8 Ball Pool - The Board Game: Review
Information:
Mechanics: Sports, Dice Rolling, Point to Point Movement
Player Age: 6+Player Count: 2 - 4 PlayersTime to Play: 10 -45 Minutes
Game Designer: Craig StevensYear Published: 2022BGG Weight: 1.00
Player Age: 6+
Game Designer: Craig Stevens
Objective:
Anyone who has grown up around a pool table knows what 8 ball pool is. It is the most recognisable version of pool. Having your very own pool table can be costly and involve a lot of heavy lifting so instead 8 Ball Pool the Board Game brings the essence of pool into tabletop form. The aim of the game is simply to sink all your balls (stripes or solids) and then sink the 8 ball.
Game Anatomy:
Triangle Break Cards:
These break cards are used to randomise the break emulating a normal game of 8 ball. Each card has three points with a grid number. Each ball will be relocated to the top location on the card following the intercepting points on the grid on the outside of the board. If the symbol is instead a corner pocket this means the ball has been sunk, after all, you are not having a good game of pool if one ball doesn't sink off the break.
Dice:
Four dice will be rolled each turn to determine the maximum amount of moves a player can have on a given turn. This movement will be used through use of the white ball and any subsequent ball it hits this turn. A player can choose to use fewer dice on a turn in aim of a perfect roll. If you manage to move the exact spaces then end your turn adjacent to your object ball (targeted ball) than you gain an extra turn.
Balls:
There are 16 balls: 7 stripes, 7 solids, the white ball, and the black 8 ball. In typical pool fashion, the white ball will be the one that each player uses for their movements each turn.
Game Board:
The game board consists of 6 pockets and a grid on the outside that will be used to determine the starting location of the balls during the break.
Set-up:
The game starts like every game of pool; breaking up the balls.
- This setup will encapsulate the first players turn.
- Deal 16 break cards (one per ball) then move the balls to the corresponding grid locations.
- If the 8 ball sinks on the break, re-deal a break card until this is no longer the case.
- If the white ball is sunk then that is a foul and it becomes the opponent’s turn. If any other ball sinks then that is now your ball type and you gain another turn.
How to Play:
The object of the game is easy sink the 8 ball after sinking all your balls of your designated type. A turn consists of rolling the number of dice you require and then moving the white ball and any subsequent object ball equal to the total value of the dice rolled. If you move a ball into a pocket you may have another turn. Like normal pool the first object ball the white ball hits must be for the designated ball type of that player.
Bouncing off rails:
Moving the white ball or any object ball to the rail will result in a rebound of a 90 degree angle or direct (forward and back) depending on the angle of the hit.
Moving other balls:
When the white ball or another object ball moves into the space of a stationary ball from a straight shot, the new ball can move either straight, 45 degrees left, or 45 degrees right. When the is angled the ball moves in a perpendicular direction. When the object ball moves you can also move the white ball or previous object ball to set up the next shot, if the shot was straight it can move forward or backwards. If the shot was angled it can move in a perpendicular direction.
Illegal shot:
If you cannot hit your ball the shot is illegal meaning it is the next player's turn and they have a foul ball. This now means that they can place the white ball anywhere at the start of their turn, lining up that perfect shot.
Final Thoughts:
- Some rules were only clear because of prior knowledge of pool.
- Can be tricky to understand the perpendicular movement.
- Really captures the essence of pool.
- Strategic moves that make you feel like a real life pool shark.
- Great table presence.
- Turns can vary in time between players.
8 Ball Pool - The Board Game does what it sets out to do in emulating pool. There are some tricky to understand rules that become more natural if you are an avid pool player and there is also some added depth in the perfect roll mechanic that can help players get out of a tough situation. If you are a fan of pool that wants a more portable form or know of one then this is a perfect addition/gift as it makes pool portable with a few little twists of its own.
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