Pool (American billiards)

Pool (American billiards) - Play Online

This is your classic 8-ball pool, straight-up no frills. If you've ever played pool at a bar or tapped on a mobile billiards game, you know exactly what you're getting here. Sink your striped or solid balls, avoid scratching with the cue ball, and pocket the 8-ball last to win. It's a clean browser version of the American pool you already know, with the option to challenge the AI or pass the device to a friend for some old-school turn-based competition.

Key Features

• Classic 8-Ball Rules: No weird twists—just pure American billiards with striped vs. solid ball format.
• Local Multiplayer: Pass-and-play mode lets you compete with a friend on the same device.
• Adjustable AI Difficulty: Choose between Easy, Medium, and Hard bot opponents to match your skill level.
• Custom UI Layout: Switch the power meter to the left or right side depending on what feels comfortable.

How to Play Pool (American billiards)

Getting started takes seconds, but lining up that perfect shot? That's where the challenge kicks in.

Aim Your Shot with the Trajectory Line

You drag the cue stick to aim. A dashed line shows you exactly where the cue ball will travel, and if you're lucky, it'll even show you the bounce path off cushions. Position matters—sometimes you need to set up the next shot, not just sink the current one.

Control Your Power with the Cue Swipe

You pull back on the cue stick (mouse drag or finger swipe) to set your shot strength. The further you pull, the harder you hit. Too soft and you'll leave the ball hanging; too hard and you'll scratch or send everything flying into chaos. Finding that sweet spot is the core skill here.

Clear Your Balls and Sink the 8-Ball

After the break, you're assigned either solids or stripes. Pocket all your balls first, then carefully sink the black 8-ball to win. Miss a shot and your opponent gets their turn. Scratch the cue ball or sink the 8-ball early? You lose instantly. It's all about patience and precision.

Who is Pool (American billiards) for?

Perfect for casual players who want a quick match during a break or anyone nostalgic for classic pool hall vibes. It's also solid for kids learning the rules—no blood, no timers stressing you out, just turn-based thinking. If you're a hardcore billiards fan, the AI on Hard mode will give you a decent workout, but don't expect pro-level physics or spin mechanics. This is more "coffee shop time-killer" than "competitive esports."

The Gameplay Vibe

It's chill and methodical. You're not racing against the clock—just lining up shots, thinking two moves ahead, and occasionally cursing when the AI sinks three balls in a row. The visuals are super basic: flat 2D table, simple ball shading, and minimal sound effects. There's a "shine balls" toggle in settings that adds a bit of gloss, but honestly, it doesn't change much. The audio is forgettable—just light clacks when balls collide. This is a game you play while listening to music or a podcast. No stress, no rush, just you versus the geometry of the table.

Technical Check: Saves & Performance

The game doesn't have a traditional save system since each match is a standalone session. If you're playing against the bot and refresh the page, you'll start a new game. That said, your settings (difficulty, UI side, sound preferences) stick around in your browser cache. Performance-wise, this runs on anything—old laptops, budget phones, ancient tablets. The 2D graphics are so lightweight you could probably play this on a smartwatch if you tried hard enough. No lag, no stuttering, just instant responsiveness.

Quick Verdict: Pros & Cons

A solid pick if you want classic 8-ball without downloading an app or dealing with microtransactions.

• ✅ Pro: Instant play in your browser—no account, no download, no nonsense.
• ✅ Pro: Local multiplayer is genuinely fun for quick competitions with a friend.
• ❌ Con: The visuals are bare-bones. If you care about eye candy, this isn't it.

Controls

Responsive and simple. The drag-to-aim feels natural, and the power control is intuitive once you get used to the pull distance.

• Desktop: Click and drag the cue stick to aim and set power. Release to shoot.
• Mobile: Touch and swipe the cue stick. Same drag-back mechanic for power control.

Release Date & Developer

Developed by sb-games and released on January 1, 2023. It's a straightforward browser adaptation of classic American pool.