Speed pool

{{notability|date=March 2022}}

Speed pool (also called speedball), is a pool game, in which a player {{cuegloss|pocket}}s all the balls on the table as quickly as possible. It can be played competitively with the aid of a stopwatch.

Rules

  • The {{cuegloss|cue ball}} must not be in motion when shooting

:*{{Cuegloss|Object ball}}s {{em|can}} still be in motion when shooting

  • Ball and pocket must be {{Cuegloss|called shot|called}}, (no {{cuegloss|fluke|fluking}} the balls in)
  • Legal shots must be made – a 10-second penalty is incurred for each {{cuegloss|foul}}.

:*A legal shot involves the cue ball contacting an object ball, and driving it to a {{cuegloss|cushion}}, or the cue ball hitting a cushion after contact, or pocketing an object ball

  • Any ball may be pocketed, except that the {{cuegloss|8 ball}} must be last.

Tournaments

Because speed pool is a relatively recent development, there are few tournaments devoted to it, though it has attracted some professional competition. One notable event was the International Speed Pool Challenge which was broadcast on ESPN.{{Clarify|date=February 2009|reason=WHEN?}} The games played in this event included one based on straight pool as well as the more common version described above, which is derived from eight-ball. The object in each match was to play all games with a shorter total time than other players. Luc Salvas was the first to win this event, which had a US$50,000 winner-take-all purse that year.{{Clarify|date=August 2010|reason=WHEN?}}

Notable professional players

References

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  • [http://www.vnea-dallas.com/Documents/Speed-Pool-Rules-Of-Play.pdf One set of rules], from the Valley National Eight-ball Association

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Category:Pool (cue sports)