Whether you’re hosting a laid-back game night with family or friends, or just looking to breathe some new life into that trusty pool table, I’ve got you covered. Here are five easy pool games that’ll hook everyone—from the wannabe pros to the casual basement champs. Grab your cue and let's do this!

Best Pool Games for Beginners

1. 8-Ball Pool

8-Ball pool is the most played billiards game in the United States (and for good reason). With its classic rules, its popularity has remained constant over the years.

How to Play:

1. Break the Rack: One player breaks the 15-ball triangle with a solid, forceful shot. If a ball gets pocketed, the breaking player claims that group (solids 1-7 or stripes 9-15) based on what went in. If no balls drop, or both types go in, the table stays open until someone sinks a shot.
2. Choose Your Group: Solids (1-7) go to one player, stripes (9-15) to the other. This gets decided after the break once a player legally pockets a ball from either group. If the table’s still open, you can hit any ball except the 8-ball to claim your group.
3. Take Your Turn: Pocket one of your group’s balls to keep shooting. You’ve got the table as long as you sink your shots legally—no fouls, no scratches. Miss a shot, foul, or sink the wrong ball, and it’s your opponent’s turn.
4. Clear Your Group: Keep going, alternating turns, until all your balls (solids or stripes) are off the table. Once your group is gone, you’re ready to take on the 8-ball.
5. Win with the 8-Ball: To seal the deal, call your pocket (point to it or say it out loud) and sink the 8-ball cleanly. Sink it in the wrong pocket, scratch, or knock it in before your group’s cleared, and you lose—game over!
   
   Quick Fouls to Watch: Scratching (cue ball in a pocket), hitting the wrong ball first, or not hitting any ball at all hands the turn to your opponent, with the cue ball in hand—they place it anywhere behind the head string for their shot.

Tips for Success:

1. Think steps ahead in order to better place your cue ball for upcoming shots.
2. Practice your break-a strong opening can give you the upper hand against your opponent.

2. 9-Ball Pool

Half the balls, double the fun. 9-Ball is a fast-paced version of the classic 8-ball. While there are less plays available, the fun remains.

How to Play:

1. Set the Rack: Use balls 1 through 9, racked in a diamond shape. The 1-ball goes at the front (the apex) on the foot spot, the 9-ball sits in the center, and the rest can be placed randomly.
2. Break It Up: The starting player takes the cue ball from behind the head string and smashes into the rack. You’ve got to hit the 1-ball first and either pocket a ball or drive at least four numbered balls to a rail to make it a legal break. Fail that, and it’s the other player’s turn—they can take the table as-is or re-rack and break themselves.
3. Play in Order: Always strike the lowest-numbered ball on the table first (start with 1, then 2, and so on). You don’t have to call your shots unless it’s the 9-ball, but you can pocket any ball as long as you hit the lowest one first. Sink something? Keep going. Miss or foul? Your opponent’s up.
4. Win with the 9: The game ends when someone legally pockets the 9-ball—meaning they hit the lowest ball first and the 9 drops in the same turn. Could be on the break, mid-game, or the final shot. That’s the win!

Fouls to Know: Scratch (cue ball in a pocket), miss the lowest ball, or fail to hit a rail with any ball after contact? That’s a foul. Opponent gets “ball in hand”—they place the cue ball anywhere on the table and take their shot. Three fouls in a row from the same player, and it’s an automatic loss.

Pro Tip: Combo shots (like hitting the 1 into the 9) are fair game if you strike the lowest ball first—strategy’s your friend here!

Tips for success:

1. Try combo shots-the more balls sunk, the better.
2. Focus on cue ball placement to better set you up for your next shots, or use as defense against your opponent.

3. Cutthroat Pool

Perfect for groups, cutthroat pool is just as much strategy as is skill. The game involves specific targeting of your opponents, while defending yourself against attack.

How to Play:

1. Split the Balls: Rack all 15 balls in a standard triangle. Divide them into three groups: Player 1 takes balls 1-5 (low), Player 2 gets 6-10 (mid), and Player 3 claims 11-15 (high). Before the break, decide who’s got which group—random draw or mutual agreement works.
2. Break and Begin: One player breaks, aiming to scatter the rack. No need to call a group yet—if a ball goes in, the breaker can start targeting, but the table’s open until everyone’s playing. After the break, turns rotate clockwise.
3. Sink to Survive: Your goal? Pocket your opponents’ balls while keeping yours on the table. Hit any ball you want, but sinking an opponent’s ball (from their group) removes it from play. Sink one of your own by mistake? Tough luck—it’s gone. You keep shooting as long as you pocket an opponent’s ball legally.
4. Last One Standing: The game ends when one player’s group is completely cleared from the table—they’re out. The last player with at least one of their balls still in play wins. If you’re out, sit back and watch the survivors slug it out.

Fouls and Scratches: Scratch (cue ball in a pocket) or fail to hit a ball? Your turn ends, and each opponent can return one of their sunk balls to the table (spot it on the foot spot or as close as possible). Optional twist: agree beforehand if illegal shots (like hitting nothing or knocking the cue ball off the table) carry the same penalty.

Strategy Note: Team up temporarily to take out a frontrunner, or play pure defense by nudging your balls into safe spots—Cutthroat’s all about outlasting the chaos!

Tips for Success:

1. Play defensively. Try to block easy shots for your opponents. 
2. Keep in mind who's winning. Maybe you should target them?

4. Straight Pool

Want a more continuous game? Try straight pool. The game doesn't have to end until you say so. Set a point goal of 20, 50, 100, whatever you want for as long as you want!

How to Play:

1. Rack ‘Em Up: Start with all 15 balls racked in a triangle, no specific order required. Place the rack on the foot spot and break from behind the head string.
   Score with Every Pocket: After the break, each legally pocketed ball earns you 1 point—no restrictions on which ball you sink. Call your shot by naming the ball and the pocket before you take it. Sink it as called, and keep going; miss or foul, and your turn ends.
2. Keep the Table Rolling: Play continues until 14 balls are pocketed, leaving one ball on the table. Pause, re-rack the 14 sunk balls into a triangle (apex on the foot spot), and leave the last ball where it lies. The player who pocketed the 14th ball breaks the new rack, aiming to keep scoring.
3. Hit Your Target: Set a point goal before starting—common targets are 50, 100, or 150, depending on your group’s vibe. First to reach or exceed that total wins. Track points carefully after each turn.

Fouls Cost You: Scratch (cue ball in a pocket), fail to hit a ball, or miss a called shot? That’s a foul—subtract 1 point from your score, and your turn ends. Three fouls in a row? That’s a 15-point penalty. Opponent takes over with the table as-is, unless it’s a scratch—then they get ball in hand behind the head string.

Pro Touch: Plan your “key ball” (the 14th) and “break ball” (the last one left) to set up an easy shot into the new rack—strategy’s what separates the champs here!

Tips for Success:

1. Focus on consistent shots in order to rack up more points.
2. Plan positioning for future shots.

5. One-Pocket

One-pocket is for strategy. With only one pocket to sink your shots, players must plan their shots accordingly. Taking into account placement more than in traditional games. Also, players but be careful to not set up their opponent for easy shots. 

How to Play:

1. Assign the Corners: For 2-4 players, each gets one corner pocket as their target. With two players, use opposite corners (e.g., top-left vs. bottom-right). With three or four, assign one corner per player clockwise around the table. Agree on pockets before starting.
2. Rack and Break: Rack all 15 balls in a standard triangle on the foot spot. The first player breaks from behind the head string. No groups (solids/stripes) here—any ball can score, but only in your designated pocket.
3. Sink in Your Corner: On your turn, shoot any ball into your assigned corner pocket. Call your ball and pocket (e.g., “3-ball, my corner”)—it only counts if it goes in your pocket as called. Pocket a ball legally? Keep shooting. Miss, foul, or sink a ball in the wrong pocket? Turn’s over.
4. Race to 8: The first player to sink 8 balls into their designated corner wins. Balls don’t carry over between racks—once 15 are gone (or a winner’s hit 8), re-rack all remaining balls and keep going, leaving the table as-is for the next player.

Fouls and Fair Play: Scratch (cue ball in a pocket), fail to hit a ball, or knock a ball into someone else’s pocket? Your turn ends, and the table stays as-is. Optional rule: if you sink a ball in an opponent’s pocket, they score the point instead—keeps it spicy!

Twist: For extra challenge, limit shots to “bank shots only” (must hit a rail first) or require hitting your ball first before it rolls into your corner. Keeps everyone on their toes!

Tips for Success:

1. Think defensively. Stop your opponent from sinking easy shots.
2. Use bank shots and cue finesse to position the ball in the most ideal location.

Choosing the Right Table for Your Space

Whether you're looking for game-night bragging rights or a fun pastime with family, the right table can make or break your experience. Tables from Mizerak provide a classic, professional-level performance for players of all skill levels.