Secrets from Legendary Players...

gather for free coffee with dusk to dawn and back to dusk, the striped balls, 9 thru 15). expectations for a friendly uninterrupted. One player, who 3) A player’s choice of cue ball poker game to commence. had entered a Six Pocket session and object ball must correspond Until a quorum of card players on a Sunday evening, was once in color and the player then was in attendance, they heard to request in the middle of becomes known by their color. jousted in a game of the marathon, “Remind me that I Mr./Miss Yellow: Cue Pool, a community affair in have a doctor’s appointment on Ball #1, Object Ball #9 BYTES! which all could participate. Tuesday.” And, came the reply… Mr./Miss Blue: Cue For players of lesser skills to share “Too late, it’s Wednesday.” Ball #2, Object Ball #10 in the test with those of greater To onlookers, Six Pocket appears Mr./Miss Red: Cue P&B Facebook Friend: skills, a few changes in the rules misleadingly simple, tempting a Ball #3, Object Ball #11 Harold, were often considered. Each day test of their own abilities, but alas it Mr./Miss Purple: Cue I was wondering if you could help additional minor tweaks to the is not. Perhaps its most distinctive, Ball #4, Object Ball #12 me out with the official rules to rules of Golf Pool were made yet unintentional element, is the Mr./Miss Orange: Cue the game of Six Pocket. It doesn’t until… on one fateful morning desire of rivals to form alliances Ball #5, Object Ball #13 seem to be an official game so it’s in 1979, when asked to clarify and apply pressure on the tactics of Mr./Miss Green: Cue not in any book or any website… the latest conventions and make others while plotting their own blind Ball #6, Object Ball #14 Thanks, sides and double crosses. Suffice Mr./Miss Brown: Cue Pete Berardi to say, Six Ball #7, Object Ball #15 San Diego, CA Pocket is not for the gentle, TABLE & POCKET P&B Fan Email: meek, or pure DESIGNATIONS: [email protected] at heart… A 9-foot table is recommended How about re-introducing or for those but an 8-foot table will work, too. the greatest pool game ever who have a (A 7-foot table could get a bit too invented to the whole world! bad heart. crowded for over four players Six Pocket Willy due to the number of balls that So it would be continuously in play.) FROM P&B Publisher: began, and Each pocket on the table is Pete & Willie, yet another adjustment, Harold now if you will lend a bridge designated with a number from 1 Good Timing! We originally printed said, and we paraphrase, “Ya’ hand to it, it may… to 6, beginning with the right hand the Rules to Six Pocket Billiards in wanna’ make it that easy, give …continue happily ever after. pocket behind the head string as 1994, fifteen years after its creation. ‘em all their own cue ball and Pocket One, the left =hand pocket Now, after 30 years, it’s probably a object ball… or forget-about-it!” behind the head string as Pocket good time to do it again. We’ll also Necessity had once again proved Six Pocket’s Two, and continuing clockwise put a link to the Six Pocket Rules to be the mother of invention. No with the left hand side as Pocket on our website, poolmag.com. one saw it coming or could have Three, the top corner on the left as for the “whole world” to enjoy. forecast that they were witness Official Rules Pocket Four, the top right corner as Shoot straight, to the evolution of a new species PLAYERS: Pocket Five and the right side as Harold of pool game. In the years that The game of Six Pocket can be the final pocket, Pocket Six. During followed, Six Pocket spread far played with 2 to 7 players. For the play, the pockets are played one and wide throughout the pool most enjoyment, the ideal field at a time, in order from 1 to 6. Once upon realm. Each night, when other should be between 4 to 6 players. The table’s playing surface Chicago area rooms had to close, is marked with three spots: a time… the action players and spectators CU E BALLS & OBJECT BALLS: the Head Spot (in the center of congregated at Harold’s “round- 1) One Community Cue Ball the head string); the Foot Spot …In the late 70’s, there the-clock” Pool Parlour for Six (a normal white cue ball). (where the head ball in a opened a 24/7 pool room Pocket. There would be as many 2) In addition to the “white” is normally positioned); and the called Harold’s Pool Parlour as seven players on a single Community Cue Ball, each player Center Spot (center of the table). (1976-1997), 20 miles west table. The audience was replete is assigned their own Individual of Chicago. As time went with alternates, eager to jump in Cue Ball (using one of the solid SCORING EQUIPMENT: by it became the custom for when defeated players dropped colored balls, 1 thru 7) and their Pencil and paper will do early morning customers to out. Sessions often lasted from own Object Ball (using one of fine. Some hardcore Six Pocket

28 P&B August 2010 www.poolmag.com Remembering SIX-POCKET after 30 Years…

rooms have installed several 3) The first player to make their One. A player always has the players continue in the same strings of wooden beads, ball in a designated pocket is option of using either their own cue manner, each taking only one color-coded for each player. responsible for recording the order ball or the Community Cue Ball. shot during their turn, until all in which the rest of the players In this case, since Mr. Blue’s own the players have pocketed their O BJECT: enter the pocket (See Scorekeeping). cue ball is blocking the Community object balls in Pocket One. The player, with the option of Cue Ball’s path to his object ball, Whichever player is the first using their individual cue ball and/ BALL PLACEMENT: the most likely shot would be to to enter the first pocket begins or the community cue ball, attempts The opening player places their use the 2-Ball (Mr. Blue’s cue ball) play for Pocket Two after all the to make their assigned object ball own Object Ball, their own Cue Ball, in an attempt to bank the 10-Ball players have completed Pocket in each of the table’s six pockets and the Community Cue Ball in their (object ball) to Pocket One. One. Pocket Two begins with (in their numerical pocket order) beginning positions on the table. It would be an unlikely option the player spotting his or her in the least number of strokes. A player’s own cue ball is always here, but Mr. Blue could attempt object ball on the foot spot. The placed on the Center Spot to to use the Community Cue Ball in beginning player for Pocket Two ORDER OF PLAY: begin play for Pocket One. For all a two-cushion kick to knock the would then have the option to 1) Pocket One: Players decide subsequent pockets, a the beginning order of play for player’s own cue ball is 5 6 1 Pocket One. This can be done by played from where it is lag, numbers from a hat, coin resting when that player toss, etc. This order must then be returns to the table. recorded to help players recall the The Community Cue order in which they will shoot. It Ball is placed on the also provides players at the table table’s Head Spot to 10 2 the knowledge of which incoming begin play for Pocket players will follow them (an One by the first player. important element of the game’s After the opening Six Pocket Opening Shot strategy). For example, if there shot by the beginning were seven players in the game, player, the Community after the order was decided, it Cue Ball’s position is 4 3 2 could be recorded as: (1st Pocket) played from wherever Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Orange, it sits on the table. 10-Ball back toward Pocket One. use either their own cue ball or Brown, Purple. Players do not A player’s object ball is placed Each time a player comes to the Community Cue ball, from begin shooting for Pocket Two on the Foot Spot when it is their the table, they get one (1) shot, and wherever they are sitting when until each of the competitors has turn to begin each pocket. For then play rotates to the next player. the player returns to the table. made their object ball in Pocket subsequent shots at the same The only time a player continues When all six pockets have One. Once a player makes his pocket, the player’s object ball is shooting at a designated pocket been completed in the same object ball in the designated played from where it sits. When without rotating shots with other manner, the game has ended. Pocket, they are done until it is an object ball is legally scored players, is when their’s is the time to play for the next pocket. (legally pocketed), it remains off only object ball left on the table SCORING & SCOREKEEPER: 2) Pockets Two thru Six: The order the table until the player begins because all the other players Scoring is accomplished by of play to subsequent pockets is play for the next pocket, at which have legally made their object recording the total number of determined by the order in which time it is returned to the Foot Spot. balls in the designated pocket. strokes a player takes to legally the players legally made their If Mr. Blue was successful and make their object ball in all six object ball in the preceding pocket. LET’S PLAY: pocketed the 10-Ball on the opening pockets. However, stroke counting This order must also be recorded. Mr. Blue was chosen to go first shot, he does not play again DOES NOT BEGIN on any of the Example, if Mr. Blue was the first and begins by placing three balls until all the players have scored six pockets until after one of the to enter Pocket One, that player on the table. The Community Cue their object balls in Pocket One. players has legally made their ball would play first to begin play for Ball (on the head spot), his own Whether or not Mr. Blue made in that particular pocket (except Pocket Two, and if Miss Red was cue ball, in this case the 2-Ball (on his ball, the next player in order, for Penalty Strokes, which are the second player to make her the center spot), and his object let’s say it was Miss Red, would assigned whenever they occur). ball in Pocket One she would be ball, in this case the 10-Ball (on then place her cue ball (3-ball) The first player to make their second in order for Pocket Two the foot spot). See Diagram. on the center spot and her object object ball in the designated pocket and so on. This re-ordering takes Mr. Blue now attempts to pocket ball (11-ball) on the foot spot accomplishes the feat without place for each of the six pockets. his object ball (10-Ball) in Pocket and take her turn. Subsequent Continued on p. 32

P&B August 2010 29 Pool Secrets from Legendary Players... Remembering SIX-POCKET after 30 Years…

6) Contacting any other returned to the table immediately. the winners with the best final ball with a cue ball before 2) Object balls are returned to scores (least amount of strokes). one’s own object ball; the foot spot if it is not occupied, 2) Open Ended Competition – A 7) Using another player’s or in an unoccupied area, frozen monetary value is placed on each cue ball or any object to the ball in front of it, in a line stroke (i.e. 5 cents per stroke). BYTES! ball as a cue ball; back toward the foot rail. Players with lesser strokes collect 8) After object ball is contacted 3) Player’s cue balls (solid from all players with more strokes, Continued from p. 29 by cue ball, a ball must touch colored) are returned to the according to the difference in any strokes, unless they have a cushion - (unless player’s center spot, or in a line back their scores. Thus, players with acquired penalty strokes prior to object ball is pocketed); toward the head rail, frozen more strokes pay those with less making their object ball (See FOULS 9) When the player’s object to the ball in front of it. strokes, according to their score and PENALTY). The first player ball is frozen to a cushion, 4) The Community Cue Ball is difference. Payouts are made up to enter a pocket (legally pocket after contact with the cue ball returned to the head spot or in and down the order of finish. their object ball) then becomes it must be driven to a different a line back toward the head rail, Example of Open Ended the scorekeeper and must record cushion, OR, the cue ball or frozen to the ball in front of it. Competition Pay-Outs (with 4 each stroke every other player any other ball must reach a 5) When a player’s object ball is players and stroke value of 5 cents): takes until all of the remaining cushion after the contact (unless pocketed in the correct pocket on 1st Place had 10 Strokes players have also legally entered the object ball is pocketed); any type of shot by an opponent, 2nd Place had 20 Strokes the same designated pocket. 10) Cue ball fouls only. it is considered legally pocketed 3rd Place had 25 Strokes The scorekeeper is also (Touching one’s own cue ball (no strokes are charged to the 4th Place had 30 Strokes responsible for keeping the order or the community cue ball with owner of this pocketed ball) and The First Place player would in which each player enters anything other than the player’s is not spotted until the next pocket collect the difference in their the pocket for future cue tip during the execution of is played by the lucky player. strokes from each of the other on the next pocket. In addition, a shot is a foul. Inadvertently 6) When a player scores their three players. In this case, Second the scorekeeper must provide touching other player’s cue balls own object ball in the correct Place owes First Place 10 strokes information regarding the order is not a foul. Disturbed balls must pocket during a shot in which (20 minus 10) or 50 cents at 5 of rotation when requested to do be placed as close as possible any foul occurred, their ball cents per stroke; Third Place owes so by any of the other players. to their original position.) is NOT considered pocketed First 15 strokes (75 cents); Fourth A player’s score for each legally, and it is returned to Owes First 20 strokes (1 dollar). pocket can be anywhere PENALTY: the foot spot immediately. Second Place would collect between zero and however Each time a player commits a 7) On the opening shot toward 5 strokes from Third Place many times they shoot until foul, they are assessed a total of Pocket One for each player (and (25 cents) and 10 Strokes they pocket their object ball. Four (4) Strokes and their turn at only on this shot), if any ball from Fourth (50 cents). At the end of the game, the the table ends. Players are never blocks the path in a line between Third Place would collect 5 scores for each player for all six assessed for more than one foul their cue ball and their object strokes (25 cents) from Fourth. pockets are tallied. This then in any turn. A player’s normal ball, or interferes with the shot (CAUTION: When playing Open determines 1st, 2nd, 3rd place, etc. shooting stroke, if eligible, is not anywhere in the area between Ended Competition formats, it is added to the 4 Stroke Penalty. the foot string and foot rail, those possible for players to end up with FOULS: offending balls may be marked very large stroke counts, even over The following actions SPOTTING BALLS: and lifted until completion of 100, resulting in their monetary constitute a Foul: 1) All legally pocketed balls the shot and then immediately liability to the competition being 1) Jumping any ball off the table; remain off the table until all players returned to their marked positions. a completely unknown factor.) 2) Pocketing any ball other legally pocket their object balls than one’s own object ball; in the designated pocket. Legally TOURNAMENT & Questions regarding Six Pocket 3) Pocketing one’s own object ball pocketed object balls return to the COMPETITION REWARDS Rules can be emailed to poolmag@ in a pocket not currently in play; table for each player when that 1) Fixed Entry Competition poolmag.com or sent to Pool & 4) Shooting out of turn; player takes their first turn for the - Players pay a set amount as Billiard Magazine, 115 S. Main 5) Shooting when table is not next pocket. Illegally pocketed an entry fee into the contest. St., Summerville, SC, 29483. right - (necessary balls in play not balls, scratched balls and balls Number of winning places and Have fun, shoot straight, and drop on table or spotted incorrectly); hit or jumped off the table are amounts are pre-determined for us a line with your game tips!

32 P&B August 2010 www.poolmag.com