Bumper pool is a unique version of the pool game. It is played with the help of pool sticks like those used in pool table games. However, this is where the similarities end. In this game you must shoot directly into the hole instead of shooting a ball by hitting another one inside the hole. You could even play defense by hitting your opponent’s ball in a difficult position. It is actually a hurdle pool game where players shoot around the hurdles to get them into the pocket.

Octagonal bumper pool tables are prized for their space saving properties compared to other pool table sets. Also, it is available in a 3-in-1 model that can be used as a game table or a dining table.

game settings

Bumper pool is usually played by 2 people or 4 people on 2 teams. Each team or player selects 5 red or 5 white balls. Of them, a red ball consists of a white dot and a white ball has a red dot. They must be bagged first in the game. One person places 2 red balls on each side of the white pocket and the marked red ball right in front of the white pocket. Another places 2 white balls on each side of the red pocket and the marked white ball in front of the red pocket at the other end of the table.

Starting the game

At the beginning of the game, you must place your spotted cue ball facing the scoring hole on your side. Both players hit the speckled cue ball simultaneously and bounce it off the edge of the table to their right side to land it in the scoring hole on the other side of the table.

turn order

The player who sees the end of the cue ball near the scoring hole goes first. He continues to shoot until he fails to hit the scoring hole. Then it is the other player’s turn.

how to play

Each player must shoot into the pocket on the opposite side of the table. To start the game, both players hit their respective marked balls simultaneously by throwing them off the side of the table in the correct direction. Players hit directly into the bumper pool and not with the cue ball as in the case of regular pool. If you are the first to hit directly into the pocket at the opposite end of the table, you must continue your turn. In case no one hits, they both return their marked balls to the starting point to shoot again. If both people hit directly into the pocket, they must each place one of their remaining balls before the pocket and take the second shot in a similar manner. A player’s turn continues until he fails to hit the pocket.

Hitting in the wrong hole

If you hit the wrong hole, it will count. However, your opponent could place two of your balls in the hole by hand. If a player last hits the wrong scoring hole, he will lose the game.

sanctions

If you accidentally pocket your opponent’s ball, it stays holed. If you accidentally hit the wrong scoring pocket or pocket a solid ball before the marked ball, the opponent could remove two of the balls from the table and pocket them. It will be an automatic loss, if you shoot the last one in the wrong scoring pocket. If you hit a ball off the table, your opponent can place it anywhere on the table. Also, your opponent could place it in the center of the bumpers, since that’s the hardest place to make the shot.

Take a look at these simple rules for bumper pool table game and play this game in a perfect way in your leisure hours.