If you have never played a bumper pool game, then you are missing out on something very important. This is a game you can enjoy playing with friends or anyone else. Bumper pool is not the same as the traditional pool, the presence of bumpers makes all the difference. These bumpers serve as a barrier to the scores of the players. In addition, each player is supposed to shoot at the only pocket available. A number of people find it difficult to master this game. This often happens if they have little or no experience in playing it. To be a professional player, you have to master it first. This way, you will love playing it.
Play Overview
A team of two players or four are required to play this game. Bumper pool balls are not of the same color. Every individual will choose five balls that are different from those of their partners. There are circular marks on each side of the players. This is where each of them lines the set of balls they have selected. The players will then hit their balls simultaneously towards their goal. If there is a player who scores a goal by pocketing the ball or hitting it nearer to the goal than his opponent, he will continue playing until he misses.
If there is no player who has scored a goal, the balls are relined and the players will shoot again at the same time. If the team pockets the balls, a second shot is considered where they take one ball each from those that are remaining and hit them at the same time. The player who scores a goal will continue shooting until no ball is pocketed.
What you should know about scoring
Each player is supposed to pocket their cue balls before the rest of the balls. If it happens that the ball that the player had not selected as the cue ball gets pocketed first, each of the balls is returned where it had been before they were hit.
Winning
Any player who manages to score a goal by kicking the five balls to the pockets becomes the winner.
Penalties
In cases where a player sinks the ball of his opponent unintentionally, that ball is not removed and stays in the pocket. However, if they sink their own ball in the opponent’s goal, or the other ball is pocketed before the cue ball, the other player is allowed to get two of their balls from the bumper table and sink them. Any remaining ball should be shot in the right pocket contrary to which the player experiences loss.
When a ball is kicked outside the bumper table by its owner, it is returned on the bumper table and placed in the interior of these bumpers. On the other hand, if a player knocks off a ball that is not his off the table, it is returned where it had previously been.
Bumper Pool Rules
Players:
Two or four partners are required in order to commence the game. Each partner will then choose five balls with the same color. Out of these five balls, one is indicated to be the cue ball.
The Rack:
It is very easy to set the bumper pool game. Here, two red balls are put on either side of the pocket. Make sure the red ball is ahead of the pocket. On the other hand, put two white balls are placed in front of the red cup.
Object of the game:
The winner of the game is any player of team that pockets all the five balls before their opponent. However, a player will lose the game if he pockets the last ball in the cup of his opponent.
Opening Break:
The team or players hit the marked balls concurrently. The side cushion is struck first before pocketing it on the goal or close by. If one player or team gets to bank the ball into the pocket or near it enough than the opponent, that player gets to go at the game again.
Rules
- Pocket the cue balls that are marked before other balls. A player or a team can receive penalty by having their two balls removed by their opponent if they pocket another ball instead of sinking the cue balls first. If during the first shots both players get lucky so that they pocket the marked balls, the players are required to shoot each of the remaining balls towards their cups simultaneously. This is done in a similar manner. A player or a team that sinks the ball or shoots it closer to the cup than their opponent continues to play.
- If you pot your ball into your pocket, you get to shoot again.
- If a team of player shoots the ball off the table, his adversary is allowed to put it in the center of the bumpers where he will have trouble shooting it. Moreover, he is allowed to take two of his balls and sink them in his own cup.
- You cannot jump your ball over other balls or even bumpers while you are shooting them. You will be penalized the same as in rule 3.
- The House Rule dictates how long the winner will carry on with playing. This means that neither you nor your opponent are under any obligation to give directives on the length of the time to use.
Penalty for fouls
- The spotted ball should be pocketed first before other balls are shot.
- If a player shoots the other balls before he is through with the cue balls, all the other balls that were hit should be placed where they had been before they were hit.
- If you unintentionally hit your ball so that if falls off the table, you can place it anywhere on that table so that your opponent takes over.
On the other hand, if the ball wasn’t yours, you will be required to return it where it was and put yours anywhere on the table.
- In the event that the ball you pocket is your opponent’s, this will be a score for your opponent.
- If you pocket your ball on your opponent’s scoring cup, your opponent is allowed to take two of your balls and use his hands to drop them in his cup for his score.
- If you shoot other balls before the cue balls, your opponent can pick two balls and pocket them.
- Using your opponent’s scoring cup for your last ball unintentionally costs you the game.
Tips and tricks that can make you enjoy the game.
- When your opponent is in great pocketing position, take that chance to hit their ball. Place them in a position where they will find it difficult to score their goal.
- You can use your ball to prevent your opponent from accessing his pocket thus holding him back from scoring a goal.
- Always let your ball remain in a position where you can shoot the ball of your opponent.
