Pool is built for two players. But you don’t need a partner to get on the table and get better.
Plenty of games and drills work just as well alone, and some sharpen your stroke faster than a casual match against a buddy ever would.
Pool Games You Can Play Alone
Below are 9 solo games. Some are two-player games you can adapt, some are built from scratch for playing alone.
Solo 8 Ball
To start, rack all fifteen balls like you would in a traditional game of 8 ball with the 8 ball in the center surrounded by the rest of the balls in random order. Break, and then proceed to sink all of the striped balls followed by the solids, or vice versa. Be sure to pocket the 8 ball last and call your pocket for good practice. Solo 8 ball is a great way to keep your skills sharp while having a good time doing so. A clean, true-rolling set of pool balls helps more than people expect here, since a scuffed bar set throws off the exact position play you are trying to groove.
Fifteen in a Row
Fifteen in a row is another great game you can play by yourself. To start, rack the balls the same way you would for a game of 8 ball then proceed to break. You must pocket at least one ball on the break. If you don’t, you have to re-rack and start over again. After the break, you then have to pocket at least one ball on every shot. If you fail to make a shot, you have to start all over again.
The goal is to make all 15 balls in a row without missing a single one. You don’t have to pocket the balls in any particular order, although you can if you want to make things more challenging. Again, you can add to the difficulty by racing against the clock or adding any additional rules or caveats that you can think of.
3 Ball
3-ball uses just three object balls racked at the foot spot. Break, then count how many shots it takes you to clear all three. Lower is better, and a clean break can sometimes sink them all at once. The short rack plays fast and forces you to plan position precisely from the very first stroke.
14.1 Straight Pool (Solo)
This is the game serious players use to measure themselves alone. Rack all 15, then pocket any ball you call, one point each. When you are down to the last ball, re-rack the other 14 (leave the apex spot open) and use that leftover ball as your break ball: pocket it so the cue ball caroms into the fresh rack and breaks it open, then keep going. Your score is your high run, the count of balls you pocket in a row across re-racks before you miss. It is humbling at first. Willie Mosconi’s high run was 526, and most amateurs celebrate their first 20.
Bowlliards
Bowlliards turns solo practice into a game with a real score, borrowed straight from bowling. Rack 10 object balls, break, and give yourself two innings per frame, the same two tries you get at the lanes. Clear all 10 in the first inning and you score a strike. Clear what is left in the second inning for a spare. Miss some and you just score a point for each ball you pocketed before moving to the next frame. Play 10 frames and total it up the way a bowling card does, where a clean run of strikes tops out at 300. It is the most honest way to track whether your run-out game is actually getting better.
Tips for Playing Pool Alone
Speed pool is a great way to strengthen your ability to remain cool under pressure. Speed pool is basically a timed version of 8 ball. The game is played exactly like 8 ball is except for the fact that you’re racing against the clock.
Target pool is more of a drill than a game. The object of target pool is to help you learn position play and cue ball control by having you pocket an object ball in a particular pocket from a certain spot on the table, and control the cue ball to a specific “target” on the table.
These targets and shot instructions can be bought in the form of a kit, but it’s a lot cheaper to just use napkins as your target and set up your own shots instead. This is a great way to get better at controlling the cue ball and learning proper shot selection.
Ghost pool is another great solo game that’s sure to help sharpen your skills. You set the game up as you would any other game you enjoy such as 8 ball or 9 ball. You then break and proceed to give yourself ball in hand.
Place the cue ball wherever you like and then proceed to run the rack in one turn. If you miss a shot or scratch, the “ghost” automatically wins. You only win the game if you pocket every ball in a single turn. Most players opt to race to a certain number of wins to determine if they won or their imaginary counterpart did.
Cowboy pool is basically a game of 8 ball played backwards. You rack the balls in 8 ball fashion and then proceed to the break. After the break, you then begin to pocket your designated balls but not in the traditional manner.
In standard 8 ball you strike the cue ball first which then hits your object ball hopefully into a pocket. With cowboy pool, you strike your object ball first, which then has to hit the cue ball before making its way into a pocket. This game is a great way to learn angles and position play.
Solo practice rewards you faster when you have a cue with a responsive tip and consistent feel. Our cue guide for every budget helps if you’re shopping for a practice stick.
Keep a Rulebook Handy
Worth checking out: Grab the official BCA Rules Book on Amazon if you want the exact rules in writing. It settles the arguments these solo games tend to start.
FAQ
Can you really play pool by yourself?
Yes. Many traditional games have solo variations that help you practice and improve your skills without needing another player.
What’s solo 8-ball?
Rack 15 balls, break, then sink all striped balls followed by solids, or vice versa. Call your pocket when you sink the 8-ball. It’s great for keeping your skills sharp.
What is ghost pool?
Set up 8-ball or 9-ball as usual, break, then give yourself ball in hand. Try to run the entire rack in one turn. If you miss, the ‘ghost’ wins.
What’s cowboy pool?
Cowboy pool is 8-ball played backwards. You hit the object ball first, which then hits the cue ball before going into the pocket. This teaches angles and position.
How does ‘fifteen in a row’ work?
Rack all 15 balls and break. You must pocket at least one ball on every shot. Miss once and restart. The goal is to pocket all 15 without missing.
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