Pool 247 - How to Play Pool

You’ll be familiar with pool, the popular cue sport that can be found in bars, social clubs, and some lucky homes around the world. It’s been around since the 19th century, and there’s never really been a point when it’s fallen out of fashion. The game continues to evolve, and today fans have the option of playing an online version, which allows them to play from the comfort of their own home.

In this post, we’ll run through everything you need to know about playing pool online, including understanding the rules, step-by-step playing guides, and some handy tips that’ll edge you towards victory. Though remember — if you’re ready to dive straight in and learn by doing, then simply head to 247pool.com and get your first game underway.

Understanding Pool

If you play pool regularly in the real world, then you can skip this part. But if you’re not a pool player, or just need a little refresh, then read on. You can’t play online pool without having a solid grasp of the game.

First up, the objective. The goal is to pot the 8-ball after you’ve cleared the rest of your balls. In a game of pool there are two sets of balls, ‘stripes’ and ‘solids.’ Each player is assigned one set that they must clear (pot) before moving onto the 8-ball. Whether you’re stripes or solids depends on who pots first following the break; if you sink a solid, then they’ll be your balls. If your opponent sinks a solid, then you’ll be stripes. If you pot a ball, then you’ll get another shot. If you miss, then it’s your opponent’s turn.

The game is to pot all of your balls and then the 8-ball before your opponent. Do that, and you’ll win the game. Note: you’ll also win if you pot the 8-ball off the break, but that doesn’t happen all that often.

Fouls

It’s easy to foul in pool. If you miss all of your balls, hit the 8-ball or your opponent’s ball before hitting your own, pocket an opponent’s ball, or pocket the cue ball, then you’ll have ‘fouled’ and your opponent will be able to place the cue ball anywhere on the table for their next shot. It’s an obvious advantage to your opponent, so try to avoid it. However, it’s a common occurrence so don’t beat yourself up too much if it happens!

How to Play Online Pool

OK, now we’ve got the basics underway, let’s dive into how to play online pool. We’ll run you through a step-by-step guide on how to play online pool at 247pool.com, using screenshots so you can understand exactly what to do — and how to win!

Select Your Preferred Style of Game

First up is selecting your preferred style of game. As you can see from the screenshot above, there are three game types available at 247pool.com. These are:

• Play: Play against the computer.
• Play Online: Play against an online opponent, either a random player or an online friend.
• Pass & Play: Play against your friend from a single device.

For the purpose of this tutorial, we’ll focus on regular ‘Play’ mode, in which you’ll battle against a computer, but the gameplay will be essentially the same if you select one of the other options.

Once you’ve clicked ‘Play,’ you’ll be given the option of selecting the difficulty level. These are:

• Easy
• Medium
• Hard
• Expert

Pick whichever feels right for your skill level. If you’re new to the game, opt for ‘easy’ or ‘medium’ until you get the hang of the game.

Decide Who Breaks

The first shot of the game is the ‘break.’ This is the shot that hits the racked balls and opens up gameplay. When you play against the computer, you’ll be given the option of deciding who breaks, or you can ‘Flip Coin’ and decide randomly.

You don’t need to overthink this decision, since it’s unlikely to have a huge impact on the game. You can technically win off the break by pocketing the 8-ball, but the probability is low. For the purpose of this tutorial, we’ll assume that you’ve selected to break.

Use Your Mouse To Control Shots

You’ll make shots using your cursor. The bar on the right (currently set at 358 degrees) controls the direction of the shot. To adjust, simply move the red cursor up or down, and the angle of the shot will change.

Once you’ve set the angle, you’ll be ready to take the shot. You can do this by hovering over the cue, holding the click, and then pulling back. The cue that appears on the left will give you a percentage of how hard the shot is. The closer to 100%, the harder the shot.

Select the Ball You Want To Hit

Pocketed balls will appear below the table. As you can see from the screenshot above, the player pocketed off the break and now has a second shot.

To take a shot, simply click on the ball you wish to hit. You can then make adjustments to the angle using the bar on the right of the page. You can also drag your mouse across the table to adjust the angle, which is useful if you want to hit the side of the table before hitting your ball, rather than hitting it directly.

Note the cue ball that appears below the bar; you can use this to add spin to the ball, which is handy when you’re trying to set yourself to pocket a subsequent ball.

Think Tactically

It’s unlikely that you’ll pot all of your balls in a row. At some point, your opponent (in this case, the computer) will have an opportunity to pot a ball. When taking your shot, be mindful of where the cue ball will land if you miss — you may set up your opponent for an easy shot!

Be Wary Of the 8-ball

The 8-ball isn’t your friend until you’ve cleared all of your balls. As such, it pays to be wary of the 8-ball until you have the opportunity to pot it legally. You’ll commit a foul if you hit the 8-ball before hitting one of your balls, and will lose the game if you pot it out of turn.

Finishing The Game

The game ends when a player has cleared all of their balls and pockets the 8-ball. As you can see from the screenshot above, the player has pocketed all of the stripes and now has an opportunity to win the game.

If the player makes the shot, they’ll see a screen that looks like this:

Victory! At that point, you’ll have a chance to view the final table, play a different style of game, or play another game against the computer. The choice is yours!

Play Online

Fancy doing battle against an internet stranger, or with a friend in the other part of the country? Then head to the 247pool.com homepage and select ‘Play Online.’ You’ll see a screen like this:

If you select ‘Play Anyone,’ you’ll be automatically paired with an online player who is also seeking an opponent. Alternatively, you can ‘invite a friend’ and play online against a specific opponent.

Pass and Play

Want to play against a friend or family member? If you’re physically in the same space, then select ‘Pass & Play’ on the 247pool.com homepage. This will open a game on your device, which you’ll share. When it’s your friend’s turn, simply give them control of the device.

Tips for Succeeding At Online Pool

Playing online pool is easy; winning at online pool is another matter. You might win those games when you’re playing against the computer in easy mode, but you’ll need to dig deep if you’re going to win when playing on more difficult settings or against online players.

We’ve put together some handy tips that’ll help you to get ahead. Take the below tips on board, and it won’t be long before you’re competing in expert mode!

Practice Against The Computer

Playing against friends and family can be fun, but it can also be quite competitive. You’ll want to win, and that’ll mean you’re less inclined to practice shots that can be considered a little more experimental.

When you first begin playing online, it’s recommended to practice against the computer until you feel you’ve got the hang of the game. Start off on easy or medium mode until you understand how the game works. Once you’re winning regularly, step up to the next level. 247pool.com is online all day, every day, allowing you to practice your game whenever you get a minute.

Understanding Angles

Pool is all about angles. Where you hit the ball will decide where it ends up. As such, the more you understand angles, the better you’ll play. When you play at 247pool, you’ll clearly see the shot path when you’re lining up your shot. Pay attention to them! If the line doesn’t look like it’s heading into the pocket (or wherever you want the ball to go), then make some adjustments.

Remember that you can influence the lay of the balls by adding spin to your shot, so play around with that feature when you’re playing your practice games against the computer. Ultimately, the more varied types of shots you have in your locker, the better-equipped you’ll be to beat your opponent.

Play the Easy Shot

Understanding the position of your balls is key to success in online pool. Unless you’re lucky, it’s unlikely that all of your balls will be in favorable positions. Some will be hovering over a pocket; some will be resting on the cushion, hiding behind two of your opponent’s balls.

After you’ve been playing for a while, you’ll develop an intuitive sense of which shot to take when it’s your turn. While it’s not a hard and fast rule, it’s generally best to play the easiest shot available to you, since that’ll give you the best chance of sinking a ball and edging closer towards victory.

But Be Aware Of The Shot That Follows

Having said that, while it’s generally recommended to play the easiest shot available to you, it’s also important to be aware of the shot that’ll follow, should you pot. You might have the chance to sink an easy ball, but if you’re unable to see any of your other balls with the subsequent shot, then you’ll run the risk of committing a foul and giving your opponent an advantage.

Learning how to control your shots to put yourself in a favorable position for your following shot can be highly useful. To do this, try to think of where the cue ball may land once you’ve taken your shot. You might find that taking a gentle, slow shot helps to set you up to pot another ball.

Make Life Difficult For Your Opponent

Most newcomers to pool focus exclusively on their own game. However, keep in mind that the more you make life difficult for your opponent, the more likely it is that you’ll win.

There are multiple ways to make things challenging for your opponent. For example, if you can see that their balls are blocked by your balls, you may play a gentle shot that leaves the cue ball on your side of the table. They’ll need to play a smart shot just to hit one of their balls, and even if they do, it’s unlikely that they’ll pot one.

Even if you can’t put your opponent in an uncomfortable cueing position, try to avoid actively setting them up for victory. That means working to avoid fouls, disrupting their balls if they’re in good positions, and taking considered shots.

Know When To Cause Chaos

It’s great when your balls are all in favorable positions. But that won’t always be the case. In some games, your balls will be clumped together or resting on the cushions, which makes them difficult to pot.

Remember that you don’t always need to try to pot a ball. In the scenarios described above, it may be best to smash your balls as hard as possible. This will cause chaos on the table and change the position of, most probably, all the balls on the table. If your opponent’s balls are in good positions and yours are not, this can be a good method for swinging things back in your favor.

Play in the Real World

Real-world pool and online pool are two different games, but there are similarities. For one thing, the objective and rules are the same. As such, it can be recommended to play in the real world when you have the opportunity. You’ll develop an intuitive feel for pool and how to play it, which you can then apply to your online games.

Take Your Time

There might be such a thing as ‘speed pool,’ but that’s not what we have available here at 247pool.com. You’ll be more likely to select the right shot if you take your time. Your opponent might get annoyed if you’re carefully considering which shot to take, but remember that it’s your turn, not theirs.

Have Fun!

Finally, remember to have fun. Ultimately, 247pool.com exists for enjoyment purposes — there’s no money wagered on our games, and there’s no limit to the number of games that you can play. So don’t get too upset if you lose a few games; you can always play another game and turn things around.

Play Online Pool Now At 247Pool.com

If you’re ready to dive into the wonderful world of online pool, then be sure to head towards 247pool.com. Our website is available all day, every day, and is completely free of charge. Whether you want to play against a computer, your friend, or an internet stranger, our site is there to ensure you can get your fill of online pool. We also have a host of seasonal variations, including the 4th of July Pool and Christmas Pool, that ensures you can enjoy the fun of playing all year round.

Online Pool FAQ:

What Is Online Pool?

Online pool is the internet connection of pool, the popular table game. It’s available on a variety of websites, including right here at 247pool.com.

How Do I Play Online Pool?

You can play online pool by visiting 247pool.com. From there, you’ll have the option of selecting from one of several game varieties, including against a computer or a friend. You’ll use your cursor to select and make shots.

How Do I Win At Online Pool?

You can win at online pool by practicing, learning how to play different kinds of shots, and understanding the gameplay.

How Does Online Pool Differ From Regular Pool?

Online pool and regular pool have the same rules and objectives. The difference lies in the gameplay. Online pool takes place exclusively online, and does not require a physical cue. Other than that, they’re broadly similar — online pool is simply the digital version of the world-famous game.

The object of 8-Ball pool is to win by legally pocketing the 8-Ball. The player who pockets their entire group of balls, solids or stripes, followed by legally pocketing the 8-Ball is the winner. The odds are unlikely, but the breaker can also win the game by legally pocketing the 8-Ball on the break.

8-Ball is played with a cue ball and 15 object balls. The object balls are divided into two separate groups — solids (balls numbered 1 through 7) and stripes (balls numbered 9 through 15). The 8-Ball does not belong to either group.

The Rack

8-Ball is located in the center — two rows from the top and two rows from the bottom.

The rest of the rack should be random, except for the bottom corners of the triangle — one corner ball should be a solid, and the other a stripe.

The apex ball should be aligned at the foot spot on the table, with the bottom of the break formation aligned parallel with the foot of the table.

The Break

The cue ball can be placed anywhere behind the head string. The head string, also known as "the kitchen" is the area behind the second set of diamonds (or markings) at the head of the table.

The breaker must either pocket a number ball, or drive four different number balls to one or more rails. If this action does not occur, the opponent can choose to either play the table "as-is" or ask for a re-break.

The table is always open immediately after the break.

Object balls pocketed during the break are not used to assign groups.

The first player to legally pocket an object ball after the break is assigned to that particular group (solids or stripes) of balls.

If the cue ball is pocketed on the break, the opponent can then place the cue ball anywhere behind the head string for their next shot.

If the 8 ball is pocketed on the break:

• The breaker wins the game if the 8 ball is legally pocketed
• The breaker loses the game if both the 8 ball and cue ball are pocketed

Fouls

Pocketing the cue ball is known as a "scratch" and results in a "ball in hand" foul. The opponent can place the cue ball anywhere on the table to shoot any of their respective balls, or the 8-Ball — if all of their group balls have been already pocketed.

After the groups of object balls have been assigned, the first object ball contacted by the cue ball must be a numbered ball from the shooter's assigned group. Contacting the opponent's ball first results in a "ball in hand" foul.

"Ball in hand" foul if after the cue ball contacts a legal object ball and neither the cue ball, nor any other ball strikes a rail or is pocketed.

DISCLAIMER: The games on this website are using PLAY (fake) money. No payouts will be awarded, there are no "winnings", as all games represented by 247 Games LLC are free to play. Play strictly for fun.