SIGN UP LOG IN CONTACT HOME BOOK FIND YOUR RILEYS LOYALTY PLAY REFURBS FOOD & DRINK BOOK NOW English Pool MAKE A BOOKING Chester Chorlton Coventry Harlow Leicester Liverpool London Victoria Norwich Nottingham Solihull South Benfleet Swansea Please Select Activity American Pool Snooker English Pool Darts Table Tennis Play English Pool At Rileys English pool is a common name for varieties of eight-ball pool played on green cloth with tables of either 6ft or 7ft in length – shorter than the international standard. Popular with league players in the UK, our English pool tables are maintained to the highest standard – no dodgy slopes and divots here. Just the perfect surface for players of all standards. 8 BALL-POOL RULES Here are the basics on English pool… 1.Set up the rack like this… 2.The Break - Player A must place the white ball behind the line and hit the pack. A minimum of four balls must hit a cushion otherwise it is a foul break. 3. If player A pots on the break when they are on that colour for the rest of the game. If player A pots a red and a yellow, then player A can choose which colour they want. 4. If no balls are potted off the break then the table is open for player B to attempt reds or yellows. Once either player pots a ball, they remain on that colour and the same player gets another shot. When that player misses, the other player takes a turn and this continues until one player clears all their balls and the eight-ball. The eight-ball must be the last ball potted to win the game. 5. In the event of a foul, the opposing player receives two shots and these shots carry (i.e. if a ball is potted on the first shot, the player still has two shots). When a player gets two shots, they can pick up the white ball and place it anywhere behind the line. 6. The following shots are classed as fouls: a. Hitting a ball which you are not supposed to hit (i.e. opposition colour or the eight-ball out of sequence) or missing all the balls on the table. b.Potting a ball which you are not supposed to pot (i.e. opposition colour) c. A ball jumping off the table d.Potting the white ball 7. If the eight-ball is potted before a player’s colours are potted, that player loses the game. 8. When on the eight-ball, if the player pots it but also fouls, that player loses the game. HOW TO LOOK COOL WHEN YOU'RE PLAYING POOL 10 terms that’ll make you look like you know your spots from your stripes. Ball-in-hand The option of placing the cue ball anywhere on the table, prior to shooting. Usually after a player has committed some type of foul. Banger A derogatory term for a player who "bangs" the balls, without any thought for position. Blood test Any very difficult shot that must be made under pressure. Dead stroke When a player is playing flawlessly, just "cannot miss" and the game seems effortless. Duck Usually referring to an object ball sitting close to a pocket. Fish A person who loses money gambling and keeps coming back for more. Jam up Expression for a player's deadly game; "watch out, he plays jam up” Lemonade stroke An intentionally amateurish stroke to disguise one's ability to play. Rat in To pocket a ball by luck; "he ratted in the nine-ball” usually used disapprovingly. Sell the farm To mess up a shot but leaves the table in a lucky position for the opponent that there is a strong likelihood of losing the game or match. OTHER GAMES TO PLAY AT RILEYS SNOOKER AMERICAN POOL ENGLISH POOL DARTS TABLE TENNIS LIVE SPORT LATEST BLOG POSTS DARTS: RILEYS HEINEKEN DARTS MASTERS 2019- ROUND UP DARTS 2019-12-09 BIG FIGHT PREVIEW! VASYL LOMACHENKO VS LUKE CAMPBELL BOXING 2019-08-22 2019/20 PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW: PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR FOOTBALL 2019-08-07 VIEW ALL BLOG POSTS RILEYS SPORTS BARS Offers Live Sports What's On Find Your Rileys USEFUL LINKS About Rileys FAQS Contact Join our team YOUR ACCOUNT Log in Sign Up Book now Contact PROUDLY SUPPORTING FOLLOW US Website managed by The Island ©Rileys Sports Bars (2014) Ltd. A company registerd in England. No. 09330794 Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Company Information Close By using our website you are consenting to our use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy.