Rotation (pool)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rotation (or rotation pool) is a pocket billiards (pool) game played using a standard pool table and standard triangular rack of fifteen (solid/stripe) billiard balls.
The object of the game is to score at least 61 points. A frame is won when either player reaches 61 points or more. Points are scored by potting the balls on the table; the number of points awarded is equal to the number printed on the ball potted; for example, potting the 4 ball scores the player 4 points. The 61 point mark is defined by taking the sum of all fifteen balls, 120, divided by two (to make 60) and adding one, to ensure a definite winner, although frames drawn at 60 points can occur. To some extent, the game combines a format similar to that of nine-ball with some elements of snooker.
At the beginning of each frame, the balls are racked in a triangle as in eight-ball and other games, except with the 1 ball at the front, the 2 ball and 3 ball in the back two corners, and the 15 ball — the one of the highest value — in the center.
The primary rule of the game is that the lowest numbered ball on the table at all any time is the ball in play and must be struck first, regardless of the player's intentions of which ball to pot. Players may use the lowest numbered ball to plant other balls and score a higher number of points, as long as the lowest numbered ball is hit first; consequently, points are also counted if consequently potting a higher numbered ball is unintentional (a "fluke" or "slop shot").
If a foul is committed, by potting or losing the cue ball, or by hitting no ball or an incorrect ball, the other player may place the cue ball anywhere on the table to take their next shot. Some people play the game with the 'three strikes' rule; if a player fouls three consecutive times during a frame they automatically forfeit that frame.
Some attractions of rotation include performing unconventional or difficult shots to reach the correct ball, and quite often making risky attempts to score higher amounts of points by performing advanced shots such as plants (combination shots), doubles (bank shots) and swerves.
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