Gopher Eight Ball

Run and fetch the eight in this exciting new game. Will you go for it and win or become your opponent's gopher by mistake?

I was seeking to create a new pool game, fun game for two or more players to double as enjoyable practice for one player alone. Gopher Eight Ball gives beginners a crack at all fifteen balls on the table each turn, while adapting to provide a heightened challenge for intermediates and experts.

Simply:

1. Rack, break and play according the rules of Eight Ball

2. Slop counts unless you want a harder challenge with call shot pool

3. Shoot any balls in any sequence on your turn, only the 8-ball counts for the win, however, and it must be sunk last

Thinking ahead for the end of the game builds great skill for traditional Eight Ball and for Straight Pool:

• Will you try to run out the last four or five balls in the rack to the eight, only to miss and leave your opponent an easy win?

• Are you able to assess your ability accurately, or are you overconfident? What is the typical number of balls left on the table with which you feel confident to end the game on your turn?

• When does my opponent move into good position to win, he is a 3-ball or a 4-ball kind of guy, or a 10-ball run for the win kind of gal?

• Should I take off balls lying in challenging position early or leave them to stumble my opponent? This fun game will help you consider more carefully otherwise ignored aspects of great pool. You must decide when to... go for eight!

  Gopher Eight Ball rules and variations are (c) Matt Sherman 2008 licensed to About.com, Inc.