Nine-ball and eight-ball in Pocket Pool, Games by Zaweba
Pocket Pool in Games by Zaweba: practise nine-ball alone or play eight-ball against the computer, with an aiming guide, drag-back power and foul rules.
Pocket Pool puts a proper pool table on the Skill & sport shelf of Games by Zaweba. There are two ways to play: nine-ball practice on your own, and eight-ball against the computer. Both use the same simple controls and the same careful physics of balls rolling and bouncing round a green table.
Firing in Pocket Pool
Point the mouse where you want the cue ball to go. A guide line shows the first ball the cue ball will hit and where that ball should travel after the contact. That makes lining up a pot much easier than guessing angles by eye.
Then press and drag back to set the power, and let go to strike. A short drag gives a soft shot, a long drag a hard one.
Nine-ball practice
In nine-ball you play on your own. The rule is that you must always hit the lowest numbered ball on the table first. The aim is to pot the 9 in as few shots as you can.
That makes nine-ball practice a good teacher. Since the first contact is always decided for you, the real question on every shot is how to hit that ball so the cue ball finishes in a useful place for the next one.
Eight-ball against the computer
In eight-ball you play the computer. Each side has a group, either the spots or the stripes. Pot all your group, then pot the 8 to win.
Fouls matter. Potting the cue ball, missing every ball, or hitting the wrong ball first are all fouls. After a foul, your opponent gets the cue ball in hand, which means they can place it where they like for their next shot. That is a big advantage, so avoiding fouls is as important as potting balls.
Playing position
The difference between potting one ball and clearing a table is position: where the cue ball ends up after each shot. Before you strike, think not only about the pot but also about where the cue ball will go next. A soft shot often leaves the cue ball close to the next target. A hard shot can send it bouncing off the cushions into an awkward spot.
Use the guide for this too. Seeing where the object ball should go helps you picture where the cue ball will roll after the contact.
In eight-ball, plan your group. Pot the easy balls early only if they do not leave you stuck later. A ball sitting near a pocket can be useful to save for when you need an easy shot.
Choosing the right power
Most missed pots are hit too hard. A firm but gentle shot gives the ball a better chance of dropping in the pocket rather than rattling out of it. Save the big drags for breaking up clusters of balls or for shots where the cue ball needs to travel a long way.
Pocket Pool among its shelf mates
Pocket Pool sits on the Skill & sport shelf of Games by Zaweba with other ball games such as Crazy Putt and Hoop Shot. At the end it shows your score and your best, and the app keeps your plays and wins. Press Esc to pause and F1 for the rules.
