I know, I know. The LAST
thing you want to see is the boring way that Yahoo! states the rules. Unfortunately,
that is the way they posted them. However, since Yahoo! did NOT make this web site, I have taken the liberty of making a few “minor”
changes. Most of them appear as they are posted on their website, but I like
to think I have made it a little more interesting for you, my readers.
Yahoo! Pool is designed for the entertainment of individuals from around the world. People gather in their various rooms to shoot pool and to meet others who also enjoy the game. Many people find Yahoo! pool an interesting and enjoyable diversion. As such, we should remember the basic rules of courtesy while playing. These "fun" rules cover these basic areas. This section is
about the true basics of game play. If you find that anything has been left out
or is in error, please notify the author by email at newdawn85901@yahoo.com. Thank you.
For the real
rules as posted on Yahoo!, follow this link:
Yahoo! Rules for Pool
The Basics
of Y! 8-Ball Pool
After you
enter a room, you must click on the “Sit” button over the top of the table.
After sitting down, you must push the “Start Game” button to the left of the table. After you do this, you are ready to begin. Here are the basics
you will need to know to play the game:
1.)
The object of the game: The object of the game is to pocket (“sink”)
the black ball after pocketing all of your ball group (solids or stripes). This
is done by hitting the cue (white) ball into another ball, causing one of your balls to go into a pocket.
2.)
Moving the cue stick (the “cue”): To aim your cue stick, you
must move the butt (the fat end) side to side. This is done by holding
your mouse pointer over the butt end of the stick, depressing the left mouse button (right button for the lefties out there),
and moving the mouse. When you have it where you want it, release the mouse button. If you are having a hard time getting the exact aim you want, try using the arrow
keys on your keyboard. This will give you the most precise aim available.
3.)
Shooting the cue ball: To “shoot” the cue ball, hold the mouse
pointer over the stick (The author prefers to grab it at the pointed end for better draw) and depress the right mouse
button (left for the lefties). Holding down the button, draw back the
cue (“stick”) to the desired power needed and release the button.
To see how much power is used, look to the right of the table. There you
will see a power meter, which ranges on a scale from 1 to 8. (Note: There
are no numbers on the scale, just graduated marks to the side).
4.)
The break: The person with the break must strike the rack (the balls
arranged in a triangle at the beginning of the game). The ideal break will
cause at least one ball to be pocketed, also leaving the cue ball at a position which will allow you to shoot at balls of
either ball group. You may move the cue ball to different positions behind the
foul (yellow) line to the left side of the table. This is done by depressing
your left mouse button (right for you left-handed people) while holding it over the cue ball then moving the mouse
to where you want the ball then releasing the mouse button.
It is recommended that you use a practice
room to find a place top break from that will drop at least one ball into any pocket.
Use that same break every time and you will get consistent results. Otherwise,
breaking will be a bad thing for you.
5.)
Legally pocketing the first ball: The first ball to be legally pocketed
determines which ball group you will have for the entire game. To be legally
pocketed (before a group is determined) you must strike a ball other than the black (“8”) ball and cause
a ball to be forced into a pocket. Until a ball is legally pocketed, the table
is considered “open,” and any ball may be sunk except the 8 (black) or the cue ball.
6.)
Cue Ball Travel: Typically, there is a line extending from the cue ball
(the aiming line) in the direction that the ball will travel after being struck by the stick. Here’s where geometry comes in to play: the ball being hit by the cue ball will travel in an angle
opposite to that from which it is being struck. After the cue ball
contacts the object ball, it also will travel at an angle away from the ball so struck.
7.)
Fouls: A foul is committed when any of the following occurs:
a.) pocketing the cue ball
b.) The cue ball strikes the 8-ball
first (unless it is the only legal shot).
c.) The cue ball strikes one of your
opponent's balls first.
d.) The cue ball does not strike a legal object ball. (One of your balls)
e.)
having the time allowed for your shot to run out (this only
applies to
timed tables, and the time allowed ranges from
1 to 99 seconds).
8.)
Penalty for a foul: The penalty for a foul is “Ball In Hand.” This means that, after a person commits a foul, the other player will be allowed to
move the cue ball to any desired location on the table.
A Note about Ball In Hand:
Placing the
cue ball is done by holding the left mouse button down over the cue and moving the pointer to where you want the ball to be
placed. Remember to place it where your hardest shot is so it will do you
the most good.
9.)
Different types of shots: other than putting a ball straight in, there
are different ways of putting one of your balls in a pocket. They are the bank,
the carom and the combination (“combo”).
a.)
Bank: this is where you cause either the cue or another ball to contact another rail before forcing a ball into a pocket
b.)
Carom: causing a ball to “carom” (strike) off another ball
and be deflected into a pocket by this other ball.
c.)
Combination: using a series of two or more balls to hit each other in sequential order causing one of the balls in the sequence
to be pocketed.
10.)
ENDING THE GAME: Shoot your entire designated ball group until all balls have been pocketed. After this is done, you may legally pocket the black (8) ball. To
do this, “call” the pocket you are going to pocket it into by left-clicking the mouse pointer over the intended
pocket. Once you have called the pocket, you may shoot the 8 into that pocket. Causing it to fall into any other pocket or scratching while making the 8 will cause
you to lose the game. Making it into the correct pocket will cause you to win
the game.
11:
Your appearance: You will notice an icon (the face) beside your name above
the table. You may do this by either left or right clicking your mouse pointer
over the icon.
A note about chatting
There are
many people who come together in the Yahoo! Pool rooms to make friends
as well as have “personal” encounters. Sometimes these friendships
become such that, were they not actually separated by the computer, there would be a significant rise in the worlds’
population!
Because of
this anonymity, it often becomes necessary to guard against immoral behavior because of the many people under the age of 18
who use the
internet
for entertainment. Be careful that the people you approach for sexual encounters
are 18 or older. Otherwise, you can be taken to jail for having sexual misconduct
with a minor.
If you
are under 18 years old (21 in some states): please remember that there are predators
out there who are trying to take advantage of you. They will pretend to be younger
than they are and will do many things (especially lie to you) in order to lure you into a “real life”
meeting. If you have been approached for sex or enticed to call someone for sex
while you were online, please go to www.perverted-justice.com and report it. You will find others there who stand against
this type of animal and who will help to take action against them.
For those
adults out there who want to help, go to their website and join them in their efforts to eradicate these vicious, insane people.
A Reminder From The Author
The Internet
(especially the pool rooms) is a great place to forge new friendships. It has,
however been found to be a place for sexual predators to find their prey. Please
be wary when making new alliances online.
Adults, I
believe, can fend for themselves. Our children are being approached as
well. For those readers who have either heard of or been approached by
people, and a lot of them are perverts. I speak of the men who cannot get an
adult woman target those who will fall for their lines, so they hit up our babies for sex.
They start
with what is known as “grooming,” where they do their form of foreplay.
In some cases, within 60 seconds, these animals are asking for either online sex or a physical meeting. Something must be done.
I firmly believe
in the adage “It takes a village to raise a child.” It also
takes a village to protect them. We, as responsible adults, must band together
to help stop some of these people. You can help in many ways. Start by going to
www.perverted-justice.com and read what they are about. You will
see other committed people and, hopefully, take the next step. Join us in
our fight for justice. Let’s all work together to make these people pay
for their crimes. Making them known for the predators they are will make our
children safer.
