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How To Play Cutthroat Pool?

The cutthroat pool is one of the most interesting variations of the pool game. It is also a little more challenging than the other types, as you require playing with multiple opponents. If you have no previous idea about the game, then keep reading this article. We will let you know how to play cutthroat pool.

Know the basic rules of the game

The cutthroat pool has some unique rules that you need to know before start playing the game. It requires 15 balls with a cue ball to play the game. The balls are divided into three groups, where the first set includes the one to five numbered balls. The second set contains six to ten numbered balls, and the thirst set has eleven to fifteen numbered balls.

Usually, three or five players required to play the cutthroat pool. Each player will be given a set of balls. What you need to do is pot all the balls of your opponent before anyone else. You will need to be the only player with remaining balls to win the game.

In the cutthroat pool, the break is determined by lagging. Each player will shoot the cue ball towards the foot spot for a time. The ball should head back in the opposite direction after hitting the cushion. The player who can bring back the closest to the opposite cushion will break. The rack will be done by the third person who shoots the cue ball.

Foul and penalties

Like other types of pool, there are individual fouls and penalties in the cutthroat pool. The game can either played with call shoot or without it. If you decide to continue with the call shoot, each player will need to choose the ball and the intended pocket for potting. If the player failed to pot the ball in the selected pocket, the shoot would not be count.

The player must contact the cue ball with the chosen object ball. He will lose the turn if he fails to pocket the ball. The same thing will happen if he can pot his ball with an illegal shoot, but the shoot will count. If the player hits off a cue ball from the table, then it will be a penalty. The next player to shoot the ball can place the cue ball anywhere he wants.

Required equipment

The cutthroat pool games don’t require any additional equipment. As we said earlier, you will need three groups of fifteen balls along with the cue ball. A cue stick will be required for each player. However, players can share their cue stick. Usually, a triangular rack is used to organize the balls. You may need a bridge for hard to reach shots and chalk for chalking the cue tips. If you need break cue read this buying guide.

Organizing the balls in the rack

Position the triangular rack on the pool table. Then put the one ball from three groups in three corners of the rack. As examples, the first ball for the first group will be one ball, and it will be the sixth ball for the second group, and eleven balls for the third group. The remaining ball can be positioned randomly. However, it is a good practice to spread the balls properly all over inside the rack for a fair play. Then move the rack on the foot spot.

Start the game

After moving the balls on the foot spot, remove the rack from the table. Now you can start the game. Now the first person to break (determined by lagging) will try to break. If he fails to break legally, then the next person either accepts the braking or rack again for a new break.

Every player will try to pot the balls from their group. If any player failed to pot balls, then the next person will try, and the game will continue in this manner. As we mentioned earlier, the first person to pot all the balls from the assigned group will be the winner.

If you are a beginner to pool, then give a visit to Thecuesports.com. There you will find varieties of beginner-friendly guides, tips, tricks, and equipment recommendations.

Hopefully, the above guide will assist you in understanding the procedures of playing the cutthroat pool.  

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