(About the Author)

These series of “Game Rules’ provide rules of many different games for the pool table. The rules here have been simplified from the official versions – to make them a little easier to understand.

There are other games that have been invented, copyrighted and generally available to the playing public. Web searches will turn these up and the rules printed out for use.

Chicago (rail version)

On this version, all object balls are positioned along the rails.

Object

Multiple players. In money version, all players ante up for the pot. Highest score takes the pot, ties split pot.

If money balls are designated (3, 6, 9, 12, 15 or 5, 10, 15), players pay the shooter a specified amount.

Opponents

Multiple players.

First player determined by local rules (coin, lag, card draw, etc.)

Balls

Regular set of balls.

Racking

Balls are placed on the cushions by the diamonds. The 1 ball is placed on the right diamond on the foot rail. Going counter-clockwise, balls are placed at each diamond around the table. Only the head rail has no balls at the diamonds. (Ball placement can also be clockwise.)

Regular play

Lowest target ball can be made in any pocket. Each ball pocketed counts as one point.

The starter shoots from the kitchen to pocket the 1 ball. The shooter continues shooting at the lowest ball on the table and continues as long as balls are pocketed.

Incidental balls made while pocketing the lowest ball also count for the shooter. If the lowest ball is missed, and the incidental ball is made, the extra ball is spotted in its location.

Shooter must make a legal hit on the lowest ball on the table.

Fouls

Penalties are loss of turn and ante to the pot.

• No legal shot
• Ball off the table (re-spotted)
• Illegal ball movement (optional – moved balls can be replaced with opponent’s approval and play continues with no penalty)
• Scratch (incoming player shoots from kitchen) If the lowest ball is the 8, 9, 10, or 11, that ball is spotted for the incoming shooter.

Variations

Place balls in a random order on the diamonds. Shoot any ball.

Rack balls and play regular rotation with money balls.