House rules get weird out here.

But Wait, There's More

8-ball, except two balls are waiting to ruin your perfect finish.

1. Remove one solid and one stripe from the back corners of the rack. Start with six of each group plus the 8.
2. Play 8-ball and clear your group.
3. When you're ready for the 8, your opponent chooses either remaining held ball—your group or theirs—and places it to interfere.
4. If the returned ball belongs to your group, clear it before legally pocketing the 8.
5. The other held ball can be introduced when the other player reaches the 8.

The original story demonstrates why choosing your own ball can be just as nasty as choosing theirs. The browser prototype has simplified foul and called-pocket rules.

Caroms (Whacky Pool)

Turn the cue ball into the backboard, and shoot with the object ball instead.

1. Place the cue ball at the head position and break using the 1-ball.
2. Strike an object ball from your group so it contacts the cue ball first and then caroms toward a pocket.
3. No rail after contact or failure to contact the cue ball first is a foul. Opponent may leave the cue ball or move it to center.
4. Beginners play slop; intermediate players call the 8; advanced players call every shot. Different opponents can use different levels.
5. Clear your group and legally pocket the 8.

The original manuscript contains a truncated example section; consult its technical rules for details.

Coin-Op Cutthroat

Three players. Fifteen balls. The last Squatch with a ball standing wins.

1. Groups are 1–5, 6–10 and 11–15. Choose a group after a legal pocket, as late as the end of that turn.
2. You may pocket any ball, including your own; keep shooting until you fail to pocket one.
3. On a scratch, the second player gets ball-in-hand and the third player may claim one of the scratching player's balls.
4. An eliminated third player can re-enter by claiming that ball. Pocketed balls, even on fouls, stay down.
5. Last player with a ball remaining wins.

The 8-ball on the break isn't an automatic win in the original story. Group choice and scratch recovery create the strategy.

Press Your Luck

The original Episode 2 document currently has no readable text. We have its original narration recording in the media inventory, but haven't verified a transcription or rules.

We'll restore the historical material before publishing an authoritative lesson. No made-up rules.