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Hub AI
Cutthroat (pool) AI simulator
(@Cutthroat (pool)_simulator)
Hub AI
Cutthroat (pool) AI simulator
(@Cutthroat (pool)_simulator)
Cutthroat (pool)
Cutthroat or cut-throat, also sometimes referred to as three-man-screw, is a typically three-player or team pocket billiards game, played on a pool table, with a full standard set of pool balls (15 numbered object balls and a cue ball); the game cannot be played with three or more players with an unnumbered reds-and-yellows ball set, as used in blackball. Each player is commonly assigned a set of five consecutively numbered object balls, though the number of balls will vary by number of players. The object of the game is to be the last player with at least one ball of their group remaining on the table.
The name "cutthroat" is not unique to pool, but is used to refer to other games played with three or more players in which all players must fend for themselves, e.g. cutthroat bridge and cutthroat American handball.
When racking the fifteen balls for cutthroat, the 1 ball is placed on the foot spot and the 6 ball and 11 ball are placed on the other two corners of the billiards rack.
In cutthroat, there are (usually) three sets of balls. Balls 1–5 are called the "low" balls, the "mid" balls are 6–10, and the "high" balls are 11–15. Each of the three players will eventually "own" one of these sets of five balls. Winning is accomplished by legally pocketing (potting) all of the other players' balls. Whether each shot must be called is determined before the game.
Each set of five balls is initially unclaimed – the ball sets remain "open" until at least one ball from two sets have been pocketed. For example, if the breaking player pockets the 6 then the 9, that player definitely does not own the 6–10 group, but does not yet clearly own either 1–5 or 11–15. If the player had pocketed the 6 then the 2, the player would definitely be group 11–15. A foul break thus includes the possibility that the fouling breaker may eventually be assigned a group from which a ball was pocketed on the foul break shot. However, if there was a foul on the break, no set can be claimed and the table is still open, no matter what balls may have been pocketed.
A player's turn continues so long as they legally pocket one or more object balls with each shot. A shooter can even knock in their own ball, allowing them to continue a turn in exchange for their now-weakened position. This circumstance is called "cutting one's own throat". If a player sinks their own last ball (intentionally or otherwise), they must sit out the rest of the game, except as noted below.
A scratch (knocking the cue ball into a pocket or off the table) is subject to special penalties, covered below, and results in the incoming player receiving cue ball in-hand.
The general rules of pocket billiards apply, including typical fouls, such as striking the cue ball twice on the same shot, striking an object ball instead of the cue ball with the cue stick, knocking an object ball off the table, etc. Such fouls end the shooter's turn without further penalty. The incoming player does not have cue ball in-hand, but takes the table as it lies (after balls are spotted).
Cutthroat (pool)
Cutthroat or cut-throat, also sometimes referred to as three-man-screw, is a typically three-player or team pocket billiards game, played on a pool table, with a full standard set of pool balls (15 numbered object balls and a cue ball); the game cannot be played with three or more players with an unnumbered reds-and-yellows ball set, as used in blackball. Each player is commonly assigned a set of five consecutively numbered object balls, though the number of balls will vary by number of players. The object of the game is to be the last player with at least one ball of their group remaining on the table.
The name "cutthroat" is not unique to pool, but is used to refer to other games played with three or more players in which all players must fend for themselves, e.g. cutthroat bridge and cutthroat American handball.
When racking the fifteen balls for cutthroat, the 1 ball is placed on the foot spot and the 6 ball and 11 ball are placed on the other two corners of the billiards rack.
In cutthroat, there are (usually) three sets of balls. Balls 1–5 are called the "low" balls, the "mid" balls are 6–10, and the "high" balls are 11–15. Each of the three players will eventually "own" one of these sets of five balls. Winning is accomplished by legally pocketing (potting) all of the other players' balls. Whether each shot must be called is determined before the game.
Each set of five balls is initially unclaimed – the ball sets remain "open" until at least one ball from two sets have been pocketed. For example, if the breaking player pockets the 6 then the 9, that player definitely does not own the 6–10 group, but does not yet clearly own either 1–5 or 11–15. If the player had pocketed the 6 then the 2, the player would definitely be group 11–15. A foul break thus includes the possibility that the fouling breaker may eventually be assigned a group from which a ball was pocketed on the foul break shot. However, if there was a foul on the break, no set can be claimed and the table is still open, no matter what balls may have been pocketed.
A player's turn continues so long as they legally pocket one or more object balls with each shot. A shooter can even knock in their own ball, allowing them to continue a turn in exchange for their now-weakened position. This circumstance is called "cutting one's own throat". If a player sinks their own last ball (intentionally or otherwise), they must sit out the rest of the game, except as noted below.
A scratch (knocking the cue ball into a pocket or off the table) is subject to special penalties, covered below, and results in the incoming player receiving cue ball in-hand.
The general rules of pocket billiards apply, including typical fouls, such as striking the cue ball twice on the same shot, striking an object ball instead of the cue ball with the cue stick, knocking an object ball off the table, etc. Such fouls end the shooter's turn without further penalty. The incoming player does not have cue ball in-hand, but takes the table as it lies (after balls are spotted).