We have yet to establish a Pool Master, but here are our modified rules to Bottle Pool and a variation that we call Pick Pocket.
Requirements
For Bottle Pool, two object balls, numbered one and two, the cue ball and a kelly bottle* are required.
Object
The primary object of the game is to be the first player to score exactly 31 points. Additionally, if a carom of the cue ball from an object ball flips the kelly bottle upright (onto its base), the player accomplishing this feat automatically wins the game.
Scoring
Points are scored in the following ways:
- One point is scored for pocketing the one ball
- Two points are scored for pocketing the two ball
- One point is scored for a carom of the cue ball on both object balls
- Five points are scored for a carom of the cue ball off of an object ball into, and upsetting, the bottle
Any or all of these can be accomplished on one stroke, for a maximum of nine points.
Any player reaching the score of exactly 31 points must announce this fact prior to his opponent's next shot. If this announcement is not made in time, his opponent(s) has the opportunity to also reach 31 points on his turn and, upon announcing his score, become the winner of the game. If his opponent(s) fails to accomplish this, the original player scoring 31 points may announce his score prior to his next turn (or at any time prior to his opponent's subsequent stroke) and become the winner.
If a player scores more than 31 points, his inning immediately ends, and his score is reduced to only the points scored in excess of 31. For example, if a player inadvertently scores 34 points, his inning ends, and his score becomes 3 (or 34 minus 31).
Starting and Replacement Positions
At the start of the game, the table is set up as follows (see diagram):
- The One Ball is placed at the left diamond on the foot cushion.
- The Two Ball is placed at the right diamond on the foot cushion.
- The Kelly Bottle is placed upside down (on its open, narrow end) on the center spot.
- The Cue Ball is placed on the table by the starting player anywhere behind the head string.
When the bottle is knocked down, it must be placed on (or as close as possible to) the spot where the open end lay when it came to rest. If the bottle is knocked off the table or into a pocket (see Fouls below), it is placed on the center spot as at the start of the game, or as close to it as possible without contacting an object or cue ball.
When the cue ball is pocketed or knocked off the table (see Fouls below), the next player may place it anywhere behind the head string as at the start of the game.
End of Inning
A player's inning ends if he commits a foul or fails to score at least one point on a stroke. Any points scored on a foul stroke are not counted and the player is penalized according to the table below.
The following situations are fouls, resulting in the end of a player's inning and a corresponding point penalty:
| Foul | Penalty |
| Failure to hit an object ball on a stroke | -1 point |
| Contacting the bottle with the cue ball prior to hitting an object ball | -1 point |
| Forcing the cue ball into a pocket or off of the table | -1 point |
| Shooting without at least one foot on the floor | -1 point |
| Upsetting the bottle in any manner (object ball, cue, direct cue ball, clothing, etc.) other than by a carom of the cue ball off of an object ball | -5 points |
Penalties are cumulative, however a maximum of 5 penalty points can be assessed on any one stroke.
Other
Bottle Pool can be played by two or more players (or teams).
Order of play is determined by lagging, drawing numbered pills, or by any mutually agreed method.
Players do not need to call their shots.
Pick Pocket is based on Bottle Pool, but eight object balls are used, and pocketed balls are replaced by the ball in that pocket. Other differences are explained below. For any situation not addressed below, see Bottle Pool rules (above).
Requirements
For Pick Pocket, eight object balls, numbered one through eight, the cue ball and a kelly bottle* are required.
Object
The primary object of the game is to be the first player to score exactly 31 points. Additionally, if a carom of the cue ball from an object ball flips the kelly bottle upright (onto its base), the player accomplishing this feat automatically wins the game.
Scoring
Points are scored in the following ways:
- Pocketed balls score the value of their number (1 through 8)
- One point is scored for a carom of the cue ball on both object balls on the table
- Five points are scored for a carom of the cue ball off of an object ball into, and upsetting, the bottle
Any or all of these can be accomplished on one stroke, for a maximum of 21 points.
Any player reaching the score of exactly 31 points must announce this fact prior to his opponent's next shot. If this announcement is not made in time, his opponent(s) has the opportunity to also reach 31 points on his turn and, upon announcing his score, become the winner of the game. If his opponent(s) fails to accomplish this, the original player scoring 31 points may announce his score prior to his next turn (or at any time prior to his opponent's subsequent stroke) and become the winner.
If a player scores more than 31 points, his inning immediately ends, and his score is reduced to only the points scored in excess of 31. For example, if a player inadvertently scores 34 points, his inning ends, and his score becomes 3 (or 34 minus 31).
Starting and Replacement Positions
At the start of the game, the table is set up as follows (see diagram):
- The One Ball is placed at the left diamond on the foot cushion.
- The Two Ball is placed at the right diamond on the foot cushion.
- The Kelly Bottle is placed upside down (on its open, narrow end) on the center spot.
- The Cue Ball is placed on the table by the starting player anywhere behind the head string.
- The remaining object balls are placed in each of the six pockets, starting with the 3 ball in the corner pocket to the right of the 2 ball and proceeding in number order clockwise around the table.
When the bottle is knocked down, it must be placed on (or as close as possible to) the spot where the open end lay when it came to rest. If the bottle is knocked off the table or into a pocket (see Fouls below), it is placed on the center spot as at the start of the game, or as close to it as possible without contacting an object or cue ball.
When the cue ball is pocketed or knocked off the table (see Fouls below), the next player may place it anywhere behind the head string as at the start of the game.
End of Inning
A player's inning ends if he commits a foul or fails to score at least one point on a stroke. Any points scored on a foul stroke are not counted and the player is penalized according to the table below.
The following situations are fouls, resulting in the end of a player's inning and a corresponding point penalty:
| Foul | Penalty |
| Failure to hit an object ball on a stroke | -1 point |
| Contacting the bottle with the cue ball prior to hitting an object ball | -1 point |
| Forcing the cue ball into a pocket or off of the table | -1 point |
| Shooting without at least one foot on the floor | -1 point |
| Upsetting the bottle in any manner (object ball, cue, direct cue ball, clothing, etc.) other than by a carom of the cue ball off of an object ball | -5 points |
Penalties are cumulative, however a maximum of 5 penalty points can be assessed on any one stroke.
Other
Pick Pocket can be played by two or more players (or teams).
Order of play is determined by lagging, drawing numbered pills, or by any mutually agreed method.
Players do not need to call their shots.
A Kelly Bottle (sometimes called a pill bottle, pea bottle, shake bottle, pool bottle, etc.), used in billiards games like Bottle Pool and Pick Pocket, is typically about 6" tall and is made of leather or plastic. I find that the lighter-weight plastic bottles work better for the games explained above. A large-mouthed, single-serving, soft drink bottle (Gatorade, etc.) can also be substituted.
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