Bank Pool
Standardized Rules
Bank Pool requires that each shot must be a bank of an object ball into at least one cushion before the ball is pocketed.
It can be a demanding game and fun to watch, particularly when the players are accomplished at the art of banking. Except when clearly contradicted by these rules of Bank Pool, the General Rules of Pocket Billiards apply.
- The object of the game is to pocket and score a greater number of balls than your opponent(s).
- If the object ball is pocketed during a legal shot, the player's turn continues until the player misses, fouls or wins the game by pocketing a greater number of object balls.
- The player committing the foul must spot one of his previously scored object balls for each foul committed. If a player fouls when he has no previously object balls to spot up, he "owes" for such fouls, and must spot balls after each scoring inning until his "owed" fouls are eliminated. After fouls, with the exception of a cue ball leaving the table or a cue ball scratch, incoming player accepts the cue ball in position.
Racking & Breaking for Bank Pool
- The object balls are racked in a triangle at the foot of the table in any random order.
- Breaker has cue ball in hand behind the head string.
- To legally break, the player must create an open break. When an illegal break occurs, the opposing player has the option to accept the table and take their turn or to have the balls re-racked and break.
- All balls that are pocketed on a break are spotted and the breaker continues shooting.
- If the cue ball is pocketed on the break, the incoming player has ball in hand behind the head string.
- It is considered a foul if object balls jump off of the table. As a result, the object balls that jumped off of the table are spotted.
Legal Shots & Fouls
- A legal shot requires the cue ball to contact any numbered ball and then either pocket an object ball, or cause the cue ball or object ball to contact a cushion.
- A legally pocketed ball entitles shooter to remain at the table until he fails to legally pocket a ball. Player may shoot any object ball, but must designate which ball, pocket and the cushion(s) that ball will contact. A legally pocketed ball must be driven into at least one cushion and rebounded into the called pocket.
- A legally pocketed ball must be "cleanly" banked (no kisses, no combinations, or caroms involving the object ball). The cue ball may contact the object ball only once on a stroke.
- On a legal scoring stroke, only the object ball is credited to the shooter. Any other balls pocketed on the same stroke do not count for the shooter, and may be subject to special spotting provisions regarding "Illegally Pocketed Balls."
- When a player has the cue ball in hand behind the head string and all object balls are also behind the head string, the object ball nearest the head string may be spotted on the foot spot at his request. If two or more balls are an equal distance from the head string, the player may choose which ball he desires to be spotted.
- Cushion impact shall mean clear and distinct contact with a cushion by the object ball. Incidental contact with a cushion as the object ball approaches the called pocket shall not be considered an "extra" cushion(s) that would otherwise disqualify a legal shot. Rebounding of the object ball in the jaws of the pocket before dropping shall not be considered "extra" cushions unless otherwise designated by the player.
- It is a loss of game if a player commits three successive fouls.
- Illegally pocketed balls are all spotted with no penalty. When in the course of a legal scoring stroke, any additional balls that are pocketed are spotted when players inning ends. Should a player score the last ball on the table while any illegally pocketed balls are being held for delayed spotting, those balls are then spotted so the player may continue his inning.
- Each legally pocketed object ball is scored as one ball. How mny balls needed to win depends on how many are playing:
Two players | Eight balls
Three players | Five balls
four players | Four balls
Five players | Four balls (The first scored ball is credited to the shooter, immediately spotted, and the player continues to shoot until a miss or foul occurs.)
Variations of Rotation
Some players play with additional rules or variations of games for any given reason. Some intend to make it fun or more challenging and others to make it fair when the difference in playing ability is significant. Below are some of the variations we've heard about. Please contact us if you know of additional variations to rotation.