Bumper pool

Bumper pool is a pocket billiards game played on an octagonal or rectangular table fitted with an array of fixed cushioned obstacles, called bumpers, at the center of its surface.

Table

Typically bumper pool tables are smaller than a regulation pool table. The table has two pockets, placed opposite one another, located at the center of two of the rails.

Most tables have twelve bumpers, although some tables have fourteen or sixteen. Two bumpers flank each pocket. The remaining bumpers are arranged in a cross in the center of the table, with one line of the cross in line with the pockets. At the center of the cross, there is an open space just large enough to allow a ball to pass through. Tables with fourteen bumpers have three rather than two bumpers on each side of the center space on the line midway between the two holes.

Gameplay

The game is played with 5 red and 5 white balls, with one marked ball in each set. At the start of play, each set of balls is arranged on five spots near each edge of the table by a pocket with the marked ball placed directly in front of the pocket. The object is for a player to sink all of their balls into their pocket at the opposite end of the table. A player's marked ball must be sunk before the player can sink any other balls. Unlike most other billiard games, there is no designated cue ball: each ball can be shot into the pocket.