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Pool is a game of mental and physical agility, requiring both patience and concentration. It is played indoors using a table, balls, rack and cue stick. Generally, it can be played with two or more people. However, the preferred game involves two teams, each having two or four players. There are many variations of pool games, but the most popular is 8-ball. To play this game you need to adhere to these most important rules:

1.Pot a pre-selected group of either red or yellow balls into any pocket
in any order.
2.Do not pot the black ball, or 8-ball before any of the coloured balls.
If do this you will automatically lose the game.
3.Pot the 8-ball after you have potted your team's coloured
balls to win the game.
4.If you pot your opponent's coloured ball by mistake, the turn will become
his and he will get an extra shot. (2 shots instead of one)
5.Your turn will continue until you no longer pot your selected colour of
ball into one of the 6 pockets on the pool table. The other team, or person
will then take his turn.
6.The cue ball, or white ball, should not be moved from the position in which
it rests on the table.
7.If the cue ball, goes into one of the side pockets it will automatically
become your opponent's turn to play. They will now have two shots.
8.You must take the cue ball out of the large outer pocket of the table and

Now that you have understood these rules of playing 8-ball, the following points will give you the guideline to the strategy of the game.

1) A coin should be tossed in order to find out which team breaks the set of balls.

2) Rack the balls on the table. To do this you must place fifteen coloured balls into the black, plastic triangle on the pool table. These balls consist of seven yellow (numbered 1-7) and seven red balls (numbered 9-15) and one black ball, or 8-ball. The yellow and red balls should be placed alternatively within the rack and the 8-ball should be placed in the centre of these balls.

3) Move the rack (with balls) to the far end of the table. The black ball should sit over the black spot. Now remove the rack and start the game.

4) Place the 'cue ball' (white ball) on halfway point of the white straight line within the D shape at the opposite end of the table.

5) Choose your cue stick. Test it by ''sighting it'' or looking down the length of the pool stick to see if it has any bumps and is straight. Hit a ball with your cue stick to see that it is comfortable, solid and hits straight. It is important to use the correct cue stick for your body and so you need to know that it is the right length.

6) Hold the end of the cue stick in your right hand and stand close to the table. Take the correct stance and make sure that your left foot is a couple of feet in front of your right foot. Place your left hand, palm down and flat on the table. This hand should be between five and ten inches from the cue ball. The shaft of the cue stick should rest between your thumb and the creases on the finger next to it. Raise your thumb a fraction. Then slide the stick back and forwards in this gap. This should feel smooth and comfortable.

7) Imitate the shot, without actually touching anything, to make sure that you are course to pot your ball. Then hit the cue ball in the centre and aim to hit the side of the triangle of balls. You want to pot one of the coloured balls, but not the black ball.

8) The colour of ball you pot will designate the colour of ball you play throughout the game.

These are the basic rules and strategy in playing a game of pool. There are many more creative strategies to use, when you have gained some experience. I fully recommend that you take this game up, because it really is a lot of fun and can be challenging.

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