Pool 300

Abstract

The Pool-300™ game enables one or more players to utilize standard pool equipment/implements (i.e., cue sticks, balls and a pool table) or specially designed implements (for electronic gaming), to play an individual or league match comprising playing a sequence of M individual frames. For each of the M frames, ten (10) sequentially numbered balls are racked in different pre-assigned configurations, each with a different numbered ball being the head ball. A Pool-300™ Rules Sheet and Pool-300™ Score Sheet are provided to explain how the game is played and illustrate which configuration is to be utilized for each frame. Frame scores, based on the number of balls pocketed in each frame, are recorded for each frame, and a final tally of scores calculated as the player's score for the game. In a first of two innings of each frame, the rules require the players to pocket the balls in numerical/sequential order.

1 . A method for playing a point scoring, skills game involving a cue stick and balls as utilized in the game of pool, the method comprising:
 racking a plurality of balls in a first configuration among multiple configurations that are pre-assigned for uniquely racking the plurality of balls, wherein the multiple configurations includes up to M configurations, where M is a number of frames to be played in a single game;   pocketing one or more of the plurality of balls in a first pre-defined order utilizing the cue stick and a cue ball;   assigning a score for each of the one or more plurality of balls that are pocketed in the first pre-defined order; and   recording the score within an entry of a score sheet corresponding to a number of the frame in which the score was received.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the point scoring skills game has a maximum score of X points attainable when all balls are pocketed within a first inning of each of the M frames and all balls are pocketed in a second inning of the M th  frame. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 playing a plurality of innings per frame, where the plurality of innings includes at least a first inning and a second inning;   wherein said pocketing in a first pre-defined order is required only in the first inning of the plurality of innings;   when the first inning is completed and there are balls remaining to be pocketed:
 pocketing, in any order, any remaining balls of the plurality of balls that are left on the table; and 
 said recording includes recording both a first inning score and a second inning score as the score for the frame. 
   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 when all the balls are pocketed during the first inning for each frame that is not the M th  frame, recording the score for the frame as a strike and bypassing the second inning   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein, when a current frame is a last/final (M th ) frame of a game, the method further comprises:
 when a strike is recorded in the first inning of the final frame:
 entering a corresponding score on the score sheet; 
 re-racking the balls in the M th  configuration; and 
 completing/playing a second inning according to first inning rules, wherein the balls are required to be pocketed in numerical/sequential order; 
   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein:
 when a strike is recorded in the second inning of the final frame, the method further comprises:
 entering a corresponding score on the score sheet; 
 re-racking the balls in the M th  configuration; and 
 completing/playing a third inning according to first inning rules, wherein the balls are required to be pocketed in numerical/sequential order; and 
   when a spare is recorded in the second inning of the final frame, the method further comprises:
 entering a corresponding score on the score sheet; 
 re-racking the balls in the M th  configuration; and 
 completing/playing a third inning according to second inning rules, wherein the balls are not required to be pocketed in numerical/sequential order and may be pocketed in any order; 
   when the strike in the first inning of the final frame is not followed by a second strike in the second inning of the final frame, then the method comprises: completing a third inning according to the second inning rules; and   calculating a running total in the final frame based on (or equal to) a previous frame's total plus the total of the three innings of the final frame.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein when the score of the first inning of the final frame is not a strike, the method comprises:
 recording individual scores of the first two innings of the final frame; and   when the first two innings of the final frame results in a spare:
 completing a third inning according to “first inning rules”; and 
 calculating a running total in the final frame based on (or equal to) a previous frame's total plus the total of the three innings of the final frame; and 
   when the first two innings of the final frame does not result in a spare, calculating a running total as equal to the previous frame's total plus the total of the two innings of the final frame.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method is performed by an electronic device executing program code and which receives one or more inputs from a player of the game, which inputs initiate and control the various functions performed by the executing program code. 
     
     
         9 . An electronic device comprising:
 a processing module;   one or more input devices or receivers;   a software utility executing on the electronic device that enables one or more Pool-300™ gaming functionality from among:   racking a plurality of balls in a first configuration among multiple configurations that are pre-assigned for uniquely racking the plurality of balls, wherein the multiple configurations includes up to M configurations, where M is a number of frames to be played in a single game;   pocketing one or more of the plurality of balls in a first pre-defined order utilizing the cue stick and a cue ball;   assigning a score for each of the one or more plurality of balls that are pocketed in the first pre-defined order; and   recording the score within an entry of a score sheet corresponding to a number of the frame in which the score was received.   
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein said gaming functionality further comprises:
 generating a score sheet for entry of one or more player characteristics and scores for each frame to be played in the game;   visibly displaying the score sheet for view by a user of the electronic device;   responsive to a receipt of a request for Rules to play the game, retrieving one or more Rule Sheets and providing the one or more rule sheets.   
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , further comprising an associated player implement separate from the device and communicatively coupled to the device via a wireless or wired signal, wherein movement of the player implement is detected by the electronic device and generates a corresponding or opposing action on one or more balls electronically displayed on a display device of the electronic device. 
     
     
         12 . A Scoring Table for use with a skills game involving a cue stick and balls as utilized in the game of pool, the Scoring Table comprising:
 at least one column for entry of player identifying characteristics, such as a player name or nickname, player handicap, and player league status;   a plurality of scoring columns, each representing a separate frame of an M frame game, wherein each of the plurality of scoring columns are utilized to record numeric scores in one or more frames that comprise a single game; and   a plurality of graphical illustrations, one for each frame, indicating an arrangement of a plurality of balls that is to be utilized within the game for each individual frame, wherein the arrangement is a pre-defined, different arrangement for each frame.   
     
     
         13 . The Scoring Table of  claim 12 , wherein the number of different arrangements of the balls comprises up to M arrangements. 
     
     
         14 . The Scoring Table of  claim 12 , wherein each frame comprises:
 at least two boxes for insertion of a single score representative of a score received in a respective innings of the frame; and   a total running score section for entry of a total score calculated across a current frame and each previous frame for which play has completed.   
     
     
         15 . A league handbook for facilitating establishment of a league for playing a skills game involving a cue stick and balls as utilized in the game of pool, the handbook comprising a Scoring Table designed according to  claim 12 .