Caroms A different pool game

History

Back in my teens and having no pool table of my own, I played quite a bit at pizza parlors and the local bus station; unfortunately, those games cost money, and my paper-route earnings went only so far.  Wanting to make my handful of quarter-dollars last longer, I came up with something challenging enough to slow down the drain of my wealth.

Although I am not particularly skilled at pool, Caroms remains my favorite game.  It also offers good practice for those more difficult situations.  Try it yourself and see what you think.

The Rules Are Simple

• 1 point is scored by sinking a ball other than the one first struck by the cueball.  Any other ball that goes down also counts as 1 point, including the ball first struck.
• When only four or fewer balls remain on the table, the 'carom' requirement is suspended; but now shooter must call the shot, specifying both a ball and a hole.  That may be accomplished in any manner, and any other ball sunk also counts as 1 point.
• No score can be earned on a scratch shot.  After a scratch, the cueball is spotted anywhere 'behind the line' at the next shooter's discretion.
• Any scoring shot entitles shooter to another turn.
• Any ball sunk during a non-scoring shot is spotted back on the table if possible (which it will not be on a coin-fed table).

Three or More Can Play!

Because no ball actually 'belongs' to anyone, any number of players actually may take turns.  This can make for a more friendly game.