How do I play two-ball?

How did you know about two-ball? We didn't even mention it yet.

Doesn't matter. Just answer the question!

Fair enough. For those who don't know, one of Chloe and AJ's favorite games is called two-ball. It's played on a pool table, but with only two balls (orange and black) and with unlimited people. We decided to bring a pool table to the reception so everyone can play! You also don't have to read the detailed rules below, because people will be happy to teach you how to play when you get there.

But for those who like to know the rules of games before you play them, here's how two-ball works:

The game is played in turns. After deciding the order of the players, everyone takes a turn and then it wraps back around to the first person. When it's your turn, you'll have to grab the orange ball, and roll it to hit the black ball. If you can do this legally (as described below), then you're safe. But if not, you get a strike. Three strikes and you're out! (But as a courtesy, new players get five).

When it's your turn, you'll have to keep the following things in mind when rolling the orange ball towards the black ball:

1. First, you have to actually grab the orange ball, which you can do as soon as your opponent completes their turn by hitting the black ball with the orange ball.

2. You have to stand behind one of the short sides of the table when rolling the orange ball. (Specifically, your hips have to be completely behind the imaginary line extending along the short side of the table).

3. When you release the orange ball, the black ball has to be on the other side of the table (next to the middle pockets is fine). As a result, you may find yourself running around the table to get lined up!

4. The black ball must not go into a pocket before you hit it.

5. The black ball must not be stopped when you release the orange ball.

6. You can't hit the black ball off the table.

7. If you roll the orange ball and miss, that's totally fine! You can grab it and roll it again as many times as you want, even if it goes into a pocket or goes off the table.

Of course, to get the black ball rolling in the first place, someone has to serve. The server is either the first person in line (to start the game), or the person who just received a strike. The black ball is placed on the dot where you'd normally rack the balls for a game of pool, and the server has 3 chances to complete a legal serve. For a serve to be legal:

1. You have to stand on the opposite side of the table as the black ball.

2. You have to hit the black ball hard enough for it to hit a wall or for it to go into a pocket. You can't just tap it and have it barely move.

If you exceed 3 tries, you do get a strike, but then you can continue attempting serves without consequence. This is a good opportunity for trick shots!

That should be the basics of two-ball. But if that didn't make sense, don't worry - you can learn as you go! Also, here's an action shot of Chloe serving (using a controversial technique of throwing the orange ball rather than rolling it).

Photos