink the 8-ball.

For the complete rulebook, see our 8-ball rules guide.

2. 9-Ball

The fastest professional pool game, with matches often ending in under 5 minutes per rack. Nine balls racked in a diamond shape, 1-ball at the apex, 9-ball in the center. You must always hit the lowest-numbered ball on the table first, but you can pocket any ball on any shot. Sink the 9-ball at any point (as long as you hit the lowest ball first) and you win.

Rack: 9 balls in a diamond. 1-ball at apex on the foot spot, 9-ball in the center. Break: Must strike the 1-ball first. At least 4 balls must hit a cushion or a ball must be pocketed. Win condition: Legally pocket the 9-ball.

The beauty of 9-ball is the combo opportunity. If the 3-ball is the lowest on the table and you hit it into the 9-ball, pocketing the 9, you win. Every rack is unpredictable.

Strategy tip: Pattern play matters more in 9-ball than any other game. Because you must hit balls in order, your cue ball position after each shot determines whether you can continue running. Strong 9-ball players plan 3-4 balls ahead and use the “key ball” concept — identifying which ball gives you the best angle on the 9. Safety play is huge too. If you can’t run out, push the cue ball to a spot where your opponent has no clean shot on the lowest ball. Full rules in our 9-ball guide.

3. 10-Ball

10-ball is 9-ball’s harder, more strategic sibling. Same sequential format where you hit the lowest-numbered ball first, but with 10 balls and one critical difference: every shot must be called. No slop counts. You must name the ball and the pocket before every shot. This eliminates the luck factor that makes 9-ball controversial at the professional level.

Rack: 10 balls in a triangle. 1-ball at apex, 10-ball in center, 2 and 3 on the back corners. Break: Must strike the 1-ball first. Win condition: Legally pocket the 10-ball on a called shot.

10-ball is gaining popularity in international competition and is considered the truer test of skill between the two. Full rules in our 10-ball guide.

4. 3-Ball

The quickest pool game you can play. Most racks are over in under 2 minutes. Only 3 object balls are racked in a small triangle on the foot spot. Each player takes turns shooting a complete rack, trying to pocket all 3 balls in as few shots as possible. Every shot counts as one point (including the break). Lowest score after an agreed number of rounds wins.

Rack: 3 balls in a mini triangle on the foot spot. Break: Standard break from behind the head string. Win condition: Pocket all 3 balls in the fewest total shots.

I use 3-ball as a warmup drill all the time. It teaches shot selection and position play without the complexity of a full rack. It also works for 3-5 players since rounds are so fast. See our full 3-ball rules.

5. 7-Ball

A midpoint between 9-ball’s speed and 10-ball’s strategy. Seven balls racked in a hexagonal shape (or circle), 1-ball at the front, 7-ball in the center. Same sequential rule where you hit the lowest ball first, but the 7-ball wins the game. Matches are longer than 9-ball but shorter than 8-ball.

Rack: 7 balls in a hexagon/circle. 1-ball at front, 7-ball in center. Break: Must strike the 1-ball first. Win condition: Legally pocket the 7-ball.

7-ball is popular in Asia and growing in the US. It’s a good training game because the reduced ball count forces better position play. There are fewer balls to hide behind or use as obstacles.

6. Cutthroat (3+ Players)

The best pool game for groups of 3 or more. We also have a full guide to 3-player pool games with more options. Each player is assigned a group of 5 balls (1-5, 6-10, or 11-15). The goal is to be the last player with balls still on the table. You’re trying to pocket your opponents’ balls, not your own. When all of a player’s balls are pocketed, they’re eliminated. Last player standing wins.

Rack: All 15 balls in triangle. Random placement. Break: Standard. Groups are assigned by claiming them in order or by agreement before the break. Win condition: Be the last player with at least one ball remaining on the table.

The twist: if someone fouls, any eliminated players can return to the game by placing one of their balls back on the foot spot. This keeps everyone involved even after getting knocked out.

Group assignment options: You can assign groups before the break (1-5, 6-10, 11-15), or play “claim” style where each player picks their group after the break based on which balls are in the best positions. Claim style adds a layer of strategy to the opening. With 4-5 players, groups get smaller (3 balls per player with 5), which makes every shot count. Strategy tip: Don’t just attack the leader. The smart move is usually targeting whoever has the fewest balls left — they’re closest to winning. And if you’re behind, play safe instead of taking risky shots that might foul and let an eliminated player back in. Full rules in our cutthroat guide.

7. One Pocket

One Pocket is the chess of pool. It’s 90% strategy and 10% shot-making. Each player is assigned one of the two foot-rail corner pockets. You can only score by pocketing balls in your assigned pocket. First to pocket 8 balls in their pocket wins. Any ball in any other pocket either spots back or counts for your opponent, depending on the rules.

Rack: All 15 balls in triangle on the foot spot. Break: From behind the head string. Strategic: most players break softly to control where balls end up. Win condition: Pocket 8 balls in your assigned corner pocket.

One Pocket games are long. At high levels, a single rack can take 30-60 minutes. You’ll play defensive shots constantly, trying to move balls near your pocket while keeping them away from your opponent’s.

Strategy tip: The break in one pocket is nothing like the break in 8-ball. You don’t want to spread the balls — you want to control them. Most players break softly, sending just 2-3 balls toward their pocket while keeping everything else tight. The opening few shots are about ball management, not pocketing. Move balls into your half of the table and out of your opponent’s. Players like Efren Reyes made one pocket famous because it rewards creativity and patience over pure shot-making. If you like thinking two shots ahead more than pocketing balls, this is your game.

8. Bank Pool

Every shot must be a bank. The ball must contact at least one rail before going in a pocket. No direct shots count. Fifteen balls racked normally, and the first player to bank in 8 balls wins. If you pocket a ball without banking it, it gets spotted back on the table.

Rack: All 15 balls in triangle on the foot spot. Break: Standard break from behind the head string. Win condition: Be the first to legally bank 8 balls into pockets.

Bank pool is brutally difficult for casual players. You need to understand angle calculation, speed control, and how cloth conditions affect bank angles. But it’s excellent practice for improving your overall game. The skills transfer directly to everything else you play.

Strategy tip: There are two types of banks — natural and cross-side. Natural banks go into the pocket on the same side as the object ball. Cross-side banks travel across the table. Naturals are easier and more predictable. Start there. Speed matters more than angle in bank pool — a ball banked at the right angle but the wrong speed will drift wide. And watch the cloth. New, fast cloth shortens bank angles. Old, slow cloth widens them. Playing bank pool regularly will make your normal game noticeably better within a month. See our bank pool guide.

9. Straight Pool (14.1 Continuous)

Straight Pool is the marathon of billiards, with professional matches going to 150 points. Any ball, any pocket, any order. Each legally pocketed ball scores 1 point. When 14 balls have been pocketed, they’re re-racked (with the 15th ball and cue ball left in position) and play continues. Games are played to a predetermined point total, typically 100 or 150.

Rack: All 15 balls in triangle. After 14 are pocketed, those 14 are re-racked with a space for the remaining ball. Break: Opening break is defensive (you must drive 2 balls to a rail). After re-racks, play is continuous. Win condition: First to reach the agreed point total (usually 100 or 150).

Straight Pool was the dominant professional game before 9-ball took over in the 1970s. It rewards endurance and the ability to run 30, 40, 50 balls in a row without losing position. Willie Mosconi’s record run of 526 consecutive balls still stands from 1954.

Strategy tip: The “break ball” and “key ball” concept is everything in straight pool. When 14 balls are pocketed, those 14 get re-racked while the 15th ball and cue ball stay in position. You need to plan your last 2-3 shots so the 15th ball sits near a pocket and the cue ball ends up in a position to break the new rack open. Good straight pool players pick their break ball 5-6 shots in advance. The re-rack transition is where runs live or die. If you can consistently break open the new rack and keep running, you’ll understand why old-timers call this the purest form of pool.

10. 15-Ball

A point-based game where each ball is worth its number. The 15-ball is worth 15 points, the 1-ball is worth 1, and so on. The total point value on the table is 120 (1+2+3…+15). First player to score more than 60 points wins, since that’s more than half the available total.

Rack: All 15 balls in triangle. 15-ball in center for fairness. Break: Standard break. All pocketed balls on the break count toward your score. Win condition: Score more than 60 points.

15-ball teaches you to prioritize high-value balls. Leaving the 15, 14, and 13 on the table while your opponent clears low-value balls is a losing strategy. You need to go after the big numbers early.

11. Rotation (Chicago)

Rotation combines sequential play with point scoring. You hit the lowest ball first, but each ball is worth its number in points. Like 9-ball, you must contact the lowest-numbered ball first on every shot. But unlike 9-ball, every legally pocketed ball scores its face value. With 120 total points available, first to 61 wins.

Rack: All 15 balls in triangle. 1-ball at apex, 2 and 3 on back corners, highest balls near the center. Break: Must hit the 1-ball first. Win condition: Score 61+ points.

Rotation is demanding because you must play in order (no free shots at random balls) while also prioritizing high-value targets. It’s popular in the Philippines and is considered one of the best all-around skill development games.

12. Bowlliards

Bowling scoring on a pool table. Ten balls racked in a triangle, and each player gets two turns (like bowling frames) to pocket as many as possible. First attempt: pocket as many of the 10 balls as you can. If you clear all 10 on the first try, that’s a strike. If not, the remaining balls stay in place for your second attempt. Clear the rest on attempt two and that’s a spare. Play 10 frames, scored exactly like bowling. Perfect game is 300.

Rack: 10 balls in a triangle on the foot spot. Break/Play: First shot is the break. Continue shooting until you miss or clear the rack. Win condition: Highest bowling-style score after 10 frames.

Bowlliards works for 1-4 players and is surprisingly addictive. It’s one of the best pool games you can play alone too. I’ve seen people who claim to hate pool play this for two hours straight because the bowling scoring system clicks immediately.

13. Baseball Pocket Billiards

Baseball scoring on a pool table, played over 9 innings. Uses 21 numbered object balls (you’ll need a special set, or use the standard 15 plus mark 6 extra balls). Each inning, the player racks all the balls and shoots. Each legally pocketed ball scores 1 run. After 9 innings, the highest score wins.

Rack: All 21 balls in triangle on the foot spot (or 15 with modified rules). Play: Each player shoots one rack per inning. Scratches cost you an “out,” and 3 outs end your inning. Win condition: Most runs (pocketed balls) after 9 innings.

With standard 15-ball sets, you can play a simplified version: rack all 15, each player shoots until they miss (that’s one inning). Play 9 innings per side.

14. Speed Pool

A race against the clock. Pocket all 15 balls as fast as possible. All 15 balls racked normally. On “go,” break and run the table. Your time stops when the last ball drops. Fouls add penalty time (typically 10-15 seconds per foul). Lowest time wins.

Rack: Standard 15-ball triangle. Break: Timed from the moment of the break shot. Win condition: Clear the table in the fastest time.

Speed Pool is the most exciting spectator format and an incredible practice tool. It forces quick decision-making and teaches you to see patterns instantly. Professional speed pool records are under 30 seconds for a full 15-ball rack. That’s less time than it takes most people to rack them.

Which Game Should You Play?

Here’s a quick decision guide based on what you’re looking for:

Just two of you and 15 minutes to kill? Play 9-ball. Fast, exciting, and every rack has a chance for a dramatic combo finish.

Game night with 3-5 friends? Cutthroat. It’s the only pool game that handles groups well without anyone sitting out. 3-ball works too if you want quick rotating turns.

Want to get seriously better? Bank pool or straight pool. Bank pool teaches angle control and speed. Straight pool teaches pattern play and planning. Both will expose weaknesses in your game fast.

Looking for the deepest strategic challenge? One pocket. It’s the slowest game on this list and the most mentally demanding. Two players, one pocket each, pure chess on felt.

Just want to have fun? Bowlliards. Everyone knows bowling scoring, so there’s zero learning curve. Works solo or with a group.

Gear Up for Game Night

A good set of balls makes every game better. Aramith Premium balls are the gold standard — phenolic resin that rolls true and lasts decades. You’ll also want a solid triangle rack and a 9-ball diamond rack for the rotation games.

If you’re playing regularly, owning your own cue makes a bigger difference than most people expect. Our guide to cues for every budget covers what’s actually worth buying.

Knowing the rules also helps when someone pockets the wrong ball — here’s what happens when you hit your opponent’s ball in.

FAQ

What are the most popular pool games?

8-ball and 9-ball are the most popular in the US. 8-ball is the standard bar game where you pocket solids or stripes then the 8-ball. 9-ball is the most common professional format, played in numerical order with just 9 balls.

What’s the difference between 9-ball and 10-ball?

Both are played in numerical order, but 10-ball uses 10 balls instead of 9 and requires you to call every shot. 10-ball eliminates the luck factor. You can’t slop in a game-winning ball. It’s considered the harder, more strategic version.

Is bank pool harder than 8-ball?

Yes, significantly. In bank pool, every pocketed ball must be banked off at least one rail first. No direct shots allowed. It demands advanced angle calculation and speed control that most casual players haven’t developed.

Can I play different pool games on a standard table?

Yes. All 14 games in this article are played on a standard 7, 8, or 9-foot pool table with 6 pockets. The only things that change between games are the rack pattern, number of balls, and rules.

Which pool games are best for beginners?

8-ball and 9-ball are the most beginner-friendly because the rules are simple and widely known. Cutthroat is great for 3+ players. 3-ball is perfect for quick practice sessions.

What pool game do professionals play?

9-ball and 10-ball are the main professional formats. The Mosconi Cup and most US pro tours use 9-ball. 10-ball is growing in international competition because it requires called shots, reducing the luck factor.

Related Articles

For more on this topic, check out how to play pool, 8-ball rules, 9-ball rules, 10-ball rules, cutthroat pool rules, bank pool rules, how to break in pool, and pool games you can play alone.