Pyramid pool

Setup for pyramid pool

Not to be confused with Russian pyramid, which is similar but unrelated to the one described below.

Pyramid pool, also called pyramids, is a form of pocket billiards (pool) mainly played in the 19th century. It was one of several pool games that were popular at this time (so called because gamblers pooled their bets at the start of play).

Origins

Pyramid pool grew out of the game of hazards which appeared in England by 1773. In this game, each player is assigned a numbered red object ball or (later) a uniquely coloured ball. The goal is to pot each other's balls using the white cue ball. This is the earliest call shot game. The striker must call an opponent's ball that he intends to pocket. If he succeeds, he will be paid the hazard (stake) by his opponent. If he fails, he must pay half the hazard to his intended victim. The red balls were initially placed at different spots around the table but the growing number of players led to the balls being racked into a pyramid (triangle) around 1830. The earliest version of pyramid pool awarded the entire pool to the player that sank the last ball.

Rules

This game had fifteen red balls that were racked in a triangle, as in snooker today but without the six coloured balls. Pyramid pool could be played by several players, with an agreed stake per ball potted, or with just two players in which case the first to pot eight balls would be the winner. Unlike in hazards, balls no longer needed to be called except in the American version which was required after the break shot.

In the British version, if there was a 7-7 tie with only one remaining red ball, one player will use it as his cue ball while the other retains use of the white.

Legacy

In 1875, this game combined with black pool to form snooker. In the United States, pyramid pool developed into fifteen-ball pool, a precursor to straight pool. Since the middle of the 20th century, the American version of pyramid pool has been known as basic pool or basic pocket billiards which now uses modern pool balls.

References

• Shamos, Mike (1999). The New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Billiards. New York: Lyons Press. ISBN 9781558217973 – via Internet Archive.