What is a good pool game to play with two players?

Question

I don't want to play a real full game. I was thinking maybe of playing h-o-r-s-e. Are there any other games?

Answer 1

You can always shorten the rack or just play randomly and whoever sinks the most balls wins. Say, rack nine balls in a diamond shape (4 solids, 4 stripes, and the 8) and play that way. You can do it with seven too, except the rack needs to be turned a little. If you want to play horse, check out my website to stock up on ammo for that.

Hey LAG, 3 ball is a good game too. The problem with cutthroat with two players is one person has more balls than the other. It might be ok for a handicap, depending on the skill level of the players. And besides, if you play full rack cutthroat, you might as well play 8 ball.

Answer 2

Lori & Tim got it pretty well covered

All I can think of to add is see who can run 3 laps around the table the fastest

                           Hey Guys  Johnny

Answer 3

Play chinese eight ball. After you break, put the 8 ball on top of the blue chalk. Play the game normal, just don't knock the 8 ball off or you lose.  

Answer 4

I like Chinese nine ball for practicing. I play this way. Make a nine ball rack in the center of the table, leaving the rack on. The remainder of balls are placed one directly in front of each pocket. You attempt to make each ball in it's pocket without hitting the rack. If you hit the rack or miss a shot, your turn is over & you re-rack for the opponent, who also gets to call your shots in this part of the game (& you theirs), so be aware of your leave. Once you've made all the balls in their pockets you remove the rack & shoot the remaining balls. You have ten shots to make the nine balls, in any order or pocket you choose, if you go over, it's your opponents turn. Any number of people can play since each rack is for one player at a time.

Another idea is to play speed pool. I don't know the rules but I think it's basically just whoever makes the most shots in the least amount of time wins.

Answer 5

Tim pretty much covered the gamut of "quick" pool games.

Definitely check out his site --- VERY enjoyable, entertaining, and informative!

http://www.trickshottim.com

In addition to Dr. Pool's heroics, here are a few more *quick* and *fun* pool games to play:

"Cut-throat" : 1 player has balls: 1 thru 8. Your opponent, has balls: 9 thru 15.  

Rack and set balls (with the 'front' ball on foot-spot, just as you would in a game of 8-Ball ---but randomly arrange ALL balls).

Determine which balls are 'yours' : (* 1-8 or 9-15)

Shoot to pocket  your opponent's balls. The object of the game is to eliminate your opponent by pocketing all of his/her balls. The winner is the player who has eliminated all the opponent's balls and has at least one ball of his your own remaining on the table.  ---- "Last man standing!"

Cut-throat can be played with *2 to 5 players.

"Three Ball" :  Rack up 3 balls (just like you would be racking the first 3 balls in a triangular rack for most pool games. You can even use your hands to rack the balls).

Decide who's to shoot first (both players get an equal chance to shoot and run).

Object of the game: Pocket all three balls in as FEW shots as possible. The break counts as 'one shot', so make it a good one!  Whether you pocket a ball on the break or not ---the breaker continues to shoot until all three balls have been pocketed. Remember to count EACH stroke ---as your goal, is to pocket 3 balls in fewer shots than your opponent. A *Scratch* on the cueball at any point of the run, counts as 2 shots (as a penalty).

Three-Ball is quick, fun, and contagious!

You can play with one to several players.

Have fun, pool player!

LAG

Answer 6

Play regular nine ball. and if you can find a way to rack them up, play nine ball with 6 to 8 balls.