US 20140243.108A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2014/0243.108A1 Tucker (43) Pub. Date: Aug. 28, 2014 (54) ROTATION GAMES PLAYED ON A POOL Publication Classification TABLE (51) Int. Cl. (71) Applicant: Joseph E. Tucker, Warwick, RI (US) A63D I5/00 (2006.01) (52) U.S. Cl. (72) Inventor: Joseph E. Tucker, Warwick, RI (US) CPC ...................................... A63D 15/00 (2013.01) USPC .............................................................. 473A1 (21) Appl. No.: 14/186,772 (22) Filed: Feb. 21, 2014 (57) ABSTRACT Related U.S. Application Data Described herein are methods for playing a rotation game on (60) Provisional application No. 61/768,126, filed on Feb. a pool table, and methods for scoring and racking rotation 22, 2013. games described herein. Balls 1-10 are worth 1 point each This rack 1234567 sigliol Balls 11-15 are worth 2 points each 11|12||1314|s Current SCOre Previous total ---> New total ---> Patent Application Publication Aug. 28, 2014 US 2014/0243.108A1 Player 1 Balls 1-10 are worth 1 point each This rack Player 2 Balls 1-10 are worth 1 point each This rack New total ---> US 2014/0243.108A1 Aug. 28, 2014 ROTATION GAMES PLAYED ON A POOL particular embodiment, the point value assigned to a specific TABLE ball is different depending on which player is credited for pocketing the specific ball. RELATED APPLICATION 0007. One embodiment is directed to a method of config 0001. This application claims the benefit of U.S. provi uring a set of fifteen pool balls, comprising: a) positioning the sional application No. 61/768,126, filed Feb. 22, 2013, the number fifteen ball at the front of a triangle, wherein the front entire contents of each of which are herein incorporated by of the triangle faces the headstring and the center of the fifteen reference. ball is positioned on the foot spot of the table, and wherein the fourteen remaining balls are positioned in rows containing BACKGROUND two, three, four and five balls; and b) positioning the remain ing thirteen balls in the triangle in either a random configu 0002 Pool, also more formally known as pocket billiards ration or a pre-determined configuration, wherein all of the (mostly in North America), is the family of cue sports and rows substantially parallel to the foot rail of the table. In a games played on a pool table having six receptacles called particular embodiment, the method further comprises posi pockets along the rails, into which balls are deposited as the tioning the number thirteen and number fourteen balls behind main goal of play. the number one ball such that the number thirteen and number 0003. There are hundreds of pool games. Some of the fourteen balls are contacting the number one ball. In a par more well-known include eight-ball, nine-ball, ten-ball, ticular embodiment, the number one ball in the center posi straight pool, one-pocket and bank pool. Although many tion of the row comprising three balls. games are known, there has been little growth in terms of expanding the interest in pool games to the general public, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING and there is a need for games that allow for rapid improve ment of players and accessibility to a general viewing audi 0008. The FIGURE is a schematic representation of a ence to increase spectators and popularity. sample score sheet for tracking the score between two players of a rotation game as described herein. SUMMARY DETAILED DESCRIPTION 0004. Described herein are novel methods for playing rotation games on a pool table, including methods for scoring 0009. Described herein are methods for playing one or and racking methods useful for playing the rotation games more games on a pool table, handicapping one or more games described herein. on a pool table, business methods for forming and developing 0005 One embodiment is directed to a method of playing leagues to play the one or more games described herein, and a rotation gameplayed on a pool table, whereina) six, nine ten promoting and running tournaments for the one or more or fifteen balls are racked, wherein one or more balls are games described herein. racked in a specified position; b) the balls are assigned two, 0010 A pool table, or pocket billiards table, has six pock three, four or five non Zero point values to be awarded to a ets—one at each corner of the table (corner pockets) and one player after a ball is pocketed; and c) the game ends when a at the midpoint of each of the longer sides (side pockets or player achieves a pre-determined point total. In a particular middle pockets). Pocket billiard tables come in different embodiment, the fifteen balls are racked. In a particular sizes, typically referred to as 9 ft., 8.5 ft., 8 ft., or 7 ft. tables. embodiment, at least four balls are racked in a specified In all cases, the table is rectangular with a 2:1 ratio (e.g., 9x4.5 position prior to the break. In a particular embodiment, prior ft.). to the first shot, fifteen balls are racked into a triangle, with the 0011. A typical set of balls to be used on a pool table are number fifteen ball in front of the triangle facing the incoming numbered from one (1) to fifteen (15), consecutively. Addi shooter, and the number one ball is racked in the middle of the tionally, an essentially solid white ball, referred to as the “cue triangle. In a particular embodiment, the balls numbered 1-10 ball is also used. For most pool games, a player impels the areassigned a point value of 1, and pool balls numbered 11-15 cue ball, using a “cue Stick, into one or more of the consecu are assigned a point value of 2. In a particular embodiment, tively numbered pool balls. The ball imprinted with the num the game ends when a player attains about 50 points, about ber “1” is referred to as the “one ball,” the ball imprinted with 100 points, about 125 points, about 150 points or about 200 or the number '2' is referred to as the “two ball, and so on. more points. As used herein, the term “about refers to a value 0012. As used herein, "rotation' or “rotation games' are that is +10%. In a particular embodiment, the point total pool games that are typified by a players having to contact required to end the game is different for each player, depen the lowest numbered ball on the table with the cue ball prior dent upon the skill level of the player. In a particular embodi to having the cue ball contact any other ball. If, for example, ment, the point value assigned to a specific ball is different the full set of fifteen balls is on the table, a player must contact depending on which player is credited for pocketing the spe the one ball with the cue ball prior to having the cue ball cific ball. contact any other ball. In rotation games, typically when a ball 0006. One embodiment is directed to a scoring system for is “pocketed it remains off the table and out of play. If for a rotation game played on a pool table, whereina) the rotation example, the one ball is pocketed, then the next shot, for a game is played with six, nine, ten or fifteen balls per rack; b) rotation game in the scenario posed above, would involve the the balls areassigned two, three, four or five point values to be player having to contact the two ball with the cue ball prior to awarded to a player after a ball is pocketed; and c) points are contacting any other ball. Although it is necessary to contact accumulated over one or more racks until a pre-determined the lowest numbered ball on the table prior to contacting point total has been achieved. In a particular embodiment, the another ball, it is not necessary to pocket the balls in consecu balls numbered 1-10 are assigned a point value of 1, and pool tive order. The one ball, for example can be used to contact a balls numbered 11-15 are assigned a point value of 2. In a different ball and the different ball can be pocketed, leaving, US 2014/0243.108A1 Aug. 28, 2014 for example, the one ball on the table. Play typically continues 0018. The rotation games described herein can be altered, in this manner until all balls are out of play. for example, to include a handicapping system, e.g., a handi 0013 The rotation games described herein can use a rack capping system based on point values. In one embodiment, of 15 balls, or any Subset thereof (e.g., a rack consisting of the game can be altered such that point values are assigned to balls 1-6, a rack consisting of balls 1-9, or a rack consisting of the pool balls according to a first point schedule for a first balls 1-10). player, to a second point schedule for a second player, and so 0014. As used herein, the term “pocketed’ or “potted” is on. The game can also be modified Such that different players used to refer to a pool ball that has fallen into one of the six are required to attain different point totals to win a game (e.g., pockets on a pool table. Typically a player pockets a ball by better players have to reach a higher point total to win a game, causing the cue ball to contact a desired ball (the “object and lesser players have to achieve a lower point total to win a ball'), in such away that the object ball is impelled to a pocket game).