Single pocket billiard tables and methods of playing billiard games thereon

Abstract

Disclosed are different shaped pocket billiard tables each of which includes only one pocket, which is located at the approximate center of the playing surface of the tables. The different shaped playing surfaces may be rectangular, square, round, triangular, octagonal, or diamond shaped, to help players learn the angles of playing billiards. Also disclosed are different billiard games which may be played on any of the single pocket billiard tables which are both fun to play and enhance a player's ability to play the angles of playing billiards on virtually any billiard table.

1 . A billiard table comprising a playing surface bordered by cushioned rails, said playing surface having only one pocket, said pocket being located at an approximate center of the playing surface.  
   
   
       2 . The table of  claim 1  further comprising a ball return chute extending from the pocket to a ball return access at one side, end or corner of the table.  
   
   
       3 . The table of  claim 1  wherein the playing surface has a rectangular shape.  
   
   
       4 . The table of  claim 1  wherein the playing surface has a square shape.  
   
   
       5 . The table of  claim 1  wherein the playing surface has an octagon shape.  
   
   
       6 . The table of  claim 1  wherein the playing surface has a round shape.  
   
   
       7 . The table of  claim 1  wherein the playing surface has a triangular shape.  
   
   
       8 . The table of  claim 1  wherein the playing surface has a diamond shape.  
   
   
       9 . A method of playing a pocket billiard game on a pocket billiard table having a playing surface with only one pocket, the pocket being located at the approximate center of the playing surface, comprising: 
 (a) providing a collection of object balls having two sets each of the same number of object balls, and one other object ball that is not part of either set, the object balls in each set and the one other object ball having different indicia to distinguish the object balls in each set and the one other object ball from each other;    (b) designating on the playing surface one or more racking areas for arranging the object balls when starting play;    (c) determining a rotational order of play by at least two players;    (d) using the movement of a cue ball to strike the arrangement of object balls to break the arrangement;    (e) using the movement of the cue ball during alternating play until one of the players legally pockets at least one of the object balls in the two sets to determine each player's designated set of object balls;    (f) continuing to use the movement of the cue ball to strike the object balls in the player's designated set until the player fails to legally pocket at least one of the object balls in the player's designated set;    (g) alternating play until at least one of the players has legally pocketed all of the object balls in that player's designated set;    (h) thereafter using the movement of the cue ball during that player's turn to strike the one other object ball to try to legally pocket the one other object ball; and    (i) declaring the winner the player that first legally pockets all of the object balls in that player's designated set and is the first to legally pocket the one other object ball.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein each of the two sets of object balls comprises a total of five object balls, the object balls in one of the two sets being numbered 1 through 5, inclusive, and the object balls in the other of the two sets being numbered 6 through 10, inclusive, and the one other object ball being numbered 11.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein each of the two sets of object balls comprises a total of three object balls, the object balls in one of the two sets being numbered 1 through 3, inclusive, the object balls in the other of the two sets being numbered 4 through 6, inclusive, and the one other object ball being numbered 7.  
   
   
       12 . A method of playing a pocket billiard game on a pocket billiard table having a playing surface with only one pocket, the pocket being located at the approximate center of the playing surface, comprising: 
 (a) providing a collection of successively numbered object balls;    (b) designating on the playing surface one or more racking areas for arranging the object balls when starting play;    (c) determining a rotational order of play by the players;    (d) using the movement of a cue ball to strike the object balls;    (e) alternating play every time a player fails to legally pocket an object ball in numerical order from low to high;    (f) awarding points to each player for each object ball legally pocketed according to the number on the legally pocketed object ball; and    (g) declaring the winner of the game the player that accumulates the most number of points.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein if the game ends in a tie, with each player having the same number of points, one additional object ball is placed on the table at a predetermined spot or location, and the first player to legally pocket the one additional object ball is declared the winner.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein if during shooting of the one additional object ball, a player scratches, that player loses the game.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein for an object ball to be legally pocketed, the cue ball must be banked off a cushion on the table prior to making contact with and pocketing the next object ball in numerical order.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein for an object ball to be legally pocketed, the movement of the cue ball must drive the next object ball in numerical order off a cushion on the table before that particular object ball is pocketed.  
   
   
       17 . A method of playing a pocket billiard game on a pocket billiard table having a playing surface with only one pocket, the pocket being located at the approximate center of the playing surface, comprising: 
 (a) providing a collection of object balls;    (b) arranging the object balls in one or more designated areas on the playing surface when starting play;    (c) determining a rotational order of play by at least two players;    (d) deciding prior to starting play whether in order to legally pocket an object ball, the movement of a cue ball must be used to either bank or kick the object balls into the pocket;    (e) alternating play every time a player fails to legally pocket an object ball; and    (f) declaring the winner of the game the player who legally pockets the most object balls.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein a total of three object balls are placed at a designated area on the playing surface, and the players must pocket the object balls the way the players call the shot for the object balls to be legally pocketed.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein a total of four object balls are placed at four predetermined spots or locations on the playing surface each uniformly spaced a predetermined distance away from the pocket and away from each other prior to the start of the game, and the first player to legally pocket three of the object balls is the winner of the game.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein in the event of a tie, the winner is declared in a sudden death playoff during which one additional object ball is placed at one of the four predetermined spots or locations on the playing surface, the rotational order of the players is again determined, and the first player to legally pocket the additional object ball in the pocket is the winner.