# Bumper pool

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{{for|the American football player|Bumper Pool (American football)}}
{{Short description|Cue sport}}
thumb|Rectangular bumper pool table
'''Bumper pool''' is a [cue sport](/source/cue_sport) played on a rectangular (or sometimes octagonal) table fitted with two [pockets](/source/Pocket_(billiards)) and an array of fixed cushioned obstacles, called bumpers, within the interior of the table surface.<ref name="bw-bump" /><ref name="bptf">{{cite web |url=http://bumperpooltablefacts.com/bumperpooltableballs.html |url-status=dead |title=Sinking Bumper Pool Table Balls By the Rules |website=Bumper Pool Table Facts |access-date=25 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223173430/http://www.bumperpooltablefacts.com/bumperpooltableballs.html |archive-date=23 December 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

== Table ==
thumb|Ball near the bumpers and pocket.
Typically, bumper pool tables are smaller than a regulation [pool table](/source/Billiard_table).<ref name="bptf" />{{clarify|date=January 2022|reason=No dimensions for either are given. What is the standard size for a bumper pool table?}} The table has two pockets, placed opposite one another, located at the center of two of the rails.<ref name="bptf" /> The surface of the table has the same cloth covering as a standard pool table.

Two bumpers flank each pocket.<ref name="bptf" /> 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.<ref name="bptf" /> At the center of the cross, there is an open space just large enough to allow a ball to pass through. Most tables have eight bumpers in the cross, with two comprising each arm, though additional pairs of bumpers may be included in the cross.<ref name="bptf" />

== Gameplay ==
The game is played with 5 red and 5 white [billiard ball](/source/billiard_ball)s, with one ball in each set marked by a circle of the other color.<ref name="bw-bump" /><ref name="bptf" /> 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.<ref name="bptf" /> The object is for a player to sink all of their balls into their pocket at the opposite end of the table.<ref name="bptf" /> The player's marked ball must be sunk before the player can shoot any other balls. Unlike most other billiard games, there is no designated [cue ball](/source/cue_ball); any ball may be shot directly with the cue stick, including into a pocket, rather than the more common rule that a cue ball must be hit into the intended ball.<ref name="bw-bump" /><ref name="bptf" />  

To begin play, both players shoot their marked ball simultaneously, [banking](/source/Glossary_of_cue_sports_terms) the ball off the cushion to their right and attempting to sink their ball in their pocket at the other end of the table.<ref name="bw-bump" /><ref name="bptf" /> If both players sink their first shot they each select another ball, place it in front of their opponent's pocket and repeat the simultaneous shot.<ref name="bw-bump" /><ref name="bptf" /> If both players successfully sink all five of their balls in this fashion the game ends in a [draw](/source/Tie_(draw)).<ref name="bw-bump" /><ref name="bptf" />

If, on the initial simultaneous shot, one player fails to sink their marked ball in the pocket, the player who successfully sank a ball or who came closest to their own pocket shoots next. A player's turn continues until they fail to sink a ball.

When a player sinks all five balls in the target pocket without interruption of their sequence of play, it is referred to as a 'perfect game'.

== Fouls ==
If a player sinks one of the opponent's balls there is no penalty. However, the ball is considered sunk regardless of which pocket it drops in. If a player sinks one of their own balls (but not the last) in the wrong pocket, the opponent may drop two of their own balls into their pocket.<ref name="bptf" /> A player sinking their last ball in the wrong pocket loses the game.<ref name="bptf" /> If a player causes a ball to leave the table, their opponent may place that ball anywhere on the table (usually in the middle space surrounded by bumpers) and may (depending on local custom<ref name="bptf" />) drop two of their balls into their [pocket](/source/Pocket_(billiards)). {{Cuegloss|Jump shots}} are not permitted in bumper pool.<ref name="bw-bump" /><ref name="bptf" />

==References==
<references>
<ref name="bw-bump">{{cite web |url=https://www.billiardworld.com/bumppool.htm |title=Bumper Pool |website=Billiard World Magazine  |access-date=March 12, 2026}}
</ref>
</references>

==External links==
* [https://www.gamingweekender.com/bumper-pool/#How_to_Play_Bumper_Pool Bumper Pool Rules]

{{Cue sports nav}}

Category:Obstacle billiards

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bumper pool](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bumper_pool) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bumper_pool?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.