Enter any contemporary pool room and you can sense the excitement: engulfing LED light shows, state-of-the-art intelligent tables, and a throng of pool-cue wielding contestants. A common question that people ask is How many types of pool games are there. The answer is: considerably more than you can imagine. Whether it is underground classics or a local tournament must-haves, the variety is enormous. Yet, you don’t need to worry, we have curated a lineup of cue sports and variations to help you dive right in. Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced player, there is something at Pool Tables for everyone.
How Many Types of Pool Games Are There?
In theory, each adjustment of the rules makes a new game. Ask how many pool games are there in total, and there is no definite answer; there are dozens of variations throughout the world. This guide will discuss the most common ones you are most likely to come across.
Pool is a sport with life in it. Every country, region, or even local pub might have its twist on the game. There are rule sets that have international recognition and those that are local favorites. When you understand how many types of pool games are there, the game feels so endlessly captivating.
Classic Pool Table Games
- 8-Ball Pool is played with 15 object balls (along with the cue ball) separated into solid colored balls (1 -7) and striped balls (9 -15). Players have to sink their set, and then the black 8-ball to win.
- 9-Ball Pool uses balls 1-9, and you need to hit the ball with the lowest number first, but you win the game by legally pocketing the 9-ball.
| Game | Players | Balls | Objective |
| 8-Ball | 2 | Solids 1–7, Stripes 9–15 + 8-ball (15 total) | Clear your group, then pocket the 8-ball. |
| 9-Ball | 2 | Balls 1–9 (9 total) | Always hit the lowest ball; pocket the 9-ball to win. |
| One-Pocket | 2 | Balls 1–15 (15 total) | Each player claims one pocket; first to sink eight balls into it wins. |
| Straight Pool | 2 | Balls 1–15 (15 total) | Score points by pocketing any ball. Play to a target score (100+). |
| Cutthroat | 3+ | Balls 1–15 (15 total) | Divide balls among players; the last player with any left wins. |
Every tweak of the rules spawns a new version, so if you’re asking how many types of pool games are there, the number keeps growing.
How Many Types of Pool Games Are There with Competition and Strategy
- One-Pocket Pool
One-Pocket Pool is a strategic head-to-head game. Each player selects one corner pocket and attempts to be the first player to shoot eight balls into the pocket, using safeties to keep their run safe. Bank Pool (shots have to bank off a cushion before they are potted) or Rotation Pool, where the balls are hit in sequence, are also favoured by high-skill players.
- Cutthroat Pool
Cutthroat Pool adds some fun to group play: Three (or more) players get a set of five balls each. Every man/woman is out for himself/herself, trying to pocket the balls of the opponents first; the last man/woman with a ball on the table is the winner. It is a social, fast-paced game, and an ideal three-way match.
- Killer Pool and Three-Ball
Killer Pool and Three-Ball ensure that things remain quick. In Three-Ball, there are three balls that you shoot, and you want to have the lowest score possible in the fewest number of strokes. In Killer Pool, each person has only a certain number of lives; a player who misses loses a life, and the players take turns.
- Speed Pool, Ten-Ball, and Chicago
Formats such as Speed Pool, Ten-Ball, and Chicago are more games to discover. Speed Pool is based on how fast a player can clear the table; reflexes and precision are put to the test. Ten-Ball is also played by the same rules as 9-ball, with the exception that you have to call your shots. Chicago is a mixture of rotation and 8-ball, with several innings, in which points are earned per ball.
- The Good-Old Snooker
Finally, there is Snooker, a globally known game with 21 object balls and a totally different scoring system. It is less risky but very strategic. English Billiards and Carom (a cue sport played on a table with no pockets) further diversify the global cue sport scene.
With all these variations, we circle back to how many types of pool games are there? The deeper you go, the more you uncover.
A Splash of Other Pool: Water Games
When wondering which games you should play in the swimming pool, note that it is another type of game! Marco Polo, pool basketball, ring toss, and underwater relay races are classic swimming pool games that are great to play with family or during the summer.
These water games are not cue-based, but they add fun to the backyard parties and pool days. Playing catch with a ball, lap swimming, or even diving to pick up coins, these special games of pool are always in fashion.
Smart Tech Meets Social Play
In the modern-day pool hall, it is not all about cues and chalk. Real-time scoring and smart tables with sensors make the games exciting, whereas music and ambient lighting give immersive experiences. Whether it be a solo practice or a bracket tournament, modern technology makes the game digital.
We are not talking about simple tables; these tables are interconnected, smart, and easily operable. Whether you are making a reservation to play a casual game or stepping into a heated match during Game Nights, it is a social, competitive, and effortless experience.
Real-World Vibes
- A group of friends gather for a cutthroat match on a Friday night, cheering and laughing as the lights flash with every shot.
- A first-time player uses the touchscreen to learn techniques to play pool games, winning their first game minutes later.
- A family visits during the day, and the staff sets up pool games for kids with fun rules and low-pressure play.
- In the evening, the energy changes: cocktails, live DJ, and pool games for adults like one-pocket or bank pool turn the night up a notch.
If you’re still asking yourself, How many types of pool games are there, the better question might be: how many have you tried?
Final Words
The world of cue games is huge and ready to be discovered. Whether it is an old-time classic or a format that someone has created, the list is nearly unlimited. Whether you are just starting to learn to play pool games or you are already in the midst of weekly games, each game has something new to offer. Grab your crew, take your cue, and have fun playing pool. You never know, you may even come up with your own variety of the best pool games ever.
So next time someone asks you how many types of pool games are there, don’t just count, invite them to play at pool halls like Poolio’s Pool Hall & Pizzeria.
Find the ideal pool game that takes your vibe to the next level by contacting the all-in-one pool hall at 920-561-3658 or send an email to Info@poolios.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many types of pool games are there?
There is no definitive answer to how many pool games there are; the answer will vary. There are dozens of variations of pools across the world, and more continue to appear. Here we have discussed the major ones (8-ball, 9-ball, etc.), but think of this guide as a platter of appetizers of pool fun!
What are pool games?
Pool games refer to cue sports that are played on a table with pockets. You hit the balls into the pockets with a cue stick as per the rules of the various games. The common ones are 8-ball, 9-ball, one-pocket, and straight pool. When it is played on a pool table with a cue ball, it is a pool game.
How to play pool games?
Every game is different with its own rules. Beginners often start with 8-ball (pocket your solids or stripes first, then the 8-ball). Pool hall staff can explain any variation in a minute. Overall, the basics of all pool games are cue ball control, shot calling, and avoiding fouls. There are even tables that show a replay of your shots, so learning on the fly is easy.
What games to play in the pool?
When you say swimming pools, how about Marco Polo, pool basketball or volleyball, and treasure dives? These are excellent family and kids’ games. At Pool halls, games are cue-based. Why not test your skills on those tables instead!
What are some fun pool games, and who are they for?
The top pool games bring everyone together. For pool games for children, easy shootouts or mini-games designed just for young players are often set up. For professional pool games, classics like cutthroat or bank pool heat the competition. Every night mixes casual picks and professional formats, so people with every skill level have something thrilling to play.
