U.S. patent application number 13/373211 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-26 for plurality of methods for playing pool.
Invention is credited to Stewart C. Gardner, Joseph E. Tucker.
Application Number | 20120190415 13/373211 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46544546 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120190415 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gardner; Stewart C. ; et
al. |
July 26, 2012 |
Plurality of methods for playing pool
Abstract
A method and apparatus for playing pool on a pool table is
disclosed. A plurality of target raised pockets is located on the
pool table and pool balls are hit into an indentation on the raised
pocket. For example, a plurality of pool balls is arranged in a
starting position on the playing surface of the pool table. Players
alternate turns wherein each player attempts to hit balls from a
set of pool balls assigned to that player onto the target raised
pockets on the pool table using a pool cue. The game ends when the
player has hit all of his assigned balls onto an indentation on a
top level of the target raised pocket.
Inventors: |
Gardner; Stewart C.;
(Chappaqua, NY) ; Tucker; Joseph E.; (Warwick,
RI) |
Family ID: |
46544546 |
Appl. No.: |
13/373211 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12798085 |
Mar 29, 2010 |
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13373211 |
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61520219 |
Jun 6, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/2 ;
473/20 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63D 15/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/2 ;
473/20 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24; A63D 15/00 20060101 A63D015/00 |
Claims
1. A method for playing a game on a pool table, comprising the
steps of: placing a plurality of pool balls in a starting position
on the playing surface of the pool table, wherein the plurality of
pool balls is comprised of an object ball and a plurality of
different sets of pool balls; shooting an initial shot to break the
pool balls from their starting position using a cue ball and a cue
stick; removing the cue ball from the playing surface of the pool
table; alternating turns between a plurality of players, wherein
each player attempts to hit balls from a set of pool balls assigned
to that player into an indentation on a top level of a raised
pocket located on the playing surface of the pool table; and
hitting the object ball into an indentation on a top level of the
raised pocket located on the playing surface of the pool table once
a player has hit all of their assigned balls onto the raised
pocket, wherein the game ends when the object ball comes to rest in
the indentation on the raised pocket.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein each player is assigned
a set of balls prior to starting the game.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein each player is assigned
a set of balls during the game.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein players are assigned a
particular set of balls when that player hits one of the balls of
the set onto the raised pockets.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a player receives
another turn when that player hits one of their assigned pool balls
into one of the raised pocket.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the raised pocket has
sloped sides that lead to the top level and the top level has at
least one indentation.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the raised pocket can
have any number of sides and shapes.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein there are two players
and two sets of balls.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein there are 7 balls in
each of the two sets of balls and the two sets of balls and the
object ball are racked in a triangular shaped pack at the starting
position.
10. The method according to claim 8, wherein there are 4 balls in
each of the two sets of balls and the two sets of balls and the
object ball are racked in a diamond shaped pack at the starting
position.
11. The method according to claim 8, wherein there are 3 balls in
each of the two sets of balls and the two sets of balls and the
object ball are racked in a circular shaped pack at the starting
position.
12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the raised pocket is
placed approximately in the center of the pool table.
13. The method according to claim 6, wherein the raised pocket is
approximately 4.5 inches in diameter and the indentation is
approximately 3 inches in diameter.
14. The method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of raised
pockets are located on the playing surface of the pool table.
15. The method according to claim 6, wherein the indentation takes
up substantially all of the top level of the raised pocket.
16. A method for playing a game on a pool table, comprising the
steps of: placing a plurality of pool balls in starting positions
on the playing surface of the pool table, wherein the plurality of
pool balls is divided into two equal groups; placing a first target
raised pocket and a first blocking raised pocket at first
predetermined locations on the playing surface of the pool table;
placing a second target raised pocket and a second blocking raised
pocket at second predetermined locations on the playing surface of
the pool table; assigning each player a different target raised
pocket and a set of pool balls; each player hitting a ball from
their assigned set of pool balls toward their assigned target
raised pocket, wherein the player who leaves their ball closest to
their assigned target raised pocket gets the next turn; and
alternating turns between the plurality of players wherein each
player attempts to hit all of their assigned pool balls onto their
assigned target raised packet, wherein the game ends when one of
the players hits all of their assigned pool balls onto their
assigned target raised pocket.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein each set of pool
balls comprises 5 pool balls.
18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the first target
raised pocket is placed on the head spot of the pool table, and the
second target raised pocket is placed on the foot spot of the pool
table.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the first blocking
raised pocket is placed near the first target raised pocket towards
the center of the pool table, and the second blocking raised pocket
is placed near the second target raised pocket towards the center
of the pool table.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the first blocking
raised pocket is placed towards the center of the table
approximately 4.5 inches from the first target raised pocket, and
the second blocking raised pocket is placed towards the center of
the table approximately 4.5 inches from the second target raised
pocket.
21. The method according to claim 18, wherein each player's set of
pool balls is set up at one end of the pool table and their
assigned target raised pocket is located at the other end of the
pool table.
22. The method according to claim 21, wherein at least four of the
pool balls are arranged in a line with the head or foot spot.
23. The method according to claim 22, wherein one ball is located
behind the other players target raised pocket.
24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the players use the
pool ball located behind the other players target raised pocket
during the first shot.
25. The method according to claim 24, wherein each player
approximately simultaneously strike the first shot.
26. The method according to claim 24, wherein each player's pool
ball must hit at least two bumpers on the first shot.
27. The method according to claim 16, wherein the players can only
hit the first ball hit during subsequent shots until that first
ball is successfully hit onto their target raised pocket.
28. The method according to claim 16, wherein the cue ball is
originally placed in the approximate middle of the table to begin
play.
29. The method according to claim 28, wherein any player may
attempt to hit the cue ball onto their target raised pocket after
the player has successfully shot their first pool ball onto their
target raised pocket.
30. The method according to claim 29, wherein any player may remove
any of their assigned pool balls from the table if the player
successfully hits the cue ball onto their target raised pocket,
wherein the cue ball is placed back in the approximate middle of
the table and the player receives an additional turn.
31. The method according to claim 28, wherein any player attempting
to hit the cue ball from its original position in the approximate
middle of the table, must hit at least one bumper before hitting
their target raised pocket.
32. The method according to claim 16, wherein any player receives
an additional turn after successfully hitting one of their assigned
balls onto their target raised pocket.
33. The method according to claim 16, wherein a player must cause
at least one pool ball to hit a bumper or one of the raised pockets
during each turn.
34. The method according to claim 16, wherein a player must hit a
pool ball into a bumper before the hit pool ball strikes one of the
other player's pool balls.
35. The method according to claim 16, wherein any pool balls hit
onto a blocking raised pocket are placed back on their starting
position.
36. The method according to claim 28, wherein during any turn after
a player has successfully hit their first ball onto their target
raised pocket a player can instantly win the game by hitting the
cue ball off at least one bumper and onto their target raised
pocket.
37. The method according to claim 16, wherein the raised pocket has
sloped sides that lead to the top level and the top level has at
least one indentation.
38. The method according to claim 37, wherein the raised pocket can
have any number of sides and shapes.
39. The method according to claim 37, wherein the raised pocket is
approximately 4.5 inches in diameter and the indentation is
approximately 3 inches in diameter.
40. The method according to claim 37, wherein the indentation is
bottomless.
41. The method according to claim 40, wherein the raised pocket is
shaped like a ring with sloping sides which slope towards the
middle of the raised pocket.
42. The method according to claim 37, wherein the raised pocket has
a diameter between 3-5 inches and the indentation has a diameter
between 1.5-4 inches.
43. The method according to claim 16, wherein the raised pocket is
comprised of at least one of metal, metal composite, plastic, wood,
glass, resin, rubber or stone.
44. The method according to claim 43, wherein the raised pocket has
a durometer value greater than 10.
45. The method according to claim 43, wherein the raised pocket has
a durometer value greater than 37.
46. The method according to claim 37, wherein the sloping sides
have a slope between 5.degree.-70.degree..
47. The method according to claim 37, wherein the sloping sides
have a slope between 25.degree.-30.degree..
48. The method according to claim 37, wherein the indentation takes
up substantially all of the top level of the raised pocket.
49. The method according to claim 37, wherein the indentation has a
depth of at least 0.125 inches.
50. The method according to claim 37, wherein the raised pocket has
a height of at least 0.125 inches.
51. A method for playing a game on a pool table, comprising the
steps of: placing a plurality of pool balls in a starting position
on the playing surface of the pool table; alternating turns between
a plurality of players, wherein each player attempts to hit one or
more of the pool balls, using a pool cue, into an indentation on a
top level of at least one raised pocket located on the playing
surface of the pool table.
52. The method according to claim 51, wherein said plurality of
balls is comprised of an object ball and a plurality of different
sets of balls, wherein each player is assigned a set of balls and
the players alternate turns during which each player attempts to
hit a ball from their assigned set of balls into the indentation
one the at least one raised pocket.
53. The method according to claim 52, wherein after a player has
hit all of their assigned balls into the indentation on the raised
pocket, the player attempts to win the game by hitting the object
ball into the indentation on the raised pocket.
54. The method according to claim 51, wherein a raised pocket is
located near or covering each pocket of the pool table.
55. The method according to claim 54, wherein another raised pocket
is placed approximately in the center of the pool table.
56. The method according to claim 55, wherein a player must hit the
object ball onto the indentation on the raised pocket near the
middle of the table to win the game.
57. The method according to claim 51, wherein the raised pocket has
sloped sides that lead to a top level and the top level has at
least one indentation.
58. The method according to claim 57, wherein the raised pocket can
have any number of sides and shapes.
59. The method according to claim 57, wherein the at least one
indentation is a substantially circular hole with substantially
vertical sides.
60. The method according to claim 59, wherein the raised pocket is
approximately 4.5 inches in diameter and the indentation is
approximately 3 inches in diameter.
61. The method according to claim 51, wherein the raised pocket is
comprised of at least one of metal, metal composite, plastic, wood,
glass, resin, rubber or stone.
62. The method according to claim 43, wherein the raised pocket has
a durometer value greater than 25.
63. The method according to claim 51, wherein the raised pocket has
multiple levels with multiple ramps and at least one indentation on
the top level of the raised pocket.
64. The method according to claim 63, wherein the raised pocket has
at least one indentation on multiple levels.
65. The method according to claim 51, wherein the indentation takes
up a portion of the top level of the raised pocket.
66. The method according to claim 51, wherein the indentation takes
up substantially all of the top level of the raised pocket.
67. The method according to claim 57, wherein said at least one
raised pocket has a plurality of different sized indentations on
the top surface, wherein a player receives different point values
for hitting a pool ball into one of the different sized
indentations on the raised pocket.
68. The method according to claim 67, wherein the player receives
more points for hitting the ball into smaller sized indentations on
the raised pocket.
69. The method according to claim 57, wherein a plurality of
different sized raised pockets are located on the pool table, and a
player receives more points for hitting a ball into the
indentations on the smaller sized raised pockets.
70. A computer readable medium storing code for simulating a pool
game, said code comprising: code for placing a plurality of pool
balls in a starting position on the playing surface of the pool
table, wherein the plurality of pool balls is comprised of an
object ball and a plurality of different sets of pool balls; code
for shooting an initial shot to break the pool balls from their
starting position using a cue ball and a cue stick; code for
removing the cue ball from the playing surface of the pool table;
code for alternating turns between a plurality of players, wherein
each player attempts to hit balls from a set of pool balls assigned
to that player into an indentation on a top level of a raised
pocket located on the playing surface of the pool table; and code
for hitting the object ball into an indentation on a top level of
the raised pocket located on the playing surface of the pool table
once a player has hit all of their assigned balls onto the raised
pocket, wherein the game ends when the object ball comes to rest in
the indentation on the raised pocket.
71. A computer readable medium storing code for simulating a pool
game, said code comprising: code for placing a plurality of pool
balls in starting positions on the playing surface of the pool
table, wherein the plurality of pool balls is divided into two
equal groups; code for placing a first target raised pocket and a
first blocking raised pocket at first predetermined locations on
the playing surface of the pool table; code for placing a second
target raised pocket and a second blocking raised pocket at second
predetermined locations on the playing surface of the pool table;
code for assigning each player a different target raised pocket and
a set of pool balls; code for each player hitting a ball from their
assigned set of pool balls toward their assigned target raised
pocket, wherein the player who leaves their ball closest to their
assigned target raised pocket gets the next turn; and code for
alternating turns between the plurality of players wherein each
player attempts to hit all of their assigned pool balls onto their
assigned target raised packet, wherein the game ends when one of
the players hits all of their assigned pool balls onto their
assigned target raised pocket.
72. A computer readable medium storing code for simulating a pool
game, said code comprising: code for placing a plurality of pool
balls in a starting position on the playing surface of the pool
table; code for alternating turns between a plurality of players,
wherein each player attempts to hit one or more of the pool balls,
using a pool cue, into an indentation on a top level of at least
one raised pocket located on the playing surface of the pool table.
Description
[0001] This application expressly claims priority to Provisional
Application No. 61/520219, filed on Jun. 6, 2011, entitled
"Plurality of Methods for Playing Pool", which is incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a method and
apparatus for playing new pool (billiard) games, and more
particularly, to new pool games which incorporate a raised pocket
located on the playing surface of a pool table.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The origination of pocket billiards can be traced back to
Europe in the 1500's. Typically, pocket billiards is played on a
rectangular table with a plurality of drop pockets arranged around
the playing surface. For example, the pool table 10 can have six
pockets 12 arranged around the periphery of the playing surface 24,
one in each corner and two on the sides, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
Pocket pool games use a plurality of pool balls including a cue
ball, wherein a player strikes the cue ball with a pool cue in an
attempt to hit one of the pool balls into a pocket.
[0004] Over the years, several pool games have become very popular,
namely 8-ball and 9-ball. In 8-ball, the pool balls are divided
into two sets, 7 low numbered balls or "solids" and 7 high number
balls or "strips". In addition, there is an object ball, i.e., the
8-ball. The basic format of this game is that each player is
assigned either solids or strips and the player attempts to hit all
of his/her assigned balls into the pockets of the pool table. Once
a player has successfully hit all of his/her assigned balls into
the pockets, the player attempts to hit the 8-ball into a
previously selected pocket. The game continues until a player
successfully makes the 8-ball in the selected pocket.
[0005] 9-ball uses 9 balls numbered 1 through 9. The balls are hit
in rotation, meaning that they must be hit in numerical order
starting with the 1-ball. However, the balls do not need to be
pocketed in sequence. As long as the cue ball hits the ball with
the correct number first, any ball including the 9-ball may be sunk
and the player is allowed to continue their turn. A player wins by
legally sinking the 9-ball into a pocket at any point during the
game.
[0006] After playing 8-ball and 9-ball over and over again, some
players will want some variety in the games they play so they will
look for new games to play. Over the past decades, people have
devised many variations of known pool games. One problem with many
of these new games is that pool players consider the games to be
too gimmicky or introduce too much luck into the game which goes
against the basic principles of pool which require skill and
concentration.
[0007] Thus, there is a need for new pool games and apparatus which
overcomes the problems cited above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is therefore a feature and advantage of the present
invention to provide a plurality of new pool games which use at
least one raised pocket located on the playing surface of a pool
table which require skill and strategy.
[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, a method for
playing a game on a pool table is disclosed. The method comprises
of the steps of: placing a plurality of pool balls in a starting
position on the playing surface of the pool table, wherein the
plurality of pool balls is comprised of an object ball and a
plurality of different sets of pool balls; shooting an initial shot
to break the pool balls from their starting position using a cue
ball and a cue stick; removing the cue ball from the playing
surface of the pool table; alternating turns between a plurality of
players, wherein each player attempts to hit balls from a set of
pool balls assigned to that player into an indentation on a top
level of a raised pocket located on the playing surface of the pool
table; and hitting the object ball into an indentation on a top
level of the raised pocket located on the playing surface of the
pool table once a player has hit all of their assigned balls onto
the raised pocket, wherein the game ends when the object ball comes
to rest in the indentation on the raised pocket.
[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, a method for
playing a game on a pool table is disclosed. The method comprises
of the steps of: placing a plurality of pool balls in starting
positions on the playing surface of the pool table, wherein the
plurality of pool balls is divided into two equal groups; placing a
first target raised pocket and a first blocking raised pocket at
first predetermined locations on the playing surface of the pool
table; placing a second target raised pocket and a second blocking
raised pocket at second predetermined locations on the playing
surface of the pool table; assigning each player a different target
raised pocket and a set of pool balls; each player hitting a ball
from their assigned set of pool balls toward their assigned target
raised pocket, wherein the player who leaves their ball closest to
their assigned target raised pocket gets the next turn; and
alternating turns between the plurality of players wherein each
player attempts to hit all of their assigned pool balls onto their
assigned target raised packet, wherein the game ends when one of
the players hits all of their assigned pool balls onto their
assigned target raised pocket.
[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, a method for
playing a game on a pool table is disclosed. The method is
comprised of the steps of: placing a plurality of pool balls in a
starting position on the playing surface of the pool table; and
alternating turns between a plurality of players, wherein each
player attempts to hit one or more of the pool balls, using a pool
cue, into an indentation on a top level of at least one raised
pocket located on the playing surface of the pool table.
[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, a computer
readable medium storing code for simulating a pool game is
disclosed. The code comprises: code for placing a plurality of pool
balls in a starting position on the playing surface of the pool
table, wherein the plurality of pool balls is comprised of an
object ball and a plurality of different sets of pool balls; code
for shooting an initial shot to break the pool balls from their
starting position using a cue ball and a cue stick; code for
removing the cue ball from the playing surface of the pool table;
code for alternating turns between a plurality of players, wherein
each player attempts to hit balls from a set of pool balls assigned
to that player into an indentation on a top level of a raised
pocket located on the playing surface of the pool table; and code
for hitting the object ball into an indentation on a top level of
the raised pocket located on the playing surface of the pool table
once a player has hit all of their assigned balls onto the raised
pocket, wherein the game ends when the object ball comes to rest in
the indentation on the raised pocket.
[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, a computer
readable medium storing code for simulating a pool game is
disclosed. The code comprises: code for placing a plurality of pool
balls in starting positions on the playing surface of the pool
table, wherein the plurality of pool balls is divided into two
equal groups; code for placing a first target raised pocket and a
first blocking raised pocket at first predetermined locations on
the playing surface of the pool table; code for placing a second
target raised pocket and a second blocking raised pocket at second
predetermined locations on the playing surface of the pool table;
code for assigning each player a different target raised pocket and
a set of pool balls; code for each player hitting a ball from their
assigned set of pool balls toward their assigned target raised
pocket, wherein the player who leaves their ball closest to their
assigned target raised pocket gets the next turn; and code for
alternating turns between the plurality of players wherein each
player attempts to hit all of their assigned pool balls onto their
assigned target raised packet, wherein the game ends when one of
the players hits all of their assigned pool balls onto their
assigned target raised pocket.
[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, a computer
readable medium storing code for simulating a pool game is
disclosed. The code comprises: code for placing a plurality of pool
balls in a starting position on the playing surface of the pool
table; and code for alternating turns between a plurality of
players, wherein each player attempts to hit one or more of the
pool balls, using a pool cue, into an indentation on a top level of
at least one raised pocket located on the playing surface of the
pool table.
[0015] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in
order that the present contribution to the art may be better
appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the
invention that will be described below and which will form the
subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
[0016] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that
the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the
abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be
regarded as limiting.
[0017] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art pool table;
[0020] FIGS. 2(a)-(c) illustrate a perspective view of a raised
pocket according to several embodiments of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a raised pocket according
to one embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIGS. 4(a)-(b) illustrate a side view of raised pockets
according to another embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates a raised pocket with a plurality of
indentations according to another embodiment of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates a multilevel raised pocket according to
another embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates a pool table with a raised pocket
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 8 illustrates a pool table with a raised pocket
according to another embodiment of the invention,
[0027] FIG. 9 illustrates a pool table with a raised pocket
according to another embodiment of the invention,
[0028] FIG. 10 illustrates a large raised pocket according to
another embodiment of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 11 illustrates a starting position for a pool game
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 12 illustrates a computer system according to one
embodiment of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 13 illustrates a computer readable medium according to
one embodiment of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 14 illustrates a computer readable medium according to
one embodiment of the invention; and
[0033] FIG. 15 illustrates a computer readable medium according to
one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one
raised pocket (also called a raised stand) is placed or attached to
the playing surface of a pool table. The goal of the new pool games
described below is to hit one or more pool balls into an
indentation on the raised pocket or pockets. The specifics of the
raised pockets will now be described followed by a description of
some of the new pool games which can be played using the raised
pocket or pockets.
[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the raised pocket 20 has sloping
sides 22 which lead up from the playing surface of a pool table 24
to a top level 26. The top level 26 has an indentation 28 in which
a pool ball moving at the correct speed may come to rest. FIG. 3
illustrates the raised pocket 20 as viewed from above and FIGS.
4(a)-(b) illustrate the raised pocket 20 as viewed from the side
according to several different embodiments. As illustrated in FIG.
2, the raised pocket can be substantially circular in shape, but
the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the raised
pocket can have a shape that is substantially similar to a circle,
triangle, square, hexagon, pentagon, heptagon, octagon or any other
shape.
[0036] The indentation 28 can be a dip in the top level 26 with
sloping sides or the indentation 28 can be a hole with
substantially vertical sides as illustrated in FIGS. 2(a)-(b). The
hole may be substantially circular or square, but the invention is
not limited thereto. In addition, the indentation 28 may take up a
portion of the top level as illustrated in FIG. 2(a) or the
indentation can take up substantially all of the top level as
illustrated in FIG. 2(b). In addition, the indentation 28 may not
have a bottom surface in which case the raised pocket 20 will be
shaped like a ring with sloping sides which slope upwards toward
the middle of the raised pocket as illustrated in FIG. 2(c).
[0037] The raised pocket 20 may be constructed with various
diameters and height. Furthermore, the indentations can have
various diameters and depths, wherein the larger and deeper the
indentation, the easier it is for a ball to come to rest in the
indentation. According to one embodiment of the invention, the
raised pocket has an outer diameter of approximately 4 inches with
a substantially circular hole approximately 2.75 inches in
diameter. According to one embodiment of the invention, the raised
pocket 20 has an outer diameter of approximately 4.5 inches with a
substantially circular hole approximately 3 inches in diameter.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the raised pocket 20
has an outer diameter of 4.5 inches with a substantially circular
hole approximately 3 inches in diameter. According to one
embodiment of the invention, the raised pocket 20 has an outer
diameter of approximately 5.5 inches with a substantially circular
hole approximately 4 inches in diameter. According to one
embodiment of the invention, the raised pocket 20 has an outer
diameter of approximately 7 inches with a substantially circular
hole approximately 5.5 inches in diameter. According to one
embodiment of the invention, the raised pocket 20 has an outer
diameter of approximately 13.5 inches with a substantially circular
hole approximately 12 inches in diameter. The raised pockets 20
described above can have heights ranging from 0.125 to 1.5 inches
but the invention is not limited thereto. According to one
embodiment of the invention, the height of the raised stand 20 is
approximately 0.38 inches and the depth of the indentation 28 is
approximately 0.26 inches. According to one embodiment of the
invention, the slope of the sloping sides 22 is between
5.degree.-70.degree., and preferably between 15.degree.-45.degree.,
and more preferably between 25.degree.-30.degree., but the
invention is not limited thereto. According to one embodiment of
the invention, the slope of the sloping sides is approximately
28.87.degree..
[0038] The raised pocket 20 can be constructed out of many
materials comprising at least one of metal, metal composite,
plastic, wood, stone, glass, resin and/or rubber, but the invention
is not limited thereto. Regardless of the material used, the stand
must have a durometer value of at least 10, and preferably have a
durometer value of at least 25, and more preferably have a
durometer value of at least 37. The raised pocket 20 can also
comprise lights and/or sound making devices, wherein the lights
flash and/or the sound making devices make sounds when a ball comes
to rest in an indentation on the raised pocket 20. For example, the
weight of the ball (or composition of the ball) can close a switch
which completes a circuit which activates the lights and/or sound
devices, but the invention is not limited thereto. The lights
and/or sound devices can be arranged in any pattern and can be
composed of any number of lights and/or sound devices.
[0039] According to another embodiment of the invention, the raised
pocket 20 may have a plurality of indentations 56, 57, 58 on the
top level 26, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The indentations can be of
the same size or shape or can have different sizes or shapes. For
example, the indentations 56, 57, 58 can have different diameters
as illustrated in FIG. 5. Furthermore, a raised pocket may have 2
or more levels, wherein sloped sides lead up from one level to the
next. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the raised pocket 40 has two levels
42 and 44. A first sloped side 46 leads up from the surface of the
pool table to the first level 42 and a second sloped side 48 leads
up from the first level 42 to the second level 44. In this
embodiment, the raised pocket has at least one indentation and one
or more indentations can be located on one of the levels or a
plurality of levels, but the invention is not limited thereto. In
addition, a multilevel pocket can be created by stacking single
level pockets of different size on top of each other, but the
invention is not limited thereto.
[0040] The raised pockets described above can be used to play a
variety of new pool games. Some of these new pool games will now be
described below but the invention is not limited thereto.
[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, a single
raised pocket is used and is located on the playing surface of a
pool table. For example, a raised pocket 20 is placed approximately
in the middle of the pool table 10 as illustrated in FIG. 7.
Different sized raised pockets can be used to change the difficulty
of the game, wherein the difficulty of the game generally increases
as the dimensions of the raised pocket and the indentation are
reduced.
[0042] The first set of games to be described are a variation of
8-ball with the incorporation of the raised pocket into the game.
To begin the game, a plurality of pool balls are placed (racked) in
a starting position on a first spot 50, but the invention is not
limited thereto. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the game begins with 15
balls and a cue ball. The 15 pool balls are racked using a
triangular rack on the first spot 50. Alternatively, the game can
begin with 9 balls racked with a diamond shaped rack on the first
spot 50 as illustrated in FIG. 8. Alternatively, the game can begin
with 7 balls racked by a circular rack on the first spot 50 as
illustrated in FIG. 9. It will be understood by one skilled in the
art that the balls can be racked in any location on the table in
any configuration and the invention is not limited thereto. For
example, the pool balls may be racked in such a manner that one or
more of the pool balls are located on the raised pocket 20.
[0043] In all of the versions of the game described above (using
15, 9 or 7 balls), the pool balls are divided into a plurality of
sets. First, an object ball, for example, the 8-ball, is
designated. The remaining even number of balls are then divided
into two sets, for example, solids and strips. The object of this
first set of games is to hit all of the balls including the object
ball onto the raised pocket with the correct speed so that the
balls come to rest in the indentation on the raised pocket. If the
object ball is legally hit onto the raised pocket and the object
ball comes to rest in the indentation on the raised pocket, the
player who hit the object ball is declared the winner of the
game.
[0044] To begin play, a player is selected to take the first shot,
wherein the player hits the cue ball with a pool cue from behind
the second spot 52 to break apart the racked pool balls. If one of
the pool balls goes into a pocket during the first shot, the first
player is awarded that set of balls and the other player is awarded
the other set of balls. If more than a single ball is pocketed, the
player is awarded the set of balls corresponding to the set with
the most balls that went in the pockets. If no ball are pocketed or
if the same number of balls from each set are pocketed, no set is
awarded until the next ball is hit onto the raised pocket. In the
alternative, one of the sets of balls can be assigned to each
player before play begins. If the object ball is hit into a pocket
on the break, the object ball is placed on the first spot 50 and
the game continues. If the object ball ends up in the indentation
on the raised pocket on the first shot, that player is declared the
winner.
[0045] After the racked balls are broke using the cue ball, the cue
ball is removed from the table and the players alternate turns
hitting their assigned balls in an attempt to hit their assigned
balls onto the raised pocket. When a player hits one or more of
their assigned balls onto a raised pocket, the player receives
another turn. Once the player has hit all of their assigned balls
onto the raised pocket, the player then attempts to hit the object
ball onto the raised pocket 20. The first player to legally hit the
object ball onto the raised pocket is declared the winner of the
game.
[0046] According to another embodiment of the invention, when a
player is attempting to hit the object ball onto the raised pocket
after pocketing all of their assigned balls, the object ball must
come into contact with the raised pocket or else the player is
penalized. For example, the player may lose the game if the object
ball does not hit the raised pocket. Alternatively, the player must
place one of their pocketed balls back on the first spot 50 if the
object ball does not hit the pocket.
[0047] According to another embodiment of the invention, a
variation on the 9-ball game is disclosed incorporating the use of
a raised pocket. In regular 9-ball, players attempt to hit the
balls in rotation, that is they must be targeted in numerical
sequence starting with the one ball. It is important to note that
the balls do not necessarily need to be pocketed in numerical
sequence. As long as the correct ball is truck first by the cue
ball, any ball can be pocketed and the player is awarded another
turn. The game continues until a player pockets the 9-ball.
According to the new game shown in this embodiment of the
invention, 9-ball is played by requiring the players to hit the
balls with a pool cue onto the raised pocket 20. After the initial
break of the racked balls with the cue ball, the cue ball is
removed from the table and the players attempt to hit the balls
onto the raised pocket 20. As in the traditional game, a player can
win at any point in the game by successfully hitting the 9-ball
onto the raised pocket so long as the correct ball is struck
first.
[0048] According to another embodiment of the invention, all of the
pool balls must be hit into a single indentation in the raised
pocket. The traditional 8-ball and 9-ball game rules can be used
except that the balls must be hit into the indentation on the
raised pocket rather than the pockets of the pool table. In one
embodiment of the invention, the raised pocket has an indentation
102 which is large enough to hold all of the pool balls 104 and the
pool balls are not removed from the raised pocket when they are
successfully hit onto the raised pocket as illustrated in FIG.
10.
[0049] According to another embodiment of the invention, a shootout
game can be played with one or more raised pockets. According to
one embodiment of the invention, the raised stand can be located at
one end of the pool table, for example on the head spot. The
players then alternate turns trying to successfully hit a pool ball
onto the raised pocket. The first person to hit a predetermined
number of pool balls onto the raised stand is the winner. For
example, each player may hit from the foot spot of the pool table
but the invention is not limited thereto. In the alternative, the
raised pocket may be located near the center of the pool table, and
each player may have a plurality of balls lined up across the head
spot line and the foot spot line. The players then either take
turns or simultaneously try to hit their balls onto the raised
pocket.
[0050] According to another embodiment of the invention, the above
described games can be played with a plurality of raised pockets
located on the surface of the pool table. The raised pockets can
have the same shape and size or have different shapes and sizes. In
addition, raised pockets may be placed near or on top of the
pockets 12 of the pool table. In this embodiment, pool balls must
be hit into the indentations on the raised pockets rather than in
the pockets 12. Furthermore, the object ball can be hit onto any of
the raised pockets or only onto a specific raised pocket to win the
game.
[0051] According to another embodiment of the invention, players
can play a game where they are awarded points for successfully
hitting pool balls into indentations on one or more raised pockets.
The raised pocket 20 can have a plurality of different sized
indentations as illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein a player receives
different point values for hitting a pool ball into different sized
indentations. For example, a player may receive 1 point for hitting
a ball into the large indentation 56, 2 points for hitting a ball
into the medium sized indentation 57, and 5 points for hitting a
ball into the small hole 58. The players take turns hitting the
pool balls without using the cue ball into the indentations on the
raised pocket and the first player to total a predetermined number
of points is declared the winner of the game. Alternatively, the
same game can be played with a plurality of different sized raised
pockets with single or multiple indentations.
[0052] According to another embodiment of the invention, all of the
games described above and obvious variations thereof can be played
with a multilevel raised pocket as illustrated in FIG. 6.
Furthermore, the multilevel raised pocket can have one or more
indentations.
[0053] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
game can be played using a plurality of raised pockets located on
the playing surface of a pool table. The game will now be described
with reference to FIG. 11. In this embodiment, two target raised
pockets 220 and 222 are placed on the playing surface 210 of the
pool table 200. As illustrated in FIG. 11, one target raised pocket
220 is placed over the head spot on the playing surface 210 and the
second target raised pocket 222 is placed over the foot spot on the
playing surface 210, but the invention is not limited thereto. In
addition, blocking raised pockets 224 and 226 are placed near the
target raised pockets 220, 222, respectively, and are placed
towards the center of the pool table 200. In one embodiment, the
blocking raised pockets 224, 226 are placed approximately 4.5
inches from their target raised pocket, but the invention is not
limited thereto.
[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, each game
starts with each player (or team) getting five balls, one player
(or team) getting the five solid balls 230 (2-3-4-5, and the 1 ball
as their Initial Object Ball) and the other player (or team)
getting the five striped balls 232 (11-12-13-14, and the 15 as
their Initial Object Ball). Four of the balls are to be spotted in
their proper game starting positions and lined up with the head and
foot spots and the diamonds on the bumpers as illustrated in FIG.
11. Each player is assigned the target raised pocket which is at
the opposite end of the pool table from their assigned set of
balls. The balls are positioned from the lowest number to highest
number, left to right, with the Initial Object Balls (1 ball and
the 15 ball) behind the target raised pockets. The balls shown next
to side bumpers (2, 5, 11, and 14) are not frozen to the
cushion/rail and should be placed approximately 3/4'' off the rail
(width of a chalk cube). In addition, the cue ball is originally
placed in the approximate middle of the pool table 200.
[0055] At the count of three ("1-2-3- shoot"), and at approximately
the same time, both players shoot their "Game Starting Object Ball"
(either the 1 or 15 ball) into opposite side bumpers towards their
target raised Pocket. Each player will be attempting to bank their
"Game Starting Object Ball" onto, or as close to, their target
raised pocket. The player that makes their "Game Starting Object
Ball" onto their target raised pocket, or lands closest to their
target raised pocket, gets to shoot next. In the event of a tie or
both players pocketing the opening shot, both players shoot again
from their initial "Game Starting Object Ball" original game
starting position. It will be understood that the players do not
have to hit their first shot at the same time and may alternate the
first shot and the invention is not limited thereto. A 2 cushion
bank shot hitting the side rail first and then the end rail is the
standard opening shot. While the players do not have to shoot that
exact shot, the players must shoot at opposite side bumpers to
start the game.
[0056] A player must pocket their "Game Starting Object Ball" (1 or
15 ball) onto their target raised pocket before that player is
allowed to shoot any of their other object balls. Once a player has
pocketed their "Game Starting Object Ball" onto their target raised
pocket, that player may then, and only then, start to shoot at
their other object balls and in any order the player chooses. When
the "Game Starting Object Ball", or any object ball thereafter, is
pocketed onto a target raised pocket, the player shooting gets to
continue shooting but must first remove the ball from the target
raised pocket (put it in any drop pocket prior to shooting their
next shot).
[0057] The player shooting can never make any of their object
ball/s, their opponent's object ball/s, or the cue ball, touch
their opponent's "Initial Object Ball". If this occurs, the
offending player loses their turn and their opponent gets any ball
in hand and in this case they must take the game starting ball in
hand. During this shot, if the player shooting happens to make one
of their own object balls, including the cue ball, onto their
target raised pocket, the object ball is considered a made shot
(remove it from the table), the player shooting still loses their
turn, and their opponent gets "Game starting Ball in Hand". One
exception to this rule applies if the player shooting opponent's
"Initial Object Ball" is resting against or contacting the shooting
player's target raised pocket. Another exception occurs if on the
opening break shot the Game Starting Object Balls contact each
other. If this occurs, no penalty is assessed and play continues as
normal.
[0058] Once a player has pocketed their "Game Starting Object Ball"
the Cue ball may be used just like any of the player's other object
balls and the same rules apply. If the player shooting makes the
Cue ball onto their target raised pocket, the player shooting gets
to take any one (1) of their remaining object balls off the table,
the Cue ball gets returned to its game starting center spot
location, and the same player continues to shoot. If the cue ball
cannot be spotted at the center of the table due to another ball is
occupying that space, the player shooting will place the Cue ball
as close to the center spot (either to the left or right side of
the interfering ball).
[0059] The player shooting cannot shoot the Cue ball with the cue
stick, from the Center Spot of the table, directly over a blocking
raised pocket. If a player shoots the cue ball directly over a
blocking raised pocket and makes it into their target raised pocket
the player shooting loses their turn, does not score a point, the
Cue ball is returned to its original game starting Center Spot
position and the non-offending player gets "Any Ball in Hand". If
the player does shoot this shot and does not pocket it onto their
target raised pocket, play continues as normal.
[0060] The player shooting can shoot any of their primary object
balls (#'s 1-8), from any location on the table, including the
Center Spot, directly over a blocking raised pocket, and onto the
player's target raised pocket.
[0061] The player shooting is cautioned to not shoot any ball/s too
hard/fast. Any ball shot too hard or fast over, or into, a raised
Pocket may cause the ball/s to jump off the table. A Penalty will
be incurred for any ball/s knocked/shot off the table. If a ball,
or balls, is shot/knocked off the table, the ball, or balls, are
spotted back to their original game starting position/s, the
offending player loses their turn, and their opponent gets any two
(2) balls off the table.
[0062] The player shooting must make at least one (1) ball (any
ball, including their opponents balls, and/or the Cue ball) contact
a rail, a drop pocket (side or corner pockets), or any one of the
four (4) raised Pockets during the course of a shot. Remember, the
player shooting does not have to hit a ball and then rail. The
player only has to make a ball hit a rail, a drop pocket, or any
raised Pocket at anytime during the shot. If the shooting player's
"shot" fails to contact a rail, drop pocket, or any raised pocket,
the offending player's opponent gets "Any Ball in Hand".
[0063] The player shooting is not allowed to shoot directly at
their opponent's ball with any of their object balls, or the Cue
ball (if using the Cue ball as the shooter's object ball). Their
object ball, or Cue ball, must first contact a rail, another one of
their object balls, the cue ball, or any raised pocket, prior to
hitting their opponent's ball. Contacting your opponents ball
directly will result in the offending object ball (the ball you
shot) being spotted to its game starting position and "Any Ball in
Hand" for the non-offending player.
[0064] The player shooting is allowed to shoot their object ball,
or Cue ball, directly into any of their other object balls
(including the Cue ball). However, the player shooting, on every
shot, must make at least one (1) ball on the table (either their
object balls, their opponent's object balls , or the Cue ball)
contact a rail, drop pocket, or one of the (4) raised pockets at
some point during the shot. Unlike regular pocket billiards, the
ball does not have to hit a ball first and then a rail. Failing to
hit a cushion, drop pocket, or raised pocket at some point during
the course of the shot will result in loss of turn and "Any Ball in
Hand" for the non-offending player and the offending ball is moved
to its game starting position.
[0065] If the player shooting pockets one, or more, of their own
balls, or the Cue ball, into a drop pocket (corner or side pocket),
it is considered a scratch shot. If this occurs, the player
shooting loses their turn, the scratched ball gets spotted onto its
game starting position (or if the scratched ball's game starting
position is covered by another ball/s, the scratched ball is to be
spotted on the lowest number available spot mark along the head or
foot string), and their opponent gets "Any Ball in Hand". One
exception to this rule is if the player shooting happens to make
one (1) of their object balls, including the Cue ball, onto their
target raised pocket during the same shot, the ball made onto the
target raised pocket is considered a made shot, the player shooting
still loses their turn shooting and their opponent receives any
ball in hand.
[0066] If a player legally pockets one of their opponents balls
into a drop pocket (corner or side pocket), the pocketed ball gets
spotted back to its original game starting position (or if the
scratched ball's game starting position is covered by another
ball/s, the scratched ball is to be spotted on the lowest number
available spot mark along the head or foot string spot marks), and
the player shooting loses their turn. However, if during this same
shot, the player makes one of their object balls onto their target
raised pocket the player gets to continue shooting!"
[0067] If the player shooting pockets one, or more, balls (theirs
or their opponents) onto any blocking raised pocket, the pocketed
ball gets spotted back to its original game starting position, the
player shooting loses their turn, and their opponent shoots next.
However, during the same shot, if the player shooting pockets one
of their object balls onto their target raised pocket the ball
pocketed onto the target raised pocket is considered a made shot,
the ball made onto the blocking raised pocket still gets spotted at
its original game starting position, and the player gets to
continue shooting.
[0068] A player cannot "Double Hit" or "Push" a ball with the Cue
stick. If this occurs, the offending player loses his turn, the
offended ball is relocated to its original game starting position,
and the offending players' opponent gets "Any Ball in Hand".
[0069] If a player accidentally or purposely shoots at the wrong
group of balls with the cue stick (opponents group) during their
turn shooting, the player has committed a foul. Penalty--If this
happens, the offending player loses their turn, the offended ball
get placed back at the spot it was prior to the foul. If the
offended ball contacts/hits one or more balls on the table, their
opponent has the option to move all the balls back as close to
their location prior to the shot and receives "Any Ball in
Hand".
[0070] Accidently touching or moving balls prior to or during a
shot is a foul. If a player purposely or accidentally moves a ball
with their body, cue or anything else prior to a shot (perhaps
while getting down into a shot), that player must notify their
opponent and their opponent has the right to move that ball back or
to leave it where it is. If the offending player picks up the ball
without asking their opponent what they would like to do, the
player has now committed a foul. The player loses their turn and
their opponent receives any ball in hand. If a player accidentally
moves a ball during the course of a shot (after they have started
balls in motion or during the stroke), the player has committed a
foul and their opponent receives any ball in hand with the option
to replace moved balls back as close to their original position as
possible.
[0071] If a player pockets their last object into a drop pocket, or
any unintended pocket, and, at the same time successfully pockets
the Cue Ball into their "Target Pocket", the player wins the
game.
[0072] "Any Ball in Hand" means that a player is allowed to move
any one of their object balls, including their Game starting ball
or the Cue ball, to any place on the table and shoot that ball from
there. A player cannot move any ball, any place, and then shoot at
a different ball. In addition, the player must shoot the object
ball that they moved or relocated.
[0073] According to one embodiment of the invention, the game can
be played with partners (2-person team maximum) using alternate
shot, or shoot to you miss, formats. However, this should be
announced prior to play beginning. It is not a penalty for partners
to shoot out of turn if the opponent or opponents allow them to do
so without speaking up prior to the shot.
[0074] The first player who legally shoots all five of their object
balls onto their target raised pocket, Wins the Game. The Cue ball
can be used to make the winning shot. If a player has only one (1)
primary object ball remaining on the table, the player can choose
to shoot the Cue ball directly onto their target raised pocket and
win the game. If the player makes this shot, the player wins the
game.
[0075] Any time after a player has pocketed their Game starting
Object Ball, the player can choose to directly bank the Cue ball,
off one or more bumpers and onto their target raised pocket to win
the game. The player must call the shot, "Instant WIN Shot!" To
avoid any controversy over whether the player shooting "Called the
Instant Win Shot" or not, the player must physically place a coin
next to the Cue ball and then shoot the shot but the invention is
not limited thereto. If the player makes the shot, the player wins
the game instantly. If the player misses the shot, the player loses
their turn shooting, the Cue ball stays where it lies, and their
opponent gets to take any one (1) ball of their choice off the
table and it's their turn to shoot. If the player shooting misses
the shot and their opponent only had one (1) object ball left on
the table, their opponent would win the game.
[0076] If the player shooting pockets one of their opponent's balls
onto their own target raised pocket, the player shooting wins the
game instantly. Conversely, if the player shooting accidently
pockets one of their own balls, or the cue ball, onto their
opponent's target raised pocket, the player shooting Loses the Game
Instantly.
[0077] According to another embodiment of the invention as
illustrated in FIG. 12, the pool tables, pool games and raised
pockets described above can all be simulated on a computer system
130, wherein players can play virtual pool on the computer system
130. The players communicate with a computer 131 using a user
interface 132, such as a game controller, joystick or keyboard but
the invention is not limited thereto. The players will use their
user interfaces 132 to aim their shots and to control how hard the
pool balls are hit. A list of the pool games mentioned above can be
displayed on a display screen 134 of the computer system 130. The
players can then select a game form the list using the user
interface 132. Furthermore, the players can select the level of
difficulty of the game. In the alternative, the game can begin at a
simple level and advance to harder levels of play once the present
level has been successfully completed. In addition, the players can
be able to set various variables in the game. For example, the
players can be able to select the size and shape of the playing
surface, the size and shape of the raised pockets, the size and
shape of the indentations on the raised pockets, and even the
location of optional obstacles on the virtual playing surface and
the invention is not limited thereto.
[0078] In another embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 13,
a computer-readable medium 140 is illustrated schematically. The
computer-readable medium 140 has embodied thereon a computer
program 142 for simulating a pool game, for processing by a
computer 144. The computer program comprises a code segment 145 for
placing a plurality of pool balls in a starting position on the
playing surface of the pool table, wherein the plurality of pool
balls is comprised of an object ball and a plurality of different
sets of pool balls; a code segment 146 for shooting an initial shot
to break the pool balls from their starting position using a cue
ball and a cue stick; a code segment 147 for removing the cue ball
from the playing surface of the pool table; a code segment 148 for
alternating turns between a plurality of players, wherein each
player attempts to hit balls from a set of pool balls assigned to
that player into an indentation on a top level of a raised pocket
located on the playing surface of the pool table; and a code
segment 149 for hitting the object ball into an indentation on a
top level of the raised pocket located on the playing surface of
the pool table once a player has hit all of their assigned balls
onto the raised pocket, wherein the game ends when the object ball
comes to rest in the indentation on the raised pocket.
[0079] In another embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 14,
a computer-readable medium 150 is illustrated schematically. The
computer-readable medium 150 has embodied thereon a computer
program 152 for simulating a pool game, for processing by a
computer 154. The computer program comprises a code segment 155 for
placing a plurality of pool balls in starting positions on the
playing surface of the pool table, wherein the plurality of pool
balls is divided into two equal groups; a code segment 156 for
placing a first target raised pocket and a first blocking raised
pocket at first predetermined locations on the playing surface of
the pool table; a code segment 157 for placing a second target
raised pocket and a second blocking raised pocket at second
predetermined locations on the playing surface of the pool table; a
code segment 158 for assigning each player a different target
raised pocket and a set of pool balls; a code segment 159 for each
player hitting a ball from their assigned set of pool balls toward
their assigned target raised pocket, wherein the player who leaves
their ball closest to their assigned target raised pocket gets the
next turn; and a code segment 160 for alternating turns between the
plurality of players wherein each player attempts to hit all of
their assigned pool balls onto their assigned target raised packet,
wherein the game ends when one of the players hits all of their
assigned pool balls onto their assigned target raised pocket.
[0080] In another embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 15,
a computer-readable medium 170 is illustrated schematically. The
computer-readable medium 170 has embodied thereon a computer
program 172 for simulating a pool game, for processing by a
computer 174. The computer program comprises a code segment 175 for
placing a plurality of pool balls in a starting position on the
playing surface of the pool table; a code segment 176 for
alternating turns between a plurality of players, wherein each
player attempts to hit one or more of the pool balls, using a pool
cue, into an indentation on a top level of at least one raised
pocket located on the playing surface of the pool table.
[0081] The many features and advantages of the invention are
apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended
by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of
the invention which fall within the true spirits and scope of the
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations
will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation
illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within
the scope of the invention.
* * * * *